Peaks district versus lakes district

It has been a while since I have visited either one of these areas - but I just read this article in Britain Magazine that I thought you might be interested in on Derbyshire.
https://www.britain-magazine.com/features/inspiration/peak-district-guide/
Margaret

Hi Elaine -

I suppose it all depends on what you think constitutes beautiful scenery.

Personally as someone who lives between the two areas I’d choose the Lake District over the Peak District every time, although the Peak District is not without its charms. I would go to the Lake District as the hiking is more challenging and, in my opinion, extensive. The Lake District, generally speaking, has the better scenery too. Shout out for my own Yorkshire Dales, sandwiched between the two ‘Districts’ though!

If going to the Lake District do try to take in some of the quieter areas. I’m thinking of Coniston, Buttermere, Wasdale, Elterwater and the Greater Langdale valley and Ullswater as opposed to the popular, but usually busy, honeypots of Bowness and Windermere, Ambleside, Grasmere and Keswick. That’s not to say that the better known areas aren’t attractive but they are the most ‘touristy’ areas. Some people I used to work with believed that Windermere was THE Lake District! Shameful!

Some of the driving in the Lakes can be challenging for a visitor, twisty, narrow and steep over some of the passes. Something to maybe be aware of, but don’t let it put you off, you’d miss much by avoiding those routes. And the Peak District roads or the Yorkshire Dales roads will not be any better!

If there’s anything else more specific you need to know, please feel free to ask, either here or via personal message.

Hope you have a great trip!

Ian

I've been to both...the only one of the two I keep returning to is the Lake District. The Peak District is nice but has nothing on the Lakes.

I think there are parts of the Lakes that are crowded and over commercialised, but they are never boring if you have, like me, an unhealthy interest in all things Goretex!

There are quieter, less busy parts of the Lakes and I was trying to point the OP in the direction of those. Having wandered The Lake District extensively over the years, man and boy, it really becomes somewhere special when you get on your hiking boots and get up into the hills whether it be Catbells or Sca Fell Pike or Jack’s Rake or Sharp Edge (hands out of pockets on the latter two!) for instance, or get off the beaten tracks to more unspoilt lower places, like, say, the Staters Bridge In Little Langdale. Or Castle Crag at the foot of Derwentwater.

As I said originally, it’s down to what you think constitutes beautiful scenery! And of course, to how much effort you can or want to put in to achieving it!

Ian

Tough choice.The Dales are high on my list especially the northern ones even up too Teesdale and the high Pennine " England's last wilderness".
For hardcore peak bashing the Lake District is ahead

If you want to walk some hills, then the Lakes are more taxing. If you just want to see stunning scenery, I would head to the Peak District, as there are far fewer tourists and less traffic.

I have just spent the day around Edale in the Peak District, in a tropical 18 degrees (it should be 7 degrees at this time of year), blue skies and not a cloud in the sky. The first few lambs have been born. Ahhhh. Why bother going to the Lake District?