Arrive mid to late morning and steer your campervan to a scenic, well-equipped site such as Park Cliffe Campsite (near Windermere) or Low Wray Caravan Club site on the shores of Lake Windermere; pitch up, hook up services and take a brisk walk along the lakeside to blow away travel tiredness. Pop into Bowness-on-Windermere for coffee and fresh pastries at cafes like The Old Laundry or The Courthouse, then stroll past the World of Beatrix Potter shop and the busy jetty to get your bearings for the next few days.
Spend the afternoon exploring nearby sights: catch a short ferry across the lake to Ambleside or take the Windermere Lake Cruises hop-on hop-off to view the fells from the water, then visit the Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway if you fancy a nostalgic steam or diesel trip. If you prefer a light walk, follow the Ornamental Drive and the Waterhead Promenade for classic lake and mountain views, or head to Browfoot Park for a panoramic viewpoint—stop to pick up picnic supplies from Booths supermarket in Windermere if the campsite kitchen will be your evening base.
For New Year’s Eve enjoy a relaxed lakeside dinner in Bowness at a cosy pub such as The Crafty Baa or The Albert, or cook in the van and take in the twilight over the water from your pitch; many campsites host their own small festivities, so check noticeboards for carol singers or a communal bonfire. If you want to join local celebrations, walk into Bowness for a low-key street atmosphere and midnight fireworks viewed from the lakefront—wrap up warm and give yourself a gentle, celebratory first night in the Lake District before tomorrow’s New Year’s Day parkrun.
Start the New Year with a brisk Ambleside parkrun at Broad Hill or, if you prefer quieter trails, drive a short way to the Great How parkrun route — either will give you crisp fell air and a cheerful local turnout. After your run, warm up with a hot chocolate and pastries at The Apple Pie Cafe on Church Street or grab a restorative brunch at The Old Stamp House in Ambleside before returning to your campervan to change and dry off if needed.
Spend a relaxed afternoon exploring Ambleside’s compact charms: wander to Stock Ghyll Force for a short waterfall walk, browse independent shops along Rydal Road and pop into Bridge House for classic photos, or take the short lakeside stroll to Waterhead and catch the Windermere Lake Cruises ferry for a gentle panorama of the fells. If the weather is clear and you’re looking for a slightly longer outing, drive up to Rydal Water for a circular walk to Rydal Cave and the Wordsworth family graves at Rydal Mount.
Return to your campsite around Windermere or Bowness and cook a simple celebratory dinner in the van or book ahead for a cosy table at The Crafty Baa in Bowness to sample local ales and hearty food. Finish the day with a calm lakeside sunset walk from the Waterhead promenade or Ornamental Drive, then relax back at your pitch with hot drinks and starry views — a peaceful, restorative start to the year before tomorrow’s next parkrun or longer excursion.
If you’re up for a second parkrun, head to Grasmere parkrun for a picturesque route around the village green and lakeshore — afterwards reward yourself with a legendary gingerbread and a hot brew from Sarah Nelson’s Grasmere Gingerbread Shop or sit in at J. K. Rowling (sorry, The Grasmere Tea Garden) for a warming breakfast. Alternatively choose the flatter Windermere parkrun at Rayrigg Meadow for easier footing, then wander into nearby Bowness to dry off and pick up supplies at Booths before setting off for the day’s drives.
After parkrun, take a scenic driving loop through Rydal and along the A591 toward Grasmere, stopping for a longer walk around Grasmere Lake or Rydal Water — the circular route past Wordsworth’s Dove Cottage and Rydal Mount offers literary history and classic fell views. If the weather’s kind, explore the quieter lanes to Loughrigg Fell for panoramic photos, or detour to Grasmere village to browse cosy bookshops and pick up local cheese from the village deli for a later snack.
Return to your campervan as daylight fades and either cook a simple stew using local produce on your stove or book a cosy table at The Jumble Room in Ambleside for inventive seasonal dishes; finish with an after-dinner stroll around the frozen-silver shoreline at Waterhead for peaceful reflections. Back at the campsite, swap stories over hot drinks and plan a gentle final morning stop in Kendal or along the return route, enjoying the quiet of the fells before tomorrow’s pack-up.
Break camp after a leisurely breakfast cooked in the van or grabbed from a local bakery — try Kendal’s The Cheese Shop or Booths deli if you pop into town — and take time to rinse and stow kit so everything is ready for the drive. Before leaving the Lakes, make a short detour to the serene Aysgarth or the Riversider at Brockhole for one last lakeside stroll and final photo opportunities of the fells.
Head south toward Kendal for a relaxed lunch and some light exploring; wander the historic Market Place, step inside Kendal Parish Church, and browse indie shops like The Little Shop of Hobbies or the Zepher Bookshop for souvenirs and local produce. If you prefer countryside detours, drive the A6 towards Lancaster and stop at Levens Hall to stretch legs around its winter topiary or at Sizergh Castle for gardens and tea in the café before completing your journey home.
Arrive home in the early evening with time to unpack a few essentials and savour leftovers from local cheeses and breads picked up on the route, or settle in with a warming stew made from supplies bought in Windermere. Reflect on the trip’s highlights — the two parkruns, crisp fell air and lakeside sunsets — and plan your next campervan escape while the van is still warm from the day’s drive.