We kind of have to start with the Lake District 2023, because that was such an amazing road trip as soon as it was over we knew we had to go back. So with that set we got to work switching the route up, finding another new campsite and adding to the list of great places to stop and visit along the route.

Our Lakes trip consists of 3.5 days and 3 nights, starting on the Thursday evening where everyone can arrive at a time that suits them, travelling from all over the country to meet us in Cumbria, and lasting until the Sunday afternoon.

We had all been eagerly watching the weather forecast for the past 3 weeks, then in typical Latitude Road Trip style the clouds parted ways and sun came out shining for what felt like our first summers day in forever. We were blessed with 20°C+ throughout the weekend, which shows we’re getting good at booking the weather.

Night One saw us back a great campsite, Gillhead Farm, set at the foot of Blencathara and just 10 minutes from the M6 its a great location to either base yourself at, or begin your journey into the National Park. The facilities are excellent and well kept and campsite owners friendly and accommodating.

Day One saw us head to the north west of the National Park, an area not explored on one of our trips before. A day absolutely packed full of amazing scenery and mountain passes. Our stops included Moss Force and Honister Pass, some took the time to have a cycle through Whinlatter Forest and others set off early to conquer Englands highest mountain, Scafell Pike.

Throughout the day everyone was crossing paths and meeting at the points we laid out in the route card.

The route navigated counter clockwise around Crummock Water, Buttermere and Derwentwater before reaching our second nights stop at Dale Bottom Farm. Another amazing location with 360 views and another beautiful warm evening. That night was the Friday that got hit by the northern lights, which from our location were easily visible and well worth staying up for!

The next day saw a tradition held first thing in the morning, a sun rise hike. Alarms set for 4 am a small group woke and hopped in a few cars to get the the start of our hike up Raven Crag. A short (ish) but very steep walk to the viewpoint at the top gave us amazing views over the fells and Thirlmere, as well as an extreme sense of accomplishment when back at the campsite at 7 am knowing what we’d already done that morning!

It felt like another tradition was forming that morning too, as we once again visited the Thirlmere infinity pool, seen many times on social media for its amazing views and idyllic and icy cold pools. Last year a smaller group found the location and this year there must have been nearly 30 of us there taking the cold plunges.

The route then moved south via Grasmere and a number of other beauty spots before arriving at our third and final stop-off. A firm favourite of ours and everyone who has ever visited, Turner Hall Campsite is set in an amazing valley with camp spots set amongst rocky outcrops, streams, old farm buildings and trees. Whilst the phone signal is non-existent, the toilet and shower facilities are good. They very kindly opened the campsite early just for Latitude this May and whilst this was our second time there, it definitely won’t be our last.

A slow Sunday morning saw everyone pack up and head out from Turner Hall for our final day. Some said their goodbyes that morning before heading home and others joined us for a few more scenic stop off points such as Hodge Close and Cathedral Cave, before an informal lunch stop at a lake side pub near Ambleside.

With many of us having a long drive back home we all exchanged how great the last few days had been and made sure to catch up on the next road trip, where ever that may be.

And with that our Lakes 2024 trip was over and another perfect weekend was in the books. Do we make it three from three and head back to the Lake District once again in 2025? Who knows…

See you on the road ✌️