Living in Kendal, I’m lucky enough to have the Lake District right on my doorstep. Over the years, I’ve wandered away from the big names like Windermere and Ambleside and found myself drawn to the quieter corners, the kind of places where you don’t have to dodge tour buses or queue for a coffee.
You come to the Lakes for the peace and the scenery, but in the height of summer, it doesn’t always feel that way. Car parks in Bowness are full, the walk up Orrest Head can feel like a queue, and it’s easy to wonder where the quiet moments have gone.
The thing is, just a few miles from hotspots, there are valleys where you might meet more sheep than people, places most visitors drive straight past.
Here are a few villages and valleys I always recommend.
Cartmel – cobbles, pudding and peace
Cartmel is one of those villages that manages to be both well-loved and still feel special. The cobbled square and the priory give it a timeless feel, while the sticky toffee pudding has made it famous for good reason.
These days, it’s also a bit of a foodie destination, with everything from proper country pubs to Michelin-star dining. The area does get lively with Cartmel Races (a great day out if you’re in the area!), but most of the time it keeps a slower, more relaxed pace. Even if you just come for a wander, it’s worth it – there’s nowhere quite like Cartmel.
👉 Tip: Park on the edge of the village and walk in, the streets are narrow. If you fancy a longer walk, the lanes around Cartmel take you up into Cartmel Fell with cracking views.
📍 Distance: About 5 minutes from Grange-over-Sands, 35 minutes from Windermere.
View our Cartmel Properties Here
Underbarrow – the quiet neighbour
Just a few miles outside Kendal, Underbarrow is a village many visitors never reach. It’s surrounded by gentle rolling countryside with footpaths criss-crossing the fields, and it has one of my favourite pubs, the Black Labrador (amazing Sunday Roasts!).
It’s a great spot if you want a proper Lakeland walk without battling the crowds. From here you can head out on local circular walks or stretch further across the Scout Scar ridge for big views back towards the Kent Estuary.
👉 Tip: Don’t miss the short walk up to Helsington Church, the views across to the central fells are some of the best near Kendal.
📍 Distance: 10 minutes from Kendal, 15 minutes to Bowness.
View our Underbarrow Glamping pods Here
Troutbeck – classic Lakeland charm
Set on the road between Windermere and Kirkstone Pass, Troutbeck is picture-perfect, but still quieter than the main tourist hubs nearby. Traditional stone cottages line the valley, and the views towards the fells are stunning.
It’s also home to the Mortal Man pub, which has been serving walkers for centuries. National Trust’s Townend Farmhouse is worth a visit too, a preserved 17th-century farmhouse that shows what life here used to be like.
👉 Tip: Combine a visit with the walk up Wansfell Pike, a shorter fell walk with some of the best views over Windermere.
📍 Distance: 10 minutes from Windermere, 12 minutes from Ambleside.
View our Troutbeck Properties Here
Longsleddle – a valley to yourself
(Hint: It’s the real-life inspiration for Postman Pat’s Greendale!)
North of Kendal, Longsleddle is one of those hidden valleys you’d easily miss if you didn’t know it was there. It’s quiet, green, and dramatic in its own understated way.
In fact, for anyone who grew up with British television, it might even feel strangely familiar. This long, gentle valley was the inspiration for Greendale, the home of Postman Pat. And just like Pat’s village, it remains a peaceful, close-knit community, seemingly untouched by the rush of the modern world.
There’s no tourist infrastructure here, no tea rooms, no gift shops… just farms, fields, and fell views. With a bit of planning, you can find great walking routes and even a couple of wild swimming spots further up the valley.
👉 Tip: Drive slowly, the lanes can be narrow!
📍 Distance: 20 minutes from Kendal, and roughly 14 miles from Windermere (about 30 minutes by car)
View our Longsleddle Properties Here
Brigsteer & the Lyth Valley – blossom and big views
A short drive from Kendal takes you to Brigsteer and the wider Lyth Valley. In spring, the damson blossom makes the whole valley glow, and it’s a sight that doesn’t get shouted about enough.
Brigsteer itself has a cracking community pub, The Wheatsheaf, and from the village you can walk up to Scout Scar for some of the best views back over Kendal and Morecambe Bay. The wider Lyth Valley is also known for its food, you’ll find good pubs and restaurants scattered across the area.
👉 Tip: Time your visit for April when the damson orchards are in blossom, or autumn when you’ll spot damson gin for sale in local shops.
📍 Distance: 10 minutes from Kendal, 20 minutes from Windermere.
View our Brigsteer & Lyth Valley Properties Here
Why it’s worth going off the beaten track
Exploring places like these is about slowing down. You won’t find queues or ticket machines, just small pubs, quiet lanes, and scenery that takes you by surprise. And by supporting these villages, you’re helping the independent businesses that keep the Lake District special.
So if you’re heading this way, don’t just stick to the hotspots. Take a turn down a side road, stop at the village you’ve never heard of, and see what you find. That’s where the real magic of the Lakes lives.
