Little Langdale Lake District Weekend Break
If you’re looking for a peaceful base that still gives you easy access to proper mountain walks, Little Langdale, Lake District might just be the one. Joel and I spent a weekend there recently and absolutely loved it – quiet trails, big views and a cosy pub to come back to at the end of the day. We stayed at the Three Shires Inn, which turned out to be the perfect spot: comfy rooms, excellent food, and walking routes right from the front door. If you like your hikes with a side of sticky toffee pudding and not too much traffic, read on.
Why Stay in Little Langdale, Lake District?
Little Langdale sits just to the west of Elterwater and is much quieter than its more famous neighbours like Ambleside or Grasmere. There’s no big supermarket, no bustling cafés – just a few scattered cottages, a single-lane road, and an old stone pub nestled in the hills. Perfect.
What we loved most was how walkable everything was. You’re right between the Coniston Fells and the Langdale Pikes, with a whole mix of routes from gentle valley strolls to full-on ridge days. And because it’s a little out of the way, you avoid a lot of the crowds – especially in early spring or late autumn, or if you can book a midweek break.
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Little Langdale Holiday Accommodation
We booked a suite at the Three Shires Inn, and we couldn’t have picked a better base. We had the Busk Pike suite and our room was lovely. It even had its own private patio area next to the stream, perfect for a morning coffee – and importantly, plenty of space to dump muddy boots and wet kit without tripping over everything.
The room was well equipped with twin beds (we don’t usually go for separate beds!), a lovely bathroom, living room and tea and coffee facilities.
Breakfast was hearty (we’re talking full Cumbrian, eggs Benedict, toast, coffee – the lot) and the pub food in the evening hit the spot after a day on the fells. We ate there both nights – partly because it was so convenient, partly because we couldn’t resist going back for the chicken supreme. The pub itself is everything you want from a Lake District inn: low beams, good beer and a proper fire when the weather turns.
If you’re staying as a walker, it’s perfect – there’s space to dry your kit, the staff are used to people heading off into the hills and you can roll straight out the door and onto the trail.
Walking Weekend in Little Langdale
Day 1: Holme Fell and Black Fell
As check in was later in the day, we drove up and did a hike before we went to the pub. We headed up Black Fell and Holme Fell, two of the smaller Wainwrights, and had a lovely wander around Tarn Hows past the waterfalls.
Walk Route: Holme Fell and Black Fell Walk With Waterfalls
This was a lovely way to ease into the weekend. We were back in time for a pint, then checked in and had dinner in the pub.
Day 2: Big Day on the Coniston Fells
We’d planned a full fell day during our trip, and set off a short drive away on a loop taking in some of the Coniston Fells (and bagging 7 Wainwrights) – Swirl How, Great Carrs, Grey Friar, Brim Fell, the Old Man of Coniston and finishing on Dow Crag. It was one of those big, satisfying days with steady climbs, airy ridges, and views for miles. For the most part we were the only people on the fells, apart from around the ever-popular Old Man.
Walk Route: Coniston Fells Circular Walk | Wetherlam, Swirl How, Old Man of Coniston + More (7 Wainwrights)
We packed some sausage rolls from Herdwicks Cafe in Coniston and stopped for lunch just below the summit of Wetherlam, with views all the way back across to Little Langdale, Coniston Water and out to the sea.
We got back to the Three Shires just in time for dinner – and yes, I went for the chicken again.
Day 3: Slater Bridge and Lingmoor Fell
We didn’t want to leave without squeezing in a couple of small walks. We were up and about before breakfast was served, so we headed out to see how to find Slater Bridge. This is just a short walk from the pub and didn’t take long.
Walk Route: How to Find Slater Bridge
For our last walk, we tackled Lingmoor Fell which is just behind the pub. It’s a walk which packs in brilliant views down into Great Langdale and across to the Coniston range we’d walked the day before (apparently – it rained like I-don’t-know-what all the way up!). The summit is marked with a small cairn, and the walk gives you a real sense of space even though it’s not a huge hill.
Walk Route: Lingmoor Fell
We got back to the pub and because we’d already checked out, we had to get changed in the back of the car before heading home to glorious sunshine. Typical!
Handy Tips for a Little Langdale Walking Weekend
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Best time to go: Spring and autumn are ideal – fewer people and beautiful light, though the weather can be unpredictable. Alternatively, make it a midweek getaway.
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Bring the OS map: Little Langdale has minimal signal, so don’t rely on your phone for navigation.
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Pack for all seasons: I got wet feet on the first day, sunburnt the next and absolutely drenched on the last day – classic Lake District, at least for us!
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Stay at the Three Shires Inn: Ideal if you want walks from the door and a pint at the end.
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Little Langdale parking is limited: Staying in the valley makes things easier – no fighting for spots in the morning. Pub guests are able to leave their cars there and hit the trails straight from the door.
Walking Weekend in Little Langdale, Lake District
Little Langdale was such a peaceful base for a walking weekend – proper Lake District views, but without the crowds. We loved being able to walk straight from the door, come back to a cosy pub and not feel rushed. The Coniston Fells gave us a big mountain day, and the shorter walks either side balanced the weekend perfectly.
Would we go back? Absolutely. There are still lots more fells to explore, and more puddings on the pub menu to try…
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