Surprise View, The Lake District written in yellow writing with the view behind

A year of micro adventures · Days Out · The Lake District

A Local’s Guide to Surprise View in The Lake District

26 January 202314 May 2024 A year of micro adventures, Days Out, The Lake District

For years, I’ve heard people discuss Surprise View as a place you need to visit, yet I’d never actually been. With breathtaking views of Derwentwater, Surprise View in The Lake District is the place to get a real feel of the Cumbrian countryside.

Often the only way to get these birds-eye views of the lakes, you have to take a hike up a hill – which isn’t for everyone. The great thing about Surprise View is that it makes these awe-inspiring views accessible to everyone as there is a car park right next to it!

So, here is your guide to Surprise View!

things to do in the Lake District in winter | Ashfell bridge, Surprise View, The Lake District

How to get to Surprise View

Surprise View is 3 miles outside of Keswick, near the luxurious Lodore Falls. Follow the lake road around Derwentwater, until you see a sharp turn to head up.

Following a steep and narrow path up, you drive over the famous Ashness Bridge where you will find the bottom car park. However, you can keep driving up the narrow path, over the cattle grid and up to the top car park, a mere 10 meters (if that!) to the magnificent view.

Border Collie, Arthur Weasley,sat with Surprise View in The Lake District behind him

Parking at Surprise View in The Lake District

There are multiple parking options at Ashness Bridge and Surprise View in The Lake District.

The bottom car park is just over Ashness Bridge, and about a 15-minute walk up the hill.

The top car park is opposite the view. There are about 15-20 car park spaces between the two, and whilst it might be a squeeze in summer, in winter there’s plenty of space!

Now, parking prices. If you are a National Trust member, it is completely FREE!

For non-National Trust members, the prices are;

30 Mins – £1.00
1 Hour – £2.50
2 Hours – £5.00
4 Hours – £7.00
24 Hours – £8.50

The best sunrise spot in The Lake District?

I often think about where would be the best place to watch the sunrise or the sunset in The Lake District.

For me, the best sunrise spots are ones where you don’t have to do a massive walk in the dark. I’m just not a confident enough walker to do that.

I definitely hope to come back here for the sunrise because I think the views will be insane and I just love a good sunrise spot. If you want to see one of my favourite sunrise spots, click here!

And there is my guide to Surprise View in The Lake District (and micro adventure #2 of 2023!). Let me know if you visit here, or if you have any questions about this gorgeous spot!