Castlerigg Stone Circle Near Keswick in the Northern Lake District

Here are some of our favourite National Trust properties in the Lake District.

Mountain Goat work closely with the Lake District National Trust and we often visit some of their propertines on our scheduled and private tours. Here's some of our favourite National Trust places!

Wray Castle
Arrive at Wray Castle in style at their very own boathouse on a lake cruise from Ambleside. With turrets and towers, a Gothic Revival interior and dramatic views to the fells, there’s lots to explore and enjoy. The National Trust don’t have any of the original castle contents, so it is more informal and child-friendly. The Peter Rabbit Adventure is a great spot for creative play for younger visitors, while older children might like dressing-up, crafts or building their own castle. 


To find out more about this fascinating building guided tours run for most of the year. There’s loads to do outdoors, with seasonal activities for the family planned throughout the year. Visit the Kitchen Court Café for fresh food and drinks or bring a picnic and find the perfect lunch spot outside!

Hill Top
Hill Top, in the village of Near Sawrey, is Beatrix Potter's 17th-century farmhouse: a time-capsule of her life and her spiritual home. Full of her favourite things, the house appears as if Beatrix had just stepped out for a walk. Every room contains a reference to a picture in a 'tale’. As you stroll up the garden path, imagine playful Tom Kitten or Jemima Puddleduck hunting for a place to lay her eggs. 



The lovely cottage garden is a haphazard mix of flowers, herbs, fruit and vegetables and there’s a working farm next door. In the heart of Near Sawrey village, you’ll see why Beatrix loved this place. Guided tours are available throughout the summer months, excluding Fridays. 

Beatrix Potter's Gallery
The perfect accompanyment to a visit to Hill Top, the Beatrix Potter Gallery displays original items from the National Trust's exclusive collection of artwork. It's a hidden gem, in the heart of Hawkshead. 
For anyone who has ever been enchanted by Beatrix’s endearing characters, this is the place to go to marvel at these miniature masterpieces. The gallery is in a quirky 17th-century building which Beatrix's solicitor husband used as his office.



Claife Viewing Station
Early 18th-century tourists would take to the water from Bowness to seek out this picturesque spot. You can now do the same, taking the ferry to the recently restored Claife Viewing Station, looked after by the National Trust. The first-floor platform with coloured glass framing the windows, gives impressive panoramic views of Windermere and the Lakeland fells.



There’s a cosy café in the courtyard open all year round serving light lunches, drinks and cakes. Dogs and muddy boots welcome! Picnics welcome anywhere along the lakeshore too. With 4 miles of lakeshore path towards Wray Castle to explore on bike or on foot, the western shore of Windermere is perfect for an adventure. With Mountain Goat's bespoke tours you could also get picked up and dropped off wherever you like!

Tarn Hows
Tarn Hows and the surrounding landscape are Lake District classics and are a great place to begin your wider Lake District adventure. Mountain Goat can take you there and you can enjoy an accessible circular walk for 1¾ miles through beautiful countryside with majestic mountain views.



Tarn Hows is certainly a hidden gem and one of the highlights of our scheduled Beatrix Potter's Favourite Countryside Tour.

If you would like us to create you a bespoke tour, please get in touch here!