The most beautiful lakes in Britain

Although Britian is not home to the deepest, longest or widest lakes in the world, it is a fact that there is plenty of beautiful stagnant water to be found here. Let’s start our journey to the most beautiful lakes in the UK!

1. Loch Shiel

Harry Potter fans are sure to be familiar with Loch Shiel (and the beautiful Glenfinnan Viaduct next to it, which is also crossed by the Hogwarts Express), which is located in the Scottish Highlands, approx. It is a 30-minute drive from the A830 motorway. The truth is that there are so many wonderful panoramas around the lake (and the Scottish Highlands in general) that it’s hard to stop people from parking every 10 minutes - but it’s really worth stopping by for anyone who likes the view . The lake itself is otherwise quite long - almost 30 kilometers -, on average 41 meters deep, and at its deepest point a 120-meter road section would easily fit.

2. Lake Vyrnwy

Of the lakes included in the compilation, my favorite is undoubtedly Lake Vyrnwy, i.e. Vyrnwy Lake, which is essentially an artificial reservoir in northern Wales near Snowdonia National Park. The nearly 8-kilometer-long lake was created in the 1880s to supply the city of Liverpool with fresh water and takes its name from its location in the Vyrnwy Valley. Although the lake could not be assumed to be artificial at first glance, there is a huge dam here that is not visible from the picture - most likely the photo was taken from here as well. For hotel fans, I would recommend the Lake Vyrnwy Hotel & Spat, next to the wonderful reservoir, which I have been wanting to get to for years.

3. Buttermere

Compared to the previous lake, much smaller (only 2 kilometers long) is the lake called Buttermere, located in central England within the beautiful Lake District National Park. Surrounded by a classic mountain landscape, Buttermere is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful places in the world - and looking at this picture, this is absolutely no wonder. The deepest point of the lake is 23 meters, and around the stagnant water there is a 7.2 km long, super small promenade for those who do not want to rush their time here.

4. Ullswater

Also within the Lake District National Park is the lake named Ullswater, which is also the second largest standing water in the national park. The lake, 14 kilometers long, 1 kilometer wide and 60 meters deep, is often compared to Lake Vierwaldstätti in Switzerland - do you think it is similar? They have so much in common anyway that they are both beautiful. Ullswater, by the way, is located on the 3rd highest mountain in England, Helvellyn, making it an extremely attractive destination for hikers and climbers.

5. Llangorse

Follow Scotland and England with a little Wales! Lake Llangorse in southern Wales, north of Cardiff, is approx. It is a 1-hour drive from Brecon Beacons National Park. The area around the lake boasts thousands of shades of green: there is plenty of farmland and pasture here, so cattle, lambs and other farm animals also come here often. The maximum depth of the 1.6-kilometer-long lake is 7.5 meters; and because of its large jet fish stock, it is very popular with local anglers.

6. Loch Lomond

The largest lake on mainland Britain is the 39-kilometer-long Loch Lomond on the border of the Scottish Highlands, from which a national park (incidentally Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park) has also been named. The lake itself has 22 larger and 27 smaller islets, covers 71 square kilometers and reaches its maximum depth at 190 meters. Huge data, isn't it? Perhaps this is why it is possible that the lake is one of Scotland’s primary venues for boating and water sports, where several sporting tournaments have already been held. And when it comes to sports: for golf fans, I highly recommend the Loch Lomond Golf Club - even in pictures, the course is amazing!

7. Windermere

England’s largest natural stagnant water, Lake Windermere, is more than 18 kilometers long, almost 15 square kilometers, and its maximum depth is estimated by experts at 67 meters. The lake boasts 18 smaller and larger islands, the largest of which, the 1-kilometer-long Belle Isle, is home to an 18th-century Italian-style mansion. Located in the Lake Distcrit National Park, Windermere is a very popular spring / summer destination for British families, with plenty of spa hotels and guest houses, so there is no need to fear solitude for those traveling here for a few days off.

8. Grasmere

Next to Grasmere, one of the smallest villages in the Lake District National Park, mentioned several times, lies this 1.5-kilometer-long and 640-meter-wide lake with a maximum depth of just 21 meters. In the middle of the small lake is also a tiny little island, aptly named only Grasmere Island. Although this area is notorious for its unobtrusive beauty, it is still one of the dearest lakes in England featured in the compilation.