20 best lakes and lochs in the UK for unforgettable scenery

The United Kingdom’s lakes and lochs range from vast Highland waters and glacial mountain lakes to lowland reservoirs, reed-fringed meres and dramatic bodies of water surrounded by some of the country’s finest walking landscapes.

The best lake or loch is not always the largest. Some stand out because of their mountains, islands, villages, wildlife or historical associations, while others are especially rewarding for boat trips, quiet shoreline walks or accessible viewpoints. The surrounding landscape is often as important as the water itself.

This guide brings together 20 of the best lakes and lochs in the UK. It is not a rigid ranking. Instead, it highlights places that stand out for their scenery, character and overall visitor experience across Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Best lochs to visit in Scotland

1. Explore Loch Lomond

Website

Visit details:

• The loch and surrounding countryside are accessible throughout the year
• Boat services and visitor attractions operate separate seasonal schedules
• Parking and camping restrictions apply in selected areas

Price: Free landscape access, with charges for parking and activities

Loch Lomond is the largest lake in Great Britain by surface area and one of Scotland’s most accessible major landscapes.

Its southern end is broad and relatively gentle, while the northern reaches narrow between increasingly dramatic mountains. Balloch, Luss, Balmaha and Tarbet all provide different starting points for cruises, walking and wider exploration.

The loch is popular enough to feel busy, but quieter sections are easy to find away from the main visitor hubs.

Pro tip:

Use ferries, waterbuses or one-way walks to experience the loch without spending the whole day driving around it.

2. Visit Loch Ness

Website

Visit details:

• The loch is accessible throughout the year
• Cruises, castle visits and attractions use separate schedules
• Road traffic can be heavy around peak touring periods

Price: Free landscape access, with charges for cruises and attractions

Loch Ness is one of the most famous bodies of water in the world, but its real appeal goes beyond the legend associated with it.

The loch stretches for more than 20 miles through the Great Glen and reaches remarkable depths. Urquhart Castle, Fort Augustus and several quieter viewpoints provide different ways to experience the landscape.

Its scale means that no single roadside stop gives a complete impression.

Pro tip:

Take a boat trip or visit more than one side of the loch rather than relying on a quick viewpoint from the main road.

3. Discover Loch Maree

Website

Visit details:

• The loch is accessible throughout the year
• Facilities are limited away from nearby villages
• Weather and single-track roads can affect access

Price: Free

Loch Maree is one of Scotland’s most beautiful and atmospheric freshwater lochs.

Surrounded by mountains and ancient woodland, it contains numerous islands and has a strong sense of isolation despite being crossed by a main Highland route. The views towards Slioch are especially memorable.

The loch is best appreciated slowly, through short walks and carefully chosen roadside stops.

Pro tip:

Stop only in safe signed areas and combine the visit with a nearby woodland or mountain walk.

4. Explore Loch Shiel

Website

Visit details:

• The loch is accessible throughout the year
• Boat trips and visitor services vary seasonally
• Road access is easiest around Glenfinnan and Acharacle

Price: Free

Loch Shiel stretches through a long Highland valley from Glenfinnan towards the west coast.

The Glenfinnan Monument and surrounding mountains create the best-known northern view, but the southern reaches feel much quieter and more remote. The loch has strong historical associations and is especially rewarding from the water.

Its length makes it better suited to a full day or wider regional trip than a short stop.

Pro tip:

Visit both Glenfinnan and one quieter southern viewpoint if time allows, as the two ends feel very different.

5. See Loch Coruisk

Website

Visit details:

• The loch is accessible throughout the year
• Most visitors arrive by boat or on foot
• Weather and sea conditions can affect boat access

Price: £££

Loch Coruisk lies beneath the Cuillin and has one of the most dramatic mountain settings in the UK.

The dark water, steep rock and remote location give it a powerful atmosphere. Reaching it usually requires a boat from Elgol or a demanding walk, which makes the journey part of the experience.

This is a landscape for prepared walkers and visitors comfortable with changing weather.

Pro tip:

Use a boat trip for the simplest visit and allow enough time ashore to walk beyond the landing point.

6. Visit Loch Tay

Website

Visit details:

• The loch and surrounding roads are accessible throughout the year
• Attractions and activity providers use separate schedules
• Weather can change quickly in the surrounding hills

Price: Free

Loch Tay combines mountain scenery, archaeology and accessible Highland-edge villages.

Killin, Kenmore and the surrounding roads provide several strong viewpoints, while the Scottish Crannog Centre and nearby walking routes add cultural depth. The loch’s long shape gives changing views throughout the drive.

It works especially well as part of a wider Perthshire journey.

Pro tip:

Combine one shoreline stop with either Killin, Kenmore or a nearby hill walk rather than circling the loch too quickly.

7. Explore Loch Katrine

Website

Visit details:

• The loch is accessible throughout the year
• Boat cruises and cycle hire operate seasonally
• Road access is limited to selected visitor points

Price: Free landscape access, with charges for cruises and activities

Loch Katrine is one of Scotland’s most accessible scenic lochs and a defining landscape of the Trossachs.

Boat cruises, cycling routes and lakeside walks provide several ways to explore, while the surrounding hills create a classic Highland-style setting close to the central belt. Literary associations with Sir Walter Scott add historical interest.

The limited road access helps preserve the loch’s quieter atmosphere.

Pro tip:

Combine a boat journey with cycling or walking part of the shoreline for a more complete visit.

8. Discover Loch an Eilein

Website

Visit details:

• The loch and forest paths are accessible throughout the year
• Parking and visitor access charges may apply
• Paths can be icy or muddy depending on season

Price: ££

Loch an Eilein is one of the Cairngorms’ most attractive lower-level walks.

Ancient pinewoods surround the water, while the ruins of a small island castle provide a distinctive focal point. The circuit is gentle enough for many visitors but still feels closely connected to the wider mountain landscape.

It is especially beautiful in calm weather and autumn light.

Pro tip:

Walk the full circuit and allow time to explore the surrounding Rothiemurchus forest rather than stopping only at the castle viewpoint.

Best lakes to visit in England

9. Explore Windermere

Website

Visit details:

• The lake and surrounding towns are accessible throughout the year
• Boat services and attractions use separate timetables
• Road traffic is heavy during peak periods

Price: Free landscape access, with charges for parking and cruises

Windermere is England’s largest natural lake and the best-known gateway to the Lake District.

Bowness, Ambleside and Lakeside provide cruises, museums and transport connections, while quieter shoreline paths reveal a more peaceful side of the lake. Its accessibility makes it ideal for first-time visitors.

The busiest central areas can feel commercial, especially in summer.

Pro tip:

Use a boat to connect different parts of the lake and walk away from Bowness for a quieter experience.

10. Visit Derwentwater

Website

Visit details:

• The lake is accessible throughout the year
• Launch services operate seasonal timetables
• Shoreline paths can be wet or flooded after heavy rain

Price: Free landscape access, with charges for parking and boat services

Derwentwater combines easy access from Keswick with some of the finest mountain scenery in the Lake District.

Wooded islands, broad bays and views towards Borrowdale and the surrounding fells make it ideal for boat trips and shoreline walks. The lake feels more spacious and less urban than Windermere despite being close to a major visitor town.

Its western shore is particularly rewarding for walkers.

Pro tip:

Use the launch to create a one-way shoreline walk rather than attempting the entire circuit in one day.

11. Explore Ullswater

Website

Visit details:

• The lake is accessible throughout the year
• Steamers operate separate seasonal schedules
• Mountain weather can affect surrounding routes

Price: Free landscape access, with charges for parking and boat services

Ullswater is one of the most dramatic lakes in England.

Its long, curving shape moves between open northern shores and increasingly steep mountain scenery towards Glenridding. Aira Force, steamer trips and sections of the Ullswater Way create a strong mix of activities.

The lake is large enough to justify several separate visits.

Pro tip:

Combine a steamer journey with one section of the Ullswater Way instead of trying to drive every shoreline road.

12. Walk around Buttermere

Website

Visit details:

• The lake is accessible throughout the year
• The full circuit is roughly 4.5 miles
• Parking is limited during peak periods

Price: Free

Buttermere is one of the Lake District’s most visually complete mountain lakes.

A straightforward circuit follows the shoreline beneath steep fells, woodland and waterfalls. The scale is manageable enough for a half-day walk, while the surrounding scenery feels much larger and more dramatic.

Its popularity means the village and parking areas become busy quickly.

Pro tip:

Walk the full circuit early in the day and include nearby Crummock Water if you want a longer outing.

13. Visit Wast Water

Website

Visit details:

• The lake is accessible throughout the year
• Road access is slow and narrow
• Weather can make the valley feel remote

Price: Free

Wast Water is England’s deepest lake and one of the most powerful landscapes in the Lake District.

The screes on its eastern shore and the surrounding high fells create a stark, almost severe atmosphere. Scafell Pike and Wasdale Head add further significance to the valley.

The lake is best experienced as part of a dedicated Wasdale visit rather than a quick detour.

Pro tip:

Allow plenty of travel time and stop at more than one viewpoint to appreciate how the scenery changes along the shore.

14. Explore Coniston Water

Website

Visit details:

• The lake is accessible throughout the year
• Boat services and museums operate separate schedules
• Roadside parking is limited in several areas

Price: Free landscape access, with charges for parking and cruises

Coniston Water combines strong mountain scenery with boating, industrial history and literary associations.

The village of Coniston, the Ruskin Museum and the surrounding fells create a more grounded atmosphere than some busier Lake District centres. The lake is closely connected with Donald Campbell and Arthur Ransome.

Its western shore feels especially quiet and scenic.

Pro tip:

Take a boat trip or walk part of the western shore instead of seeing the lake only from the village end.

15. Discover Kielder Water

Website

Visit details:

• The reservoir and surrounding forest are accessible throughout the year
• Visitor centres and activities use separate schedules
• Dark-sky visits require careful night-time planning

Price: Free landscape access, with charges for parking and activities

Kielder Water is northern Europe’s largest man-made lake by capacity and sits within one of England’s most remote forest landscapes.

Cycling, walking, wildlife, sculpture and dark-sky experiences make it one of the UK’s strongest all-round reservoir destinations. Its scale and isolation create a very different experience from the Lake District.

The site is large enough that visitors should choose a particular area or activity in advance.

Pro tip:

Plan around one side of the reservoir and stay after dark only if you are properly prepared for remote conditions.

Best lakes to visit in Wales

16. Explore Llyn Tegid

Website

Visit details:

• The lake is accessible throughout the year
• Water sports and visitor facilities operate seasonally
• Weather can change quickly across the open water

Price: Free landscape access, with charges for parking and activities

Llyn Tegid is the largest natural lake in Wales and a major destination for water sports, walking and mountain views.

Bala provides the main visitor base, while quieter shoreline sections and nearby hills offer a more peaceful experience. The lake also has strong Welsh cultural and legendary associations.

Its openness makes wind a major factor in both water and shoreline conditions.

Pro tip:

Combine one water-based activity with a walk or viewpoint above the lake for a more complete visit.

17. Visit Llyn Padarn

Website

Visit details:

• The lake is accessible throughout the year
• Rail, museum and activity services use separate schedules
• Parking becomes busy during peak mountain days

Price: Free landscape access, with charges for activities

Llyn Padarn sits beneath the mountains of Eryri and beside the historic slate village of Llanberis.

The lake combines clear views, industrial heritage and easy access to walking, kayaking and heritage railways. Its position near Yr Wyddfa makes it one of the most visited lakes in Wales.

The quieter northern and western edges provide a calmer contrast to the busy village end.

Pro tip:

Walk beyond the main Llanberis waterfront to see the lake from a quieter angle.

18. Discover Llyn y Fan Fach

Website

Visit details:

• The lake is accessible throughout the year
• A moderate walk is required from the nearest road
• Weather on the surrounding ridges can change rapidly

Price: Free

Llyn y Fan Fach lies beneath a dramatic escarpment in the western part of Bannau Brycheiniog.

The lake is associated with one of Wales’s best-known legends and forms part of a rewarding upland walking landscape. Its relative remoteness gives it a quieter atmosphere than more famous mountain lakes.

The route becomes more demanding if combined with the surrounding ridge.

Pro tip:

Carry navigation and proper clothing, even if you plan only to visit the lake rather than complete the full ridge walk.

19. Explore the Elan Valley reservoirs

Website

Visit details:

• The valley is accessible throughout the year
• Visitor centre and dam access use separate schedules
• Roads and paths can be affected by weather

Price: Free landscape access, with parking charges in selected areas

The Elan Valley contains a chain of reservoirs and dams within one of mid Wales’s most beautiful upland landscapes.

The combination of water, Victorian engineering, moorland and quiet roads creates a destination that feels both natural and carefully shaped. Walking, cycling and scenic driving all work well here.

The area is broad enough to reward a full day rather than a quick dam stop.

Pro tip:

Visit more than one reservoir and include a short walk so the scale of the whole valley becomes clear.

Best lakes to visit in Northern Ireland

20. Explore Lough Erne

Website

Visit details:

• The lough and surrounding countryside are accessible throughout the year
• Boat services, islands and attractions use separate schedules
• Weather can affect water-based travel

Price: Free landscape access, with charges for cruises and activities

Lough Erne is one of the UK’s most distinctive inland water landscapes.

The Upper and Lower Loughs contain islands, wooded shores, historic sites and long stretches of calm water around Enniskillen. Boating is central to the experience, but shoreline walks and island visits add significant depth.

Its network of channels and islands makes it feel more complex than a conventional lake.

Pro tip:

Take a boat trip or island visit rather than seeing the lough only from the road around Enniskillen.

How to plan a lake or loch visit in the UK

The strongest lake and loch visits usually combine the water with another experience. A boat trip, shoreline walk, village, mountain viewpoint, forest trail or historic site gives more depth than a brief roadside stop.

Weather matters greatly. Wind can transform calm water into a difficult environment for kayaking, paddleboarding or boat travel, while rain and low cloud can obscure the surrounding mountains. Check local conditions before committing to water-based activities.

Parking and access vary significantly. Windermere, Loch Lomond, Derwentwater and Llyn Padarn have extensive visitor infrastructure, while Loch Coruisk, Llyn y Fan Fach and some Highland lochs require more planning and self-sufficiency.

Wild swimming should never be treated casually. Water temperatures remain low for much of the year, depths can change suddenly and wind can make returning to shore difficult. Anyone entering open water should understand the local conditions and use suitable equipment.

Public transport can improve several visits. Boats and buses around Windermere, Ullswater, Loch Lomond and parts of the Lake District make one-way walks possible and reduce pressure on busy roads and car parks.

Many of these landscapes are protected and environmentally sensitive. Keep dogs under control around livestock and wildlife, take litter away and avoid damaging shoreline vegetation or disturbing nesting birds.

No single lake or loch is best for every visitor. Loch Lomond, Windermere and Llyn Tegid are especially strong for activities and accessibility; Loch Maree, Wast Water and Llyn y Fan Fach for wild scenery; and Derwentwater, Loch Katrine and Lough Erne for boat-based exploration. The best choice depends on whether the priority is walking, water sports, history, wildlife or simply a quiet view.

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