An Adventure Honeymoon in the Lake District

Celebrate Life's Greatest Adventure

A post-wedding 'mini moon' for free-spirited adventurers

If you’ve chosen the Lake District as your wedding destination, then the chances are you already love the great outdoors. You may be free-spirited adrenaline junkies, or wild at heart. Marrying the love of your life may be the ultimate thrill, but if you’re looking for ways to eke out that post-wedding high, we’ve got you! Ambleside and the Lakes offer a host of activities for action-loving couples. Here are some of our top picks so you can enjoy an adventure honeymoon as newlyweds!

A bride wearing wellies crosses stepping stones in Rydal Caves

the sky's the limit

The Lake District is home to several high ropes courses, zip lines, and treetop walkways. The beautiful forests of Whinlatter near Keswick and Grizedale in the Langdales host high-wire adventures. Brockhole in Windermere has a Tree Top Trek designed to make you swing, climb, balance, and fly through the ancient oak woodland canopy. They’re a perfect day out for couples looking for an exhilarating experience amidst stunning scenery. The question is, who’s going to go first?

Grrom and his new bride wearing a long white fress and veil, standing on a mountain top overlooking Rydal Water in the Lake District
Simon Hughes - Adventure ELopement Wedding Photography Lake District

I want to ride my bicycle...

Grizedale and Whinlatter Forests have a variety of mountain biking trails suitable for different skill levels. Rent bikes and tackle the challenging trails together, enjoying the thrill of off-road cycling. Then retire, mud-splattered but happy, with a tasty treat in the café as a reward for all your hard work. A perfect adventure honeymoon day out.

Fun activities for your wedding guests
Rock Climbing Couple at their Lake District Adventure Wedding

Be your own rock-star

The Langdale Valley is a renowned rock-climbing destination. Experienced climbers or beginners can find routes that suit their level. Lakeland Ascents offer rock climbing courses, guided climbs, and half-day beginner’s adventures for those trying something new. If you’re looking for a whole day adventure,  add abseiling or ghyll scrambling for a fully immersive Lake District experience. Ghyll scrambling (or gorge walking) is available at Stoneycroft Ghyll, where you can climb, swim, and jump through waterfalls. It’s a fantastic way to get your heart pumping while exploring the rugged terrain. End the day with a relaxing stroll around Keswick and Derwentwater after all that adrenaline!

Two Brides on paddle board on rydal water

Let loose on the lake

The Lakes has lots to offer water sports enthusiasts, or complete beginners looking to get out on the water and see the mountains from a different view. Graythwaite Adventure will put you through your paces before letting you loose on a kayak or paddleboard. Or try Adventures Northwest for a range of guided water sports on Coniston Water. It’s a great workout with breathtaking scenery viewed from a whole new perspective… as long as you can keep your head above water. No adventure honeymoon in the Lakes is complete without getting your feet wet!

Wedding Couple stood in the perfect wedding location with view over Rydal

Soar like the osprey over bassenthwaite

Experience the thrill of paragliding over the Lake District – if you dare! Air Ventures offers tandem paragliding flights, with stunning aerial views of the lakes and fells near Bassenthwaite. It’s an unforgettable adventure honeymoon experience, where an experienced paraglider takes control, leaving you to enjoy the ride. Some would say getting married is a leap of faith, so paragliding should be a breeze!

discover a hiidden world

Discover a hidden world, thousands of years in the making, deep beneath your feet. Explore secret passages, carved out underground over thousands of years. If you don’t mind being in a tight squeeze, why not try caving as part of your adventure honeymoon? 

If you prefer to experience the beauty and drama of caves without going underground, the Lake District’s history of slate mining means you can experience the wonder of caves without needing a helmet! Some are easier to reach than others. Looking out from inside Rydal Cave above Cote How, there are amazing views across Rydal Water. Slightly more challenging, Cathedral Cavern, and the waterfalls of Skelwith and Colwith Force, are the highlights of a hike from Elterwater in the Langdale Valley. It’s an eight-mile route on rough terrain, and best for experienced walkers.

A bride and groom are silhouetted against a stormy sky on the fells side above Rydal Water

feel on cloud nine at honister slate mine

If you’ve got a head for heights, the Via Ferrata at Honister Slate Mine offers a unique climbing experience. Follow a fixed route, scrambling and climbing across Honister Crag, safely roped into a harness, taking in the panoramic views! For real daredevils, there’s the challenging ‘extreme’ route…just don’t look down!

A wedding couple is hand in hand on the fell side with a dramatic sky as part of their elopement adventure

Thrills and spills white water rafting

Lovers of rafting call it the perfect blend of adventure and exercise, and one of the more exciting river activities. One minute you’ll be bouncing over the rapids, and the next, marveling at the peace and tranquillity of a riverbank teeming with wildlife. Starting on Windermere and building up to the famous Backbarrow Falls, you’re promised an unforgettable experience and lasting memories on a South Lakes Adventure (from August to April) with All White Water Rafting Adventures.

back in the saddle again

The views in the Lake District are breath-taking, and there is something wonderful about being amongst all this natural beauty on horseback. The Lakes is home to the Fell Pony, a special breed that’s roamed the fells for centuries, famously a favourite of Queen Elizabeth II. Whasdyke Farm near Windermere, offers a rare chance to be ‘hands on’ with their beautiful heavy horses, and half-day experiences for beginners.

Adventure Couple on theiBride and Groom Silhouette on their Lake District Adventure Wedding Day - Jo Greenfield

life greatest adventure

The Lake District is a playground for adventurers, explorers, and thrill-seekers. From canyoning to caving and trail running to pony trekking, there really is something for everyone. Whatever your passion, you will find it here. We can’t think of a better way to celebrate your love for each other, than with a ‘mini-moon’ doing what you love most. Your wedding day is the start of one of life’s greatest adventures after all!

thank you...

Thank you to all our talented photographers for sharing their fabulous photos of our adventurous couples.  Jenna Carpenter, Simon Hughes, Rachel Joyce and Jo Greenfield.  If you would like to know more about getting married in Westmorland & Furness, contact the Registrars team. 

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Bride and groom having fun splashing around in the lake at Rydal Water after their summer wedding at Cote How

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