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England’s best-known and most popular national park is a postcard landscape of shimmering lakes, craggy hilltops and ancient forests that has enchanted poets and painters since the late 18th century, when the Romantics first had their imaginations stirred by the panoramas that have remained unchanged to this day.
And what panoramas they are. There’s the classic Lakeland setting of Windermere, England’s largest lake and the primary destination for millions of tourists since the railroad was first built in the middle of the 19th century. On it is busy Bowness and the charming villages of Grasmere and Hawkshead, surrounded on all sides by beautiful mountains.
The north lakes – Ullswater, Bassenthwaite, Derwentwater, Loweswater – are quieter and wilder, in the shadow of the rugged Skiddaw range and with handsome Keswick at the heart of it. The lush Borrowdale Valley leads to the dramatic Honister mountain pass and into the natural lakes of Buttermere & Crummock.
Adventure seekers go west, to the higher ground of Great Langdale and the region’s major summits of Bowfell, Crinkle Crags and the biggest mountain of all, Scafell Pike.
The Lake District is an outdoor activities paradise, but its literary connections draw as many visitors as its walks do. William Wordsworth lived virtually all of his life here, drawing inspiration from the surrounding countryside to write some of the English language’s most enduring poetry. The landscape also proved a creative spark for the likes of Sameul Taylor Coleridge, Arthur Ransome and Beatrix Potter – who dedicated much of her life to protecting the Lake District’s beauty and heritage.
In all its beauty and diversity the Lake District remains as it has been for millennia, which is one of the reasons why in 2017 the national park was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site – its river valleys, lakes and mountains home to an unique hill-farming culture and ancient heritage that has been carefully preserved. Here in the Lake District we know how to take good care of you; we’ve had plenty of practice.
Explore
A one and a quarter-hour cruise to catch the sunset over Windermere. This relaxing cruise takes…
Keswick Mountain Festival is the UK's largest participatory, outdoors multi-sports event in the UK.…
Gatesbield is a small sheltered housing association set in award winning gardens in the centre of…
Brought to you by the National Trust for Geo Week. Come and join us for a rare opportunity to visit…
Award winning crime writer Jonathan Whitelaw is flying in from Canada to launch his new book, The…
Join rising star Dana Zemtsov and Festival Director Anthony Hewitt in John Ruskin's elegant drawing…
Take a guided tour supported by British Sign Language interpretation. Join us as we take you…
Like the poets of antiquity, Wordsworth turns to vocal groves as sites of commiseration and…
Brought to you by the National Trust and Experience Community for the Keswick Mountain Festival,…
The full Flower (or Hare) moon aligns with the colourful early summer flowers blooming and…
If you fancy a challenge, why not Canoe the length of Windermere with us? We do this over 2 days…
Join us for a fun and relaxing day learning the art of mosaic. Create a colourful plaque, a trivet…
On the 31st May we're looking forward to welcoming Rambling Rob Young – A singer-songwriter…
Brought to you by the National Trust and Experience Community for the Keswick Mountain Festival,…
Join us for an incredible adventure on Scafell Pike, one of the National three peaks and the…
Join us for an incredible adventure in the Great Langdale Valley in the heart of the Lake District…
Cockermouth Mechanics' Band is a community brass band based in Cockermouth and active throughout…
Are you ready to embark on a transformative journey that combines the power of nature, ancient…
Little Explorers story and nature walks for under 5s and their grown-ups. These fun interactive…
This new display delves into the Townend archive collection, a treasure trove of four hundred years…
Since 2019, The Native Cult has been radiating their musical sunshine across the North West of the…
Join us for an incredible adventure on the Coniston Fells, a stone's throw from the historic…
Ambleside Roman Fort is set in one of the most scenic and tranquil locations in Britain and yet two…
Our 1/2 day NaturesGems tours start at 9am and finish around 1pm. We will spend the morning…
The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
Number of results: 494
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Troutbeck, Windermere
All rooms at our beautiful Boutique Country House Hotel are completely different. Each one has been furnished and finished to a very high standard – and to suit the particular quirks of the room. Each space oozes its own personality; the hard bit is…
Eskdale, Holmrook
Experience the great outdoors at Parkgate Farm, offering a variety of 9 large camping pitches (5 with electric hook-up, and 4 without) and one camping pod. Take advantage of the amenities including family shower rooms, separate toilets, washing-up…
Coniston
Spoon Hall Caravans is a quiet family run farm site with beautiful views over Coniston water. Nearly 1 mile from Coniston village in a good area for walking and touring the Lakes.
Glenridding
We offer a wide range of land and water based activities in the Lake District including RYA sailing courses, corporate events, team building activities, youth group events, and family adventure days.
Windermere
Afternoon tea served overlooking Windermere or in our comfortable lounge bar. Our restaurant, Burlington's, named after the local slate, is not just a hotel restaurant, its a destination in its own right. Our head chef Lukasz specialises in French…
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1472 reviewsHesket Newmarket, Near Caldbeck
A superb luxury self-catering cottage in the peaceful village of Hesket Newmarket, 200 metres from the village pub and restaurant. A spa bath and log burner are two of the world-class luxuries available.
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105 reviewsBowness-on-Windermere
Bowfell Cottage is admirably situated fronting a private drive just off A5074, Lyth Valley Road, above eastern shore of the lake about 1 mile south of Bowness Bay and set in 0.5 acre of wooded ground and gardens. Excellent parking.
Cockermouth
From leisurely lakeside strolls to more challenging fell climbs and classic Lakeland ridge walks, there are routes for all levels of fitness and abilities, many of which start right from the doorstep or are within easy reach of Hassness Country…
Bowness-on-Windermere
Blackwell – the Arts & Crafts house is a rare architectural gem in the heart of the Lake District and offers a perfectly preserved snapshot of early 20th-century living.
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880 reviewsAmbleside
Our self catering holiday cottages with hot tubs occupy an idyllic location, just a stone’s throw from Ambleside, Windermere and Hawkshead. They’re perfectly positioned for exploring some of Cumbria’s best loved towns and villages as well as…
Coniston
Located on the shores of Coniston Water with sensational lake and fell views, this classic Lakeland slate building has undergone an exciting restoration to create a stunning pub with rooms. Open all day, every day for food, drinks and rooms.
Keswick
Situated in the heart of Borrowdale Valley just off the main road which goes to Buttermere, The Scafell Hotel was formerly a coaching inn, frequented by travellers making the journey over Honister Pass from Keswick to Cockermouth.
Newby Bridge
Our reality-based 2 day survival training course will give you the skills to be self-sufficient in any wilderness environment. Immerse yourself in the challenge.
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54 reviewsAmbleside
Come to Skelwith Fold for a warm welcome and a unique place to stay in one of our glamping pods in the Lake District. We would love to help you create a Lakeland adventure that you will never forget!
Cockermouth
A 16thC inn situated at the foot of Melbreak and between Loweswater lake and Crummock Water. Roaring log fires, home-cooked meals with a local emphasis and high-quality real ales on offer.
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393 reviewsKeswick
The Borrowdale Hotel is nestled in a quiet corner of the Borrowdale valley and offers a relaxing escape near Derwentwater. It's interior offers a perfect mix of tradition and modern designs, preserving the hotel's historic character.
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1522 reviewsLocated at the tranquil southern end of Lake Windermere, Lakeside Pier offers a different pace of exploration in the Lake District. Board a Windermere Lake Cruise’s vessel and get treated to the finest views from the water.
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4508 reviewsKeswick
This small and friendly guest house is located a short walk from the town centre and many of the rooms enjoy fine views of the surrounding fells. Bedrooms are well equipped and the breakfast room overlooks the small front garden.
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193 reviewsOur ghyll scrambling, gorge walking & canyoning experiences around Coniston suit most fitness levels. Experience exhilarating waterfalls, canyons, and water challenges on our guided private sessions.
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46 reviewsGrasmere
Tweedies Bar & Lodge with 2 restaurants and public bar serving guest ales, world beers, excellent selection of wines. Set in 3 acres of mature grounds. Newly refurbished throughout.
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Cumbria Tourism, Windermere Road, Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 9PL