Blog (Travel) - Visit Lake District

2023 is the perfect time for an adventure in the Lake District, Cumbria. There's lots on this year in our beautiful region - check out our ultimate guide to visiting the area this year.

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Sitting exactly halfway down the UK’s western coastline, the beautiful Morecambe Bay serves as a perfect destination for those looking for a coastal experience to match the stunning scenery of The Lake District.

A Windermere Lake Cruises employee says he’s proud and delighted to have been nominated for one of the tourism industry’s top national awards.

The Lake District, Cumbria is a wonderful place to explore the great outdoors. We’ve got mountains for hiking, lakes for water sports, forests for exploring, coastal routes for cycling, and plenty more! In short, it’s the perfect place for an adventure – but before you go, it’s important to make sure you’re prepared.

We have it on good authority that a holiday in the Lake District ranks highly on a dog’s wish list. And so, we took to the parks and did a bit of sniffing around, chatted to some of our four-legged guests, and asked them what makes a pawsome dog friendly holiday.

2021 sees the 175^th anniversary the Furness and Lakes railway lines. These impressive feats of Victorian engineering allowed visitors to travel with ease into the heart of the Lake District and along the beautiful Cumbrian Coast – and they serve that exact same purpose today. To celebrate this milestone, a special Northern train was named ‘Pride of Cumbria’ at a ceremony at Barrow station.

We are so lucky in the Lake District, Cumbria. By day we have stunning views of the Lakeland fells and by night, because of our lack of light pollution, we have an uninterrupted view of the stars. Find out the best places to go to experience it for yourself.

A chill in the air, crisp leaves underfoot, and hues of red, gold and orange painting the landscape: autumn in the Lake District is quite simply breathtaking. From reinvigorating walks to local food fairs, here are our top 10 reasons why you need to plan an autumn trip to the Lake District.

The leaves are beginning to turn, painting the landscape in reds, golds and oranges; and there’s a refreshing chill in the air. Autumn is here, and the Lake District, Cumbria, is looking simply stunning.

World Car Free day on Wednesday 22nd September, is the ideal time to walk in the footsteps of famed fellwalker Alfred Wainwright and go car free. Wainwright travelled mainly by public transport while he was compiling his famous routes to the summits of 214 Lakeland fells.

There is nothing better than a day at the beach. The kids paddling and splashing in the sea, the dogs exploring whilst you relax on a sun lounger taking in the rays. On a sunny day in the Lake District, Cumbria you have your pick of lake shores to enjoy a paddle, a picnic and a stroll, superb coastline and dramatic mountain backdrops.

Summer holidays may be coming to a close but there’s still so much to see and do in the Lake District, Cumbria.

The way we get around is changing. As we become more environmentally conscious and look to reduce our carbon footprint, alternatives to the trusty motor car become the way to travel.

Thankfully in the Lake District, Cumbria you don’t need a car to explore, making it easier to savour every moment of your break and make every journey count.

Ever since it was first announced that The Staycation Express would return for 2021, I was excited about the prospect of taking this journey on the wonderful historic Settle to Carlisle railway. Even more so when I found out the train that would feature this year.

With so much open space to immerse yourself into, Cumbria is without doubt one of the best-known places in England for some quiet, romantic time away to escape from your usual daily life. Of course, you’re not alone in your thinking – so how can you find somewhere extra peaceful that may slip under the radar of other likeminded people and offer that extra layer of relaxation? To help, here are ten romantic getaway ideas which will take you even further from the beaten track than usual…

Bargain new first-class return tickets on The Staycation Express offer a way to experience an amazing journey on an original and fully refurbished Inter City 125 train along the historic Settle to Carlisle railway line for a limited time only.

The perfect staycation does exist and it's here in the Lake District, Cumbria. The great outdoors is waiting for you so don’t miss the chance to celebrate the summer with fun-filled days.

The Eden Valley is the perfect place to reconnect with nature and try something new, so we would encourage everyone to visit, get out there and explore the fresh Cumbrian air of the Eden Valley.

Summer holidays in the Lake District, Cumbria are only a short time away. So, get ready to rediscover the outdoors, take a deep breath of fresh air and explore the beautiful scenery Cumbria, has to offer.

Discover your ‘perfect place to be’ in Cumbria. Looking for the perfect place to reconnect with the family this summer? There’s more to explore in Cumbria than you may realise.

Rainy days are a fact of life, but that doesn’t mean they should stop us from getting out of the house! Cumbria is full of great indoor attractions which are fun, exciting, educational – and also make great shelter spots! Here are a few suggestions to turn even the wettest of days into the most fun of days!

Spanning the north eastern corner of the Lake District, the northern tip of the Yorkshire Dales National Park and the western side of the Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, a visit to Eden is easy by road or rail – and well-worth it. With the town of Penrith serving as Eden’s gateway to access all of these beautiful areas of the district, the area is also served by the West Coast Main Line railway, in addition to key roads including the M6, A6 and the A66. Here are just a few of our inspirational top tips of how to make the most of your time while you’re here:

It’s no surprise that The Lake District, Cumbria, is popular with dog-walkers, with the likes of Scafell Pike and Windermere attracting two-legged and four-legged visitors from far and wide to experience our world class landscape. But with a little preparation, you’ll find there’s an abundance of walks in lesser-known areas which offer stunning scenery and plenty of open space for you and your companion to enjoy.

Despite stretching for more than 100 miles, Cumbria’s west coast often slips below the radar for people planning a visit.

From the border with Scotland in the north, down to Morecambe Bay in the south (which has its very own blog that you can read) this blog focuses on the stretch from the Solway Firth down to Millom.

From family attractions to wide open spaces, here’s our handy guide to enjoying ten exciting places to visit during a trip along Cumbria’s west coast – where the Lake District meets the sea.

City life is perhaps not something you’d usually associate with the edge of the Lake District, but every great county has a great city – and Cumbria is no exception. Despite being a modern city boasting everything you’d expect in the 21^st century, Carlisle has sat very close to England’s border for the last 2,000 years – and if walls could talk, Hadrian’s Wall would have a few tales to tell…

From long walks that take several days to complete, to short tours that last for around an hour, the sheer choice of walks in Cumbria are limitless. Some routes are well-known around the world, while others are local secrets. Here are ten of our ideas to get you started, along with suggestions of convenient places near each route to lay your head.

While part of the Yorkshire Dales falling inside the Cumbria boundary sounds a little confusing, we’re not complaining – and neither will you when you pay this magnificent corner of our county a visit!

Here’s some inspiration to get you started in the Cumbrian corner of The Yorkshire Dales:

It’s a little-known fact that the world-famous Lake District National Park only covers around a third of the total area of Cumbria.

At 2,600 square miles, 1,700 of those are in fact, outside of the Lake District boundary. With a coastline that long, must-see beaches aren’t in short supply. So, from sandcastle-building to rock-pooling, and swimming and sunset walks, here’s our handy guide to enjoying ten beaches along the glorious Cumbrian coast.

Given that it doesn’t serve as a traditional thoroughfare, the south-east stretch of coastline which sits beyond the market town of Ulverston and runs along the Furness Peninsula is undoubtedly one of Cumbria’s most hidden gems. 

The Eden Valley area of Cumbria is shrouded in myth and legend. The dramatic landscape is dotted with castles, ruins and ghostly whispers on the wind.

If these hills could talk, they would have some stories to tell. The biggest mystery of all is why is the Eden Valley home to an extraordinary large number of stone circles?

Kirkby Stephen and its surrounding countryside offers a feeling of pleasant isolation, thanks to its rugged, off the beaten track feel.

Offering a true insight into the rural Cumbrian way of life, get here by car or by travelling to the small town itself on the Settle to Carlisle Railway.

You may be surprised to learn that the market town of Brampton, while surrounded by seemingly endless stretches of lush green fields, is remarkably east to find – thanks to its convenient road links – and even an airport.

Cumbria’s most north westerly quarter is perhaps the most undiscovered part of the county, being tucked between the city of Carlisle to the east, the coastline of the Irish Sea to the west - and across the watery expanse of the Solway Firth, Southern Scotland to the north.

Summer here in the Lake District, Cumbria is a truly spectacular time to visit. Rediscover the destination and explore new things to see and do, reconnect with loved ones and make new memories or recharge in the outdoors with fresh air and wide-open spaces.

For our blog, we thought we would ask one of our four-legged guests to take the lead. Unsurprisingly, he bounced at the opportunity to tell you all about his recent trip to Ullswater. We’ll let him introduce himself.

If you’re a regular user of social media, then your friends and family have probably seen plenty of photographs of your favourite meal or perfect pout… So, let’s show them something different for a change!

Do you remember that feeling of exploring the great outdoors on holiday? It is a feeling of excitement as you take on those less trodden treks, armed only with muddy boots and a hot flask of tea, whether in the sun, wind or rain.

A unique landscape and the largest national park in England, the Lake District is home to the tallest mountain in England, its deepest lake, and a wealth of incredible wildlife and heritage. Read on to find out all about the most famous 16 lakes of the Lake District.

Looking for a unique way to explore the Lake District? Why not take to two wheels? There’s never been a better time to take this to the next level and try a multi-day cycling tour of the UK’s largest National Park.

Book with Good Life Lake District Cottages and enjoy wonderful holidays in strong and supported communities. As part of The Original Cottages family, we know how important it is for you to get your holiday just right. This is why our properties are looked after by locals, who know the Lake District like the back of their hand, because this is where they call home.

It may not be a usual Valentines day in 2021 as we know you can’t bring your better half for that romantic break away just at the moment, however it is the perfect time to plan that little getaway for later in the year.

It might be a quiet start to 2021 but when some normality returns and restrictions are lifted, the Lake District, Cumbria is the perfect place to rediscover. Bring loved ones for a staycation and enjoy the holiday of a lifetime.

2021 is Cumbria's Year of the Coast. Most people know the Lake District, Cumbria for our lakes and mountains but our rugged coastline is certainly worth a visit. In 2021 we are celebrating our rich coastal landscapes, villages and towns.

If your criteria for the perfect holiday are a relaxing setting away from the crowds in a place surrounded by stunning countryside and fascinating history, we have found just the place: Kirkby Stephen. Arrive by train on one of the world’s most scenic railway lines: The Settle to Carlisle.

As the nights draw in, we feel a well-deserved, cosy winter visit to The Lake District, Cumbria is in order – and where better to stay than at one of The Inn Collection Group’s stunning venues?

If you are looking for the perfect place to discover and off the beaten track then why not consider Walney Island in South Cumbria?

Just five miles outside Keswick, sits England’s only true mountain forest, Whinlatter Forest. This utopian forest is known for its breath-taking views, abundance of wildlife and myriad of adventure activities for all ages.

Isolated by the sea on three sides with a single main road linking it to the rest of England, the Furness Peninsula and its gateway – the South Lakeland market town of Ulverston, is well-worth a visit.

Only 10 miles east of the famous town of Kendal, Sedbergh sits at the foot of the Howgill Fells and offers a perfect mix of rural Cumbria with a taste of Yorkshire. Find out more...

Nestled snugly to the west of Windermere, Coniston and its namesake lake, Coniston Water, is one of those little towns which takes a little longer to get to when you’re travelling into the South Lakes from the east, but the long and winding road to get here is just as enjoyable as everything that’s on offer upon arrival.

While it is common knowledge that Cumbria is home to the highest mountain in England, the county is also home to England’s highest market town of Alston. Read on to find out more.

Famous for its world-class landscape, you could be forgiven for assuming that The Lake District, Cumbria is packed with people at every turn.

Ahead of the Bank Holiday weekend, why not check out these ten ‘hidden gems in the Lake District, Cumbria?’

Explore The Lake District, Cumbria on Two Wheels.

Cumbria is ideal for exploring on two wheels and you don’t need to have calf muscles like Bradley Wiggins to get on your bike.