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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.
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We're looking forward to welcoming Zac Thompson to The Swan on the 23rd May for a spring time…
Join Breast Cancer Now's new fundraising adventure Night in the Wild and help change the lives of…
Join us at Ravenglass Railway Museum in 2025, as we celebrate 150 years of the Ravenglass and…
Race the Sun is an exhilarating triathlon-style team challenge where teams of two or four bike,…
Each ticket gives the ticket holder a kit to use on the day and take home with them after the event…
The full Strawberry moon is a time to lean into the vibrant energy of the season. As the…
Join us at The Swan Hotel on May 9th from 5:30 – 7:30pm for an unforgettable evening of live music…
Welcome to the Pop Up Sauna event! Get ready to relax and unwind with The Conscious Self in their…
Explore the founding of the school library by ex-pupil, Daniel Rawlinson 350 years ago! For the…
A 6 day all inclusive retreat to train you to become a massage therapist. Includes accredited…
Can you conquer WHINLATTER in 2025? Challenging Whinlatter Forest is the venue for this Trail Half…
Join us as we welcome Leon Knight to The Swan for a special performance from 6pm – 8pm on the 30th…
A 3-hour session with a foraging expert, including ID work, finding and tasting wild ingredients,…
At Dalemain, we have focused on independent growers and specialist nurseries to protect the…
Take the plunge on our three-day wild swim camp, led by our resident open water swim coach Colin…
The Ease into Easedale Wild Swim sums up outdoor swimming in the Lake District fells: dramatic…
The full Flower (or Hare) moon in Scorpio aligns with the colourful early summer flowers blooming…
Whatever distance or difficulty, we have an event for you. Choose to run or walk in the valleys and…
Don't miss this opportunity to delve into the life and legacy of Alfred Wainwright at The Armitt…
5 June 2025 13:00-16:00 The Armitt: Museum, Gallery, Library During this course, we will start…
This hilarious battle of cons will keep you laughing, humming, and guessing to the end! Lawrence…
This corner of Lakeland is still rather special and retains that timeless feel. It is also home to…
This outdoor swimming course takes place at the picturesque Rydal Water, a charming small lake. The…
Morning swims and downward dogs at dawn, slowly unfolding practices and restorative sensory…
The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
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Newby Bridge
Glide silently along the river and past the steam trains at the speed of paddle as we head south while everyone gets the hang of handling their boats in the sheltered water. When we are ready we turn round and explore the wider Lake Windermere as…
Cockermouth
The romantic ambience and art-deco features of the stunning train carriages make this a truly unique experience that is not to be missed by locomotive lovers, film enthusiasts and foodies alike! Breakfasts, lunches and afternoon teas are catered for…
Lakeside
Steam from the lake shore of Windermere along the heritage track to Haverthwaite Station, where you can visit the station tea room, gift shop, woodland playground, picnic area and engine shed. Steam trains running a seasonal daily service from…
Ambleside
From short walks along valley bottoms or around lake shores, to lesser known mountain routes on the smaller and bigger mountains, right up to the likes of Scafell Pike and Helvellyn or even multiple summits, we will endeavour to build a route to…
Bassenthwaite Lake, Bassenthwaite
Guests at Armathwaite Hall Hotel and Spa can enjoy a full afternoon tea service from 12:30pm-5pm. Diners can choose from a selection of savoury and sweet treats, including sandwiches and filled mini brioche rolls, quiche, homemade cake, biscuits,…
Penrith
Start your navigation journey with Hiking Highs, from the very beginning, the first time you have opened your paper map, to the technical contour only courses, our team are experienced navigation coaches... have fun, see the map with 3 dimensional…
Windermere
Offering a traditional Afternoon Tea in the heart of the Lake District.
Windermere
At Gilpin Hotel all 30 bedrooms have lovely Lakeland views, most leading directly onto the gardens – All 6 Junior Suite and 6 Garden Suites have decked or slate patios with their own outdoor hot tubs, 5 Spa Lodges have their own ensuite spa…
Ambleside
Central Lake District location ideal for sight-seeing and walking. Overlooking the centre of the market town of Ambleside, the Ambleside Salutation Hotel has welcomed visitors since the 1600s.
Bowness-on-Windermere, Windermere
Afternoon Tea at The Belsfield is a quintessentially English experience, offering delicious Afternoon Tea with amazing views of Lake Windermere. The Belsfield is situated in 6-acres of gardens overlooking Lake Windermere and the Cumbrian hills…
Pooley Bridge
With two dedicated camping fields, camping at Hillcroft Park is a really lovely choice. Camping field Angle Tarn is set amongst our Pods, so if some of you are traditional campers but perhaps other family members prefer something more substantial…
Windermere
Nestled on the shores of Lake Windermere, in the heart of the National Park, with Wainwrights walks a stone’s throw away and the pretty Lakeland village of Ambleside a mile away, Low Wood Bay is the perfect base for relaxing and exploring the Lakes.
Windermere
Our Langdale Club bar and lounge offers a relaxed, informal dining experience whilst surrounded by a chic interior that takes infomal dining to refreshing new heights, sleek and elegant and designed to impress. The Club lounge is the perfect place…
Borrowdale, Keswick
You’ve never experienced anything like this…
Take on the UK’s original classic Via Ferrata against the backdrop of the stunning Lake District mountains.
Climb up the massive Cargo net to one of the finest views of Lake District. Buttermere, Crummock…
Coniston
Locally based and proudly independent, we manage a beautiful collection of self-catering properties to suit all tastes and budgets. Short flexible stays available year round. Escape to the Lakes with us...
Braithwaite
Welcome to England's only true mountain forest. Whinlatter boasts unrivalled views across Bassenthwaite Lake, Derwentwater and Keswick. Located in the North West of the Lake District, you'll find us in the heart of it. It plays host to two of our…
Kendal
Carus Green Golf Club is based on the edge of the English Lake District and has become popular due to it’s PGA Golf Course and other fantastic features.
Grange-over-Sands
This experience will take you into an area of Foulshaw Moss not open to the general public. It's ideal for those who love this special nature reserve and want to see something new, as well as those who haven't visited before and would like exclusive…
Ravenglass
Standing proudly in the center of the village of Ravenglass the Pennington Hotel has 22 well appointed and relaxing bedrooms, with quality bathrooms, smart TV’s, and comfy beds, all areas offer high speed internet which has been complete upscaled…
Bowness-on-Windermere
The Arts Bar is a celebration of great food and perfectly crafted drinks in a building famed for creativity. If you are looking for somewhere cosy, quirky, characterful & unique then look no further.
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Cumbria Tourism, Windermere Road, Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 9PL