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Welcome to the Lake District – where modern tourism was born.
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.
Photo: Derwentwater
Explore
From well-equipped campsites to luxury spa resorts, there’s no shortage of quality accommodation in the Lake District. This is where modern tourism was born, after all.- It’s easy to eat well in the Lake District. Whether in a cosy village inn or in the elegant setting of a high-class restaurant, the quality of food is exceptional.
- Whatever time of year you want to visit the Lake District, we have something planned to keep you entertained, engaged and energised.
- Have you got a year to spare? You’ll need that amount of time and more if you want to make a real dent in the list of incredible activities available in the Lake District.
- Let us help you find inspiring places to visit with our travel itineraries. Whatever your choice of location, duration and budget, check out our recommendations.
Highlights
Join us on the first Saturday of every month for our monthly morning meet at the Lakeland Motor…
Antiques Valuation Day overseen by Mitchell's Auctioneers and Valuers, Cockermouth. £5.00 entry…
This interactive workshop invites participants to delve into the rich craft of poetry through a…
The 25/26 series of canicross races has now launched! Held in England's only mountain forest, Dodd…
Join us for hands-on family fun this February half term at Windermere Jetty Museum. Perfect for all…
Virginia Woolf defied literary conventions to depict rich inner worlds – her heightened, startling…
Discover documentary photographer Joanne Coates's powerful exhibition about women in agriculture in…
This interactive exhibition celebrates the treasures of the Wordsworth Grasmere trove. Discover…
The Full Snow Moon in Leo illuminates our path to self-expression, confidence, and creative power.…
Discover life on Windermere through the lens of award-winning artist Juliet Klottrup. This…
The Montane Grizedale Trail 13 & 26 takes place from Grizedale Forest Visitor Centre, near…
Get Crafty! Drop in and join our team in the Visitor Centre for free craft activities. A great…
Join Mountain Leader Dougie Walker for a guided winter ascent of the Fairfield Horseshoe, one of…
Hornfels Brass is a Cumbrian based quartet comprising of highly experienced musicians who have…
Explore the wonders of the moon. Join us for a family-friendly evening learning about the moon as…
Victoria Wood remains one of Britain's most cherished entertainers – a comic genius whose work…
On this course, students will learn how to create gossamer weight felt to make beautiful wraps and…
Hornfels Brass is a Cumbrian based quartet comprising of highly experienced musicians who have…
Olivier Award-winner Hiran Abeysekera (Life of Pi) is Hamlet in this fearless, contemporary take on…
Join Jo from JAG Outdoors for a night-time walk in the forest! The walk will cover up to 4 miles…
The feeling of a head torch trail run in the woods is unique. The night-time adds a whole new…
Join us for a magical guided evening walk through the forest. Listen out for owls, learn about…
Celebrate 25 years of ceramic art by Edinburgh-based Frances Priest in Motif | Line | Colour. The…
Live music with The Elderly brothers who play a range of tunes from 1920s to 2020s. Smile-inducing,…
The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
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Towns & Villages
Number of results: 450
, currently showing 1 to 20.
Address
Watermillock, Penrith, Cumbria, CA11 0JSTelephone
01768482067Penrith
A short stroll from the main Aira Force car park is the Aira Force tea-room, a place to relax and refuel ready for your next adventure. It’s open daily from 10am – 4.30pm, with indoor and outdoor seating, serving some tasty treats and refreshing…
Address
2 Cambridge Villas, Church Street, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 9DLTelephone
07971 622616Ambleside
This is closely related to Gorge scrambling only this time we are heading downsteam. More jumping into crystal clear pools of deep water, sliding into pools, wild swimming, and scrambling - all in the most beautiful of settings.
Keswick
An interactive world of optical illusions including illusion rooms, holograms and interactive exhibits to amaze the whole family, young and old! Do you believe your eyes?
Address
The Brackenrigg Inn, Watermillock, Ullswater, Cumbria, CA11 0LPTelephone
01768 486442Ullswater
Local food and drink, contemporary en-suite rooms, roaring fires and lively conversation await for guests, locals and walkers in our relaxed Cumbrian pub with wide angle Ullswater views.
Address
The Swan Hotel & Spa, Newby Bridge, Cumbria, LA12 8NBTelephone
015395 31681Newby Bridge
Situated on the picturesque River Leven at the southern tip of Lake Windermere, this 17th-century coaching inn is full of character and charm, but also offers well-equipped rooms, first-class leisure facilities and a fabulous new Holte Spa. Enjoy…
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Address
Pennington's Spirits & Liqueurs (Pennington's Distillery), Unit 3, Millennium House, Boundary Bank, Kendal, Cumbria, LA9 5RRTelephone
01539 592051Boundary Bank, Kendal
Family-run distillery in Kendal offering guided tours and tastings. Discover how we craft gins, spirits and the iconic Kendal Mint Cake Liqueur at the gateway to the Lake District.
Address
Newlands Bridge, Stair, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 5UFTelephone
0191 384 1116Keswick
Traditional Lake District luxurious cottage. Under Catbells and Causey Pike in the small hamlet of Stair, 10 mins walk form the Swinside Inn and three miles from Keswick. Wonderful fell walking from the door and fish from the Newlands Beck.
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Address
Armathwaite Hall Hotel & Spa, B5291, Bassenthwaite Lake, Bassenthwaite, Cumbria, CA12 4RETelephone
01768 776551Bassenthwaite Lake, Bassenthwaite
Connoisseurs of fine cuisine will find much to appreciate at Armathwaite Hall Hotel and Spa. Chef takes full advantage of a wealth of local seasonal produce and Cumbrian specialities to create a variety of gastronomic delights.
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Address
Lakeside Hotel & Spa, Newby Bridge, Lakeside, Cumbria, LA12 8ATTelephone
015395 30001Lakeside
Relaxing with our afternoon tea experience, less than a stone's throw away from the water's edge of Lake Windermere.
Address
7 St John's Street, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 5APTelephone
017687 80571Keswick
Sally's Cottages is an award-winning, local, family run holiday cottage letting agency in Keswick with 500 self-catering holiday cottages in the Lake District and Cumbria, including over 270 dog-friendly cottages.
Address
Lake District Wildlife Park, Bassenthwaite, Cumbria, CA12 4RDTelephone
017687 76239Bassenthwaite
Go wild & experience a world of wildlife! There's over 100 species from Anaconda to Zebra. Rare and endangered species like Gibbons and Asian Fishing Cats, plus family favourites like lemurs and Meerkats. A great day out for all the family.
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Address
Blue Smoke on the Bay, Low Wood Bay Resort & Spa, Ambleside Rd, Windermere, Cumbria, LA23 1LPTelephone
015394 33338Ambleside Rd, Windermere
With stylish decor overlooking the lake, Blue Smoke is the perfect place to catch up with friends and family.
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Address
Lowther Castle & Gardens, Lowther, Penrith, Cumbria, CA10 2HHTelephone
01931 712192Penrith
A spectacular Gothic ruin set in 130 acres of ancient and romantic Gardens, award-winning Lowther Castle is one of the northwest's most spectacular visitor attractions. Its setting within the Lake District National Park is truly beautiful while the…
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Coniston
• Sleeps 8
• 4 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms
• Huge garden including terraces, outside seating and woodland
• Up to 2 dogs welcome
• Idyllic location close to village and lake
• Stunning interior which has been recently renovated to an exceptional…Address
The Swan Hotel & Spa, Newby Bridge, Cumbria, LA12 8NBTelephone
015395 31681Newby Bridge
The River Room Brasserie restaurant at The Swan Hotel offers a sophisticated dining experience for those looking for something truly special. With its 3-course menu, crafted by the hotel’s talented head chef, each dish is a work of art, made with…
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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…
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Address
Windermere Jetty, Rayrigg Road, Windermere, Cumbria, LA23 1BNWindermere
Windermere Jetty Museum is a vibrant, family-friendly visitor attraction dedicated to the boats, people and the rich history of Windermere, England’s largest natural lake.
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Grasmere
Set at the foot of the fells within two acres of riverside gardens on the edge of picturesque Grasmere village, the four AA Silver Star Rothay Garden by Harbour Hotels is a boutique countryside hideaway with an array of outdoor activities to enjoy…
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Address
The Britannia Inn, Main Street, Elterwater, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 9HPTelephone
015394 37210Elterwater, Ambleside
The Britannia is a traditional 500-year-old Lakeland Inn nestling in the village of Elterwater and the fells of the Langdale Valley. Real ales, traditional food and real log fires.
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Address
Lake District Castle Inn, Bassenthwaite, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 4RGTelephone
0176 877 6401Keswick
Nestled near Keswick within the picturesque Lake District National Park lies Lake District Castle Inn Hotel, originally a coaching Inn dating back to 1770. Surrounded by the stunning beauty of the Cumbrian mountains and with views of the serene…
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