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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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Join us in the Learning Centre this Easter Holidays for free, hands-on activities designed to spark…
Join photographer Steve Blake in our beautiful woodland environment. Full day workshops are…
Looking for a fun outdoor activity this Easter with your family? Take on Egg-venture, a 'cracking'…
Evie is a singer-songwriter from the Lake District. Evie has built up a vast repertoire of songs,…
Based in the heart of Whinlatter Forest, just inside Keswick, adventure awaits. Whether you're a…
Discover the history of the Wray estate on a 45‑minute Walk & Talk led by a knowledgeable member of…
Easter Little Engineers' Days at Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway Bring curious minds, creative…
The main writing theme for the weekend is centred around what it looks like to walk with Jesus.…
Vintage acoustic jazz music from 1920's New York and sophisticated 1930's Swing. Plus the sound of…
Joe Martin is a modern day troubadour, a seasoned songwriter and performer having played to tens of…
*WORLD PREMIERE From Tom MacRae, the writer of Everybody's Talking About Jamie, comes a brand-new…
The Lake District is England's only true mountain area. It has the most beautiful scenery in the…
Hop into Easter with a smile and a giggle. Follow the trail through the woods and parkland with…
Sign up to take on this unique triathlon event, while raising funds for Turning Tides, a…
Cumbria Local Arts Annual Exhibition. Over 500 pieces of work by 115 artist,all living within the…
Discover life on Windermere through the lens of award-winning artist Juliet Klottrup. This…
Join us for an all women's wellness festival based in the The Lake District this Spring. Enjoy two…
Looking for a family-friendly creative activity during half-term? Look no further than our craft…
Iggety Ziggety Zaggety Zoom! Walk with a witch and her cauldron and broom! Help collect the…
Celebrate 25 years of ceramic art by Edinburgh-based Frances Priest in Motif | Line | Colour. The…
Joe Martin is a modern day troubadour, a seasoned songwriter and performer having played to tens of…
Poets from the North West gather together to perform a selection of Romantic and contemporary…
Join us and our Accredited Conservator, Caroline Bendix. Caroline has 40 years' experience, working…
Experience two of Britain's most celebrated Arts & Crafts houses in one inspiring afternoon. Begin…


The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
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St John's in the Vale, Keswick
Rigg Barn was converted from a detached bank barn and sleeps up to six people.
Portinscale
Keepers Cottage was lovingly rebuilt in 2016 and now offers stylish four-bedroom accommodation with spectacular views of the surrounding fells, with the lake, playground, and squirrel hide just a short stroll away, it is perfectly placed for guests…
The Lake District is one of the best places you can visit for Stargazing and is listed in the top 5% of the darkest places in Britain. On a clear evening, we are able to see thousands of stars and constellations including the spectacular Milky Way.
Grasmere
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.
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,…
Bowness-on-Windermere
Brunch, Lunch & Afternoon Teas in Bowness-on-Windermere. Located just opposite the World of Beatrix Potter Attraction, the Peter Rabbit™ Café is a perfectly themed, memorable & completely unique Peter Rabbit™ dining experience with a good dose of…
Millom
The Wayside and Whisky Barn offers a peaceful escape in the Western Lake District with beautiful en-suite rooms, local homemade meals, stunning views, and a whisky bar. Ideal for relaxation and exploring the Lakes and coast.
Coniston
Explore Coniston Water - one of the Lake Districts' famous lakes and see the magnificent scenery from a Canadian Canoe. Along the way we will stop off to try a little Bushcraft. We will cover the exciting and essential skills of how to make a fire…
Windermere
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.
Coniston
Explore Coniston Water - one of the Lake District's famous lakes and see the magnificent scenery from a Canadian Canoe. We'll tailor the day to suit your group - whether it’s a fun day of games, exploring the lake and splashing with the whole family…
Windermere
Our three warm and cosy pods are situated behind the main farm steading in a quiet setting away from the road and next to a small beck. The pods all have underfloor heating so you are guaranteed to be warm no matter the season. Unfortunately we…
Keswick
Situated in the heart of Newlands Valley Keswick, opposite Catbells, Rowling End Farm Holiday Cottages have outstanding views of the entire valley.
Ambleside
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…
Newby Bridge, Backbarrow
The Whitewater Hotel is the ultimate Lake district retreat, featuring the fantastic Cascades Leisure Club & Spa.
Electric Bike Hire - E-Bikes delivered directly to your accommodation in the South Lakes by E-Bike Safaris. Experience cycling through the Cumbrian countryside, visiting all the attractions and having the comfort of the electric assistance.
Ambleside
Zeffirellis is an independent cinema that supports new and emerging talents within the world of cinema and the arts. We offer the complete evening out, you can wine and dine and see a film.
Ambleside
This contemporary bistro with beds is a stone’s throw from the idyllic village of Grasmere. The 17th Century former farm has 7 plush en-suite bedrooms, sleeping 2, 3, or 4 people each - it's the ideal Grasmere hotel for individuals, couples,…
Borrowdale, KESWICK
Have you ever walked on thin air? Get your heart racing while experiencing breathtaking scenery with our Infinity Bridge… so named because you are often unable to see the other end! Strung across a breathtaking gorge high up on the mountain, 2,000…
Grange, Borrowdale
Enjoy traditional afternoon tea at Borrowdale Gates Hotel, served daily 12–2.30pm with sandwiches, warm scones, cakes and fine teas, all enjoyed with stunning Borrowdale Valley views.
Ambleside
The Red Lion Inn Hawkshead offers a refined Lake District dining experience, combining traditional British dishes with locally sourced, high-quality ingredients. Set in a charming historic inn with exposed beams and a cosy atmosphere, the restaurant…
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Cumbria Tourism, Windermere Road, Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 9PL