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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 Jo & Laura from JAG Outdoors for an evening of adventure, exercise, focus, fun, and wellbeing…
Back by popular demand, the Leeds City Stompers are returning to Zeffirellis Jazz Bar for an…
Join us on Monday 22nd December for an exciting morning at Wainwrights' Inn at Chapel Stile. Start…
What was Christmas like when the Wordsworths lived at Dove Cottage 200 years ago? Have a go at some…
4 October 2025 9:45-12:30 The Armitt is excited to be running fungi walks once again this year…
Step inside Santa's Secret Grotto – hidden deep inside a Lake District mountain! Ho-Ho-Honister is…
We're thrilled to welcome Jon Dawes to The Swan on 30th December for a relaxing Twixmas evening of…
Join us on the first Saturday of every month for our monthly morning meet at the Lakeland Motor…
We will gather to honour the longest night and welcome the rebirth of the sun. Join in a…
This interactive exhibition celebrates the treasures of the Wordsworth Grasmere trove. Discover…
Get your skates on as our ice rink returns to the shores of Ullswater. A 16ft Christmas tree,…
Join us this festive season for hands-on family fun at Windermere Jetty Museum. Whether you're…
Step back in time to Regency England with this Christmas fireside talk. Immerse yourself in the…
Served Daily Between 1pm & 5pm Book now for our afternoon tea with a festive twist. Our festive…
We're thrilled to welcome Helen Miller to The Swan on 27th December for a soulful evening of live…
The 25/26 series of canicross races has now launched! Held in England's only mountain forest, Dodd…
✨ Santa's Grotto Experience – Just £10 per Child! (Adults go free!) Step into the magic of…
Join us for a traditional service of lessons and carols by candlelight in the beautiful…
We're delighted to welcome Ash Nelson to The Swan on 29th December for a cosy Twixmas evening of…
Celebrate 25 years of ceramic art by Edinburgh-based Frances Priest in Motif | Line | Colour. The…
There's winter wonder for the whole family at the gateway to the Lake District this year. From 21…
On 5 October 2025 18:00-19:30 We are delighted to bring this project to England this year,…
Enjoy a magical evening of Christmas storytelling in Dove Cottage. We'll first meet in our…
Food, glorious food! Christmas Lunch at The Swan 'Cause food is what Christmas is really about,…


The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
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Newby Bridge
Join us at our secluded woodland camp on the shores of Windermere for a bushcraft brunch to die for, this is thriving not just surviving!
Hawkshead, Lake Windermere
Get behind the wheel with this brilliant 4x4 experience with Graythwaite Adventure. With careful planning and consideration for the natural landscape, we’ve designed the Lake District’s only off-road course with BORDA (British Off Road Driving…
Cockermouth
Nestled near the tranquil shores of Bassenthwaite Lake, just ten minutes from Keswick, The Pheasant, Bassenthwaite offers a heartfelt Cumbrian welcome that has stood the test of time for over two centuries.
Keswick
Paddleboarding is quickly gaining popularity as a new paddle sport in the UK, and there’s no better place to try it out than the stunning mountain scenery of the Lake District.
Ambleside
Zeffirellis hosts an award-winning vegetarian restaurant, a daytime café, a jazz bar on the second floor of the restaurant, and a cinema.
Zeffirellis restaurant offers an Italian themed pizza and pasta menu with daily specials freshly prepared by…
Coniston
• Sleeps up to 22
• 4 inter-linking cottages, can be booked individually sleeping 4-8 or together sleeping 22
• A total of 10 bedrooms and 10 bathrooms
• Each cottage comes with its own hot tub - 4 hot tubs in total
• Stunning mountain location with…
Windermere
Our relaxed 2 AA Rosette restaurant, Gilpin Spice has an open kitchen serving a pan-Asian menu inspired by countries along the spice trail and guided by fantastic Cumbrian and British ingredients. Dishes are fun and flavourful with a story behind…
Windermere
Discover 200 years of Windermere’s boating history and the stories of the people involved - from wealthy owners to boat builders, inspired writers to ordinary Lakeland folk - at the Lake District’s new all-weather museum.
Lyth Valley
Let us take you on one of our favourite walks, an off-the-beaten-track route far from the crowds that flock to the Lake District National Park.
Bowness-On-Windermere
Brand new Free house British pub, serving home made classic British pub food, real fires, real ale and dog friendly.
Keswick
The Restaurant at The Borrowdale offers an experience shaped by its surroundings—thoughtfully prepared food, elegant interiors, and service that gives you time to savour it all.
Pooley Bridge
A range of luxury lodges, many sleeping 4 people, some pet-friendly, suitable for families or with private hot tubs, the choice is yours. Just a stone's throw away from Lake Ullswater, Hillcroft Park boasts one of the most stunning locations of any…
Bowness-on-Windermere
At BAHA, we are all about bringing people together, through fun food, drink, and entertainment experiences that you can share with loved ones, leaving everlasting memories you’ll cherish.
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…
Grasmere
The Cottages at Broadrayne Farm are all just full of character having been converted from former 17th - 19thC farm buildings. Unusually for holiday accommodation they all have the benefit of allocated parking, separate entrances, electric charging…
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.
Lakeside
Lakeside Hotel, the best 4 star hotel on the shores of Windermere, offers you a unique location on the water's edge. It is a classic traditional Lakeland Hotel, personally owned and managed and in a delightful setting.
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.
Ullswater
The Living Space is a place for eating, meeting and lounging on sofas. Its food is fresh, bold and distinctive. Expect lamb tagine, burgers and fries, meze plates, salads, sourdough pizza and doorstep sandwiches.
Keswick Road, Grasmere
Our first floor restaurant, The Dining Room, benefits from stunning views of Grasmere Lake from every window and the contemporary menu on offer provides the perfect Lake District dining experience with a modern twist.
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Cumbria Tourism, Windermere Road, Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 9PL