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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.

Explore
Join us on a exclusive guided tour of Hill Top Farm, Near Sawrey renowned as the first farm owned…
This is a memory. It's also a story. The story of a girl called Laura. Surrounded by golden fields…
Susannah Clegg is a Lancaster-based singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist known for her…
Get ready for an adventure with a Totally Wild UK professional forager on our Forage and Cookery…
Discover life on Windermere through the lens of award-winning artist Juliet Klottrup. This…
Experience adventure at Keswick Mountain Festival (15-17 May 2026) with trail runs, hikes,…
Discover documentary photographer Joanne Coates's powerful exhibition about women in agriculture in…
Get ready for an adventure with a Totally Wild UK professional forager on our Forage and Cookery…
Celebrate 50 Years of Northern Rock May 2nd – 4th, 2026 Join the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway…
Experience the magic of nature's music festival on this exclusive event, and be immersed in the…
Busy Weekly Market with 80 stalls. Food, Crafts and Gifts.
One of the UK's most revered and gruelling cycling sportives. Known as "The Daddy of them all" by…
String Zoo are a violin and guitar-based duo, who play in the tradition of Stephane Grappelli and…
Our Finsthwaite Wild Swim is an easy-paced swim walk taking us from the village of Finsthwaite,…
Discover the work of acclaimed artist Julian Cooper at Theatre by the Lake in Keswick, Cumbria,…
Our Rydal Islands and Caves Swim Walk is a perfect mix of easy-going hiking and wild swimming.…
Discover the art of craft distilling in the Gateway to the Lake District, with a guided tour of…
We're looking forward to welcoming Reuben Tighe to The Swan on the 8th May for an evening of live…
Start the day strolling through the pretty woodland surrounding Aira Beck as we admire the…
Join us for a relaxed early evening in our charming wine cellar — the perfect chance to take a…
Reconnect. Slow down. Breathe deeply. Step away from the rush of everyday life and join us for a…
Paddleboarding will be back in 2026 Try something new and have a splashing time! We've again…
The 25/26 series of canicross races has now launched! Held in England's only mountain forest, Dodd…
We're looking forward to welcoming Rob Young to The Swan on the 15th May for an evening of live…


The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
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Number of results: 470
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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…
Ullswater
Glenridding Manor House Hotel: Without doubt, the best quality non pretentious accommodation on Lake Ullswater. Perfect for walking the coast to coast, climbing Helvellyn, Sailing, canoeing or paddle boarding on Ullswater, Taking a steamer to…
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…
Penrith
The stream which flows over Aira Force is Aira Beck, which rises on the upper slopes of Stybarrow Dodd at a height of 720 metres and flows north-easterly before turning south, blocked by the high heather-covered slopes of Gowbarrow Fell.
Keswick
Discover Lyzzick, our four-star independent hotel in the heart of the Lake District hills.
Pooley Bridge
A choice of self-catering accommodation, owned and operated by the Heath Family. The award-winning Hillcroft Park is set in the beautiful Ullswater Valley, and offers year-round holiday accommodation to suit every taste and pocket.
Hawkshead
Grizedale Observatory and planetarium for stargazing under the dark skies of the Lake District. Nestled deep within the breathtaking Grizedale Forest in the heart of the Lake District, this immersive stargazing experience invites the whole family to…
Keswick
Enjoy hearty, flavour-led dining at Mary Mount, where generous portions, local ingredients, and warm hospitality meet in a relaxed lakeside setting. From comforting classics to Sunday roasts, every meal is crafted with care.
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…
Windermere
A real Lakeland hidden treasure set in the beautiful village of Troutbeck, this 17thC solid stone and slate house sits imposingly on the hillside, its huge chimneys typical of the area.
Ambleside
If you are looking to take your hill and mountain walking to the next level, this could be just what you’re looking for! You’ll be scaling rocks to reach the summit, learning new skills along the way and enjoying those hard earned views at the top.
Windermere
Merewood Country House Hotel is the quintessential, English country house hotel. Located on the side of a hill overlooking Windermere, Merewood boasts stunning views of the Lake District fells and beyond.
Merewood dates back to 1812 and with…
Ullswater, Penrith
5* Holiday Park offering touring, glamping pods and self-catering overlooking Ullswater. Perfect for walking and relaxing breaks.
Cumbria
As well as beautiful scenery, the Lake District is also famous for its associations with a large number of poets, novelists and essayists. This lovely, 36-mile walk takes you through some of the Lake District’s best-loved areas, visiting many of the…
Our Lake District E-Bike tours are designed to suit all fitness levels (age 14+ years), for leisure cyclists with flexible daily itineraries and timings. Choose one of our Day Tours or Multi-Day Holidays, or let E-Bike Safaris tailor-make your tour…
Sedgwick, Kendal
Family attraction, maze, soft play, go karts, animals, pets, events, parties and refreshments.
Victoria St, Windermere
Kankku has specially prepared 4x4 vehicles that you drive on rough and rocky scenic trails through the Lake District National Park. A Kankku day is really special because it is a genuine off road driving experience rather than driving on a contrived…
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…
Keswick
Our restaurant full of eager diners, a non-fussy, relaxed atmosphere, staff who take pride in serving Executive Chef David’s delectable dishes and where the food and service speak for itself. Hopefully our guests agree, it’s called real Cumbrian…
Windermere
Canoe, Paddleboard, Kayaking in Windermere, Lake District. Tailored made courses from sea to surf, lakes to rivers, adults to children.
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Cumbria Tourism, Windermere Road, Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 9PL