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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
Experience Swanfire Night a little differently this year with our Sparkling Skies Experience at…
Join photographer Steve Blake on a half day workshop Whinlatter's beautiful woodland environment…
Looking for unique things to do in the Lake District this October? Back by popular demand, Go Ape…
Swim in the lake at night under The Milky Way, the glow of your light-up tow float keeping you…
Bonfire, Live music with Nick Marshall, BBQ
Join Dr Amy Concannon, Manton Senior Curator of Historic British Art at Tate Britain, for a special…
Embrace winter with fresh air, star-gazing and warm waters. Escape to the Lakes this winter and…
Enjoy a carefully curated 2-course menu of seasonal dishes, with comforting festive flavours and,…
Woodland Reset ~ The Conscious Self's Signature Nature Day Come and join The Conscious Self for a…
Have a go at willow weaving your own Scandinavian or 5-pointed star with the guidance of the…
Beatrix Potter: The other side of the family & the Helen Leech enigma Beatrix Potter's life path…
The Swan's Santa's Grotto, a festive wonderland awaits your little ones! Every weekend from…
Join us for an inspiring planetarium show guaranteed to leave you excited and hopeful for the…
Our “Dark Sky Astronomy” events take place on moonless nights, providing the ideal conditions to…
Festive Colouring activities Available throughout December in the Café Welcome the festive cheer…
Calling all local talent – and local music lovers! Join us for Muncaster Castle's monthly Open Mic…
Terrifying Tarns, Wicked Waters & Loathsome Lakes Join us at The Swan for a chilling evening of…
Join us on the 21st and 22nd November for the Rydal Hall annual Christmas craft fair with makers,…
Join St John's Hospice for our Bowness-on-Windermere Light Up A Life Remembrance and Celebration…
This November, the much-loved Winter Craft Fair returns to Blackwell – the Arts & Crafts house and…
Join us in our cosy Café for Gothic book chats this autumn and delve deeper into the world of…
Discover the Lake District after dark on an unforgettable canoe journey across beautiful Coniston…
Our Swanfire Night has always been about bringing people together – a chance for our local…
Join us for our planetarium show about a fascinating topic in astronomy. We begin with a…


The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
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Number of results: 436
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Staveley
Delightful village inn, riverside location with friendly family welcome, offering excellent cosy accommodation. Local produce of superb real ales.
Ambleside
There’s something truly special about being by the water and The Wateredge Inn in Ambleside captures that magic perfectly. Perched right on the shore of England’s most famous lake, it’s the kind of place where you can sit back on the waterfront…
Ambleside
The Ambleside Inn is located in the heart of the popular Lake District town of Ambleside and offers delicious, homecooked dining all day every day. Whether fuelling up for a day’s exploring with a hearty breakfast, stopping by for a smaller plate…
Pooley Bridge
Just a stones throw from Lake Ullswater & Pooley Bridge, Hillcroft Park boasts one of the most stunning locations of any UK holiday park.
Field Broughton, Grange-over-Sands
A luxury, self-catering period property, newly refurbished in 2022, sleeping 6 people. 2 miles from Cartmel and 2 miles from Lake Windermere. The property offers spectacular views over beautiful, tranquil gardens and the Cartmel Valley.
There are…
Ullswater
We all have our own personal Mount Everest, climbing is one way to conquer yours. Rock Climbing whether indoors or outdoors is a great group or family activity. With the opportunity for learning the basic skills and looking after each others safety…
The Bridge, Coniston
Springbank Cottage is a luxury, 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom cottage in the popular village of Coniston. Close to spectacular walking, the lake and with a beautiful, enclosed garden it really is the perfect base for any Lake District holiday.
Hartsop, Patterdale
Between Ullswater and Windermere, Scandanavian style lodges sit on a secluded site, in a quiet corner of the Lakes. Sleep up to six in all Lodges. Week, short-week & weekend breaks available. Equipped with fitted kitchen, colour TV & free Wi-Fi.
Keswick
Hire a rowing or motor boat and explore Derwentwater and its islands under your own steam. No boating experience is necessary as we provide full safety instruction and life jackets for everyone on board. Keswick Launch also offers 50-minute cruises…
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.
Windermere
Our modern, fully furnished and equipped caravan holiday homes are situated in a quiet area, adjacent to the main touring park yet within easy reach of all the park amenities.
The English , Buttermere
Building on site for over 1000yrs. First licensed 1735 as a coaching inn. Nestles between 2 lakes Buttermere and Crummock. Surrounded by famous peaks, Haystacks, Red Pike and Great Gable.
Grasmere
Escape to our beautiful Grasmere estate with luxury cottages, cosy log burners, stunning grounds and spacious accommodation, perfect for families and friends to relax and explore the beauty of the Lake District.
Ecclerigg, Windermere
The 5* Langdale Chase is a Luxury. exclusive, Lake District Hotel with unbeatable Windermere views. At Langdale Chase, you can do as much as you wish, or kick back and fine tune the art of doing absolutely nothing either on your own, as a couple,…
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…
Ullswater
Dinner at 1863 will no doubt generate conversation around the table on the night, but (we hope!) will also give you something to talk about long after you’ve left for the evening.
Ullswater
Hidden with a seculded spot within the hotel grounds and connected by glazed walkways, a large double bedroom and twin bedroom look out onto floor-to-ceiling views across the grounds to the lake and fells beyond.
Windermere
A stunning four star hotel set in 17 acres of grounds on the shores of Lake Windermere.
Ambleside Rd, Windermere
With stylish decor overlooking the lake, Blue Smoke is the perfect place to catch up with friends and family.
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…
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Cumbria Tourism, Windermere Road, Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 9PL