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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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Our Cycling Route’s guide of the Lake District provides a broad range of cycle routes for all levels of cycling. Whether you are an avid cyclist wanting to do some of the most challenging rides in the Lake District, or gentle leisure rides with…
Patterdale, Penrith
A characterful Lake District farmhouse in the heart of Grisedale Valley, with mountain views, cosy fires, four bedrooms and plenty of space for family, friends and dogs
Portinscale
One of the apartments in the estate's Grade II listed Victorian house and steeped in history, Skiddaw served as a creative sanctuary for Beatrix Potter in the late 1890s. It was from these bedroom windows that she captured the view for her piece…
Grange-over-Sands
Greaves Farm Caravan Park is small, family run park in beautiful countryside on the fringe of the Lake District within easy reach of Lake Windermere, the historic village of Cartmel and Grange over Sands and many places of interest. An ideal…
Bowness-on-Windermere
Blackwell – the Arts & Crafts house is a rare architectural gem in the heart of the Lake District and offers a perfectly preserved snapshot of early 20th-century living.
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…
Coniston
The myriad of slate quarries, including the famous Cathedral Cavern close to Coniston provide a great venue to experience the thrill of abseiling. More Than Mountains only uses highly qualified and knowledgeable instructors who are incredibly…
Ullswater, Penrith
5* Holiday Park offering touring, glamping pods and self-catering overlooking Ullswater. Perfect for walking and relaxing breaks.
Millom
Wayside Cottage 1637 is a charming old (circa 1637) two bedroom cottage attached to The Wayside. Designed for visitors that seek relaxing stay in an idyllic & traditional setting within the Lake District with modern comforts.
Keswick
5* holiday park on the shores of Bassenthwaite.
Cockermouth
Located in the picturesque Lorton Valley, Hundith Hill offers stunning views of the Cumbrian countryside. With 25 rooms, function suites, restaurant, bar & lounge, Hundith Hill is the perfect venue for country escapes.
St John's in the Vale, Keswick
Herdwick Fold was converted from a barn adjoining our 17th century grade II listed farmhouse and sleeps up to four people.
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.
Windermere
Delightful recently refurbished cottages in a quiet location, yet a stroll from Windermere & Bowness. Abbey Coach House Cottages are set within extensive gardens & ideally based for exploring the Lakes. Pets welcome & bike storage available
Bowness-on-Windermere
The multi-award winning, no.1 hotel for romance. Discover high-end luxury, designer decor, hot tubs and exclusive guest extras at the Cranleigh Boutique in Bowness-on-Windermere.
Manesty, Borrowdale
Stunning views of Borrowdale valley, Easy access to Keswick and Derwentwater, Luxury living in a rural location.
Windermere
Specialist bike hire for everyone from 3 great locations around Lake Windermere. Electric bikes. Mountain bikes. Kid's bikes. Kid's seats and trailers. We have planned routes for you available as maps and downloads.
Ambleside
Parkland and Gothic Revival castle sitting on the west shore of Windermere providing an impressive backdrop of turrets, towers, informal grounds and miles of lakeshore paths.
Coniston
SUP Paddleboarding by Genuine Adventures offers a serene glide across Lake District waters, guided by experts for all ages, with gear provided for a tailored, scenic adventure.
Newby Bridge
A half day's experience learning the core skills of bushcraft and survival with our expert instructors, including fire, shelter, water sourcing and more.
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Cumbria Tourism, Windermere Road, Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 9PL