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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 two of Britain's most celebrated Arts & Crafts houses in one inspiring afternoon. Begin…
Join us for our planetarium show about a fascinating topic in astronomy. We begin with a…
Experience the magic of Ullswater in autumn with our special 2.5 hour photography cruise hosted by…
Join Dr Amy Concannon, Manton Senior Curator of Historic British Art at Tate Britain, for a special…
Join us for a special evening celebrating the spirit of adventure, with a lovingly curated…
A Wimbledon line judge for 20 years, comedian Pauline Eyre is ready to spill the Pimms on tennis…
Cumbria's biggest comedy club, Planet Mirth (est 2010) returns to Windermere! Featuring four…
Festive Colouring activities Available throughout December in the Café Welcome the festive cheer…
An artist's book can take many forms, from a simple concertina to a stapled or handstitched volume,…
Join us for a special evening of music, film and spoken word as we come together to mark Armistice…
Discover the Lake District after dark on an unforgettable canoe journey across beautiful Coniston…
Join us in our cosy Café for Gothic book chats this autumn and delve deeper into the world of…
Make memories, not just snapshots with a private photography experience in the Lake District…
Experience Swanfire Night a little differently this year with our Sparkling Skies Experience at…
Woodland Reset ~ The Conscious Self's Signature Nature Day Come and join The Conscious Self for a…
This November, the much-loved Winter Craft Fair returns to Blackwell – the Arts & Crafts house and…
Our Rydal Islands and Caves Swim Walk is a perfect mix of easy-going hiking and wild swimming.…
Keeping the Members Together: A History of Music in Working Men's Clubs with Isabel Thomas Is…
The UK's first-ever Gingerbread House Festival is an innovative and creative national event,…
Flowing from the Fells presents selected works from the Lakeland Arts collection to explore the…
Deck the Hall Self-led activity available for the month of December in the Guild Room Help us…
Join David Felton at Muncaster Castle on Tuesday 24 November for a fascinating talk on the…
Join us for an inspiring planetarium show guaranteed to leave you excited and hopeful for the…
This Christmas, prepare for a festive tale with a ghostly twist. It's midnight on Christmas Eve,…


The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
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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…
Ambleside
Stay in a luxury Shepherd's Hut at the stunning Victorian House Hotel in Grasmere. Perfect for a relaxing stay after days exploring the Lake District with private riverbank views.
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.
Coniston
Grab your tent and get ready to set off on your next adventure. At our Coniston Park Coppice site we welcome tent campers and can accommodate tents of up to 3mx3m (approximately a 4-person tent). Dogs are welcome too.
Lake Road, Windermere
In an enviable position, perched on the shores of Windermere, The Waterbird Boathouse is an impressive lakefront apartment offering a truly memorable stay.
Ravenglass
Standing proudly in the center of the village of Ravenglass the Pennington Hotel has 22 well appointed and relaxing bedrooms, with quality bathrooms, smart TV’s, and comfy beds, all areas offer high speed internet which has been complete upscaled…
Penrith
A traditional tearoom set in a historic barn with homemade food and freshly brewed coffee, alongside Dalemain’s marmalade gift shop.
Penrith
Mosedale End Farm Bed & Breakfast offers you a true rural escape — spacious, quiet and surrounded by nature. Wake to sweeping views of Lakeland fells as you enjoy a leisurely start to your day because you can enjoy breakfast whenever you choose.
Whicham, Valley, Millom
The ultimate horse riding experience in the stunning Cumbria. We are UK's only specialised heavy horse riding establishment! We are a small, professional, family run Equestrian Centre unique in the use of our magnificent heavy horse breeds.
Troutbeck, Windermere
At Broadoaks, afternoon tea is served in the traditional manner on a three-tiered plate, featuring a selection of handmade cakes and sandwiches, meticulously prepared by our accomplished team of chefs. Each bite is a testament to our commitment to…
Ambleside
Biketreks Grizedale is a bike hire centre and shop in Grizedale Forest, offering mountain bike and E-Bike hire all year round. Our shop stocks a wide range of clothing, accessories and new and ex-hire bikes.
Portinscale
One of the apartments in the estate's Grade II listed Victorian house, Lake View exudes understated luxury. Once the private rooms of Lord Rochdale, the impressive main living space is now beautifully arranged in an open-plan design, incorporating a…
Ambleside
Our licensed Yan Bistro promises a delicious seasonal menu inspired by our farm’s history - rustic Cumbrian classics, nostalgic British favourites and exciting modern dishes - all made from the outstanding local ingredients.
Keswick
With jaw-dropping views down the valley over Bassenthwaite Lake and just a stones throw from Keswick, our site at Kestrel Lodge Campsite makes for an ideal location for exploring the Lake District and northern fells. A quiet, family run, family…
Grasmere
Set at the foot of the fells within two acres of riverside gardens on the edge of picturesque Grasmere village, the four AA Silver Star Rothay Garden by Harbour Hotels is a boutique countryside hideaway with an array of outdoor activities to enjoy…
Nether Wasdale, Wasdale
Situated in arguably the most beautiful valley of Wasdale in the Lake District on the banks of the river Irt, is The Sawmill Café and Farm Shop. The perfect place to relax, restore and indulge, we offer a delicious locally sourced menu to satisfy…
Portinscale
The Lodge is a spacious five-bedroom retreat set within its own private garden at The Lingholm Estate, offering comfort, privacy, and plenty of room to unwind. Designed with togetherness in mind, The Lodge is perfect for large families or groups of…
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…
Patterdale, Ullswater
A luxuriously renovated, character house in the tiny hamlet of Deepdale. Beautifully presented in contemporary, country style. Roaring log fire, beams and magical views.
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…
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Cumbria Tourism, Windermere Road, Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 9PL