You are here: Home > Explore Cumbria > Areas of Cumbria > The Lake District
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
.jpg)
Number of results: 436
, currently showing 81 to 100.
Ambleside
Whatever the weather or time of year, our self-catering cottages and timber-framed properties are ready and waiting for families and groups of all sizes eager to get away from it all and holiday together!
Lakeside
Relaxing with our afternoon tea experience, less than a stone's throw away from the water's edge of Lake Windermere.
Penrith
Imagine coming to a ruined castle, walking through its gardens and into the woodlands and stumbling across one of the largest adventure playgrounds in the country. When you do this at Lowther, you have found the lost castle.
Hesket Newmarket, Near Caldbeck
A superb luxury self-catering cottage in the peaceful village of Hesket Newmarket, 200 metres from the village pub and restaurant. A spa bath and log burner are two of the world-class luxuries available.
Windermere
Birkdale House is a beautifully restored Arts and Crafts country home, near Windermere, sleeping 10. Set in private grounds on our organic farm, it combines timeless charm and elegance in your own corner of the Lake District.
Ambleside
Whether you’re a complete beginner, indoor climber, or competent trad climber, we can tailor the day/session to suit you. We typically use easy to access climbing venues and also provide all technical and safety equipment.
Bassenthwaite
Go wild & experience a world of wildlife! There's over 100 species from Anaconda to Zebra. Rare and endangered species like Gibbons and Asian Fishing Cats, plus family favourites like lemurs and Meerkats. A great day out for all the family.
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.
Coniston
Float back to Victorian times as you indulge in a luxurious cruise on captivating Coniston water in this exquisite steam-powered craft. You can choose from three routes: Mountain cruise, Heart of the Lake cruise or the Full Lake cruise.
The English, Buttermere
A 17thC building, owned and run by family for 30 years. First licensed in 1735 as coaching inn. Apartments built in grounds 17 years ago and continually upgraded.
Newby Bridge
Discover a wide array of local freshwater and marine species including menacing pike, carp and rays. Plus discover creatures from around the world including piranha, otters and clownfish.
Grasmere
Heaton Cooper Studio’s Archive Gallery, showcases a variety of artists. Alongside the gallery, the studio sells the work of the Heaton Coopers, the art shop has supplies for all creatives, and Mathildes café serves delicious food.
Windermere
The family run Lamplighter Dining Rooms offers the very best in accommodation in the Lake District.
Penrith
Our cosy glamping pods provide a comfortable and contemporary glamping experience.
Throughout Cumbria
More Than Mountains was set up over twelve years ago to share our passion for exploring the hills and mountains of the English Lake District. We specialise in designing bespoke days out that are tailored to meet your goals and aspirations.
Braithwaite, Keswick
Based at the head of England's best trail centre, the Altura trail in Whinlatter Forest, Keswick. A well stocked trail centre bike shop offering premium bike hire, fast repairs and premium road and mountain bike sales. We also offer guiding and…
Rusland
In the Rusland Valley, an unspoilt valley between Windermere lake and Coniston Water, close to Grizedale Forest. An idyllic rural setting of small fields with stone walls and rocky wooded hillsides. Great local walking from the door or into…
Broughton-in-Furness
Thornthwaite Farm is set amidst the beautiful scenery of the Woodland Valley. We have four cottages including our 4 star VisitEngland Gold Award barn conversion and a handbuilt Log Cabin all with stunning views of the Lakeland fells.
Grange-over-Sands
This experience will take you into an area of Foulshaw Moss not open to the general public. It's ideal for those who love this special nature reserve and want to see something new, as well as those who haven't visited before and would like exclusive…
Ullswater, Penrith
Waterfoot Park is located in the beautiful Ullswater Valley, within walking distance of the charming village of Pooley Bridge, the Ullswater ‘Steamers’ pier, and Ullswater itself.
Receive all the latest news, special offers and information from the Lake District, Cumbria
Cumbria Tourism, Windermere Road, Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 9PL