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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
Looking for something creative to do with the family this Easter? Join us at Blackwell – the Arts &…
Looking for a family-friendly creative activity during half-term? Look no further than our craft…
Discover two striking new collections of original artworks that celebrate the creative potential of…
Hop into Easter with a smile and a giggle. Follow the trail through the woods and parkland with…
Busy Weekly Market with 80 stalls. Food, Crafts and Gifts.
Evie is a singer-songwriter from the Lake District. Evie has built up a vast repertoire of songs,…
Paddleboarding will be back in 2026 Try something new and have a splashing time! We've again…
Join us on the first Saturday of every month for our monthly morning meet at the Lakeland Motor…
Celebrate Easter with a magical steam train journey through the Lake District. Kids can enjoy our…
Wild Sauna & Forest Plunge | Whinlatter Forest Step into the wild beauty of the Lake District and…
In April, the earth begins to sing again. As Earth Day draws near, this Quiet Day offers space to…
Soft Machine is one of the greatest UK avant/jazz-rock bands of all time. Their work, from their…
Join photographer Steve Blake on a half day workshop Whinlatter's beautiful woodland environment…
DISCOVER THE MYSTERY OF BOWNESSIE ✨ This Easter, step into the legend of Lake Windermere with…
Join us for our children's Easter Sunday party at The Swan Hotel! Taking place on Sunday 5th April…
*WORLD PREMIERE From Tom MacRae, the writer of Everybody's Talking About Jamie, comes a brand-new…
Susannah Clegg is a Lancaster-based singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist known for her…
Go Ape Grizedale is reopening its three sites for Easter and beyond. Come on down for fun for all…
Reconnect. Slow down. Breathe deeply. Step away from the rush of everyday life and join us for a…
Inside just got interesting. Step off the trail and into a space where the Lake District is…
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…
Get Crafty! Drop in and join our team in the Visitor Centre for free craft activities. A great…
Head to the Great Barn at Sizergh to see an exhibition from a creative collective of artists,…


The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
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Number of results: 469
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Cockermouth
A 16thC inn situated at the foot of Melbreak and between Loweswater lake and Crummock Water. Roaring log fires, home-cooked meals with a local emphasis and high-quality real ales on offer.
Windermere
Park Cliffe is an award-winning holiday park set in 25 acres of beautiful, unspoilt countryside, right in the heart of the Lake District, only 3 miles from Bowness-on-Windermere. We have two camping areas.
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…
Newby Bridge
Paddle Windermere to a remote shore, light fire and cook on open fire. We are an inclusive company and welcome people of all abilities.
Lake Road, Windermere
Nestled on the slopes of ancient woodland, Hill of Oaks is an award-winning 5 star holiday park located in the heart of the Lake District National Park.
Bassenthwaite Lake, Bassenthwaite
Connoisseurs of fine cuisine will find much to appreciate at Armathwaite Hall Hotel and Spa. Chef takes full advantage of a wealth of local seasonal produce and Cumbrian specialities to create a variety of gastronomic delights.
Ambleside
The perfect way to keep the kids (and adults) entertained all day whilst on a Lakeland holiday! These days aim to blend rock climbing, rock scrambling and abseiling to give a varied and always fun experience in beautiful locations.
Backbarrow, Ulverston
Our Escape Rooms are an indoor activity for 2-6 people of all ages. Work together to find clues, solve puzzles and complete the challenge before time runs out!
Coniston
Many of our cottages are over 100 years old; and most have been sympathetically restored and refurbished to a high standard. Many have outstanding views, log fires, exposed beams, antique furniture, quality and great character
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…
Brewery Lane, Keswick
Come and visit our brewery to find out more about us and the beers we make. Only a 2 minute walk from Keswick town centre, enjoy a beer where it’s brewed. Explore on a tour, visit our Brewery Shop, and relax in our Flying Fox Bar.
Windermere
If you can't decide which one of our kick ass experiences to choose, don't, and just do them all! This experience includes fire lighting using natural materials and sparks along with how to build a shelter with materials provided by nature in our…
Coniston Water, Water Yeat
An exceptional, luxurious 5 bedroom lake house with beautiful and stylish interior, private lake frontage on Coniston Water, 2 private jetties and jaw-dropping views throughout.
Keswick
Discover the historic The Yew Tree Pub, nestled at the foot of Honister Pass in Borrowdale Valley. Dating back to 1628, this charming pub offers hearty food, local ales, and warm hospitality. A popular stop for walkers on the Coast to Coast route,…
Cockermouth
Beautifully located in its own grounds on the shores of Buttermere among the western fells, Hassness Country House is the perfect base for guided and self-guided walking holidays in the Lake District. This was the favourite Lakeland location of…
Penrith
Our Universally Accessible glamping pods and cabins are suitable for guests with and without disabilities. All our Universally Accessible units are wheelchair accessible and include features such as level entry, wide doors and at least 1.5m turning…
Lyth Valley
Let us take you on one of our favourite walks, an off-the-beaten-track route far from the crowds that flock to the Lake District National Park.
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.
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
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.
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Cumbria Tourism, Windermere Road, Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 9PL