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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.

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Smoky barbecue, live music, and golden-hour views in the Lake District—with Someone's Something…
Looking for things to do this May half term in the Lake District? Escape the ordinary and head to…
Join us for Wild Swim Club! Experience the incredible benefits of this exhilarating activity as our…
Franck - Chorale No.2 in B minor M. 39 (arr. Corbett) Bach - Prelude & Fugue in C sharp BWV 848…
Join our volunteer ranger and bird enthusiast on a gentle stroll through the forest. Suitable for…
Inside just got interesting. Step off the trail and into a space where the Lake District is…
A one day map reading course for beginners based in the Lake District. If you have never looked at…
Join us as we welcome Leon Knight to The Swan for a special performance from 6pm – 8pm on the 22nd…
A trail running weekend with two unique races.
Looking for some fun craft activities during May half-term? Come to the museum to make your own…
The Black Moss Potter takes a ramble up the wonderful Langstrath Valley, right at the heart of…
May arrives in fullness. Light lingers. Gardens lean toward abundance. In a season that urges us to…
young farmers competition/ rally day
The Montane Ullswater Way Trail Ultra, 20 & 10 starts and finishes at Jenkins Field in Glenridding.…
Experience medieval magic where knights clash, stories unfold, and the past comes alive! Each…
Wild Sauna & Forest Plunge | Whinlatter Forest Step into the wild beauty of the Lake District and…
Join us for our fantastic Calvert Stables Open Day and experience the yard like never before. This…
*WORLD PREMIERE From Tom MacRae, the writer of Everybody's Talking About Jamie, comes a brand-new…
Performing music from his second album Americana (released April 2025), Eddie Gripper tells the…
Join award-winning photographer and visual artist Joanne Coates for a midsummer guided walk and…
Discover the tales of Townend on our daily 45-minute guided tour at 3pm. Led by knowledgeable…
Our Rydal Islands and Caves Swim Walk is a perfect mix of easy-going hiking and wild swimming.…
Join us on a exclusive guided tour of Hill Top Farm, Near Sawrey renowned as the first farm owned…
Looking for something creative to do with the kids this May half term? Join us at Blackwell – the…


The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
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Number of results: 469
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Coniston
Located on the shores of Coniston Water with sensational lake and fell views, this classic Lakeland slate building is the perfect place if you’re looking to escape the crowds. A handsome, traditional Lakeland slate building, The Coniston Inn is set…
Ambleside
From short walks along valley bottoms or around lake shores, to lesser known mountain routes on the smaller and bigger mountains, right up to the likes of Scafell Pike and Helvellyn or even multiple summits, we will endeavour to build a route to…
Windermere
The family run Lamplighter Dining Rooms offers the very best in accommodation in the Lake District.
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…
Hawkshead, Lake Windermere
Get behind the wheel with this brilliant 4x4 experience with Graythwaite Adventure. With careful planning and consideration for the natural landscape, we’ve designed the Lake District’s only off-road course with BORDA (British Off Road Driving…
Ambleside
Rowan Restaurant at Rothay Manor Hotel offers refined seasonal British dining in elegant surroundings, showcasing local Lake District produce with warm hospitality and Michelin-recognised quality.
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.
Lake Road, Windermere
Experience the adventure. Glamping is one of the best ways to stay close to nature without sacrificing those all-important home comforts.
Every single one of our holiday cottages have been personally inspected by dedicated property managers to ensure a high standard of holiday accommodation. Our growing collection of well-kept properties in Cumbria and the Lake District make a perfect…
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!
Portinscale, Keswick
Open every day, The Lingholm Kitchen & Walled Garden has quickly become a popular Lakeland destination for Breakfast, Lunch and Afternoon Tea.
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.
Cumbria
At Contours Holidays, we think that the Bob Graham Round is simply too good a route to be restricted to elite fell runners, so we’ve turned it into an awesome walking holiday by extending the route slightly, so that each day ends in a village with…
Grange, Keswick
Our country house hotel is the best-kept secret in the Borrowdale Valley, with log fires, wonderful Lakeland-inspired cooking and warm, comfortable bedrooms updated in classic, modern style - a real home-from-home.
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.
Ambleside
The Lake District is home to some of the most amazing Gravel Biking routes in England, with world class scenery coming as standard. We know loads of great routes throughout the district and to suit all abilities and expectations. This makes us well…
Ullswater
Wet bouldering, Canyoning, Ghyll Scrambling, Rock hopping...
Whatever you want to call it, whether it’s a descent or ascent or a splash down the river, it’s a buzz.
Bowness-on-Windermere
The Oaks Country Estate - self catering properties to accommodate groups of friends and families. Our properties sleep from 2 people to 25 and all include a log burner, hot tub and all the home comforts needed to have fun, relax and make special…
Keswick
The Royal Oak is an 18th-century coaching inn within the hustle and bustle of Keswick town centre. Let it be your base at the heart of the walking capital of the lakes.
Braithwaite, Keswick
We are a relaxed, gourmet getaway nestled in Whinlatter Forest, the only true mountain forest in England, with nine contemporary rooms offering woodland or garden views, it’s a haven of tranquillity and relaxation.
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Cumbria Tourism, Windermere Road, Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 9PL