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
Can you discover eight of the birds that call Sizergh home? Take part in the Spring Bird Challenge…
Originally premiering at the Edinburgh Festival in 1977; 'Bouncers' is still one of the most…
Prepare for an adrenaline-packed adventure at BounceFest, where your kids are in for a non-stop 90…
Friendship is certainly the finest balm for the pangs of any sort of… disappointed love. Catherine…
Michael Sheen plays Nye Bevan in a surreal and spectacular journey through the life and legacy of…
The autumn 23/24 series of canicross races has now launched! Held in England's only mountain…
The trivial comedy for serious people is back. Mistaken identity and romance collide with cucumber…
Join us for a splash of colour in this exciting and playful process. No experience needed, just…
Sönke Meinen & Will McNicol live at Zeffirellis Jazz Bar as part of their England tour. Sönke…
An enjoyable introduction to the art of beautiful lettering. Learn how to shape loops and swirls…
Wrap up warm and join our expert Ranger Rob for a chance to spot a hawfinch at first light.…
Talking Heads - 2 short plays by Alan Bennett. Performed live by John Lofthouse at Crosscrake…
The Kammerphilharmonie Europa gives a guest performance in Bowness-on-Windermere for this very…
The Lakeland Loop Cycle Sportive is a challenging ride which starts from the New Dungeon Ghyll…
Come and join the team from The Conscious Self for a forest flow, a beautiful day of connecting to…
Join us for an incredible adventure in the Great Langdale Valley in the heart of the Lake District…
Join Jo from JAG Outdoors, at Whinlatter Forest for a walk around the forest at night. The walk…
This aquatic ghyll scramble is a hidden jewel situated within walking distance from Coniston.…
Make your way along the trail and find nature-inspired activities for the whole family. You'll get…
Blues Rock sensation, Sean Webster comes to the Old Laundry, with Mick McConnell and 'Blue Thunder'…
Our first Food & Folk event of the year, The Terrace @ Brantwood invites you to an evening full of…
Join us for Easter Go Wild! at Brantwood on select dates in April. Immerse yourself in nature and…
Join us to welcome back the fantastic cast from After Dark for an evening of murderous…
A Flagship fundraising event for Walking with the Wounded, individuals, companies and organisations…
The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
Number of results: 484
, currently showing 1 to 20.
Windermere
Charter a skippered yacht for a 2 hour sailing experience for up to 4 people, get involved and take control of the yacht or just sit back and enjoy the stunning scenery unfold around you.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
163 reviewsNewby Bridge
Newby Bridge Country Caravan Park is located near the southern tip of lake Windermere. Surrounded by woodland and wildlife, the park provides a tranquil base from which to explore the beautiful Lake District National Park.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
123 reviewsBowness-on-Windermere
Our unconventional Japanese Robata cooking with Korean flavours and Pacific Rim influences makes Baha the perfect destination to enjoy a unique food experience.
Keswick
Rowling End Farm and The Mouse House Rowling End are located in the Newlands Valley, with private gardens and access straight on to the fells.
Cockermouth
Set in Loweswater village between Loweswater lake and Crummock water. Rural setting with picturesque views.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
865 reviewsAmbleside
Ambleside Townhouse is a fifteen ensuite bedroomed, dog friendly luxury bed and breakfast with onsite parking located in the heart of Ambleside.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
996 reviewsCumbria
Mountain passes have been important thoroughfares in the Lake District ever since people needed to travel from one valley to another, because the distance around the mountains was usually very long. This scenic and atmospheric walk follows these old…
Kendal
High Swinklebank is a hill sheepfarm with local Kendal rough fell sheep. It is in one of the beautiful unspoilt valleys of the Lake District. Ideal for walking, relaxing and getting away from it all.
Keswick
Discover the secret places of the Lake District only accessible by kayak, just waiting for you to discover. Take a sunset paddle with a picnic dinner or journey to a sheltered hidden bay for a lunch, kayaking is as relaxing or demanding as you like.…
ULVERSTON
Fast and exciting, Canoe Sailing is a great sport to experience!
Yes, you can: Users of Mobility aids, anyone who can sit with support, wheelchair users, unsure or low confidence walkers, visually impaired people, people with auditory impairments,…
Windermere
Visitor centre with interactive exhibitions, Mawson gardens, adventure playground, shop and information centre. Lakeshore access for all.
Keswick
Sally's Cottages is an award-winning, local, family run holiday cottage letting agency in Keswick with 500 self-catering holiday cottages in the Lake District and Cumbria, including over 270 dog-friendly cottages.
Penruddock, Penrith
Brow Wood Cabin is a bespoke and luxurious L-shared cabin, situated next to an ancient wood. There is a super king bed and shower room. The perfect place to escape to.
Grasmere
Broadrayne is a traditional Lakeland Farm with a small cluster of former 17th to 19th century farm buildings nestling round a picturesque farmyard in the beautiful Vale of Grasmere.
Keswick
A few minutes’ walk from the market town of Keswick and Derwentwater Lake, the Keswick Country House Hotel is set in four acres of landscaped gardens. The perfect base for a relaxing break exploring the town and further afield, the hotel offers…
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
2330 reviewsGrasmere
Our Garden Restaurant overlooks our beautiful gardens in the scenic village of Grasmere. We have recently been re-awarded our two coveted AA Rosettes offering high quality seasonal dishes made with local ingredients, expertly delivered by our…
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
1370 reviewsAmbleside
Our air-conditioned Brasserie is open to both residents and non-residents for Lunch & Dinner and our menus feature the finest fresh produce from the region.
Ambleside
Following secret ravines by scrambling up waterfalls, boulder hopping along the streambed and taking every opportunity to jump into crystal clear plunge pools. This is next level fun and the bonus is this can be enjoyed just as much when it’s…
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.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
3 reviewsThe Bridge, Coniston
Springbank Cottage is a luxury, 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom cottage in the popular village of Coniston. Close to spectacular walking, the lake and with a beautiful, enclosed garden it really is the perfect base for any Lake District holiday.
Receive all the latest news, special offers and information from the Lake District, Cumbria
Cumbria Tourism, Windermere Road, Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 9PL