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
The Challenging Whinlatter Forest is the venue for this Trail Half Marathon & 10k in May 2024. With…
An outdoor exhibition based on the award-winning book, Forty Farms by Lakeland Photographer of the…
Brought to you by National Trust and Karen Whybrow Coaching, carry out a powerful releasing ritual…
Little Explorers story and nature walks for under 5s and their grown-ups. These fun interactive…
Take a wild dip in England's largest lake – Windermere – with experienced open water swimmers.…
Discover two remarkable Arts & Crafts houses in the Lake District in one afternoon. Blackwell – the…
If you've ever been curious about how photography was done a century or more ago, this workshop…
Full and Half marathon distance Hike to raise money for Macmillan Cancer support.
The Whopper is a 6hr or 12hr looped trail race set within Whinlatter forest. Each loop is…
Enjoy a freshly prepared buffet, a relaxed atmosphere and a unique viewing point for some of the…
If you fancy a challenge, why not Canoe the length of Windermere with us? We do this over 2 days…
Looking ahead to Friday 24th May, we'll be welcoming Jack Hartley to The Swan. An Avid player on…
The Swan Hotel & Spa are excited to be bringing back summer spa-rties, and this time it's going to…
Brought to you by the National Trust for Geo Week. Come and join us for a rare opportunity to visit…
Ambleside Roman Fort is set in one of the most scenic and tranquil locations in Britain and yet two…
Follow the 'Tone Trail' in the serene setting of Brantwood Gardens and hear beautiful music whilst…
Are you ready to embark on a transformative journey that combines the power of nature, ancient…
Brought to you by the National Trust and Mobile Adventure, an opportunity to get out on the lake…
Take inspiration from Windermere Jetty Museum's collection and build your own model boat from…
Visitor Sketchbooks: fanciful flora Flowers and foliage appear in designs and decorations all over…
This talk by Joseph Ritson will take you through the history of fell running in the Lake District,…
Our 1/2 day NaturesGems tours start at 9am and finish around 1pm. We will spend the morning…
Explore the natural world both indoors and outdoors at Windermere Jetty Museum this summer. …
The full Flower (or Hare) moon aligns with the colourful early summer flowers blooming and…
The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
Number of results: 496
, currently showing 381 to 400.
Ambleside
Completely refurbished in 2018, in a beautiful location by Rydal Falls, Stable Cottage is a self-catering holiday cottage. The extensive grounds include a Victorian Ice-house, an 18th century Game Larder, an 18th century viewing station known as the…
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.
Ullswater
Stylish, spacious, contemporary stone barn conversion for two with many designer touches including an incredible spiral stair case, bespoke furnishings and living room with woodburner and fabulous views. The perfect romantic retreat.
Keswick
Gorgeously restored two-screen Edwardian cinema showing the latest blockbusters as well as indie movies, and live-streamed theatre, ballet and music.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
291 reviewsOur ghyll scrambling, gorge walking & canyoning experiences around Langdale suit most fitness levels. Experience exhilarating waterfalls, canyons, and water challenges on our guided private sessions.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
46 reviewsKeswick
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.
Nr Kendal
Contemporary licensed café serving a selection of hot and cold drinks, meals and snacks. The shop sells local products, home accessories, gifts, toys and plants.
Ambleside
Our self catering holiday cottages with hot tubs occupy an idyllic location, just a stone’s throw from Ambleside, Windermere and Hawkshead. They’re perfectly positioned for exploring some of Cumbria’s best loved towns and villages as well as…
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.
Coniston
Meet Coniston's heroes, John Ruskin, artist, radical and seer and Donald Campbell, speed ace. View the fully restored Bluebird craft in the Bluebird wing of the museum. Discover the mineral wealth of the fells, all at 'the most thought provoking…
Newby Bridge
Anyone Can is an inclusive adventure company. We welcome those with additional needs and those without. We have a wide range of adaptive and inclusive equipment to make adventures possible for our clients. Activities include accessible Canoeing,…
Nr Bassenthwaite Lake
The Bistro at the Distillery aims to embrace the spirit of the Lake District, which is achieved by using regional ingredients where possible and having a key focus on freshness, flavour and simplicity.
Penrith
Our modern 6-berth static caravans are spacious and offer comfortable family accommodation with all the facilities and equipment that you would expect from your holiday home.
Windermere
This private 4×4 driving experience offers a wide variety of vantage points including, lakes, mountains, caves, waterfalls, rivers and streams. An ideal activity for those with an adventurous nature and passion for the outdoors. The tour is customer…
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
170 reviewsVarious locations in Cumbria
Tailor made self guided, walking, cycling and touring holidays with luxury and classic accommodation showing you the hidden gems of the area.
Windermere
Our relaxed 2 AA Rosette restaurant, Gilpin Spice has an open kitchen serving a pan-Asian menu inspired by countries along the spice trail and guided by fantastic Cumbrian and British ingredients. Dishes are fun and flavourful with a story behind…
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
396 reviewsBowness-on-Windermere
Cafe treats – freshly baked & delicious!
Our café is open for you to enjoy delicious treats, freshly baked by our talented cafe team. Pop in for a morning coffee, lunch or an afternoon treat. Our signature afternoon tea is famous with our visitors,…
Braithwaite
Welcome to England's only true mountain forest. Whinlatter boasts unrivalled views across Bassenthwaite Lake, Derwentwater and Keswick. Located in the North West of the Lake District, you'll find us in the heart of it. It plays host to two of our…
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
256 reviewsAmbleside
The Lakelands offer a selection of quality self-catering holiday apartments, situated in a unique position, overlooking the popular town of Ambleside. The Lakelands offer superb, unspoilt views of the town, Lakeland countryside, and the fells beyond…
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
8 reviewsLow Wray, Ambleside
The house overlooks lake Windermere, 3 miles from Ambleside. Situated through the main gates of Wray Castle and up the drive. A bird-watcher's paradise.
Receive all the latest news, special offers and information from the Lake District, Cumbria
Cumbria Tourism, Windermere Road, Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 9PL