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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
If you fancy a challenge, why not Canoe the length of Windermere with us? We do this over 2 days…
Learn a traditional rural craft and make your own timeless round basket with a handle. A course for…
Brought to you by the National Trust for Geo Week. Come and join us for a rare opportunity to visit…
Create your own silver pendant or earrings inspired by the natural world. Silver clay is fun, fast…
As part of Windermere Science Festival enjoy an Agatha Christie-inspired three-course meal and…
An outdoor exhibition based on the award-winning book, Forty Farms by Lakeland Photographer of the…
On the 31st May we're looking forward to welcoming Rambling Rob Young – A singer-songwriter…
Join us for an incredible adventure on the Coniston Fells, a stone's throw from the historic…
Follow the 'Tone Trail' in the serene setting of Brantwood Gardens and hear beautiful music whilst…
In 2004, Richard Askwith published Feet in the Clouds: a personal memoir of fell running and…
Award winning crime writer Jonathan Whitelaw is flying in from Canada to launch his new book, The…
We'll be hosting the wonderful Chuck Fish on the 17th of May. Hailing from Washington State, Chuck…
Ambleside Roman Fort is set in one of the most scenic and tranquil locations in Britain and yet two…
Cockermouth Mechanics' Band is a community brass band based in Cockermouth and active throughout…
Little Explorers story and nature walks for under 5s and their grown-ups. These fun interactive…
Are you ready to embark on a transformative journey that combines the power of nature, ancient…
Enchanting evenings of music in the forest, with floor spots, special guests and an informal…
The full Flower (or Hare) moon aligns with the colourful early summer flowers blooming and…
Join rising star Dana Zemtsov and Festival Director Anthony Hewitt in John Ruskin's elegant drawing…
Take inspiration from Windermere Jetty Museum's collection and build your own model boat from…
This new display delves into the Townend archive collection, a treasure trove of four hundred years…
Dr Anna Ploszajski is an award-winning materials scientist, author, presenter, comedian and…
Broadoaks is the fairytale Lake District wedding venue to host your special day. Steeped in…
On 14 December 2017, Omar Samra and Omar Nour, affectionately dubbed 'O2', set off in the world's…
The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
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Sail Winderemere with us, feel the wind ruffle your hair, and then the surge of the boat as the sails begin their work of converting breeze to smiles.
You can choose how complicated the experience is from being in charge of pulling or not pulling…
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.
Windermere
Set in the heart of the Lake District National Park, in mature gardens, yet only 300 metres from the promenade, steamer piers and bustling village centre of Bowness-on-Windermere.
Ambleside
Nestled on the peaceful western shore of Lake Windermere, Wray Pier offers a tranquil entry point to this iconic National Park location. Windermere Lake Cruises provides visitors with the opportunity to arrive at this historic spot in style, on…
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
4508 reviewsKendal
Carus Green Golf Club is based on the edge of the English Lake District and has become popular due to it’s PGA Golf Course and other fantastic features.
Bowness-on-Windermere
Experience a truly indulgent getaway at Windermere Marina Village, where our luxury holiday apartments are nestled in the heart of the breathtaking Lake District. Immerse yourself in the beauty of Lake Windermere while staying in our thoughtfully…
Windermere
The Winander Club embraces the Club experience offering exclusivity with a sense of personal service, alongside all the amenities of the resort on your doorstep.
Ambleside
We sit in the centre of Ambleside. Our family owned and run B&B provides a comfy base in this beautiful World Heritage site. We received a silver award from Green Tourism in 2018 for sustainability, promoting Fairtrade and local products.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
141 reviewsNewby Bridge
Glide silently along the river and past the steam trains at the speed of paddle as we head south while everyone gets the hang of handling their boats in the sheltered water. When we are ready we turn round and explore the wider Lake Winderemere as…
The 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.
Keswick
Stay at the refurbished Royal Oak in Borrowdale, beautiful bedrooms with dreamy beds and gleaming bathrooms, hearty breakfast, delicious evening dinner and charmful lounges.
We’ve even got a drying room with boot warmers and a car park with an…
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
121 reviewsWindermere
Whether you prefer to be active or sit back and relax, you’ll find your own perfect escape at White Cross Bay Holiday Park in Bowness-on-Windermere.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
2694 reviewsNr Kendal
This imposing house stands proud at the gateway to the Lake District. Its rich and beautiful garden includes a pond, lake, a national collection of hardy ferns and a superb limestone rock garden. Sizergh Castle is a medieval house with Tudor…
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
1570 reviewsNr 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.
Windermere
Our Langdale Club bar and lounge offers a relaxed, informal dining experience whilst surrounded by a chic interior that takes infomal dining to refreshing new heights, sleek and elegant and designed to impress. The Club lounge is the perfect place…
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.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
1331 reviewsConiston
Located on the shores of Coniston Water with sensational lake and fell views, this classic Lakeland slate building has undergone an exciting restoration to create a stunning pub with rooms. Open all day, every day for food, drinks and rooms.
We offer a variety of Bushcraft experiences that will delight and inspire the youngest to the oldest adventurer. With survival at its core, we explore this ancient art and follow in the footsteps of our ancestors.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
458 reviewsWindermere
Mountain Goat Tours has over 50 years’ experience and recognises itself as the No.1 Lake District tour specialist. Mountain Goat has rightfully made its mark of distinction and won the ‘Minibus Operator of the Year Award’ in 2010 and was Finalist of…
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
2635 reviewsGrange-over-Sands
Greaves Farm Caravan Park is small, family run park in beautiful countryside on the fringe of the Lake District within easy reach of Lake Windermere, the historic village of Cartmel and Grange over Sands and many places of interest. An ideal…
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Cumbria Tourism, Windermere Road, Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 9PL