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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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The Whopper is a 6hr or 12hr looped trail race set within Whinlatter forest. Each loop is…
Visitor Sketchbooks: fanciful flora Flowers and foliage appear in designs and decorations all over…
Keswick Mountain Festival is the UK's largest participatory, outdoors multi-sports event in the UK.…
Stuck for things to do this May Half Term? Whether you are a thrill seeker looking for…
Like the poets of antiquity, Wordsworth turns to vocal groves as sites of commiseration and…
If you've ever been curious about how photography was done a century or more ago, this workshop…
The full Flower (or Hare) moon aligns with the colourful early summer flowers blooming and…
Enjoy a freshly prepared buffet, a relaxed atmosphere and a unique viewing point for some of the…
Brought to you by the National Trust and Mobile Adventure, an opportunity to get out on the lake…
Brought to you by the National Trust and Mobile Adventure, an opportunity to get out on the lake…
A one and a quarter-hour cruise to catch the sunset over Windermere. This relaxing cruise takes…
Little Explorers story and nature walks for under 5s and their grown-ups. These fun interactive…
Discover two remarkable Arts & Crafts houses in the Lake District in one afternoon. Blackwell – the…
Brought to you by the National Trust for Geo Week. Come and join us for a rare opportunity to visit…
Develop your hand building techniques to create a range of pots that you will fire the following…
Are you ready to embark on a transformative journey that combines the power of nature, ancient…
Our 1/2 day NaturesGems tours start at 9am and finish around 1pm. We will spend the morning…
Looking ahead to Friday 24th May, we'll be welcoming Jack Hartley to The Swan. An Avid player on…
Join us for an incredible adventure on Scafell Pike, one of the National three peaks and the…
The Challenging Whinlatter Forest is the venue for this Trail Half Marathon & 10k in May 2024. With…
Our 26th Keswick Beer Festival will take place on the 7th and 8th June 2024.
Nestled on the shores of Lake Windermere in Cumbria, this extensive working mill produced literally…
The Swan Hotel & Spa are excited to be bringing back summer spa-rties, and this time it's going to…
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
Number of results: 495
, currently showing 101 to 120.
Ambleside
Museum, art gallery and reference library covering the history life and arts of the Lakes. Collections include Kurt Schwitters, Beatrix Potter, photography, fine art and local history.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
102 reviewsWindermere
Join us on our unique minibus tours and discover spectacular scenery, breathtaking views and fascinating Lake District stories. Daily guided tours for scenery, Beatrix Potter, William Wordsworth and out to Haworth and the Brontë sisters.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
499 reviewsBassenthwaite
Get up close and personal with our Alpacas, for participants aged 16 years and over. Alpacas are friendly and inquisitive animals and just like us they enjoy a bit of fresh air and exercise. Meet our five boys Hugo, Hector, Herbie, Dougal and…
Bowness-on-Windermere, Windermere
Linthwaite House is the latest addition to the portfolio of Leeu Collection, the manifestation of founder Analjit Singh’s vision for sophisticated escapes and unique travel experiences.
Eskdale Valley, Boot
Experience the exhilaration of this wet and wild adventure in the remote Western Lake District. Ghyll Scrambling (or gorge walking) will see you climbing up waterfalls, jumping into pools and exploring caves.
Coniston
• Sleeps 8
• 4 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms
• Huge garden including terraces, outside seating and woodland
• Up to 2 dogs welcome
• Idyllic location close to village and lake
• Stunning interior which has been recently renovated to an exceptional…
Grange-over-Sands
Beautiful secluded setting. The Woodlands Hotel & Pine Lodges is an ideal base for touring the Lake district . Great food. Great value. Friendly staff. A real hidden gem. Guests return again & again. View our 5-star Trip Advisor reviews.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
327 reviewsAmbleside
Mountain adventures are our speciality. Family Adventure days, Guided Walking, Navigation workshops, Rock Climbing, Rock Scrambling, Gorge Scrambling, Abseiling, Canyoning and any combination of these. We’re here to help ensure you experience the…
Windermere
This robust offering includes a range of miniature mighty flavoursome savoury delights and, of course, our notorious pork scratchings with homemade Bramley Apple Sauce.
Ambleside
Occupying three floors within an historic building this bright and welcoming gallery showcases the best arts and crafts in the Lakes and Britain today, including wall art, glass, wood and ceramics.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
20 reviewsGrange-over-Sands
Pine Lodges (sleep 4) with Sauna & spa bath. In a beautiful setting in the heart of a 5 acre wood, Woodlands Pine Lodges are ideal for a relaxing break. On site Restaurant & Bar. Friendly staff. Great Food. Great Value. A real hidden gem.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
327 reviewsCockermouth
Situated on what was once the Cockermouth, Keswick and Penrith railway line, Bassenthwaite Lake Station offers a unique place to enjoy breakfast, brunch and lunch aboard the Orient Express train, right here in the Lake District.
Windermere
Discover the beauty of Lake Windermere during a stay at our self-catering holiday cottage. Located just moments from Park Cliffe Camping and Caravan Park, it's the ideal destination for a relaxing getaway. Guests can enjoy peaceful grounds…
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
849 reviewsWe offer a range of private group experiences near Ambleside, including ghyll scrambling, canyoning, canoeing and kayaking, rock climbing and more. We also provide outdoor team building experiences, so get in touch today to start building your…
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46 reviewsWindermere
Charter a skippered yacht for a two hour sailing experience for up to four people.
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170 reviewsPenrith
This beautiful cottage is situated in its own secluded hidden place, in a peaceful and angelic rural setting in the village of Watermillock. It is completely surrounded by green fields, with immense views of Lake Ullswater and her spectacular array…
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.
Newby Bridge
Join us on one of our favourite forest wanders exploring Chapel House, certainly one of the best pieces of commercial forestry in the South Lakes.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
54 reviewsKeswick
Glaramara Hotel is situated at the southern end of the Borrowdale Valley close to Lake Derwentwater and Keswick. Close to Scafell Pike and the high fells. On the Coast to Coast route. It is an ideal base for a walking/hiking holiday. Double/twin and…
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
2337 reviewsReceive all the latest news, special offers and information from the Lake District, Cumbria
Cumbria Tourism, Windermere Road, Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 9PL