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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
Join us for our planetarium show about one of the most fascinating and topical subjects in modern…
A Wimbledon line judge for 20 years, comedian Pauline Eyre is ready to spill the Pimms on tennis…
Looking for unique things to do in the Lake District this October? Back by popular demand, Go Ape…
Join us in our cosy Café for Gothic book chats this autumn and delve deeper into the world of…
Festive Colouring activities Available throughout December in the Café Welcome the festive cheer…
To celebrate 125 years of Blackwell, Lakeland Arts will be showcasing a major exhibition of works…
Celebrate the festive season in style at our Christmas Party Night with DJ Ryan, the perfect event…
Join us for our planetarium show about a fascinating topic in astronomy. We begin with a…
Make memories, not just snapshots with a private photography experience in the Lake District…
This Christmas, prepare for a festive tale with a ghostly twist. It's midnight on Christmas Eve,…
Partly inspired by the life and work of John Gough, the 'Blind philosopher' and polymath of Kendal…
Cumbria's biggest comedy club, Planet Mirth (est 2010) returns to Windermere! Featuring four…
Join us for an inspiring planetarium show guaranteed to leave you excited and hopeful for the…
We're planning to open early for late-night shopping on Friday 13th November. More details will be…
Join Keeper of Collections Niall Hodson on a special guided tour of Abbot Hall Art Gallery, created…
Join St John's Hospice for our Bowness-on-Windermere Light Up A Life Remembrance and Celebration…
Join us at Dove Cottage and help us get into the Christmas spirit – and be introduced to some…
Venture into the fateful night that inspired one of the world's greatest gothic tales: Mary…
Please join us for St Mary's Hospice Community Christmas Celebration in Ambleside. This fun and…
Inside just got interesting. Step off the trail and into a space where the Lake District is…
Join photographer Steve Blake on a half day workshop Whinlatter's beautiful woodland environment…
Our “Dark Sky Astronomy” events take place on moonless nights, providing the ideal conditions to…
Thirty years. One seaside tradition. A lifetime of love. John Godber's September in the Rain is a…
Keeping the Members Together: A History of Music in Working Men's Clubs with Isabel Thomas Is…


The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
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Glenridding, Penrith
Located on the private Patterdale Estate, Lishman House is a pet friendly, roomy residence. Equipped with 4 large bedrooms, one a King Bedroom with en-suite, Family Bathroom, Dining Room, Sitting Room and stunning views directly down to the shore of…
Grasmere
Hang out amid the beauty of the grounds at the Rothay Garden Restaurant & Bar, winner of two coveted AA Rosettes. Think comforting Sunday lunches, afternoon tea, breakfast, dinner and late night drinks, amid the majestic fells and valleys of…
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 700 dog-friendly cottages.
Cumbria-wide
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…
The English , Buttermere
Building on site for over 1000yrs. First licensed 1735 as a coaching inn. Nestles between 2 lakes Buttermere and Crummock. Surrounded by famous peaks, Haystacks, Red Pike and Great Gable.
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.
Coniston
The team at The Crown Inn takes great pride in the food we prepare; serving fulfilling dishes made with the freshest, Cumbrian produce.
Troutbeck, Windermere
At Broadoaks, afternoon tea is served in the traditional manner on a three-tiered plate, featuring a selection of handmade cakes and sandwiches, meticulously prepared by our accomplished team of chefs. Each bite is a testament to our commitment to…
Ambleside
There’s something truly special about being by the water and The Wateredge Inn in Ambleside captures that magic perfectly. Perched right on the shore of England’s most famous lake, it’s the kind of place where you can sit back on the waterfront…
Grange-over-Sands
Ellenboro House offers cosy self-catering accommodation for two people in our modern self-catering apartment. Located in its own private building, the property sits in our orchard and features a private patio, compact kitchen, spacious bathroom with…
Grasmere
Set at the foot of the fells within two acres of riverside gardens on the edge of picturesque Grasmere village, the four AA Silver Star Rothay Garden by Harbour Hotels is a boutique countryside hideaway with an array of outdoor activities to enjoy…
Eskdale, Holmrook
Experience peace, tranquillity, and adventure on your next holiday at Parkgate Farm, located at the base of the picturesque Eskdale and Wasdale valleys. Whether you're a hiker, walker, or cyclist, our farm offers an extensive network of bridleways…
Coniston
Explore Coniston Water - one of the Lake Districts' famous lakes and see the magnificent scenery from a Canadian Canoe. Along the way we will stop off to try a little Bushcraft. We will cover the exciting and essential skills of how to make a fire…
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
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…
Great Langdale, Ambleside
The Langdale Hotel & Spa in the heart of the Lake District, is the perfect place for getting away from it all.
Grasmere
The Cottages at Broadrayne Farm are all just full of character having been converted from former 17th - 19thC farm buildings. Unusually for holiday accommodation they all have the benefit of allocated parking, separate entrances, electric charging…
Ambleside
Located just a short distance away from the spectacular Stock Ghyll Force, Force café and terrace is a destination for visitors to Ambleside. This charming café has opened its doors to welcome walkers, their families and their dogs.
Windermere
The Wild Boar is one of the Lake District’s finest and oldest Windermere hotels. You’ll be welcomed with friendly faces, traditional wood beams, individually styled rooms and a warming open fire.
St John's in the Vale, Keswick
Herdwick Fold was converted from a barn adjoining our 17th century grade II listed farmhouse and sleeps up to four people.
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Cumbria Tourism, Windermere Road, Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 9PL