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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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Our popular Introduction to outdoor swimming course takes place at either Rydal Water or Waterhead,…
A stunning circular walk from Grasmere. An undoubted highlight is Easedale Tarn at the highpoint of…
Come and make a print to take home at one of our drop-in printmaking sessions. Bring your lunch and…
Join our spectator cruise for the Ullswater Yacht Club's biggest event of the year, the Lord…
Fundraisers of Alzheimer's Society will take on on an incredible 13 or 26 mile trek. The 26 mile…
Join us for Wild Swim Club! Experience the incredible benefits of this exhilarating activity as our…
Full Moon Women's Circle in the Lake District The Full Moon is a powerful time for reflection,…
Join us in the beautiful gardens of Muncaster Castle as The Three Inch Fools present an epic tale…
Festival of the Lake is coming to Windermere Jetty Museum on Saturday 27 June 2026 for a full day…
Our Rydal Islands and Caves Swim Walk is a perfect mix of easy-going hiking and wild swimming.…
Back by popular demand – and with even more flavour – Chef Bobby invites you to a night of…
Join us for Wild Swim Club! Experience the incredible benefits of this exhilarating activity as our…
Chillswim Coniston End to End Swim 2026 will take place on Saturday 20th June. Long distance…
With 4 race options and 3 distances in each to choose from, the event is ideal for both novice and…
Experience two of Britain's most celebrated Arts & Crafts houses in one inspiring afternoon. Begin…
Useful/Beautiful marks 25 years of contemporary craft at Blackwell – the Arts & Crafts house,…
Soak up the magic of a summer evening on England's finest lake! Enjoy live music, a delicious…
HAWKSHEAD PARISH CHURCH MUSIC FOR A SUMMER EVENING 2026 All concerts start at 7.30 pm Tues. 2nd…
This retreat is a spiritual and creative journey, a cocoon of connection, to ourselves, to each…
Try wild swimming in the Lake District. All you need to do is book, bring your swimming costume and…
Mark Hatton, a researcher and enthusiast of local mining history will be joining us to explore the…
Play the traditional games croquet, quoits & skittles on Allan Bank's front lawn with glorious lake…
Head to the Great Barn at Sizergh to see an exhibition from a creative collective of artists,…
Join us for a fun-filled evening of live outdoor theatre with The Three Musketeers performed at the…


The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
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Number of results: 468
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Portinscale
Tucked beneath the eaves of the estate's Grade II listed Victorian house, our charming Borrowdale apartment is full of character and atmosphere. Framed by the house’s striking chimneys, this unique space comfortably sleeps four across two inviting…
Newby Bridge
We developed our bespoke canoe sailing boats to make an easily accessible boat for people with mobility difficulties - but everyone loves them. Fast light and you are a solo sailor from the very start. If you want a friend or carer in the boat to…
Windermere
Merewood Country House Hotel is the quintessential, English country house hotel. Located on the side of a hill overlooking Windermere, Merewood boasts stunning views of the Lake District fells and beyond.
Merewood dates back to 1812 and with…
Windermere
The Grill offers a relaxed, welcoming dining experience with a menu created by Head Chef Ambrus Kipke, proudly rooted in classic English cuisine. Think crowd-pleasing favourites like traditional fish and chips, juicy sirloin steaks, and a tempting…
Bowness-on-Windermere
A warm welcome awaits you at Lindeth Howe, a property once owned by Beatrix Potter. Set in 6 acres of beautiful grounds, with stunning views over lake Windermere and to the fells beyond. The hotel boasts beautiful bedrooms, cosy lounges, a well…
Windermere
The brand-new way to enjoy the very best of Blue Smoke on the Bay, the wood-fired Afternoon Tea comprises 4 tiers of delicious, mouth watering Blue Smoke on the Bay goodness.
Bowness-on-Windermere
Opened summer 2021 on a quiet side street one step up from the lake in Bowness-on-Windermere. This former grande dame Victorian hotel has just had an £8 million makeover, and has re-emerged dressed for a night out and sporting a chic, city-slicker…
Hawkshead, Lake Windermere
Get behind the wheel with this brilliant 4x4 experience with Graythwaite Adventure. With careful planning and consideration for the natural landscape, we’ve designed the Lake District’s only off-road course with BORDA (British Off Road Driving…
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…
Keswick
Originally a coaching inn dating back to 1770, the Lake District Castle Inn Hotel and Spa offers cosy accommodation, great food, spa treatments and relaxing leisure facilities in a peaceful setting near Bassenthwaite Lake, the perfect base for…
Pooley Bridge
A choice of self-catering accommodation, owned and operated by the Heath Family. The award-winning Hillcroft Park is set in the beautiful Ullswater Valley, and offers year-round holiday accommodation to suit every taste and pocket.
Nr Kendal
Contemporary licensed café serving a selection of hot and cold drinks, meals and snacks. Shop selling local products, home accessories, gifts, toys and plants.
Grasmere
Whatever the reason for your visit and whatever the weather outside, you can expect to sleep soundly within the walls of this 17thC coaching inn. Many of our bedrooms have views across the garden towards Helm Crag.
Grasmere
Situated at the northern end of Grasmere, yet just 5 minutes walk into the village centre, Raise View House has uninterrupted views of Easedale and the surrounding fells, including the famed Lion and the Lamb.
Penrith
A spectacular Gothic ruin set in 130 acres of ancient and romantic Gardens, award-winning Lowther Castle is one of the northwest's most spectacular visitor attractions. Its setting within the Lake District National Park is truly beautiful while the…
Windermere
Laik manages super-stylish holiday homes in some of the favourite spots in the Lake District.
Local, flexible and friendly, Laik goes that bit extra with their homes and hospitality to make sure your stay in The Lakes turns out just perfect…
Keswick
Let us be your guide on a hiking adventure that will take you to some of the most beautiful and challenging peaks in the area. Our expert team will not only show you the way, but also teach you valuable map reading skills and share fascinating…
Bowness-on-Windermere
Visit BAHA and enjoy LIVE MUSIC on Fridays & Saturdays all year round!
Nr Bowness-on-Windermere
The Lakeland Model Village showcases dozens of miniature buildings crafted from locally sourced Coniston slate. Over the past 25 years, local builder Edward Robinson carefully created each one by hand, faithfully recreating some of Cumbria’s most…
Windermere
Discover 200 years of Windermere’s boating history and the stories of the people involved - from wealthy owners to boat builders, inspired writers to ordinary Lakeland folk - at the Lake District’s new all-weather museum.
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Cumbria Tourism, Windermere Road, Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 9PL