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
Explore the wonders of the moon. Join us for a family-friendly evening learning about the moon as…
Musical – Tommy (1975) Ken Russell's flamboyant rock opera follows a "deaf, dumb and blind" boy who…
Live music with The Elderly brothers who play a range of tunes from 1920s to 2020s. Smile-inducing,…
This interactive exhibition celebrates the treasures of the Wordsworth Grasmere trove. Discover…
Victoria Wood remains one of Britain's most cherished entertainers – a comic genius whose work…
Enjoy a relaxed and creative family day out this February half term at Blackwell – the Arts &…
Fringe favourite Guy Masterson's globally acclaimed solo adaptation of George Orwell's barnyard…
The feeling of a head torch trail run in the woods is unique. The night-time adds a whole new…
Hornfels Brass is a Cumbrian based quartet comprising of highly experienced musicians who have…
Celebrate 25 years of ceramic art by Edinburgh-based Frances Priest in Motif | Line | Colour. The…
Join us for a magical guided evening walk through the forest. Listen out for owls, learn about…
Learn about the moon as it reaches its brightest and most visible phase. An astronomy expert will…
Join Mountain Leader Dougie Walker for a guided winter ascent of the Fairfield Horseshoe, one of…
We are delighted to invite you to this Quiet Day at Rydal Hall — a reflective and theologically…
In this hysterical, deranged and irreverent Austen parody that meditates on girlhood, romance and…
Valentine's Day at Zeffirellis Jazz Bar - join Fred and Friends for a delightful evening of…
Iggety Ziggety Zaggety Zoom! Walk with a witch and her cauldron and broom! Help collect the…
Antiques Valuation Day overseen by Mitchell's Auctioneers and Valuers, Cockermouth. £5.00 entry…
Join us on the first Saturday of every month for our monthly morning meet at the Lakeland Motor…
Based in the heart of Whinlatter Forest, just inside Keswick, adventure awaits. Whether you're a…
Join us for hands-on family fun this February half term at Windermere Jetty Museum. Perfect for all…
Join Mountain Leader Dougie Walker for a guided Coniston Classics walk in the Lake District. This…
It's a show that's more fun than a barrel of hobbits! What happens when a cinema's Lord of the…
Experience two of Britain's most celebrated Arts & Crafts houses in one inspiring afternoon. Begin…


The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
.jpg)
Number of results: 450
, currently showing 421 to 440.
Coniston
Scrambling is an outdoor adventure experience that sits half way between hill walking and rock climbing, it is a great way to ascend a mountain taking on the challenge of using your hands and feet to climb steeper sections of rocky terrain. As the…
Haverthwaite, Ulverston
Why not take a break from your travels and relax in the warm, welcoming and nostalgic surroundings of our licensed ‘Station Tea Room’ just off the platform at Haverthwaite Station. Our home cooked menu includes our hearty Railwayman’s breakfast,…
Pooley Bridge
A fabulous traditional inn at the heart of the picturesque village of Pooley Bridge, next to Lake Ullswater. Home-cooked food and cask ales served in the cosy bar or outdoors on the large sun terrace overlooking the river.
Grasmere
Art gallery and art shop run by the Heaton Cooper family, selling original paintings and prints from 4 generations of the family.
Keswick
Located next to Theatre By The Lake in Keswick, Lakeside Café Restaurant has perhaps some of the country's best views. Our locally-sourced produce helps us create delicious dishes to complement the fantastic views, making it truly an experience to…
Hawkshead
Based in the heart of the Lake District adventure awaits. Whether you’re a thrill-seeker looking for a unique activity or simply after some quality time with friends and family, Go Ape have you covered. Boasting three high ropes activities above the…
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…
Coniston
Brantwood, the former home of eminent Victorian John Ruskin and a treasure house of art and memorabilia. The 250-acre estate comprises 8 unique gardens, ancient woodland, high moors and meadows.
Grasmere
Mentioned in William Wordsworth’s 1806 composition The Waggoner, a multi-million-pound refurbishment has given this renowned property renewed purpose as a cosy, welcoming pub with 46 bedrooms.
Newby Bridge, Backbarrow
The Whitewater Hotel is the ultimate Lake district retreat, featuring the fantastic Cascades Leisure Club & Spa.
Windermere
Park Cliffe is an award-winning holiday park set in 25 acres of beautiful, unspoilt countryside, right in the heart of the Lake District, only 3 miles from Bowness-on-Windermere. We have two camping areas.
Sail Windermere 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.
Lake Road, Windermere
Nestled on the slopes of ancient woodland, Hill of Oaks is an award-winning 5 star holiday park located in the heart of the Lake District National Park.
Ambleside
Ambleside Townhouse is a fifteen ensuite bedroomed, dog friendly luxury bed and breakfast with onsite parking located in the heart of Ambleside.
Eskdale, Holmrook
Experience the great outdoors at Parkgate Farm, offering a variety of 9 large camping pitches (5 with electric hook-up, and 4 without) and one camping pod. Take advantage of the amenities including family shower rooms, separate toilets, washing-up…
Victoria St, Windermere
Kankku has specially prepared 4x4 vehicles that you drive on rough and rocky scenic trails through the Lake District National Park. A Kankku day is really special because it is a genuine off road driving experience rather than driving on a contrived…
Keswick
The Good Hotel Guide "Best Hotel in North of England 2024"
Witherslack
Luxury yurt holidays in an idyllic and secluded location, a stone’s throw from Lake Windermere but a world away from anywhere.
Ambleside
Ambleside Manor Vegetarian Country Guest House situated in over 2 acres of privates with plenty of free parking in the lovely village of Ambleside where we have two award winning vegetarian restaurants within a short walking distance.
Yes, you can: Users of Mobility aids, Anyone who can sit with support, Users of Wheelchairs, Unsure or low confidence walkers, All people with visual impairments, People with Auditory impairments, People with learning difficulties, People with…
Receive all the latest news, special offers and information from the Lake District, Cumbria
Cumbria Tourism, Windermere Road, Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 9PL