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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
This informal panel discussion will explore and celebrate the life and work of printmaker Gwyneth…
Busy Weekly Market with 80 stalls. Food, Crafts and Gifts.
Hop into Easter with a smile and a giggle. Follow the trail through the woods and parkland with…
Looking for a fun outdoor activity this Easter with your family? Take on Egg-venture, a 'cracking'…
Head to the Great Barn at Sizergh to see an exhibition from a creative collective of artists,…
Explore the Garden-Orchard and Woodland on the Georgian Tea Party themed Easter Egg Trail at…
Celebrating the magic of Marmalade, the festival has become a highlight of the Cumbrian Spring…
Staying at The Swan this Easter? Why not join us on Sunday 5th April, for our very own swanderful…
Join us for an all women's wellness festival based in the The Lake District this Spring. Enjoy two…
Welcome to a Spring evening Earth Day forest therapy walk--a restorative way to immerse yourself in…
The varied habitats of the Dalemain Estate parklands and gardens area provide a rich, year-round…
Iggety Ziggety Zaggety Zoom! Walk with a witch and her cauldron and broom! Help collect the…
Celebrate 25 years of ceramic art by Edinburgh-based Frances Priest in Motif | Line | Colour. The…
Discover the art of craft distilling in the Gateway to the Lake District, with a guided tour of…
Looking for a family-friendly creative activity during half-term? Look no further than our craft…
Join us on the first Saturday of every month for our monthly morning meet at the Lakeland Motor…
Discover the work of acclaimed artist Julian Cooper at Theatre by the Lake in Keswick, Cumbria,…
Evie is a singer-songwriter from the Lake District. Evie has built up a vast repertoire of songs,…
Discover life on Windermere through the lens of award-winning artist Juliet Klottrup. This…
Inside just got interesting. Step off the trail and into a space where the Lake District is…
Join us for a relaxed early evening in our charming wine cellar — the perfect chance to take a…
Vintage acoustic jazz music from 1920's New York and sophisticated 1930's Swing. Plus the sound of…
Join us and our Accredited Conservator, Caroline Bendix. Caroline has 40 years' experience, working…
Get ready for an adventure with a Totally Wild UK professional forager on our Forage and Cookery…


The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
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Number of results: 469
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Coniston
Float back to Victorian times as you indulge in a luxurious cruise on captivating Coniston water in this exquisite steam-powered craft. You can choose from three routes: Mountain cruise, Heart of the Lake cruise or the Full Lake cruise.
Portinscale
Derwentwater is a stunning first-floor apartment created from the former billiards room on the north side of the estate's Grade II listed Victorian house. Enjoy breathtaking views across the lake and surrounding fells from the light-filled open-plan…
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.
Ambleside
Our luxury accommodation has been hand built for our bespoke design for couples wanting a romantic retreat or a place to chill out for a few days. Minimum 2-night stay, any day arrivals.
Cockermouth
Unspoiled traditional inn with every modern comfort in understated luxury.
Keswick
The Lake District is known for being the home of Rock Climbing, so why not try your hand at this extreme sport! Conquer a fear and get up close and personal with some of the incredible local landscape all whilst under the watchful eye of our…
Cumbria
As well as beautiful scenery, the Lake District is also famous for its associations with a large number of poets, novelists and essayists. This lovely, 36-mile walk takes you through some of the Lake District’s best-loved areas, visiting many of the…
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…
Ambleside
This contemporary bistro with beds is a stone’s throw from the idyllic village of Grasmere. The 17th Century former farm has 7 plush en-suite bedrooms, sleeping 2, 3, or 4 people each - it's the ideal Grasmere hotel for individuals, couples,…
Bowness-on-Windermere
Brunch, Lunch & Afternoon Teas in Bowness-on-Windermere. Located just opposite the World of Beatrix Potter Attraction, the Peter Rabbit™ Café is a perfectly themed, memorable & completely unique Peter Rabbit™ dining experience with a good dose of…
Bowness-on-Windermere
One of the largest Lake District Hotel’s, located in the best village to discover the beautiful Lake District, with the most exciting variety of experiences on your doorstep and views of Lake Windermere, just a short stroll from the bustling village…
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.
Our Cycling Route’s guide of the Lake District provides a broad range of cycle routes for all levels of cycling. Whether you are an avid cyclist wanting to do some of the most challenging rides in the Lake District, or gentle leisure rides with…
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.
Windermere
Surrounded by spectacular Lakeland views, indulge in one of the finest British traditions and take Afternoon Tea at Merewood.
Penrith
Our spacious plush glamping cabins can offer a comfortable glamping experience.
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.
Windermere
A real Lakeland hidden treasure set in the beautiful village of Troutbeck, this 17thC solid stone and slate house sits imposingly on the hillside, its huge chimneys typical of the area.
Coniston
• Sleeps up to 16
• 3 inter-linking cottages, can be booked individually sleeping 2-8 or together sleeping 16
• A total of 8 bedrooms and 7 bathrooms
• Each cottage comes with its own hot tub - 3 hot tubs in total
• Large rooms, perfect for…
Windermere
Delightful recently refurbished cottages in a quiet location, yet a stroll from Windermere & Bowness. Abbey Coach House Cottages are set within extensive gardens & ideally based for exploring the Lakes. Pets welcome & bike storage available
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Cumbria Tourism, Windermere Road, Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 9PL