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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
Based in the heart of Whinlatter Forest, just inside Keswick, adventure awaits. Whether you're a…
A scenic road half marathon on quiet undulating roads passing along the shores of Haweswater in…
Join us for a magical guided evening walk through the forest. Listen out for owls, learn about…
Experience two of Britain's most celebrated Arts & Crafts houses in one inspiring afternoon. Begin…
Join Mountain Leader Dougie Walker for a guided winter ascent of the Fairfield Horseshoe, one of…
Antiques Valuation Day overseen by Mitchell's Auctioneers and Valuers, Cockermouth. £5.00 entry…
Cumbria's biggest comedy club, Planet Mirth (est 2010)! Featuring four award-winning, Edinburgh…
Did you know we have rainforest in Cumbria? Join our RSPB Assistant Warden Richard to learn more…
Discover documentary photographer Joanne Coates's powerful exhibition about women in agriculture in…
Virginia Woolf defied literary conventions to depict rich inner worlds – her heightened, startling…
Enjoy a relaxed and creative family day out this February half term at Blackwell – the Arts &…
Join Ratty, Mole, Toad, and Badger on a delightful, family-friendly adventure by the riverside in…
Join Mountain Leader Dougie Walker for a guided Coniston Classics walk in the Lake District. This…
Fringe favourite Guy Masterson's globally acclaimed solo adaptation of George Orwell's barnyard…
Live music with The Elderly brothers who play a range of tunes from 1920s to 2020s. Smile-inducing,…
Musical – Tommy (1975) Ken Russell's flamboyant rock opera follows a "deaf, dumb and blind" boy who…
Join us for hands-on family fun this February half term at Windermere Jetty Museum. Perfect for all…
It's a show that's more fun than a barrel of hobbits! What happens when a cinema's Lord of the…
On this course, students will learn how to create gossamer weight felt to make beautiful wraps and…
Celebrate 25 years of ceramic art by Edinburgh-based Frances Priest in Motif | Line | Colour. The…
In this hysterical, deranged and irreverent Austen parody that meditates on girlhood, romance and…
Join Jo from JAG Outdoors for a night-time walk in the forest! The walk will cover up to 4 miles…
The feeling of a head torch trail run in the woods is unique. The night-time adds a whole new…
Victoria Wood remains one of Britain's most cherished entertainers – a comic genius whose work…


The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
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Number of results: 450
, currently showing 81 to 100.
Ambleside
A staycation at Brathay gives you everything you need for a well-deserved break that will get you away from it all and boost your wellbeing. Whatever the weather, or time of year, and however chilled or super-adventurous you want to be, we have…
Coniston
Breath-taking mountain views, a private hot tub, wrap-around gardens and a tranquil location on the outskirts of Torver, yet with all the amenities of Coniston close at hand, make Hollace the perfect choice for those looking for a spectacular…
Ravenglass
La'aL Ratty, the little Cumbrian railway, is an award-winning heritage visitor attraction and Lake District icon, living up to its “must do” reputation for all ages. There are lots of things to do including shopping facilities, a museum,…
Newby Bridge
Upon issue of your survival kit you will be dropped into one of the densest most remote parts of our woodland. No phone signal, no comfortable fixed camp and no tarp or tent. You must source all your water, food, firewood and shelter and survive a…
Cumbria
During the nineteenth century, adventurous tourists travelled by horse-drawn carriage through Borrowdale and onto Buttermere via the Honister Pass, before returning to Keswick through the Newlands Valley. This short trail through some of the finest…
St John's in the Vale, Keswick
Swaledale Garth was converted from a grade II listed barn adjoining our 17th century farmhouse and sleeps up to six people (and up to two small-medium-sized and well behaved dogs).
Broughton-in-Furness
Thornthwaite Farm is set amidst the beautiful scenery of the Woodland Valley. We have four cottages including our 4 star VisitEngland Gold Award barn conversion and a handbuilt Log Cabin all with stunning views of the Lakeland fells.
Every single one of our holiday cottages have been personally inspected by dedicated property managers to ensure a high standard of holiday accommodation. Our growing collection of well-kept properties in Cumbria and the Lake District make a perfect…
Near Hawkshead
Our pop-up canvas village is made up of sturdy pre-pitched bell tents that take the hassle out of pitching up, leaving you free to explore the local area or try out some of the activities available on site. How idyllic does this sound? Located on…
Newby Bridge
Paddle Windermere to a remote shore, light fire and cook on open fire. We are an inclusive company and welcome people of all abilities.
Ullswater, Pooley Bridge
The Pooley Bridge Inn offers hearty home-cooked food, vegan and gluten-free options, local seasonal specials, fine cask ales, world wines, spirits, and cosy teas, coffees, or festive mulled wine.
Keswick
Stay at the refurbished Royal Oak in Borrowdale, beautiful bedrooms with dreamy beds and gleaming bathrooms, hearty breakfast, delicious evening dinner and charmful lounges.
We’ve even got a drying room with boot warmers and a car park with an…
Torver
• Sleeps 4,
• Luxury cottage rated 5 Star Gold by Visit England
• Private hot tub with open countryside views
• Up to 2 dogs welcome
• Stunning, luxurious interior
• Wifi
• Walks from the door including The Old Man of Coniston
• Wood-burning…
Penrith
Lakes For All: luxury self-catering, wheelchair accessible holidays in the Lake District, Cumbria for people with physical disabilities and their families.
Hawkshead, Lake Windermere
Nestled in the heart of Graythwaite Estate, 5,000 acres of managed woodland, parkland and lake frontage, is our magical bushcraft base where we love to welcome those seeking a real outdoor experience.
Ullswater
Glenridding Manor House Hotel: Without doubt, the best quality non pretentious accommodation on Lake Ullswater. Perfect for walking the coast to coast, climbing Helvellyn, Sailing, canoeing or paddle boarding on Ullswater, Taking a steamer to…
Bassenthwaite Lake, Bassenthwaite
Connoisseurs of fine cuisine will find much to appreciate at Armathwaite Hall Hotel and Spa. Chef takes full advantage of a wealth of local seasonal produce and Cumbrian specialities to create a variety of gastronomic delights.
Newby Bridge
A full day's experience learning the key skills of bushcraft and survival with our expert instructors, such as firelighting, shelter building and more.
Ambleside
Nestled in the heart of the English Lake District Victorian House provides the perfect antidote to chain hotel fatigue! Think cosy nights in the snug with a glass of red, kicking your boots off after a day of exploring and sinking into the sofa with…
Windermere
Whether you prefer to be active or sit back and relax, you’ll find your own perfect escape at White Cross Bay Holiday Park in Bowness-on-Windermere.
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Cumbria Tourism, Windermere Road, Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 9PL