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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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Award winning crime writer Jonathan Whitelaw is flying in from Canada to launch his new book, The…
Nestled on the shores of Lake Windermere in Cumbria, this extensive working mill produced literally…
A walking photography workshop around Ambleside and the nearby countryside with photographer Chris…
Join us for a fun and relaxing day learning the art of mosaic. Create a colourful plaque, a trivet…
Start your day with a Dawn Chorus Walk. 6.30am – 9.30am. Guided walk through Brantwood estate to…
Journey into acrylics with this serene scene – a swan gracefully adrift on a tranquil autumn lake.
Join us in the woods and meadows for a morning of foraging, nature connection, discovery and plant…
The Lakeland Historic Car Club meet on the first Saturday of every month at the museum and Cafe…
If you're dreaming of an adventure by bike, check out the Cycle Touring Festival, taking place from…
Join lots of proud classic vehicle owners as they bring their private vehicles to display at the…
APPRAISAL by Tim Marriott An annual work review that goes horribly wrong. Head of Department…
Between 1939 and 1945 a significant proportion of Britain's national collection of modern art from…
If you don't quite fancy being an early bird for Dawn Chorus Day, then experience the magic of…
Spend a weekend learning how to sail our Canoes. They are specifically designed to Sail fast and…
As part of Lake District Music's spring series of concerts, London Central Brass Quintet perform at…
This new display delves into the Townend archive collection, a treasure trove of four hundred years…
Transform and recycle subtle coloured pieces of sea glass into jewellery that is perfect for summer…
Join us to welcome back the fantastic cast from After Dark for an evening of murderous…
Brought to you by the National Trust and Karen Whybrow Coaching, join this transformational event…
An outdoor exhibition based on the award-winning book, Forty Farms by Lakeland Photographer of the…
The Swan Hotel & Spa are excited to be bringing back summer spa-rties, and this time it's going to…
Friendship is certainly the finest balm for the pangs of any sort of… disappointed love. Catherine…
The Disabled Ramblers is a small national charity working to help those with limited mobility to…
Dr Anna Ploszajski is an award-winning materials scientist, author, presenter, comedian and…
The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
Number of results: 490
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Great Langdale
Rock climbing has increased in popularity recently, particularly since its introduction at the Olympic Games. Langdale, close to Ambleside and Windermere is the perfect place to have your first experience of outdoor rock climbing. Not far from here…
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
77 reviewsGrasmere
Broadrayne is a traditional Lakeland Farm with a small cluster of former 17th to 19th century farm buildings nestling round a picturesque farmyard in the beautiful Vale of Grasmere.
Penrith
A short stroll from the main Aira Force car park is the Aira Force tea-room, a place to relax and refuel ready for your next adventure. It’s open daily from 10am – 4.30pm, with indoor and outdoor seating, serving some tasty treats and refreshing…
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 sailer from the very start. If you want a friend or carer in the boat to…
Bowness-on-Windermere
The Macdonald Old England Hotel & Spa stands right on the shore of Windermere and boasts unrivalled views of England's largest lake.
Bowness-on-Windermere
Sublime Symmetry is an exhibition featuring 60 pots, tiles and vases from the De Morgan Collection, including examples of De Morgan's Middle Eastern-inspired designs and glistening lustreware.
Cartmel, Grange-over-Sands
Home of The Black Horses Friesian Experience, farm location with stunning views over South Lakeland village of Cartmel - foodie heaven! Known for Horse Racing, Michelin Star restaurants and its famous Sticky Toffee Pudding.
Newby Bridge
Join us on one of our favourite forest wanders exploring Chapel House, certainly one of the best pieces of commercial forestry in the South Lakes.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
54 reviewsLakeside
Relaxing with our afternoon tea experience, less than a stone's throw away from the water's edge of Lake Windermere.
Eskdale Valley
Experience canoeing on one of the Lake Districts most remote and impressive lakes and take a journey on the deepest lake in England taking in the views of the Scafell Massif.
Sail Winderemere 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.
You can choose how complicated the experience is from being in charge of pulling or not pulling…
Staveley
Delightful village inn, riverside location with friendly family welcome, offering excellent cosy accommodation. Local produce of superb real ales.
Windermere
Applegarth Villa is a hotel in the heart of Windermere offering 22 rooms & suites ranging from Deluxe Cheeky Doubles to Hot Tub Suites. Being the only hotel if its kind in Windermere Village, enjoy the easy access, free off road parking (with EV…
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
1930 reviewsTorver Mill
• 5 Star Gold Rated Barn Conversion for 2
• Idyllic riverside location
• Secluded gardens
• Views of Coniston Old Man
• Fantastic walking and mountain biking from the doorstep
• Beautiful, luxury interior
• EV charger
• Secure bike storage
Windermere
Moments from the eastern shores of Lake Windermere and set in seven acres of beautiful secluded gardens and woodland lies Briery Wood. The informal and friendly service is so good you’ll hardly notice it.
Keswick
Maple Bank is a magnificent Edwardian residence in the quiet valley of Braithwaite enjoying uninterrupted views across the Derwent Valley towards Skiddaw and Latrigg. We are only 2 miles from Keswick.
Seascale
A small family-run boutique bed & breakfast in an enviable location. Superb views and a great base from which to explore the quieter part of the Lake District - its mountains, valleys & coastline.
Our contemporary interiors are designed to offer…
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
270 reviewsVictoria 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…
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
445 reviewsNewby 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.
Windermere
Charter a skippered yacht for a 2 hour sailing experience for up to 4 people, get involved and take control of the yacht or just sit back and enjoy the stunning scenery unfold around you.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
167 reviewsReceive all the latest news, special offers and information from the Lake District, Cumbria
Cumbria Tourism, Windermere Road, Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 9PL