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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
Wild Sauna & Forest Plunge | Whinlatter Forest Step into the wild beauty of the Lake District and…
Useful/Beautiful marks 25 years of contemporary craft at Blackwell – the Arts & Crafts house,…
BAFTA Award-winner Lesley Manville (Phantom Thread) joins Aidan Turner (Rivals) in a striking new…
Join us for Wild Swim Club! Experience the incredible benefits of this exhilarating activity as our…
Festival of the Lake is coming to Windermere Jetty Museum on Saturday 27 June 2026 for a full day…
This interactive exhibition celebrates the treasures of the Wordsworth Grasmere trove. Discover…
Join award-winning photographer and visual artist Joanne Coates for a midsummer guided walk and…
Looking for things to do this May half term in Keswick? Head to Go Ape Whinlatter Forest near…
Our popular Introduction to outdoor swimming course takes place at either Rydal Water or Waterhead,…
Join us in the Learning Centre this May half term for free, hands-on activities designed to spark…
Join us for Wild Swim Club! Experience the incredible benefits of this exhilarating activity as our…
Discover the history of the Wray estate on a 45‑minute Walk & Talk led by a knowledgeable member of…
Discover life on Windermere through the lens of award-winning artist Juliet Klottrup. This…
Ullswater Epicman Triathlon is based at Park Foot Holiday Park. You can choose either the Sprint,…
Mark Hatton, a researcher and enthusiast of local mining history will be joining us to explore the…
Discover a wealth of horticultural colour, scent and design inspiration when 16 gates will open…
We're bringing back the summer Sisters In The Wild vibe to the Lake District for our 6th annual…
Discover the art of craft distilling in the Gateway to the Lake District, with a guided tour of…
Chillswim Coniston End to End Swim 2026 will take place on Saturday 20th June. Long distance…
Epic Lakes Swim Coniston takes place at Monk Coniston, at the North end of the lake. You can choose…
If you love wild swimming around beautiful islands then you will love our Wild Isle…
Looking for something creative to do with the kids this May half term? Join us at Blackwell – the…
To celebrate World Cucumber Day, Lake District Hotels are getting the party started early on Friday…
Join us in the beautiful gardens of Muncaster Castle as The Three Inch Fools present an epic tale…


The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
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Cockermouth
Situated on what was once the Cockermouth, Keswick and Penrith railway line, Bassenthwaite Lake Station offers a unique place to enjoy breakfast, brunch and lunch aboard the replica Orient Express train, right here in the Lake District.
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…
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…
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
Troutbeck
Self Catering Lake District Bothy, sleeps 4 people and set in an amazing landscape with no light pollution. Perfect for those wishing to experience a short break under Dark Skies and when conditions allow, a stunning Star Gazing experience.
Sedgwick, Kendal
Family attraction, maze, soft play, go karts, animals, pets, events, parties and refreshments.
Ambleside
Mountain adventures are our speciality. Family Adventure days, Guided Walking, Navigation workshops, Rock Climbing, Rock Scrambling, Gorge Scrambling, Abseiling, Canyoning and any combination of these. We’re here to help ensure you experience the…
Cockermouth
Nestled near the tranquil shores of Bassenthwaite Lake, just ten minutes from Keswick, The Pheasant, Bassenthwaite offers a heartfelt Cumbrian welcome that has stood the test of time for over two centuries.
Ambleside
Beatrix Potter's iconic house, full of her personal possessions, with traditional cottage garden. Her paintings of the House and garden were used to illustrate many of her tales.
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Cumbria Tourism, Windermere Road, Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 9PL