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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
Make your way along the trail and find nature-inspired activities for the whole family. The trail…
Get ready for an adventure with a Totally Wild UK professional forager on our Forage and Cookery…
Discover two striking new collections of original artworks that celebrate the creative potential of…
Sign up to take on this unique triathlon event, while raising funds for Turning Tides, a…
Discover the work of acclaimed artist Julian Cooper at Theatre by the Lake in Keswick, Cumbria,…
Celebrate the launch of our first All-You-Can-Eat Sunday Carvery at The Borrowdale Hotel. Enjoy…
Staying at The Swan this Easter? Why not join us on Sunday 5th April, for our very own swanderful…
*WORLD PREMIERE From Tom MacRae, the writer of Everybody's Talking About Jamie, comes a brand-new…
We're looking forward to welcoming Rob Young to The Swan on the 3rd April for an evening of live…
Paddleboarding will be back in 2026 Try something new and have a splashing time! We've again…
Iggety Ziggety Zaggety Zoom! Walk with a witch and her cauldron and broom! Help collect the…
Molly Warburton, a UK Indie Pop singer-songwriter from Lancaster, will be joining us at The Swan on…
Head to the Great Barn at Sizergh to see an exhibition from a creative collective of artists,…
Full Moon Women's Circle in the Lake District The Full Moon is a powerful time for reflection,…
Joe Martin is a modern day troubadour, a seasoned songwriter and performer having played to tens of…
Looking for a family-friendly creative activity during half-term? Look no further than our craft…
Inside just got interesting. Step off the trail and into a space where the Lake District is…
New Year. . . same problems! It is the end of term and Godber's hilarious comedy masterpiece has…
The Lake District is England's only true mountain area. It has the most beautiful scenery in the…
Evie is a singer-songwriter from the Lake District. Evie has built up a vast repertoire of songs,…
Joe Martin is a modern day troubadour, a seasoned songwriter and performer having played to tens of…
Welcome to a Spring evening Earth Day forest therapy walk--a restorative way to immerse yourself in…
Hop into Easter with a smile and a giggle. Follow the trail through the woods and parkland with…
Discover life on Windermere through the lens of award-winning artist Juliet Klottrup. This…


The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
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Number of results: 469
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A591, Windermere
Zip World Windermere is an award-winning high ropes adventure company with 2 fantastic outdoor experiences, Treetop Trek and Treetop Nets. If you’re looking for an unforgettable day out with friends or family, there is an outdoor adventure for…
Far Sawrey
Two perfectly positioned Holiday Homes. Each has private Garden, 3 bedrooms, open fires/wood burner, fully equipped kitchen, 2 lounges, 2 bathrooms. Stunning views and access to footpaths. Pubs close by.
Ambleside
Whatever the weather or time of year, our self-catering cottages and timber-framed properties are ready and waiting for families and groups of all sizes eager to get away from it all and holiday together!
Newby Bridge
Glide silently along the river and past the steam trains at the speed of paddle as we head south while everyone gets the hang of handling their boats in the sheltered water. When we are ready we turn round and explore the wider Lake Windermere as…
Ambleside
The Ambleside Inn is located in the heart of the popular Lake District town of Ambleside and offers delicious, homecooked dining all day every day. Whether fuelling up for a day’s exploring with a hearty breakfast, stopping by for a smaller plate…
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.
Coniston
Located on the shores of Coniston Water with sensational lake and fell views, this classic Lakeland slate building is the perfect place if you’re looking to escape the crowds. A handsome, traditional Lakeland slate building, The Coniston Inn is set…
Coniston
Meet Coniston's heroes, John Ruskin, artist, radical and seer and Donald Campbell, speed ace. View the fully restored Bluebird craft in the Bluebird wing of the museum. Discover the mineral wealth of the fells, all at 'the most thought provoking…
Penrith
A perfect location to explore the Lake District, there are seven dog-friendly, high-quality, tastefully decorated, family-friendly self-catering cottages. Located in the heart of the Cumbrian countryside, Near Howe is an idyllic, quiet, and tranquil…
Newby Bridge
Situated on the picturesque River Leven at the southern tip of Lake Windermere, this 17th-century coaching inn is full of character and charm, but also offers well-equipped rooms, first-class leisure facilities and a fabulous new Holte Spa. Enjoy…
Coniston
On-site cafe/restaurant serving teas, coffees and light lunches all homemade on the premises. Parties and groups catered for. Outside seating on the terrace overlooking the lake.
Windermere
The family run Lamplighter Dining Rooms offers the very best in accommodation in the Lake District.
Newby Bridge
Join us at our secluded woodland camp on the shores of Windermere for a bushcraft brunch to die for, this is thriving not just surviving!
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.
Cockermouth
Unspoiled traditional inn with every modern comfort in understated luxury.
Keswick
Our restaurant full of eager diners, a non-fussy, relaxed atmosphere, staff who take pride in serving Executive Chef David’s delectable dishes and where the food and service speak for itself. Hopefully our guests agree, it’s called real Cumbrian…
Keswick
Situated in the heart of Newlands Valley Keswick, opposite Catbells, Rowling End Farm Holiday Cottages have outstanding views of the entire valley.
Coniston
Our range of glamping pods can be found in the heart of the Lake District at our Coniston Park Coppice site.
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.
Bassenthwaite
Get up close and personal with our Alpacas, for participants aged 16 years and over. Alpacas are friendly and inquisitive animals and just like us they enjoy a bit of fresh air and exercise. Meet our five boys Hugo, Hector, Herbie, Dougal and…
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Cumbria Tourism, Windermere Road, Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 9PL