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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 memories, not just snapshots with a private photography experience in the Lake District…
Join us in the beautiful gardens of Muncaster Castle as The Three Inch Fools present an epic tale…
Windermere Ring – Walk the Fells and Valleys around Lake Windermere Full event details here:…
Experience two of Britain's most celebrated Arts & Crafts houses in one inspiring afternoon. Begin…
Open Garden Event, Sunday 21st June. Ticket £10, includes a cup of coffee or tea and a piece of…
Discover two striking new collections of original artworks that celebrate the creative potential of…
Come and make a print to take home at one of our drop-in printmaking sessions. Bring your lunch and…
Join us as we welcome Leon Knight to The Swan for a special performance from 6pm – 8pm on the 10th…
Soak up the magic of a summer evening on England's finest lake! Enjoy live music, a delicious…
Chillswim Ullswater 2026 will take place on Saturday 11th July at Parkfoot Holiday Park on the…
Skip the socks. Send him up a tree! Looking for things to do this Father's Day in the Lake…
Experience the best of the Lake District's community spirit, scenery and local flavour at the Royal…
Discover the art of craft distilling in the Gateway to the Lake District, with a guided tour of…
As seen on Britains got talent.. Got the blues? Well, step right up, because The Jive Aces are…
Play the traditional games croquet, quoits & skittles on Allan Bank's front lawn with glorious lake…
Join us for Wild Swim Club! Experience the incredible benefits of this exhilarating activity as our…
Discover the Tadpole Round Swim Hike—an unforgettable adventure at the heart of the Buttermere…
The Swim to Wild Cat Island is a classic Lake District swim right out of the pages of a storybook…
Busy Weekly Market with 80 stalls. Food, Crafts and Gifts.
Epic Lakes Swim Ullswater takes place from Park Foot Holiday Park, near Pooley Bridge, which…
Our Summer Sizzler will serve up the very best of summer grub, all while you relax by the shores of…
Susannah Clegg is a Lancaster-based singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist known for her…
Fundraisers of Alzheimer's Society will take on on an incredible 13 or 26 mile trek. The 26 mile…
Calling all local talent – and local music lovers! Join us for Muncaster Castle's monthly Open Mic…


The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
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Number of results: 468
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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.
Ambleside
Wray Pier offers a peaceful escape on Windermere’s western shore, giving visitors the chance to explore this tranquil corner of the lake by boat.
Windermere Lake Cruises offers sight-seeing tours every day except Christmas Day.
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…
Ambleside
Museum, art gallery and reference library covering the history life and arts of the Lakes. Collections include Kurt Schwitters, Beatrix Potter, photography, fine art and local history.
Newby Bridge
Newby Bridge Country Caravan Park is located near the southern tip of lake Windermere. Surrounded by woodland and wildlife, the park provides a tranquil base from which to explore the beautiful Lake District National Park.
Berrier
A spectacular gyrocopter trial flight and unique flying lesson. You have the thrill of taking control or just take in the views. Based at Berrier airstrip near Penrith/Ullswater/Keswick. Ideal gift or just to treat yourself.
Cumbria
Contours Holidays designed the Derwentwater Round as a gentle, relaxing two-day meander around the fabulous Derwentwater lake, ideal for first timers and young families. Beginning and ending in Keswick, this 12-mile route utilises easy,…
Windermere
Southview Spa in Windermere offers luxury with a private chlorine-free spa, heated pool, cinema, and more. Just minutes from shops and a short walk to Lake Windermere, it’s the perfect blend of comfort and tranquillity.
Newby Bridge, Backbarrow
The Whitewater Hotel is the ultimate Lake district retreat, featuring the fantastic Cascades Leisure Club & Spa.
Bowness-On-Windermere
Brand new Free house British pub, serving home made classic British pub food, real fires, real ale and dog friendly.
Windermere
Join Green Man Survival for our most in depth and demanding survival challenge. You will spend 72 hours surviving in our private woodland learning a wealth of skills and knowledge that will enable you to thrive in this stunning habitat.
Yes, you can: Users of Mobility aids, Anyone who can sit with support, Users of Wheelchairs, Unsure or low confidence walkers, All people with visual impairments, People with Auditory impairments, People with learning difficulties, People with…
Keswick
Located in Keswick, the home of the first pencil, visitors enter this museum through a replica graphite mine which would have served as the source of the pencil industry over three centuries ago.
Braithwaite
Welcome to England's only true mountain forest. Whinlatter boasts unrivalled views across Bassenthwaite Lake, Derwentwater and Keswick. Located in the North West of the Lake District, you'll find us in the heart of it. It plays host to two of our…
Keswick
Discover the historic The Yew Tree Pub, nestled at the foot of Honister Pass in Borrowdale Valley. Dating back to 1628, this charming pub offers hearty food, local ales, and warm hospitality. A popular stop for walkers on the Coast to Coast route,…
Penrith
Experience the romantic tranquillity of the beautiful English Lake District and stay at Mosedale Glamping Pod. This wonderfully cosy countryside retreat is nestled on a traditional working sheep farm in peaceful countryside just 14 miles outside of…
Hawkshead
Grizedale Observatory and planetarium for stargazing under the dark skies of the Lake District. Nestled deep within the breathtaking Grizedale Forest in the heart of the Lake District, this immersive stargazing experience invites the whole family to…
Windermere
Specialist bike hire for everyone from 3 great locations around Lake Windermere. Electric bikes. Mountain bikes. Kid's bikes. Kid's seats and trailers. We have planned routes for you available as maps and downloads.
Ambleside
Petit Four is an Anglo-French restaurant in Hawkshead, focused on homemade, locally sourced food and relaxed evening dining, with wine, alongside simple breakfasts and lunches.
Keswick
The Restaurant at The Borrowdale offers an experience shaped by its surroundings—thoughtfully prepared food, elegant interiors, and service that gives you time to savour it all.
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Cumbria Tourism, Windermere Road, Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 9PL