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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
Soak up the magic of a summer evening on England's finest lake! Enjoy live music, a delicious…
Festival of the Lake is coming to Windermere Jetty Museum on Saturday 27 June 2026 for a full day…
Join us in the beautiful gardens of Muncaster Castle as The Three Inch Fools present an epic tale…
Join us as we welcome Leon Knight to The Swan for a special performance from 6pm – 8pm on the 10th…
The Swim to Wild Cat Island is a classic Lake District swim right out of the pages of a storybook…
Join our spectator cruise for the Ullswater Yacht Club's biggest event of the year, the Lord…
An evening yoga practice on the beautiful lawns at Lowther Castle. These sessions are accessible;…
Discover the Tadpole Round Swim Hike—an unforgettable adventure at the heart of the Buttermere…
Our Rydal Islands and Caves Swim Walk is a perfect mix of easy-going hiking and wild swimming.…
Discover the history of the Wray estate on a 45‑minute Walk & Talk led by a knowledgeable member of…
Head to the Great Barn at Sizergh to see an exhibition from a creative collective of artists,…
Experience two of Britain's most celebrated Arts & Crafts houses in one inspiring afternoon. Begin…
The Buttermere Swimble – The Buttermere Valley is surely one of the most beautiful in the Lake…
Paddleboarding will be back in 2026 Try something new and have a splashing time! We've again…
Susannah Clegg is a Lancaster-based singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist known for her…
This retreat is a spiritual and creative journey, a cocoon of connection, to ourselves, to each…
Woodland Reset ~ The Conscious Self's Signature Nature Day Come and join The Conscious Self for a…
Back for its 13th Year, join us at Windermere Golf Club on Friday 3rd July 2026 for a wonderful day…
Our popular Introduction to outdoor swimming course takes place at either Rydal Water or Waterhead,…
Epic Lakes Swim Ullswater takes place from Park Foot Holiday Park, near Pooley Bridge, which…
Join us for Wild Swim Club! Experience the incredible benefits of this exhilarating activity as our…
This one-day course will give you an insight into safer swimming practices and help build practical…
Windermere Ring – Walk the Fells and Valleys around Lake Windermere Full event details here:…
If you love walking or hiking and taking in spectacular scenery, and want to help support…


The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
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Keswick
Retro caravan in great condition with two bedrooms sleeping 4. Elevated sheltered position tucked at the foot of our small wooded fell side, home to our resident pair of tawny owls, red squirrels and wood peckers.
Ullswater
Spacious, comfortable, warm and well-equipped, Broad How is a charming, large Lakeland house, sleeping 14, ideally sited in an acre of grounds, 0.5 mile from village of Patterdale, pub and shop. Restaurants, steamer and boat hire 1.5 miles.
Located at the tranquil southern end of Lake Windermere, Lakeside Pier offers a different pace of exploration in the Lake District. Board a Windermere Lake Cruise’s vessel and get treated to the finest views from the water.
Eskdale, Holmrook
Experience peace, tranquillity, and adventure on your next holiday at Parkgate Farm, located at the base of the picturesque Eskdale and Wasdale valleys. Whether you're a hiker, walker, or cyclist, our farm offers an extensive network of bridleways…
Ullswater
Hidden with a seculded spot within the hotel grounds and connected by glazed walkways, a large double bedroom and twin bedroom look out onto floor-to-ceiling views across the grounds to the lake and fells beyond.
Windermere
Nestled in the heart of the Lake District National Park, Bowness-on-Windermere is a picturesque village buzzing with tourism. The star attraction is undoubtedly Bowness Pier, the central hub for cruises on England's largest lake, Windermere.
Ambleside
Come to Skelwith Fold for a warm welcome and a unique place to stay in one of our glamping pods in the Lake District. We would love to help you create a Lakeland adventure that you will never forget!
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…
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Cumbria Tourism, Windermere Road, Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 9PL