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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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Experience two of Britain's most celebrated Arts & Crafts houses in one inspiring afternoon. Begin…
Joe Martin is a modern day troubadour, a seasoned songwriter and performer having played to tens of…
Looking for something creative to do with the family this Easter? Join us at Blackwell – the Arts &…
DISCOVER THE MYSTERY OF BOWNESSIE ✨ This Easter, step into the legend of Lake Windermere with…
Discover life on Windermere through the lens of award-winning artist Juliet Klottrup. This…
Welcome to a Spring evening Earth Day forest therapy walk--a restorative way to immerse yourself in…
The 25/26 series of canicross races has now launched! Held in England's only mountain forest, Dodd…
A one day map reading course for beginners based in the Lake District. If you have never looked at…
A guided creative writing workshop that explores the ways in which poetry can be used to advocate…
Join in the fun this Easter Saturday As part of our 'Wrestle' exhibition Grizedale is hosting a…
The Mystery of the Pirate Lagoon A comic radio play presented live on stage. What is the mystery…
The main writing theme for the weekend is centred around what it looks like to walk with Jesus.…
Head to the Great Barn at Sizergh to see an exhibition from a creative collective of artists,…
Discover the history of the Wray estate on a 45‑minute Walk & Talk led by a knowledgeable member of…
Celebrate 25 years of ceramic art by Edinburgh-based Frances Priest in Motif | Line | Colour. The…
Busy Weekly Market with 80 stalls. Food, Crafts and Gifts.
Looking for a family-friendly creative activity during half-term? Look no further than our craft…
We're looking forward to welcoming Rob Young to The Swan on the 5th April for an evening of live…
Celebrate the launch of our first All-You-Can-Eat Sunday Carvery at The Borrowdale Hotel. Enjoy…
Celebrate 50 Years of Northern Rock May 2nd – 4th, 2026 Join the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway…
This informal panel discussion will explore and celebrate the life and work of printmaker Gwyneth…
Join photographer Steve Blake in our beautiful woodland environment. Full day workshops are…
Wild Sauna & Forest Plunge | Whinlatter Forest Step into the wild beauty of the Lake District and…
Iggety Ziggety Zaggety Zoom! Walk with a witch and her cauldron and broom! Help collect the…


The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
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Keswick
Camping Pods and Glamping have become very popular and here in the Lake District we can now offer a variety of accommodation here at Castlerigg Hall Caravan and Camping Park to suit most budgets.
Bowness-on-Windermere
Take in the stunning views from our lakeside Restaurant whilst dining from our seasonal menu, we serve only the finest British cuisine in our restaurant.
Elterwater
We have two lovely cottages win the village of Elterwater in the Langdale Valley, which we have owned since the early eighties.
Newby Bridge
The River Room Brasserie restaurant at The Swan Hotel offers a sophisticated dining experience for those looking for something truly special. With its 3-course menu, crafted by the hotel’s talented head chef, each dish is a work of art, made with…
Great Langdale, Ambleside
The Langdale Hotel & Spa in the heart of the Lake District, is the perfect place for getting away from it all.
Bassenthwaite Lake, Bassenthwaite
The privately owned, four star 17th century former stately home, has 42 individually designed bedrooms, wood panelled public rooms, real log fire, Lake View Restaurant, six conference rooms, croquet lawn, tennis courts and spa facility.
Grasmere
Mentioned in William Wordsworth’s 1806 composition The Waggoner, a multi-million-pound refurbishment has given this renowned property renewed purpose as a cosy, welcoming pub with 46 bedrooms.
Ullswater
Glenridding Manor House Hotel: Without doubt, the best quality non pretentious accommodation on Lake Ullswater. Perfect for walking the coast to coast, climbing Helvellyn, Sailing, canoeing or paddle boarding on Ullswater, Taking a steamer to…
Nr Bowness-on-Windermere
The Lakeland Model Village showcases dozens of miniature buildings crafted from locally sourced Coniston slate. Over the past 25 years, local builder Edward Robinson carefully created each one by hand, faithfully recreating some of Cumbria’s most…
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Cumbria Tourism, Windermere Road, Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 9PL