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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
Busy Weekly Market with 80 stalls. Food, Crafts and Gifts.
Join us and our Accredited Conservator, Caroline Bendix. Caroline has 40 years' experience, working…
Evie is a singer-songwriter from the Lake District. Evie has built up a vast repertoire of songs,…
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…
Discover the history of the Wray estate on a 45‑minute Walk & Talk led by a knowledgeable member of…
Join Magician Chris Frostie Frost, for an afternoon of magical mayhem, comedy and nonsense. Be…
Celebrate the launch of our first All-You-Can-Eat Sunday Carvery at The Borrowdale Hotel. Enjoy…
Explore the Garden-Orchard and Woodland on the Georgian Tea Party themed Easter Egg Trail at…
Easter Little Engineers' Days at Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway Bring curious minds, creative…
Join us for a relaxed early evening in our charming wine cellar — the perfect chance to take a…
Staying at The Swan this Easter? Why not join us on Sunday 5th April, for our very own swanderful…
Get ready for an adventure with a Totally Wild UK professional forager on our Forage and Cookery…
Join us in the Learning Centre this Easter Holidays for free, hands-on activities designed to spark…
Full Moon Women's Circle in the Lake District The Full Moon is a powerful time for reflection,…
Celebrate 50 Years of Northern Rock May 2nd – 4th, 2026 Join the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway…
Looking for a family-friendly creative activity during half-term? Look no further than our craft…
In April, the earth begins to sing again. As Earth Day draws near, this Quiet Day offers space to…
Looking for a fun outdoor activity this Easter with your family? Take on Egg-venture, a 'cracking'…
Inside just got interesting. Step off the trail and into a space where the Lake District is…
Discover life on Windermere through the lens of award-winning artist Juliet Klottrup. This…
A comic radio play presented live on stage – with the help of the audience! Mad but fun! What is…
Hop into Easter with a smile and a giggle. Follow the trail through the woods and parkland with…
Cumbria Local Arts Annual Exhibition. Over 500 pieces of work by 115 artist,all living within the…


The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
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Ambleside
Fellinis is a new modern 'Vegeterranean' restaurant catering for the most discerning vegetarian palette with a distinct Mediterranean twist.
Our menu changes regularly to reflect the seasons and the availability of local ingredients. Our wine list…
Bassenthwaite
Go wild & experience a world of wildlife! There's over 100 species from Anaconda to Zebra. Rare and endangered species like Gibbons and Asian Fishing Cats, plus family favourites like lemurs and Meerkats. A great day out for all the family.
Keswick
Low Briery Holiday Park is situated just outside Keswick, in a beautiful wooded valley in the English Lake District.
Discover the freedom a self catering holiday in the Lake District offers.
Penrith
Our spacious plush glamping cabins can offer a comfortable glamping experience.
Throughout Cumbria
More Than Mountains was set up over twelve years ago to share our passion for exploring the hills and mountains of the English Lake District. We specialise in designing bespoke days out that are tailored to meet your goals and aspirations.
Windermere
Our Langdale Club bar and lounge offers a relaxed, informal dining experience whilst surrounded by a chic interior that takes infomal dining to refreshing new heights, sleek and elegant and designed to impress. The Club lounge is the perfect place…
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.
Broughton-in-Furness
Thornthwaite Farm is set amidst the beautiful scenery of the Woodland Valley. We have four cottages including our 4 star VisitEngland Gold Award barn conversion and a handbuilt Log Cabin all with stunning views of the Lakeland fells.
Penrith
Nestled in the hamlet of Dockray, The Royal is a traditional family run hotel, pub and restaurant. Dating back over 500 years, The Royal is steeped in Lakeland history. Ideally located close to Lake Ullswater and Aira Force waterfall, whether…
Every single one of our holiday cottages have been personally inspected by dedicated property managers to ensure a high standard of holiday accommodation. Our growing collection of well-kept properties in Cumbria and the Lake District make a perfect…
Keswick
Nestled at the gateway to the Jaws of Borrowdale, on the tip of Derwentwater, The Borrowdale Hotel has been a welcoming presence since 1866. Steeped in history and framed by dramatic crags, it’s the perfect base for lakeside strolls, lush temperate…
Penrith
Start your navigation journey with Hiking Highs, from the very beginning, the first time you have opened your paper map, to the technical contour only courses, our team are experienced navigation coaches... have fun, see the map with 3 dimensional…
Bowness-on-Windermere
The Peter Rabbit Garden has proved tremendously popular with visitors who have delighted in the beauty and attention to detail in the design and the way the garden evokes the atmosphere of the Peter Rabbit stories.
Ambleside
Stay in a luxury Shepherd's Hut at the stunning Victorian House Hotel in Grasmere. Perfect for a relaxing stay after days exploring the Lake District with private riverbank views.
Keswick
An interactive world of optical illusions including illusion rooms, holograms and interactive exhibits to amaze the whole family, young and old! Do you believe your eyes?
Keswick
The newly renovated family and dog-friendly Rooms36, VB 4-star silver award-winning bed and breakfast is situated a short flat walk from Keswick town centre and about a 5-minute flat walk from Derwentwater queen of the lakes.
Hawkshead
A spacious village house with hot tub and parking in the heart of Hawkshead, ideal for families and multigenerational stays.
Ambleside
The Temperance Inn at Ambleside proudly serves up delicious pub food – all day, every day – cooked freshly for you on ordering.
Coniston
Enjoy cruising aboard our launches around beautiful Coniston Water. A personal commentary by our crew complements your experience of this wonderful area.
Penrith
Opened in April 2019, The Queen’s Head Askham is a village pub with a difference just a two minute walk from Askham Hall. Part of the esteemed Askham Collection, The Queen’s Head is a cosy 17th century village pub with bedrooms ideally located in…
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Cumbria Tourism, Windermere Road, Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 9PL