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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
The Mystery of the Pirate Lagoon A comic radio play presented live on stage. What is the mystery…
Get ready for an adventure with a Totally Wild UK professional forager on our Forage and Cookery…
Looking for a fun outdoor activity this Easter with your family? Take on Egg-venture, a 'cracking'…
Cumbria Local Arts Annual Exhibition. Over 500 pieces of work by 115 artist,all living within the…
Evie is a singer-songwriter from the Lake District. Evie has built up a vast repertoire of songs,…
Soft Machine is one of the greatest UK avant/jazz-rock bands of all time. Their work, from their…
Join us for a relaxed early evening in our charming wine cellar — the perfect chance to take a…
Full Moon Women's Circle in the Lake District The Full Moon is a powerful time for reflection,…
Looking for a fun outdoor activity this Easter with your family? Take on Egg-venture, a 'cracking'…
Explore the Garden-Orchard and Woodland on the Georgian Tea Party themed Easter Egg Trail at…
A guided creative writing workshop that explores the ways in which poetry can be used to advocate…
Discover documentary photographer Joanne Coates's powerful exhibition about women in agriculture in…
Head to the Great Barn at Sizergh to see an exhibition from a creative collective of artists,…
Join photographer Steve Blake in our beautiful woodland environment. Full day workshops are…
Join us for our children's Easter Sunday party at The Swan Hotel! Taking place on Sunday 5th April…
Welcome to a Spring evening Earth Day forest therapy walk--a restorative way to immerse yourself in…
Celebrate 25 years of ceramic art by Edinburgh-based Frances Priest in Motif | Line | Colour. The…
Paddleboarding will be back in 2026 Try something new and have a splashing time! We've again…
Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad) and Marianne Jean-Baptiste (Hard Truths) feature in a five-star,…
Discover life on Windermere through the lens of award-winning artist Juliet Klottrup. This…
Reconnect. Slow down. Breathe deeply. Step away from the rush of everyday life and join us for a…
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 us in the Learning Centre this Easter Holidays for free, hands-on activities designed to spark…


The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
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Number of results: 469
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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.
Cockermouth
Originally an 18th Century Lakeland farm house, the Embleton Spa Hotel is a relaxed, informal hotel with delightful en-suite rooms, suites and apartments. Perfect for exploring Keswick, Cockermouth and the Lakes.
Penrith
TJ's Bar and Restaurant at Park Foot Holiday Park, also featuring an outdoor takeaway and seating area.
Windermere
Surrounded by spectacular Lakeland views, indulge in one of the finest British traditions and take Afternoon Tea at Merewood.
Grange, Keswick
Our country house hotel is the best-kept secret in the Borrowdale Valley, with log fires, wonderful Lakeland-inspired cooking and warm, comfortable bedrooms updated in classic, modern style - a real home-from-home.
Hawkshead, Ambleside
Situated in the quaint Lake District Village of Hawkshead, the boys Grammar School gives insight into school life ever since it opened in 1585. William Wordsworth also attended the school from age 9 to 17 with his brothers.
Hawkshead, Lake Windermere
This experience combines two of our most popular activities. We’ve designed a 2-hour experience that combines one-hour of 4x4 off-road driving with a mini bushcraft session.
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.
Ulverston
Steam trains running a seasonal daily service from Haverthwaite to Lakeside via the Leven valley. Licensed tea room, gift shop, engine shed, picnic area & playground.
Nr Kendal
Contemporary licensed café serving a selection of hot and cold drinks, meals and snacks. Shop selling local products, home accessories, gifts, toys and plants.
Ullswater, Nr Penrith
A fine Regency house surrounded by 22 acres of landscaped gardens and woodland in a stunning location on the shores of Ullswater.
Grasmere
Tweedies Bar & Lodge with 2 restaurants and public bar serving guest ales, world beers, excellent selection of wines. Set in 3 acres of mature grounds. Newly refurbished throughout.
Millom
Wayside Cottage 1637 is a charming old (circa 1637) two bedroom cottage attached to The Wayside. Designed for visitors that seek relaxing stay in an idyllic & traditional setting within the Lake District with modern comforts.
Keswick
These adrenaline-pumping obstacles will test your physical and mental strengths. You’ll need to muster all your courage and agility to make it through this amazing course.
Coniston
Grab your tent and get ready to set off on your next adventure. At our Coniston Park Coppice site we welcome tent campers and can accommodate tents of up to 3mx3m (approximately a 4-person tent). Dogs are welcome too.
Ambleside
Whether you’re a complete beginner, indoor climber, or competent trad climber, we can tailor the day/session to suit you. We typically use easy to access climbing venues and also provide all technical and safety equipment.
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.
Pooley Bridge
A choice of self-catering accommodation, owned and operated by the Heath Family. The award-winning Hillcroft Park is set in the beautiful Ullswater Valley, and offers year-round holiday accommodation to suit every taste and pocket.
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.
Coniston
Many of our cottages are over 100 years old; and most have been sympathetically restored and refurbished to a high standard. Many have outstanding views, log fires, exposed beams, antique furniture, quality and great character
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Cumbria Tourism, Windermere Road, Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 9PL