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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
Head to the Great Barn at Sizergh to see an exhibition from a creative collective of artists,…
Molly Warburton, a UK Indie Pop singer-songwriter from Lancaster, will be joining us at The Swan on…
Easter Little Engineers' Days at Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway Bring curious minds, creative…
This is a memory. It's also a story. The story of a girl called Laura. Surrounded by golden fields…
Reconnect. Slow down. Breathe deeply. Step away from the rush of everyday life and join us for a…
Discover the art of craft distilling in the Gateway to the Lake District, with a guided tour of…
Celebrate 25 years of ceramic art by Edinburgh-based Frances Priest in Motif | Line | Colour. The…
Get ready for an adventure with a Totally Wild UK professional forager on our Forage and Cookery…
Join us for an all women's wellness festival based in the The Lake District this Spring. Enjoy two…
Sign up to take on this unique triathlon event, while raising funds for Turning Tides, a…
Discover two striking new collections of original artworks that celebrate the creative potential of…
We're looking forward to welcoming Rob Young to The Swan on the 3rd April for an evening of live…
Based in the heart of Whinlatter Forest, just inside Keswick, adventure awaits. Whether you're a…
Discover the work of acclaimed artist Julian Cooper at Theatre by the Lake in Keswick, Cumbria,…
Looking for a fun outdoor activity this Easter with your family? Take on Egg-venture, a 'cracking'…
Full Moon Women's Circle in the Lake District The Full Moon is a powerful time for reflection,…
Discover the history of the Wray estate on a 45‑minute Walk & Talk led by a knowledgeable member of…
Get ready for an adventure with a Totally Wild UK professional forager on our Forage and Cookery…
Join us for our children's Easter Sunday party at The Swan Hotel! Taking place on Sunday 5th April…
DISCOVER THE MYSTERY OF BOWNESSIE ✨ This Easter, step into the legend of Lake Windermere with…
The Mystery of the Pirate Lagoon A comic radio play presented live on stage. What is the mystery…
Celebrate the launch of our first All-You-Can-Eat Sunday Carvery at The Borrowdale Hotel. Enjoy…
The varied habitats of the Dalemain Estate parklands and gardens area provide a rich, year-round…
Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad) and Marianne Jean-Baptiste (Hard Truths) feature in a five-star,…


The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
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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.
Ambleside
Located in the heart of Ambleside, this traditional Lakeland slate building has been welcoming visitors for over 300 years and has a character befitting that long-standing heritage. Offering 29 comfortable rooms with all the essential amenities, if…
Another Place The Lake, Ullswater, Watermillock
Another Place, The Lake is a relaxed, contemporary hotel on the shores of Ullswater, from where you can explore the great outdoors. At the heart are good food, fresh air and relaxation.
Newby Bridge
We developed our bespoke canoe sailing boats to make an easily accessible boat for people with mobility difficulties - but everyone loves them. Fast light and you are a solo sailor from the very start. If you want a friend or carer in the boat to…
A591, Windermere
Zip World Windermere is an award-winning high ropes adventure company with 2 fantastic outdoor experiences, Treetop Trek and Treetop Nets. If you’re looking for an unforgettable day out with friends or family, there is an outdoor adventure for…
Keswick Road, Grasmere
Enjoy an Afternoon Tea at The Daffodil in the heart of the Lake District and prepare to indulge, not only in the delectable treats we have waiting for you, but also in the stunning views of Lake Grasmere.
Grasmere
Art gallery and art shop run by the Heaton Cooper family, selling original paintings and prints from 4 generations of the family.
Coniston
Situated in a stunning location next to mountains & waterfalls, the Coniston Shepherd Hut Lodges have been hand-crafted to each accommodate 2 guests and feature king-size beds, kitchens, private shower rooms & enclosed gardens.
Electric Bike Hire - E-Bikes delivered directly to your accommodation in the South Lakes by E-Bike Safaris. Experience cycling through the Cumbrian countryside, visiting all the attractions and having the comfort of the electric assistance.
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Cumbria Tourism, Windermere Road, Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 9PL