You are here: Home > Explore Cumbria > Areas of Cumbria > The Lake District
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
On 14 December 2017, Omar Samra and Omar Nour, affectionately dubbed 'O2', set off in the world's…
As part of Lake District Music's spring series of concerts, London Central Brass Quintet perform at…
Join rising star Dana Zemtsov and Festival Director Anthony Hewitt in John Ruskin's elegant drawing…
A National Park Volunteer-led guided walk along the Keswick to Threlkeld Trail
Are you ready to embark on a transformative journey that combines the power of nature, ancient…
Join us for a fun and relaxing day learning the art of mosaic. Create a colourful plaque, a trivet…
Little Explorers story and nature walks for under 5s and their grown-ups. These fun interactive…
In partnership with the Theatre by the Lake and part of the Fells for All festival, join in on a…
Our 26th Keswick Beer Festival will take place on the 7th and 8th June 2024.
Discover two remarkable Arts & Crafts houses in the Lake District in one afternoon. Blackwell – the…
Join us for an incredible adventure on the Coniston Fells, a stone's throw from the historic…
Explore the natural world both indoors and outdoors at Windermere Jetty Museum this summer. …
Take a wild dip in England's largest lake – Windermere – with experienced open water swimmers.…
This new display delves into the Townend archive collection, a treasure trove of four hundred years…
Brought to you by the National Trust and Mobile Adventure, an opportunity to get out on the lake…
This week we'll be helping our special woods at Staveley Woodlands Nature Reserve. Try your hand at…
Join us for an incredible adventure in the Great Langdale Valley in the heart of the Lake District…
Gatesbield is a small sheltered housing association set in award winning gardens in the centre of…
Visitor Sketchbooks: fanciful flora Flowers and foliage appear in designs and decorations all over…
If you fancy a challenge, why not Canoe the length of Windermere with us? We do this over 2 days…
Ladies, if you have a love for the outdoors, enjoy riding a bike but feel daunted by the thought of…
A Flagship fundraising event for Walking with the Wounded, individuals, companies and organisations…
We're excited to present our first ever Green Film Festival to celebrate the Big Green Week! Five…
Walk with our Ranger and help to fill the squirrel feeders in the forest! Whinlatter is a red…
The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
Number of results: 495
, currently showing 121 to 140.
Keswick
Hire a rowing or motor boat and explore Derwentwater and its islands under your own steam. No boating experience is necessary as we provide full safety instruction and life jackets for everyone on board. Keswick Launch also offers 50-minute cruises…
Keswick
A luxury, family run country house hotel and restaurant near Keswick in The Lake District National Park. Lyzzick Hall is a perfect base for a walking, sight-seeing or relaxing break.
Ambleside
Nestled in 130 acres of tranquil woodland, Skelwith Fold is the perfect destination to escape from everyday life. An array of scenic walks, quaint villages and cosy pubs and restaurants all within walking distance. There is a Stagecoach bus stop…
Windermere
Our choice of 4 self-catered apartments range from sleeping 2-8, are incredibly spacious and filled with plush furnishings, modern amenities, premium appliances and bespoke décor. We also offer EV-parking and pet-friendly stays.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
267 reviewsAmbleside, Windermere
British and continental menu served up in contemporary, colourful, and classy surroundings.
Bowness-on-Windermere
Idyllic secluded retreat with superb views over Lake Windermere & fells, once owned by Beatrix Potter. Boasts beautiful bedrooms, cosy lounges, a 2 AA Rosette restaurant with holistic treatments.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
1420 reviewsAmbleside
There is no better way to refuel after a long day exploring than with a hearty, home-cooked meal. The Waterhead Inn offers just that! With delicious Cumbrian classics as well as exciting culinary twists served all day every day, there is something…
Windermere
One of the premier bars and restaurants in Windermere, located in the heart of the Lake District The Lamplighter Dining Rooms has been trading now for over 21 years.
Kendal
The Wheatsheaf is a delightful village Inn, recently refubished, tucked away in picturesque Brigsteer. We offer a friendly welcome, fabulous food & great local ales.
Ambleside
Beatrix Potter's iconic house, full of her personal possessions, with traditional cottage garden. Her paintings of the House and garden were used to illustrate many of her tales.
Church St, Ambleside
Restaurant located in the former work place of William Wordsworth, serving food inspired by Cumbria, specialising in Cumbrian sourced produce.
Duddon Bridge, Broughton-in-Furness
Located in the picturesque Duddon Valley near the market town of Broughton-in-Furness awaits the stylish Cow Barn. With 3 sunny bedrooms, a modern airy interior, cosy log-burner & pretty garden, it’s the ideal base for a break in the Lakes
Windermere
Tents can pitch in one of two areas. - Our Ghyllside camping area, allows you to reserve your pitch, with electrical hook-up (6amps) suitable for lighting, recharging devices and small appliances such as a travel kettle. These pitches are allocated…
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
849 reviewsPenrith
Home Farm House, now completely modernised, was built in the mid-nineteenth century and is set in its own private garden. It has 2 king size bedrooms and 1 super king (downstairs). There are 3 bath or shower rooms and a large open plan…
Penrith
A short stroll from the main Aira Force car park is the Aira Force tea-room, a place to relax and refuel ready for your next adventure. It’s open daily from 10am – 4.30pm, with indoor and outdoor seating, serving some tasty treats and refreshing…
Thwaites Ln, Windermere
Whether you're looking for the perfect spot to take a break from shopping or needing some fuel for the fells, The Café at Lakeland is just the place.
Newby Bridge
Situated on the picturesque River Leven at the southern tip of Lake Windermere, this 17th-century coaching inn is full of character and charm, but also offers well-equipped rooms, first-class leisure facilities and a fabulous new Holte Spa. Enjoy…
Coniston
• Sleeps 8
• 4 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms
• Huge garden including terraces, outside seating and woodland
• Up to 2 dogs welcome
• Idyllic location close to village and lake
• Stunning interior which has been recently renovated to an exceptional…
Staveley
Delightful village inn, riverside location with friendly family welcome, offering excellent cosy accommodation. Local produce of superb real ales.
Lakeside
Relaxing with our afternoon tea experience, less than a stone's throw away from the water's edge of Lake Windermere.
Receive all the latest news, special offers and information from the Lake District, Cumbria
Cumbria Tourism, Windermere Road, Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 9PL