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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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Sunday Lunch is back at Lakeside. Join us for the return of Sunday Lunch by the shores of Lake…
Celebrate 80 years of Brathay with a fun-filled family event at Brathay Hall on Saturday 26…
Join us at Muncaster from 24 October - 1 November for some spook-tacular family fun! The iconic…
Join us on a exclusive guided tour of Hill Top Farm, Near Sawrey renowned as the first farm owned…
Inside just got interesting. Step off the trail and into a space where the Lake District is…
Using the Autumn landscape as inspiration, join artist Penny Hillier–Evans for a creative workshop…
Lakes in a Day Half Distance Run 23 miles, 850m ascent – Want the excitement of being part of Lakes…
Calling all local talent – and local music lovers! Join us for Muncaster Castle's monthly Open Mic…
Our thoughtfully curated three day retreat combines yoga, mindful movement, outdoor experiences and…
Our Rydal Islands and Caves Swim Walk is a perfect mix of easy-going hiking and wild swimming.…
Join us for an unforgettable weekend of connection, healing and transformation. The Buffalo is the…
Experience two of Britain's most celebrated Arts & Crafts houses in one inspiring afternoon. Begin…
Enjoy an afternoon of poetry and live music at Blackwell – the Arts & Crafts house, near…
Head to the Great Barn at Sizergh to see an exhibition from a creative collective of artists,…
Renew your mind, body and soul with our calming evening ritual at Lakeside Hotel, designed to help…
Discover documentary photographer Joanne Coates's powerful exhibition about women in agriculture in…
Our Rydal Islands and Caves Swim Walk is a perfect mix of easy-going hiking and wild swimming.…
13 Valleys celebrates the 13 unique valleys of the Lake District National Park which are part of…
Busy Weekly Market with 80 stalls. Food, Crafts and Gifts.
Join Joanne Coates for a walk and talk discussing her Daughters of the Soil work — how farming,…
Have a go at carving a spooky Halloween pumpkin this October half-term at Allan Bank. We'll prepare…
Salsa Night in Keswick | Dance & Dine Latin Evening at the Skiddaw Hotel Step into an evening of…
Looking for unique things to do in the Lake District this October? Back by popular demand, Go Ape…
You may have walked the narrow pavements of Ambleside, exploring the various cafes, gift outlets…


The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
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Number of results: 469
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Ambleside
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…
Penrith
The stone-built Lakeland farmhouse and traditional barns on the Park have been converted into seven distinctive cottage units, each one offering ideal accommodation for convenient, flexible and leisurely family holidays.
Keswick
Originally a coaching inn dating back to 1770, the Lake District Castle Inn Hotel and Spa offers cosy accommodation, great food, spa treatments and relaxing leisure facilities in a peaceful setting near Bassenthwaite Lake, the perfect base for…
Grange-over-Sands
Unique, therapeutic & life-changing experiences for all animal lovers with the famous Black Horses of Cartmel.
Sail Windermere with us, feel the wind ruffle your hair, and then the surge of the boat as the sails begin their work of converting breeze to smiles.
Newby Bridge
Paddle Windermere to a remote shore, light fire and cook on open fire. We are an inclusive company and welcome people of all abilities.
Troutbeck
Self Catering Lake District Bothy, sleeps 4 people and set in an amazing landscape with no light pollution. Perfect for those wishing to experience a short break under Dark Skies and when conditions allow, a stunning Star Gazing experience.
Windermere
SOURCE at Gilpin Hotel is a one Michelin Star restaurant located near Windermere. Headed-up by Head Chef Kevin Scanlan, their tasting menus combine exquisite ingredients, distinct flavours, seasonality, sustainability and precision, together with…
Penrith
The stream which flows over Aira Force is Aira Beck, which rises on the upper slopes of Stybarrow Dodd at a height of 720 metres and flows north-easterly before turning south, blocked by the high heather-covered slopes of Gowbarrow Fell.
Coniston
SUP Paddleboarding by Genuine Adventures offers a serene glide across Lake District waters, guided by experts for all ages, with gear provided for a tailored, scenic adventure.
Lakeside
Relaxing with our afternoon tea experience, less than a stone's throw away from the water's edge of Lake Windermere.
Newby Bridge
Join us at our secluded woodland camp on the shores of Windermere for a bushcraft brunch to die for, this is thriving not just surviving!
Penrith
Home to the Hasell family since 1679, visitors to Dalemain will discover a fascinating combination of history, architecture and family which is both a Cumbrian and national story. Dalemain is an award-winning delight and is part of the UNESCO World…
Windermere
Park Cliffe is an award-winning holiday park set in 25 acres of beautiful, unspoilt countryside, right in the heart of the Lake District, only 3 miles from Bowness-on-Windermere. We have two camping areas.
Cockermouth
Set in Loweswater village between Loweswater lake and Crummock water. Rural setting with picturesque views.
Ambleside
Whatever the weather or time of year, our self-catering cottages and timber-framed properties are ready and waiting for families and groups of all sizes eager to get away from it all and holiday together!
Portinscale
The Fernery is the newest addition to The Lingholm Estate, a sophisticated one-bedroom sanctuary designed for ultimate relaxation on the ground floor of the estate's Grade II listed Victorian house. This is where high-end design meets the quiet calm…
Braithwaite, Keswick
Based at the head of England's best trail centre, the Altura trail in Whinlatter Forest, Keswick. A well stocked trail centre bike shop offering premium bike hire, fast repairs and premium road and mountain bike sales. We also offer guiding and…
Coniston
Nestled in the scenic English Lake District, The Crown Inn in Coniston offers a charming retreat at the heart of this quaint village.
Windermere
At Gilpin Hotel all 30 bedrooms have lovely Lakeland views, most leading directly onto the gardens – All 6 Junior Suite and 6 Garden Suites have decked or slate patios with their own outdoor hot tubs, 5 Spa Lodges have their own ensuite spa…
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Cumbria Tourism, Windermere Road, Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 9PL