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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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Ambleside Roman Fort is set in one of the most scenic and tranquil locations in Britain and yet two…
Develop your hand building techniques to create a range of pots that you will fire the following…
As part of Lake District Music's spring series of concerts, London Central Brass Quintet perform at…
Create your own silver pendant or earrings inspired by the natural world. Silver clay is fun, fast…
This week we'll be helping our special woods at Staveley Woodlands Nature Reserve. Try your hand at…
Ladies, if you have a love for the outdoors, enjoy riding a bike but feel daunted by the thought of…
Enchanting evenings of music in the forest, with floor spots, special guests and an informal…
In 2004, Richard Askwith published Feet in the Clouds: a personal memoir of fell running and…
If you fancy a challenge, why not Canoe the length of Windermere with us? We do this over 2 days…
Looking ahead to Friday 24th May, we'll be welcoming Jack Hartley to The Swan. An Avid player on…
Stuck for things to do this May Half Term? Whether you are a thrill seeker looking for…
Follow the 'Tone Trail' in the serene setting of Brantwood Gardens and hear beautiful music whilst…
Brought to you by the National Trust and Mobile Adventure, an opportunity to get out on the lake…
A one and a quarter-hour cruise to catch the sunset over Windermere. This relaxing cruise takes…
The Lakeland Historic Car Club meet on the first Saturday of every month at the museum and Cafe…
The full Flower (or Hare) moon aligns with the colourful early summer flowers blooming and…
Join us for an epic day exploring the breathtaking Coniston fells with our expert guide, where…
Keswick Mountain Festival is the UK's largest participatory, outdoors multi-sports event in the UK.…
A 13 or 26 mile trek for supporters of Alzheimer's Society to raise funds.
The Lakes Charity Classic Vehicle Show is an annual event for the whole family in the English Lake…
If you've ever been curious about how photography was done a century or more ago, this workshop…
On the 31st May we're looking forward to welcoming Rambling Rob Young – A singer-songwriter…
A Flagship fundraising event for Walking with the Wounded, individuals, companies and organisations…
An outdoor exhibition based on the award-winning book, Forty Farms by Lakeland Photographer of the…
The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
Number of results: 495
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Our ghyll scrambling, gorge walking & canyoning experiences around Langdale suit most fitness levels. Experience exhilarating waterfalls, canyons, and water challenges on our guided private sessions.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
46 reviewsAmbleside
This traditional slate Inn was built in 1872 near the meeting point of the old counties of Westmorland, Lancashire and Cumberland. The valley of Little Langdale is the most peaceful and unspoilt in the central Lake District.
Bowness-on-Windermere
Lindeth Howe’s 2AA rosette restaurant is as popular with residents of nearby Bowness-on-Windermere, as it is with visitors to the Lake District, and our hotel guests, who come to enjoy the activities & delights of Lake Windermere.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
128 reviewsAmbleside
Parkland and Gothic Revival castle sitting on the west shore of Windermere providing an impressive backdrop of turrets, towers, informal grounds and miles of lakeshore paths.
Windermere
Located in the pretty Troutbeck Valley, you'll discover a relaxed park within some of England’s most beautiful scenery at Limefitt Holiday Park. Perfect for walkers, it's a great base for exploring the towns and villages of the Lake District.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
957 reviewsBroughton-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.
Keswick
Overlooking Bassenthwaite Lake and some of England’s highest fells, the Castle Inn offers the warmest of welcomes and leisure facilities that provide the opportunity to unwind after a long day.
Ambleside
Nestled in the heart of the English Lake District Victorian House provides the perfect antidote to chain hotel fatigue! Think cosy nights in the snug with a glass of red, kicking your boots off after a day of exploring and sinking into the sofa with…
Keswick
The Borrowdale Hotel is nestled in a quiet corner of the Borrowdale valley and offers a relaxing escape near Derwentwater. It's interior offers a perfect mix of tradition and modern designs, preserving the hotel's historic character.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
1523 reviewsLake Road, Windermere
In an enviable position, perched on the shores of Windermere, The Waterbird Boathouse is an impressive lakefront apartment offering a truly memorable stay.
12-14 Main St, Keswick
A guided town walk with a Blue Badge Tourist Guide will take you off the beaten track, down alleyways and along country footpaths to explore Keswick and uncover its secrets.
Windermere
All Seasons Guest House offers breakfast and has family rooms, making it easy for you to explore all the highlights the Lake District has to offer. The Guest House is in a small traditional stone built house, with individually styled rooms offering…
Penrith
Highgate is a characterful and comfortable property with 5 bedrooms, all of which have their own bath or shower room. It is situated in the North Lakes near to Penrith and a few miles from Ullswater.
Various locations in Cumbria
Tailor made self guided, walking, cycling and touring holidays with luxury and classic accommodation showing you the hidden gems of the area.
Lakeside
A spectacularly located site on the quieter western shores of Windermere, England’s largest lake and with stunning views our Lakeside site has it all in spades. Each of our yurts here have stunning lake views and are a hop, skip and a splosh away…
Elterwater
We have two lovely cottages win the village of Elterwater in the Langdale Valley, which we have owned since the early eighties.
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.
Boot
Ghyll Scrambling for adventurers! The ultimate all-day adventure - not for the faint-hearted!
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
458 reviewsWindermere
Denehurst is a traditional Lakeland stone house built in 1898 and full of Victorian charm and character. Situated in a quiet area away from the main road and with ample and convenient parking, we are just a 10-minute walk from Bowness.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
416 reviewsBowness-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.
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Cumbria Tourism, Windermere Road, Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 9PL