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
Step into the wild beauty of the Lake District and experience the powerful combination of heat,…
Join us for our planetarium show about a fascinating topic in astronomy. We begin with a…
Partly inspired by the life and work of John Gough, the 'Blind philosopher' and polymath of Kendal…
Beatrix Potter: The other side of the family & the Helen Leech enigma Beatrix Potter's life path…
Join Dr Amy Concannon, Manton Senior Curator of Historic British Art at Tate Britain, for a special…
The Swan's Santa's Grotto, a festive wonderland awaits your little ones! Every weekend from…
It's A Doddle is back with a bang for 2026 and we're inviting our community to get involved! To…
Venture into the fateful night that inspired one of the world's greatest gothic tales: Mary…
Swim in the lake at night under The Milky Way, the glow of your light-up tow float keeping you…
Meteors, AKA “shooting stars”, always elicit a “wow” when they streak across the skies. It’s no…
Make memories, not just snapshots with a private photography experience in the Lake District…
Our Rydal Islands and Caves Swim Walk is a perfect mix of easy-going hiking and wild swimming.…
Mark your latest mountaineering achievement – or your Kendal Mountain Festival weekend – by…
Join us in our cosy Café for Gothic book chats this autumn and delve deeper into the world of…
Our third season of classic films highlights the exciting film career of Victoria Wood - writer,…
Discover the history of the Wray estate on a 45‑minute Walk & Talk led by a knowledgeable member of…
Enjoy a carefully curated 2-course menu of seasonal dishes, with comforting festive flavours and,…
Our Rydal Islands and Caves Swim Walk is a perfect mix of easy-going hiking and wild swimming.…
Discover the Lake District after dark on an unforgettable canoe journey across beautiful Coniston…
Join St John's Hospice for our Bowness-on-Windermere Light Up A Life Remembrance and Celebration…
The UK's first-ever Gingerbread House Festival is an innovative and creative national event,…
Bonfire, Live music with Nick Marshall, BBQ
Flowing from the Fells presents selected works from the Lakeland Arts collection to explore the…
Keeping the Members Together: A History of Music in Working Men's Clubs with Isabel Thomas Is…


The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
.jpg)
Number of results: 439
, currently showing 201 to 220.
Hartsop, Patterdale
Between Ullswater and Windermere, Scandanavian style lodges sit on a secluded site, in a quiet corner of the Lakes. Sleep up to six in all Lodges. Week, short-week & weekend breaks available. Equipped with fitted kitchen, colour TV & free Wi-Fi.
Sedgwick, Kendal
Family attraction, maze, soft play, go karts, animals, pets, events, parties and refreshments.
Ullswater
Nestled in the hamlet of Dockray, The Royal is a traditional family run pub, restaurant and hotel dating back over 500 years and steeped in Lakeland history. Ideally located close to Lake Ullswater and Aira Force waterfall, you can expect a warm…
Penrith
A traditional tearoom set in a historic barn with homemade food and freshly brewed coffee, alongside Dalemain’s marmalade gift shop.
Wasdale
Ranging from small groups in steep wet gorges involving roped ascents, to the fun of group set challenges. It may involve short scrambles, possible squeezes and crawls or even a rough stream walk. It can take you to places on the fell that you’d…
Windermere
Windermere Jetty Museum is a vibrant, family-friendly visitor attraction dedicated to the boats, people and the rich history of Windermere, England’s largest natural lake.
Kendal
Discover the epitome of luxury with ‘Posh Scran’ afternoon tea at Gilpin Lake House. Enjoy freshly made delicacies in a serene setting, complemented by fine teas, coffee or Champagne, with breathtaking views of Knipe Tarn.
Ambleside
Red Lion Inn serves hearty, home-cooked food made with locally sourced ingredients, alongside a great selection of cask ales, wines, and spirits. Whether you’re looking for places to eat in Hawkshead or a cosy pub near Windermere, the Red Lion Inn…
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.
Ullswater
Glenridding Manor House Hotel: Without doubt, the best quality non pretentious accommodation on Lake Ullswater. Perfect for walking the coast to coast, climbing Helvellyn, Sailing, canoeing or paddle boarding on Ullswater, Taking a steamer to…
Ambleside
Experience the perfect Lakeland escape at Brantholme B&B, a premier Ambleside retreat tucked away on a quiet lane just minutes from the village center. This owner-managed gem offers an ideal blend of traditional charm and modern luxury, featuring…
Grange, Keswick
Dining at Borrowdale Gates is a magical experience as you gaze out towards the soaring Lakeland fells. Our menus celebrate the Lake District's glorious food heritage - contemporary, country house cooking with a lightness of touch that is wonderfully…
Coniston Water, Water Yeat
An exceptional, luxurious 5 bedroom lake house with beautiful and stylish interior, private lake frontage on Coniston Water, 2 private jetties and jaw-dropping views throughout.
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.
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…
Bassenthwaite Lake, Bassenthwaite
The privately owned, four star 17th century former stately home, has 42 individually designed bedrooms, wood panelled public rooms, real log fire, Lake View Restaurant, six conference rooms, croquet lawn, tennis courts and spa facility.
Penrith
The Quiet Site is a family-run site situated in a secluded position amongst the stunning fells that overlook Lake Ullswater. This is a superbly maintained and very picturesque site, and there are many beautiful walks that you can start from right…
Ambleside
Just a short stroll from Ambleside’s bustling centre and only steps from the shores of Windermere, The Waterhead Inn is the perfect place to relax, refuel, and soak up the beauty of the Lake District. After a day exploring fells, lakes, and…
Glenridding, Penrith
Welcome to The Patterdale Estate, where your holiday adventure awaits amidst the breathtaking beauty of the Ullswater Valley. Set against a backdrop of majestic mountains and serene lakes, our charming retreat offers a perfect blend of nature,…
Penrith
Opened in April 2019, The Queen’s Head Askham is a village pub with a difference just a two minute walk from Askham Hall. Part of the esteemed Askham Collection, The Queen’s Head is a cosy 17th century village pub with bedrooms ideally located in…
Receive all the latest news, special offers and information from the Lake District, Cumbria
Cumbria Tourism, Windermere Road, Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 9PL