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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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Bonfire, Live music with Nick Marshall, BBQ
Our Rydal Islands and Caves Swim Walk is a perfect mix of easy-going hiking and wild swimming.…
14th NOVEMBER 2026 Festive Artisan Fayre at the Coniston Institute (10am to 4:30pm) - 22 indoor…
Join photographer Steve Blake on a half day workshop Whinlatter's beautiful woodland environment…
Looking for unique things to do in the Lake District this October? Back by popular demand, Go Ape…
This November, the much-loved Winter Craft Fair returns to Blackwell – the Arts & Crafts house and…
Celebrate the festive season in style at our Christmas Party Night with DJ Ryan, the perfect event…
This Christmas, prepare for a festive tale with a ghostly twist. It's midnight on Christmas Eve,…
Busy Weekly Market with 80 stalls. Food, Crafts and Gifts.
Beatrix Potter: The other side of the family & the Helen Leech enigma Beatrix Potter's life path…
Step into the wild beauty of the Lake District and experience the powerful combination of heat,…
Please join us for St Mary's Hospice Community Christmas Celebration in Ambleside. This fun and…
Join Dr Amy Concannon, Manton Senior Curator of Historic British Art at Tate Britain, for a special…
Venture into the fateful night that inspired one of the world's greatest gothic tales: Mary…
Enjoy some creative, festive family activities at Abbot Hall this winter! Festive…
Keeping the Members Together: A History of Music in Working Men's Clubs with Isabel Thomas Is…
A Wimbledon line judge for 20 years, comedian Pauline Eyre is ready to spill the Pimms on tennis…
Woodland Reset ~ The Conscious Self's Signature Nature Day Come and join The Conscious Self for a…
Eilish Briscoe is an artist and designer from Lancashire, now based in London. Her…
Join us in our cosy Café for Gothic book chats this autumn and delve deeper into the world of…
Join Keeper of Collections Niall Hodson on a special guided tour of Abbot Hall Art Gallery, created…
An artist's book can take many forms, from a simple concertina to a stapled or handstitched volume,…
Full Moon Women's Circle in the Lake District The Full Moon is a powerful time for reflection,…
Have a go at willow weaving your own Scandinavian or 5-pointed star with the guidance of the…


The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
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Number of results: 439
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Patterdale, Ullswater
Set in the wild beauty of the Lakes, Hares Garth and Stone Cottage provide the perfect relaxed retreats for anyone looking for an escape from the stresses of modern life. With carefully considered interiors which embrace a strong local connection,…
Cruck Barn is the perfect hideaway in the heart of the Lakes for two people. Packed with character, it is a tranquil bolthole - perfect for a big day on the fells, followed by a cosy night in. Dogs welcome too.
Ambleside
The Lakelands offer a selection of quality self-catering holiday apartments, situated in a unique position, overlooking the popular town of Ambleside. The Lakelands offer superb, unspoilt views of the town, Lakeland countryside, and the fells beyond…
Penrith
Our modern 6-berth static caravans are spacious and offer comfortable family accommodation with all the facilities and equipment that you would expect from your holiday home.
Penrith
A perfect location to explore the Lake District, there are seven dog-friendly, high-quality, tastefully decorated, family-friendly self-catering cottages. Located in the heart of the Cumbrian countryside, Near Howe is an idyllic, quiet, and tranquil…
Keswick
Set beautiful hope park, in the exclusive pods you will be served a classic afternoon tea that is perfect for any occasion, available 7 days a week.
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…
Penrith
Camping Cabins are the perfect alternative to camping in a tent.
Borrowdale, Keswick
Rock climbing is one of the fastest growing sports and Borrowdale, close to Keswick is the perfect place to have your first experience of outdoor rock climbing as it is close to where some of the first ever rock climbs were completed. There are…
Windermere
A real Lakeland hidden treasure set in the beautiful village of Troutbeck, this 17thC solid stone and slate house sits imposingly on the hillside, its huge chimneys typical of the area.
Ambleside
For a fun and accessible adrenaline hit, stepping out over a 150ft drop is hard to beat! We offer abseiling throughout the Lake District, all venues are stunningly beautiful and offer different abseil lengths so we can pick a venue to suit you best.
Bampton, Haweswater
A rugged Lake District landscape where nature restoration works alongside hill farming, to benefit wildlife, water and people.
Ullswater
We all have our own personal Mount Everest, climbing is one way to conquer yours. Rock Climbing whether indoors or outdoors is a great group or family activity. With the opportunity for learning the basic skills and looking after each others safety…
Cockermouth
Eco cottages, built and furnished to the highest standards, in 'one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen'. The cottages have used green design and technologies with ground and air source heat pumps to power the under-floor heating beneath the…
Ambleside
Our self catering holiday cottages with hot tubs occupy an idyllic location, just a stone’s throw from Ambleside, Windermere and Hawkshead. They’re perfectly positioned for exploring some of Cumbria’s best loved towns and villages as well as…
Ambleside
Biketreks Grizedale is a bike hire centre and shop in Grizedale Forest, offering mountain bike and E-Bike hire all year round. Our shop stocks a wide range of clothing, accessories and new and ex-hire bikes.
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…
Ambleside
The perfect way to keep the kids (and adults) entertained all day whilst on a Lakeland holiday! These days aim to blend rock climbing, rock scrambling and abseiling to give a varied and always fun experience in beautiful locations.
Ambleside
Wray Pier offers a peaceful escape on Windermere’s western shore, giving visitors the chance to explore this tranquil corner of the lake by boat.
Windermere Lake Cruises offers sight-seeing tours every day except Christmas Day.
Cockermouth
The romantic ambience and art-deco features of the stunning train carriages make this a truly unique experience that is not to be missed by locomotive lovers, film enthusiasts and foodies alike! Breakfasts, lunches and afternoon teas are catered for…
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Cumbria Tourism, Windermere Road, Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 9PL