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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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Join Dr Amy Concannon, Manton Senior Curator of Historic British Art at Tate Britain, for a special…
Woodland Reset ~ The Conscious Self's Signature Nature Day Come and join The Conscious Self for a…
Guided Stargazing walk with professional Mountain Leader, Martin Rivett Discover the night sky…
Enjoy a carefully curated 2-course menu of seasonal dishes, with comforting festive flavours and,…
Partly inspired by the life and work of John Gough, the 'Blind philosopher' and polymath of Kendal…
Cumbria's biggest comedy club, Planet Mirth (est 2010) returns to Windermere! Featuring four…
We're planning to open early for late-night shopping on Friday 13th November. More details will be…
Add some handcrafted charm to your festive celebrations this year by creating your very own unique…
This Christmas, prepare for a festive tale with a ghostly twist. It's midnight on Christmas Eve,…
Meteors, AKA “shooting stars”, always elicit a “wow” when they streak across the skies. It’s no…
Keeping the Members Together: A History of Music in Working Men's Clubs with Isabel Thomas Is…
Calling all local talent – and local music lovers! Join us for Muncaster Castle's monthly Open Mic…
Join us for our planetarium show about one of the most fascinating and topical subjects in modern…
Bonfire, Live music with Nick Marshall, BBQ
Deck the Hall Self-led activity available for the month of December in the Guild Room Help us…
Looking for unique things to do in the Lake District this October? Back by popular demand, Go Ape…
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…
Join St John's Hospice for our Bowness-on-Windermere Light Up A Life Remembrance and Celebration…
Experience the magic of Ullswater in autumn with our special 2.5 hour photography cruise hosted by…
Venture into the fateful night that inspired one of the world's greatest gothic tales: Mary…
Join Jo from JAG Outdoors at Whinlatter for a walk around the forest at night. The walk will…
The UK's first-ever Gingerbread House Festival is an innovative and creative national event,…
As part of our Kendal Mountain Festival 2026 offer, we're offering discounted day entry to Abbot…


The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
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Windermere
Our three warm and cosy pods are situated behind the main farm steading in a quiet setting away from the road and next to a small beck. The pods all have underfloor heating so you are guaranteed to be warm no matter the season. Unfortunately we…
Hawkshead
Discover the magic of the Lake District at Grizedale Forest. Whether you're seeking a romantic couples’ getaway or a peaceful base to explore the Lake District, The Cabin provides a one-of-a-kind forest experience.
Bowness-on-Windermere
The Oaks Country Estate - self catering properties to accommodate groups of friends and families. Our properties sleep from 2 people to 25 and all include a log burner, hot tub and all the home comforts needed to have fun, relax and make special…
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…
Bowness-on-Windermere
A magical indoor attraction that brings to life all 23 Beatrix Potter's Peter Rabbit tales. Meet all your favourite characters and find out more about Beatrix Potter herself.
Coniston
Located on the shores of Coniston Water with sensational lake and fell views, this classic Lakeland slate building has undergone an exciting restoration to create a stunning pub with rooms. Open all day, every day for food, drinks and rooms.
Ambleside
Our air-conditioned Brasserie is open to both residents and non-residents for Lunch & Dinner and our menus feature the finest fresh produce from the region.
Grasmere
Opened in 2017 as part of the Heaton Cooper Studio, Mathilde’s is an award-winning fusion of timeless Scandinavian cuisine and the studio’s Cumbrian heritage. A relaxed space, perfect for hearty lunches or coffee and cake.
Nr Bowness-on-Windermere
The Lakeland Model Village showcases dozens of miniature buildings crafted from locally sourced Coniston slate. Over the past 25 years, local builder Edward Robinson carefully created each one by hand, faithfully recreating some of Cumbria’s most…
Penrith
Mosedale End Farm Bed & Breakfast offers you a true rural escape — spacious, quiet and surrounded by nature. Wake to sweeping views of Lakeland fells as you enjoy a leisurely start to your day because you can enjoy breakfast whenever you choose.
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.
Ullswater, Pooley Bridge
The Pooley Bridge Inn offers hearty home-cooked food, vegan and gluten-free options, local seasonal specials, fine cask ales, world wines, spirits, and cosy teas, coffees, or festive mulled wine.
Ullswater
The six new shepherd huts have been expertly crafted by Blackdown Shepherd Huts using sustainable French oak cladding. The double-braced huts have stargazing roofs, free-standing baths, and a lounge area with a log burner.
Windermere
A luxury estate with seven self catering properties set in the picturesque Lake District.
Windermere
Whether you prefer to be active or sit back and relax, you’ll find your own perfect escape at White Cross Bay Holiday Park in Bowness-on-Windermere.
Ambleside
Our northernmost pier at Ambleside (Waterhead) is set in a beautiful location with arguably the best views of the Lake District Fells from the water.
Keswick
Camping Pods and Glamping have become very popular and here in the Lake District we can now offer a variety of accommodation here at Castlerigg Hall Caravan and Camping Park to suit most budgets.
Windermere
Lakelovers is the self-catering company of choice for tens of thousands of holiday makers each year and with lots of luxury properties, pets staying for free, exclusive discounts when you are here.
Ullswater
Dinner at 1863 will no doubt generate conversation around the table on the night, but (we hope!) will also give you something to talk about long after you’ve left for the evening.
Keswick
CA family friendly venue (that includes the dog). Serving coffees, cakes, breakfast and lunch, alongside beautiful gardens and games.
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Cumbria Tourism, Windermere Road, Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 9PL