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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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Number of results: 439
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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.
Keswick
Experience adventure at Keswick Mountain Festival (15-17 May 2026) with trail runs, hikes, triathlons, live music, outdoor brands & more in the stunning Lake District. Book now!
Ambleside
Museum, art gallery and reference library covering the history life and arts of the Lakes. Collections include Kurt Schwitters, Beatrix Potter, photography, fine art and local history.
Coniston
Located on the shores of Coniston Water with sensational lake and fell views, this classic Lakeland slate building is the perfect place if you’re looking to escape the crowds. A handsome, traditional Lakeland slate building, The Coniston Inn is set…
Hesket Newmarket, Near Caldbeck
A superb luxury self-catering cottage in the peaceful village of Hesket Newmarket, 200 metres from the village pub and restaurant. A spa bath and log burner are two of the world-class luxuries available.
Bowness-on-Windermere
Set within the contemporary country house hotel Linthwaite House, Henrock opened its doors in October 2019.
Henrock is an informal restaurant that serves an à la carte menu using local, seasonal ingredients, inspired by flavours and techniques…
Grasmere
Escape to our beautiful Grasmere estate with luxury cottages, cosy log burners, stunning grounds and spacious accommodation, perfect for families and friends to relax and explore the beauty of the Lake District.
Portinscale
Tucked beneath the eaves of the estate's Grade II listed Victorian house, our charming Borrowdale apartment is full of character and atmosphere. Framed by the house’s striking chimneys, this unique space comfortably sleeps four across two inviting…
Ambleside
Central Lake District location ideal for sight-seeing and walking. Overlooking the centre of the market town of Ambleside, the Ambleside Salutation Hotel has welcomed visitors since the 1600s.
A591, Windermere
Zip World Windermere is an award-winning high ropes adventure company with 2 fantastic outdoor experiences, Treetop Trek and Treetop Nets. If you’re looking for an unforgettable day out with friends or family, there is an outdoor adventure for…
Penrith
A short stroll from the main Aira Force car park is the Aira Force Coffee Shop, a place to relax and refuel ready for your next adventure. It’s open daily from 10am – 4.30pm, with outdoor seating, serving some tasty treats and refreshing cold drinks.
Keswick
Rural location, small hamlet but only 1.5 miles from Keswick and Skiddaw and with outstanding views southwards. Ideal for fell walking, touring, water sports and ready access to north and central Lakes. Arrival time 16.00, departure 10.00.
Keswick
Located next to Theatre By The Lake in Keswick, Lakeside Café Restaurant has perhaps some of the country's best views. Our locally-sourced produce helps us create delicious dishes to complement the fantastic views, making it truly an experience to…
Keswick
5* holiday park on the shores of Bassenthwaite.
Rusland
In the Rusland Valley, an unspoilt valley between Windermere lake and Coniston Water, close to Grizedale Forest. An idyllic rural setting of small fields with stone walls and rocky wooded hillsides. Great local walking from the door or into…
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
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.
Keswick
The Royal Oak is an 18th-century coaching inn within the hustle and bustle of Keswick town centre. Let it be your base at the heart of the walking capital of the lakes.
Bowness-on-Windermere
A delicate restoration to the Grade 2 listed hall, Fallbarrow Hall celebrates its history while leaving ensuring it’s equipped to host a modern, 21st century get together for up to 36 people. Located in Fallbarrow Holiday Park, relax and unwind in…
Portinscale, Keswick
Open every day, The Lingholm Kitchen & Walled Garden has quickly become a popular Lakeland destination for Breakfast, Lunch and Afternoon Tea.
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Cumbria Tourism, Windermere Road, Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 9PL