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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.

Explore
A curated selection of independent growers and specialist nurseries gather at Dalemain along with…
Open Garden Event, Sunday 21st June. Ticket £10, includes a cup of coffee or tea and a piece of…
Join our experienced, knowledgeable ranger as they lead you around our amazing forest and show you…
Nicola Coughlan (Bridgerton) joins Éanna Hardwicke (The Sixth Commandment) and Siobhán McSweeney…
Get ready for an adventure with a Totally Wild UK professional forager on our Forage and Cookery…
As seen on Britains got talent.. Got the blues? Well, step right up, because The Jive Aces are…
Try wild swimming in the Lake District. All you need to do is book, bring your swimming costume and…
This is a high quality workshop where participants will be taught how to create a small stone…
Join award-winning photographer and visual artist Joanne Coates for a midsummer guided walk and…
A packed weekend celebrating off-road running. The festival aims to bring together trail runners,…
Soak up the magic of a summer evening on England's finest lake! Enjoy live music, a delicious…
Performing music from his second album Americana (released April 2025), Eddie Gripper tells the…
Chillswim Coniston End to End Swim 2026 will take place on Saturday 20th June. Long distance…
Discover the tales of Townend on our daily 45-minute guided tour at 3pm. Led by knowledgeable…
*WORLD PREMIERE From Tom MacRae, the writer of Everybody's Talking About Jamie, comes a brand-new…
A concert of choral music performed by chamber choir Coro Camino - A choral pilgrimage across…
Join us for our fantastic Calvert Stables Open Day and experience the yard like never before. This…
Calling Pokémon fans new and old from 23 May, get active outdoors on our Pokémon Trading Card Game…
Our popular Introduction to outdoor swimming course takes place at either Rydal Water or Waterhead,…
HAWKSHEAD PARISH CHURCH MUSIC FOR A SUMMER EVENING 2026 All concerts start at 7.30 pm Tues. 2nd…
This interactive exhibition celebrates the treasures of the Wordsworth Grasmere trove. Discover…
The Montane Ullswater Way Trail Ultra, 20 & 10 starts and finishes at Jenkins Field in Glenridding.…
Meet at the Swan Inn in Grasmere to meet your guide, Matt, and the group, get an overview of the…
Susannah Clegg is a Lancaster-based singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist known for her…


The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
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Number of results: 469
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Penrith
The stone-built Lakeland farmhouse and traditional barns on the Park have been converted into seven distinctive cottage units, each one offering ideal accommodation for convenient, flexible and leisurely family holidays.
Hawkshead, Ambleside
Situated in the quaint Lake District Village of Hawkshead, the boys Grammar School gives insight into school life ever since it opened in 1585. William Wordsworth also attended the school from age 9 to 17 with his brothers.
Ambleside
The Lake District is home to some of the most amazing Gravel Biking routes in England, with world class scenery coming as standard. We know loads of great routes throughout the district and to suit all abilities and expectations. This makes us well…
Keswick Road, Grasmere
Blending sleek contemporary interiors with breathtaking natural surroundings.
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.
Ambleside
Play The Armitt's newest experiences - Escape Rooms in a Box. With two options to choose from - Beatrix Potter's Missing Paper - and - The Bridge House Mystery - there is something for everyone to enjoy. Grab your friends, family or colleagues to…
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.
We deliver everything you need to your accommodation, or to your designated preferred location ( including railway station’s) with tailor-made routes. Experience the pleasure of cycling through the Lake District countryside on Electric Bikes, around…
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.
Newby Bridge
Situated on the picturesque River Leven at the southern tip of Lake Windermere, this 17th-century coaching inn is full of character and charm, but also offers well-equipped rooms, first-class leisure facilities and a fabulous new Holte Spa. Enjoy…
Hawkshead, Lake Windermere
This experience combines two of our most popular activities. We’ve designed a 2-hour experience that combines one-hour of 4x4 off-road driving with a mini bushcraft session.
Windermere
The house is in an elevated position with views of the Langdales in the distance. Shops are within walking distance. Bikes can be stored in the garage. Dogs are welcome.
Penrith
Our Universally Accessible glamping pods and cabins are suitable for guests with and without disabilities. All our Universally Accessible units are wheelchair accessible and include features such as level entry, wide doors and at least 1.5m turning…
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.
Grasmere
Situated at the northern end of Grasmere, yet just 5 minutes walk into the village centre, Raise View House has uninterrupted views of Easedale and the surrounding fells, including the famed Lion and the Lamb.
Boot, Holmrook
Eskdale Mill is a unique experience, nestled in one of the Lake District's most beautiful locations. This charming site embodies the Lake District’s heritage. It is the last remaining working water-powered corn mill in the Lake District.
Windermere
This robust offering includes a range of miniature mighty flavoursome savoury delights and, of course, our notorious pork scratchings with homemade Bramley Apple Sauce.
Coniston
Meet Coniston's heroes, John Ruskin, artist, radical and seer and Donald Campbell, speed ace. View the fully restored Bluebird craft in the Bluebird wing of the museum. Discover the mineral wealth of the fells, all at 'the most thought provoking…
Newby Bridge
Paddle Windermere to a remote shore, light fire and cook on open fire. We are an inclusive company and welcome people of all abilities.
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…
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Cumbria Tourism, Windermere Road, Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 9PL