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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
You may have walked the narrow pavements of Ambleside, exploring the various cafes, gift outlets…
Swim and run through some of the Lake District's most iconic and varied terrain. Athletes traverse…
Get ready for a huge night of stadium-sized rock at The Royalty! Two powerhouse tributes: EMUS &…
Discover the art of craft distilling in the Gateway to the Lake District, with a guided tour of…
Join us on a exclusive guided tour of Hill Top Farm, Near Sawrey renowned as the first farm owned…
Join our RSPB Assistant Warden (and deer guru) Richard Smith to experience the sights and sounds of…
It's been 17 years since the release of Elio's critically acclaimed debut album of his own songs,…
Born and raised on a farm in Zimbabwe in an Afrikaans family, Neels invites you to reminisce with…
Experience two of Britain's most celebrated Arts & Crafts houses in one inspiring afternoon. Begin…
Join Wild Haweswater's writer in residence Joanna Clare Dobson for an immersive morning of creative…
A spellbinding evening of Gothic tales in candlelit Dove Cottage. Discover the origins of modern…
Calling all local talent – and local music lovers! Join us for Muncaster Castle's monthly Open Mic…
Join Rob Baxter at Muncaster Castle on Tuesday 29 September for a fascinating talk on the history…
Enjoy an afternoon of poetry and live music at Blackwell – the Arts & Crafts house, near…
Though known as the school of William Wordsworth, many more schoolboys were educated here. Join us…
Saturday – Sprint races held on the River Leven at the Swan Hotel Marina – On the water 10-12.30…
Salsa Night in Keswick | Dance & Dine Latin Evening at the Skiddaw Hotel Step into an evening of…
To celebrate 125 years of Blackwell, Lakeland Arts will be showcasing a major exhibition of works…
Step into the spotlight for an unforgettable Jersey Boys Tribute Night, featuring live…
Woodland Reset ~ The Conscious Self's Signature Nature Day Come and join The Conscious Self for a…
Discover documentary photographer Joanne Coates's powerful exhibition about women in agriculture in…
The virtuoso of fingerstyle jazz returns with a celebration of timeless standards…
To complement our newest exhibition, An A-Z of Beatrix Potter, we are excited to run our new…
Head to the Great Barn at Sizergh to see an exhibition from a creative collective of artists,…


The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
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Newby Bridge, Backbarrow
The Whitewater Hotel is the ultimate Lake district retreat, featuring the fantastic Cascades Leisure Club & Spa.
Windermere
The Winander Club embraces the Club experience offering exclusivity with a sense of personal service, alongside all the amenities of the resort on your doorstep.
Grange-over-Sands
Greaves Farm Caravan Park is small, family run park in beautiful countryside on the fringe of the Lake District within easy reach of Lake Windermere, the historic village of Cartmel and Grange over Sands and many places of interest. An ideal…
Hawkshead
The King's Arms is a traditional country inn serving delicious, locally sourced food alongside local ales, in the Lake District.
The Inn also has 8 individually decorated rooms all named after Kings of England.
Newby Bridge
A half day's experience learning the core skills of bushcraft and survival with our expert instructors, including fire, shelter, water sourcing and more.
Grasmere
Make yourself comfortable in the former home of National Trust Founder, Canon Rawnsley. Only partially restored and decorated, this isn’t a typical National Trust experience.
Ambleside
The Temperance Inn at Ambleside proudly serves up delicious pub food – all day, every day – cooked freshly for you on ordering.
Bowness-On-Windermere
Brand new Free house British pub, serving home made classic British pub food, real fires, real ale and dog friendly.
Cockermouth
Unspoiled traditional inn with every modern comfort in understated luxury.
Cockermouth
Originally an 18th Century Lakeland farm house, the Embleton Spa Hotel is a relaxed, informal hotel with delightful en-suite rooms, suites and apartments. Perfect for exploring Keswick, Cockermouth and the Lakes.
Coniston
• Sleeps 4
• Mountain hot tub with incredible views of Coniston Old Man
• 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms
• Fellside garden
• Slate floors
• Up to 2 dogs welcome
• Log-burning stove
• Spectacular views throughout
Windermere
Southview Spa in Windermere offers luxury with a private chlorine-free spa, heated pool, cinema, and more. Just minutes from shops and a short walk to Lake Windermere, it’s the perfect blend of comfort and tranquillity.
Ambleside
At our small boutique hotel, our focus is on providing unparalleled comfort and style in individually designed bedrooms. Experience the epitome of luxury with modern bathrooms, plush dressing gowns, and premium amenities.
Grisedale Bridge, Glenridding
With beautiful, dramatic scenery that lends itself to days spent hiking amongst the Lakeland fells, exploring the quaint villages, or simply relaxing on the water, hop aboard a Ullswater ‘Steamer’ to experience this little slice of Lake District…
Bassenthwaite Lake, Bassenthwaite
Connoisseurs of fine cuisine will find much to appreciate at Armathwaite Hall Hotel and Spa. Chef takes full advantage of a wealth of local seasonal produce and Cumbrian specialities to create a variety of gastronomic delights.
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
Situated on what was once the Cockermouth, Keswick and Penrith railway line, Bassenthwaite Lake Station offers a unique place to enjoy breakfast, brunch and lunch aboard the replica Orient Express train, right here in the Lake District.
Windermere
Our Langdale Club bar and lounge offers a relaxed, informal dining experience whilst surrounded by a chic interior that takes infomal dining to refreshing new heights, sleek and elegant and designed to impress. The Club lounge is the perfect place…
Newby Bridge
This experience is all about learning the ropes, stick and flappy bits with straight-up language and a hands-on approach you and your fellow crew will do the vast majority of the tasks that make the boat work.
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…
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Cumbria Tourism, Windermere Road, Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 9PL