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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
Learn about the moon as it reaches its brightest and most visible phase. An astronomy expert will…
A 48-Hour Retreat for Discovery & Replenishment of Mind, Body, and Spirit, for men and women. Fiona…
Immerse yourself in the luxury of Tropic Skincare, complemented by a glass of bubbly as you…
Busy Weekly Market with 80 stalls. Food, Crafts and Gifts.
Fast, flat and inclusive 10km running event along the Keswick to Threlked railway. 3km fun run for…
We are delighted to invite you to this Quiet Day at Rydal Hall — a reflective and theologically…
"The difference between a Lady and flower girl isn't how she behaves, but how she is…
A British Rowing affiliated rowing competition, launching from Keswick Foreshore and racing the…
In this hysterical, deranged and irreverent Austen parody that meditates on girlhood, romance and…
Explore the wonders of the moon. Join us for a family-friendly evening learning about the moon as…
A beautiful day's walk in the central Lake District. We'll be heading into the Great Langdale…
The varied habitats of the Dalemain Estate parklands and gardens area provide a rich, year-round…
This interactive exhibition celebrates the treasures of the Wordsworth Grasmere trove. Discover…
An A-Z of Beatrix Potter takes you on a journey through 26 key words and phrases drawn from Beatrix…
BounceFest is a high-energy inflatable play experience for children aged 0–12 years, filled with…
Join Mountain Leader Dougie Walker for a guided winter ascent of the Fairfield Horseshoe, one of…
Join Pete Jones, Cumbria Wildlife Trust Skiddaw Forest Project Manager, for an evening all about…
Join Mountain Leader Dougie Walker for a guided Coniston Classics walk in the Lake District. This…
We are delighted to welcome Harpist Elinor Nicholson to perform in Brantwood's Drawing Room as part…
Live music with The Elderly brothers who play a range of tunes from 1920s to 2020s. Smile-inducing,…
We're delighted to invite you to a special Meet the Maker event with artist Frances Priest,…
Discover life on Windermere through the lens of award-winning artist Juliet Klottrup. This…
Looking for things to do this February half term in Cumbria? Escape the ordinary and head to Go Ape…
The 25/26 series of canicross races has now launched! Held in England's only mountain forest, Dodd…


The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
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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.
Keswick
Nestled at the gateway to the Jaws of Borrowdale, on the tip of Derwentwater, The Borrowdale Hotel has been a welcoming presence since 1866. Steeped in history and framed by dramatic crags, it’s the perfect base for lakeside strolls, lush temperate…
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.
Coniston
Spoon Hall Caravans is a quiet family run farm site with beautiful views over Coniston water. Nearly 1 mile from Coniston village in a good area for walking and touring the Lakes.
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.
Windermere
Nestled in the heart of the Lake District National Park, Bowness-on-Windermere is a picturesque village buzzing with tourism. The star attraction is undoubtedly Bowness Pier, the central hub for cruises on England's largest lake, Windermere.
Keswick
Sally's Cottages is an award-winning, local, family run holiday cottage letting agency in Keswick with 500 self-catering holiday cottages in the Lake District and Cumbria, including over 700 dog-friendly cottages.
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,…
Windermere
Matson Ground Holiday Cottages offers four charming, self-catering cottages in the heart of the Lake District. A stay in one of our cottages supports conservation and biodiversity projects on our 500 hectare organic farm.
With two cottages…
Bowness-on-Windermere
The Fizzy Tarté serves a luxurious range of Champagne, Afternoon Teas & Cocktails in the Heart of Bowness on Windermere, in the Lake District.
Manesty, Borrowdale
Stunning views of Borrowdale valley, Easy access to Keswick and Derwentwater, Luxury living in a rural location.
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…
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.
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.
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
Formerly a Lakeland Hill Farm, Castlerigg Hall Caravan & Camping Park occupies one of the finest positions in the Lake District overlooking Derwentwater with breath-taking views of the surrounding fells.
Pooley Bridge
With two dedicated camping fields, camping at Hillcroft Park is a really lovely choice. Camping field Angle Tarn is set amongst our Pods, so if some of you are traditional campers but perhaps other family members prefer something more substantial…
Whicham, Valley, Millom
The ultimate horse riding experience in the stunning Cumbria. We are UK's only specialised heavy horse riding establishment! We are a small, professional, family run Equestrian Centre unique in the use of our magnificent heavy horse breeds.
Coniston
Float back to Victorian times as you indulge in a luxurious cruise on captivating Coniston water in this exquisite steam-powered craft.
Ambleside
Whatever the weather or time of year, our self-catering cottages and timber-framed properties are ready and waiting for families and groups of all sizes eager to get away from it all and holiday together!
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Cumbria Tourism, Windermere Road, Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 9PL