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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
Swim and run through some of the Lake District's most iconic and varied terrain. Athletes traverse…
Join Joanne Coates for a walk and talk discussing her Daughters of the Soil work — how farming,…
Join Wild Haweswater's writer in residence Joanna Clare Dobson for an immersive morning of creative…
Experience two of Britain's most celebrated Arts & Crafts houses in one inspiring afternoon. Begin…
Enjoy an afternoon of poetry and live music at Blackwell – the Arts & Crafts house, near…
'Stranger Folk', a magical new digital adventure played by mobile app, is haunting Allan Bank…
Day 1: Arrival & Grounding 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM Arrival & Check-in Welcome packets, room assignments,…
Calling all local talent – and local music lovers! Join us for Muncaster Castle's monthly Open Mic…
We're celebrating our 80th anniversary with a big party - and you're invited! Join us at Brathay…
The virtuoso of fingerstyle jazz returns with a celebration of timeless standards…
The Nikki Iles Band is Nikki Iles piano, Mike Walker Guitar, Caroline Bowden drums and Gary Culshaw…
How on earth have we all survived the past decade of modern living without Victoria Wood and her…
Inside just got interesting. Step off the trail and into a space where the Lake District is…
Lakes in a Day Half Distance Run 23 miles, 850m ascent – Want the excitement of being part of Lakes…
Join us for an unforgettable weekend of connection, healing and transformation. The Buffalo is the…
Discover the art of craft distilling in the Gateway to the Lake District, with a guided tour of…
It's been 17 years since the release of Elio's critically acclaimed debut album of his own songs,…
Busy Weekly Market with 80 stalls. Food, Crafts and Gifts.
Molly Warburton, a UK Indie Pop singer-songwriter from Lancaster, will be joining us at The Swan on…
Make memories, not just snapshots with a private photography experience in the Lake District…
Full Moon Women's Circle in the Lake District The Full Moon is a powerful time for reflection,…
Mark, once half of legendary radio double-act Mark and Lard, has been on the national airwaves…
Join photographer Steve Blake in our beautiful woodland environment. Full day workshops are…
To celebrate 125 years of Blackwell, Lakeland Arts will be showcasing a major exhibition of works…


The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
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Elterwater
We have two lovely cottages win the village of Elterwater in the Langdale Valley, which we have owned since the early eighties.
Ambleside
Our luxury accommodation has been hand built for our bespoke design for couples wanting a romantic retreat or a place to chill out for a few days. Minimum 2-night stay, any day arrivals.
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.
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…
Ambleside
Located in the heart of Ambleside, this traditional Lakeland slate building has been welcoming visitors for over 300 years and has a character befitting that long-standing heritage. Offering 29 comfortable rooms with all the essential amenities, if…
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.
The English, Buttermere
A 17thC building, owned and run by family for 30 years. First licensed in 1735 as coaching inn. Apartments built in grounds 17 years ago and continually upgraded.
Ambleside
Fellinis is a new modern 'Vegeterranean' restaurant catering for the most discerning vegetarian palette with a distinct Mediterranean twist.
Our menu changes regularly to reflect the seasons and the availability of local ingredients. Our wine list…
Pooley Bridge
A range of luxury lodges, many sleeping 4 people, some pet-friendly, suitable for families or with private hot tubs, the choice is yours. Just a stone's throw away from Lake Ullswater, Hillcroft Park boasts one of the most stunning locations of any…
Windermere
Specialist bike hire for everyone from 3 great locations around Lake Windermere. Electric bikes. Mountain bikes. Kid's bikes. Kid's seats and trailers. We have planned routes for you available as maps and downloads.
Penrith
Lakes For All: luxury self-catering, wheelchair accessible holidays in the Lake District, Cumbria for people with physical disabilities and their families.
Lakeside
Relaxing with our afternoon tea experience, less than a stone's throw away from the water's edge of Lake Windermere.
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.
Bowness-on-Windermere
Dorothy’s place is a beautiful one bedroom apartment, set in beautiful grounds overlooking lake Windermere. A stone's throw away from Bowness bay, with plenty to do. Also secluded and private for a romantic getaway. Dorothy’s is self check-in, but…
Bowness-on-Windermere
The Peter Rabbit Garden has proved tremendously popular with visitors who have delighted in the beauty and attention to detail in the design and the way the garden evokes the atmosphere of the Peter Rabbit stories.
St John's St, Keswick
Keswick Film Festival is Cumbria’s premiere cinematic event bringing the best of international and independent cinema from across the world for those who love films and the beautiful setting of the Lake District.
Ullswater
Hidden with a seculded spot within the hotel grounds and connected by glazed walkways, a large double bedroom and twin bedroom look out onto floor-to-ceiling views across the grounds to the lake and fells beyond.
Penrith
We are delighted to announce that we are now offering Cycle Hire from the beautiful surroundings of Lowther Castle. The venture coincides with the launch on the Lowther Estate of a network of dedicated cycling and walking trails. This will enable…
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…
Keswick
Situated in the heart of Newlands Valley Keswick, opposite Catbells, Rowling End Farm Holiday Cottages have outstanding views of the entire valley.
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Cumbria Tourism, Windermere Road, Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 9PL