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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
Join our volunteer ranger and bird enthusiast on a gentle stroll through the forest. Suitable for…
Join Becks Skinner at Muncaster Castle on Tuesday 19 May for a fascinating talk. Inspired by a…
Experience adventure at Keswick Mountain Festival (15-17 May 2026) with trail runs, hikes,…
Open evening to help shape a new Women's Institute for Keswick
Discover two striking new collections of original artworks that celebrate the creative potential of…
Bach - Ich ruf zu dir BWV639 Rheinberger - Abendlied Casella - Notturno Gardonyi - Variations on a…
Head to the Great Barn at Sizergh to see an exhibition from a creative collective of artists,…
Woodland Reset ~ The Conscious Self's Signature Nature Day Come and join The Conscious Self for a…
Join our experienced, knowledgeable ranger as they lead you around our amazing forest and show you…
Experience two of Britain's most celebrated Arts & Crafts houses in one inspiring afternoon. Begin…
Our Rydal Islands and Caves Swim Walk is a perfect mix of easy-going hiking and wild swimming.…
Susannah Clegg is a Lancaster-based singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist known for her…
Discover a wealth of horticultural colour, scent and design inspiration when 16 gates will open…
The Montane Ullswater Way Trail Ultra, 20 & 10 starts and finishes at Jenkins Field in Glenridding.…
The Arc'teryx Climb Academy Lake District returns May 23 – 25, 2026. The Arc'teryx Climb Academy…
Join us as we welcome Leon Knight to The Swan for a special performance from 6pm – 8pm on the 22nd…
Embark on a multi-day hiking adventure through the breathtaking Lake District. With every detail -…
We're looking forward to welcoming Rob Young to The Swan on the 15th May for an evening of live…
To coincide with Bluebird K7 – The Festival between 11-15 May, Ullswater 'Steamers' will be…
Jordan Jackson is a critically acclaimed singer, pianist, and composer known for her poetic,…
️ Conquer Whinlatter! – Trail Half Marathon & 10K – May 2026 ️ Are you ready to take on one of the…
Busy Weekly Market with 80 stalls. Food, Crafts and Gifts.
Looking for things to do this May half term in Keswick? Head to Go Ape Whinlatter Forest near…
Guess who's back… and treating you with kindness. ✨ Our Summer Spa-rtys are returning — and on…


The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
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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.
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.
Portinscale
Swinside is a beautiful and exceptionally spacious duplex apartment for four, perfectly positioned at the front of the estate's Grade II listed Victorian house. The elegant sitting room enjoys sweeping views across the main lawn towards Swinside…
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.
Newby Bridge
Pack your clothes along with your sense of adventure and escape for a couple of days to the woods on this fully catered, immersive experience, with some wild camping accommodation thrown in. You may be learning some survival skills, but don’t be…
Newby Bridge
Join us at our secluded woodland camp on the shores of Windermere for a bushcraft brunch to die for, this is thriving not just surviving!
Keswick
Situated in the heart of Newlands Valley Keswick, opposite Catbells, Rowling End Farm Holiday Cottages have outstanding views of the entire valley.
Berrier
A spectacular gyrocopter trial flight and unique flying lesson. You have the thrill of taking control or just take in the views. Based at Berrier airstrip near Penrith/Ullswater/Keswick. Ideal gift or just to treat yourself.
Seascale
This two bedroom self catering holiday home located in the western Lake District is full of character, making it a perfect holiday home for families, couples and friends alike, with all amenities located on your doorstep.
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Cumbria Tourism, Windermere Road, Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 9PL