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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
Busy Weekly Market with 80 stalls. Food, Crafts and Gifts.
The Lakeland Historic Car Club meet on the first Saturday of every month at the museum and Cafe…
A one and a quarter-hour cruise to catch the sunset over Windermere. This relaxing cruise takes…
Discover two remarkable Arts & Crafts houses in the Lake District in one afternoon. Blackwell – the…
Get creative with our summer holiday activities suitable for all ages at Blackwell – the Arts &…
Timed to coincide with the centenary of the 1924 Mount Everest expedition, the exhibition shares…
Join us at Broadoaks Country House for Beatrix Potter Themed Afternoon Tea Party this August Bank…
WALK IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF KURT SCHWITTERS - an afternoon of reflective walking on the life and work…
Join us for our upcoming Wild Wednesday! activities over the Summer holidays featuring sensory…
Join our crafty team in the Visitor Centre for free drop in craft activities. A great way to finish…
"Three disasters. Two world wars, one bloody big depression. And every time, the band play on…
The Armitt museum's fungi walks are back again for another year! Follow in the footsteps of Beatrix…
Join our Ranger on their rounds to fill the red squirrel feeders! Whinlatter is a red squirrel…
Sleuth your way through the forest and use clues to help you identify all the wonderful creatures…
Join our rangers and see what lies beneath the Whinlatter pond! It is amazing to discover the…
Our firm favourite, it's the return of our fish & chip supper two-hour evening cruise with musical…
A busy weekly Market each Thursday from Mid February to end December.. A wide range of food, fresh…
Enjoy a freshly prepared buffet, a relaxed atmosphere and a unique viewing point for some of the…
Brought to you by the National Trust and Derwent Water Marina, join us for a 2 hour sail to enjoy…
Food & Folk #3 Our first two food & folk nights were both a huge success so we've decided to host…
The Beautiful South Swimming Adventure is a relaxed swimming break that seeks out the fabulous…
Nestled on the shores of Lake Windermere in Cumbria, this extensive working mill produced literally…
The Grasmere Ride & Swim promises to be a really fun day of adventure swimming. This is a full day…
We indulge our obsession with swimming around islands on the Derwentwater Island Hop, and there is…
The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
Number of results: 497
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Penrith
Imagine coming to a ruined castle, walking through its gardens and into the woodlands and stumbling across one of the largest adventure playgrounds in the country. When you do this at Lowther, you have found the lost castle.
Keswick
Rural location, small hamlet but only 1.5 miles from Keswick and Skiddaw and with outstanding views southwards. Ideal for fell walking, touring, water sports and ready access to north and central Lakes. Arrival time 16.00, departure 10.00.
Cumbria
Mountain passes have been important thoroughfares in the Lake District ever since people needed to travel from one valley to another, because the distance around the mountains was usually very long. This scenic and atmospheric walk follows these old…
Windermere
Tents can pitch in one of two areas. - Our Ghyllside camping area, allows you to reserve your pitch, with electrical hook-up (6amps) suitable for lighting, recharging devices and small appliances such as a travel kettle. These pitches are allocated…
Ambleside
Nestled in the heart of the English Lake District Victorian House provides the perfect antidote to chain hotel fatigue! Think cosy nights in the snug with a glass of red, kicking your boots off after a day of exploring and sinking into the sofa with…
Keswick
Sun, Wind or Rain this is the favourite activity for visitors to Newlands. Ghyll Scrambling is a wet decent of a Lakeland mountain stream, We are based just twenty minutes walk away from the top of the ghyll which means the only thing getting soaked…
Bowness-on-Windermere
Set within the contemporary country house hotel Linthwaite House, Henrock opened its doors in October 2019.
Henrock is an informal restaurant that serves an à la carte menu using local, seasonal ingredients, inspired by flavours and techniques…
Keswick
Our restaurant has a warm and modern appeal, for either a romantic meal for two, or a family meal. if you are hosting a special occasion, private dining can also be arranged in one our of our function rooms. Set beneath some of England's highest…
Windermere
If you can't decide which one of our kick ass experiences to choose, don't, and just do them all! This experience includes fire lighting using natural materials and sparks along with how to build a shelter with materials provided by nature in our…
Keswick
Our restaurant full of eager diners, a non-fussy, relaxed atmosphere, staff who take pride in serving Executive Chef David’s delectable dishes and where the food and service speak for itself. Hopefully our guests agree, it’s called real Cumbrian…
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 Orient Express train, right here in the Lake District.
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.
Penrith
Our spacious plush glamping cabins can offer a comfortable glamping experience.
Keswick
For a fine dining experience which includes enticing menus and attentive service, the Borrowdale Hotel’s Restaurant will be the most memorable reservation you have made yet.
Electric Bike Hire - E-Bikes delivered directly to your accommodation in the South Lakes by E-Bike Safaris. Experience cycling through the Cumbrian countryside, visiting all the attractions and having the comfort of the electric assistance.
Ambleside
Completely refurbished in 2018, in a beautiful location by Rydal Falls, Stable Cottage is a self-catering holiday cottage. The extensive grounds include a Victorian Ice-house, an 18th century Game Larder, an 18th century viewing station known as the…
Yes, you can: Users of Mobility aids, Anyone who can sit with support, Users of Wheelchairs, Unsure or low confidence walkers, All people with visual impairments, People with Auditory impairments, People with learning difficulties, People with…
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Cumbria Tourism, Windermere Road, Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 9PL