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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.
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Brought to you by the National Trust and Karen Whybrow Coaching, join this transformational event…
As part of our "Running Int' Fells" events programme for mental health in May, Alex Staniforth and…
Join us to welcome back the fantastic cast from After Dark for an evening of murderous…
Develop your hand building techniques to create a range of pots that you will fire the following…
Keswick Mountain Festival is the UK's largest participatory, outdoors multi-sports event in the UK.…
Brought to you by National Trust and Karen Whybrow Coaching, carry out a powerful releasing ritual…
The autumn 23/24 series of canicross races has now launched! Held in England's only mountain…
Our 2024 gala celebration will be taking place from Saturday 4th May - Monday 6th May, as we…
It is traditional at Beltane to jump the 'Bel fire' for good luck and prosperity, to purify and…
Connect with other visitors and explore the space through their illustrations and ideas. Engage…
Ambleside & District Choral Society present an evening with the three greatest composers of the…
Create a unique piece of silver jewellery that will be a joy to wear or make a perfect gift.…
If you don't quite fancy being an early bird for Dawn Chorus Day, then experience the magic of…
Gatesbield is a small sheltered housing association set in award winning gardens in the centre of…
APPRAISAL by Tim Marriott An annual work review that goes horribly wrong. Head of Department…
Cockermouth Mechanics' Band is a community brass band based in Cockermouth and active throughout…
The Disabled Ramblers is a small national charity working to help those with limited mobility to…
Often described as the friendliest and most beautiful UK marathon. This wonderful and undulating…
The full Flower (or Hare) moon aligns with the colourful early summer flowers blooming and…
Brought to you by the National Trust and Experience Community for the Keswick Mountain Festival,…
Friendship is certainly the finest balm for the pangs of any sort of… disappointed love. Catherine…
This new display delves into the Townend archive collection, a treasure trove of four hundred years…
A 112 mile charity sportive around the English Lake District.
Learn a traditional rural craft and make your own timeless round basket with a handle. A course for…
The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
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Bowness-on-Windermere
Join us day or night for delicious American Soul Food oozing with flavour right in the heart of Bowness. Combining small plates and sharing dishes, as well as lighter options at lunch, means we have something for everyone.
Cockermouth
Beautifully located in its own grounds on the shores of Buttermere among the western fells, Hassness Country House is the perfect base for guided and self-guided walking holidays in the Lake District. This was the favourite Lakeland location of…
Penrith
Home to the Hasell family since 1679, visitors to Dalemain will discover a fascinating combination of history, architecture and family which is both a Cumbrian and national story. Dalemain is an award-winning delight and is part of the UNESCO World…
Nr Kendal
Contemporary licensed café serving a selection of hot and cold drinks, meals and snacks. The shop sells local products, home accessories, gifts, toys and plants.
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.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
149 reviewsLakeside
Lakeside Hotel, the best 4 star hotel on the shores of Windermere, offers you a unique location on the water's edge. It is a classic traditional Lakeland Hotel, personally owned and managed and in a delightful setting.
Coniston
Explore one of the Lake District’s famous lakes, Coniston Water, and see the magnificent scenery from a canoe. We'll tailor the day to suit you - whether it’s a fun day of games, exploring the lake and splashing with the whole family or a relaxing…
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
456 reviewsBowness-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…
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
168 reviewsWindermere
A real Lakeland hidden treasure set in the beautiful village of Troutbeck, this 17thC solid stone and slate house sits imposingly on the hillside, its huge chimneys typical of the area.
Ambleside
The Ambleside Inn is located in the heart of the popular Lake District town of Ambleside and offers delicious, homecooked dining all day every day. Whether fuelling up for a day’s exploring with a hearty breakfast, stopping by for a smaller plate…
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Cumbria Tourism, Windermere Road, Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 9PL