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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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Our popular Introduction to outdoor swimming course takes place at either Rydal Water or Waterhead,…
A one day map reading course for beginners based in the Lake District. If you have never looked at…
This is a high quality workshop where participants will be taught how to create a small stone…
The Ease into Easedale Wild Swim sums up outdoor swimming in the Lake District fells: dramatic…
Step away from the rush of everyday life and join Hannah for a 3 hour guided forest bathing…
Recce run for the 2026 Lakeland 50 & 100 from Pooley Bridge to Ambleside. This run is only open for…
A concert of choral music performed by chamber choir Coro Camino - A choral pilgrimage across…
Try wild swimming in the Lake District. All you need to do is book, bring your swimming costume and…
HAWKSHEAD PARISH CHURCH MUSIC FOR A SUMMER EVENING 2026 All concerts start at 7.30 pm Tues. 2nd…
Performing music from his second album Americana (released April 2025), Eddie Gripper tells the…
Join our experienced, knowledgeable ranger as they lead you around our amazing forest and show you…
Meet at the Swan Inn in Grasmere to meet your guide, Matt, and the group, get an overview of the…
A trail running weekend with two unique races.
Discover documentary photographer Joanne Coates's powerful exhibition about women in agriculture in…
Chillswim Coniston End to End Swim 2026 will take place on Saturday 20th June. Long distance…
Join us on a exclusive guided tour of Hill Top Farm, Near Sawrey renowned as the first farm owned…
Chillswim Coniston End to End Swim 2026 will take place on Saturday 20th June. Long distance…
Looking for some fun craft activities during May half-term? Come to the museum to make your own…
The Swim to Wild Cat Island is a classic Lake District swim right out of the pages of a storybook…
Head to the Great Barn at Sizergh to see an exhibition from a creative collective of artists,…
Join us for our fantastic Calvert Stables Open Day and experience the yard like never before. This…
Looking for things to do this May half term in the Lake District? Escape the ordinary and head to…
ONE FOR THE NORTHERN SOUL AND TAMLA MOTOWN LOVERS! 12pm - 2am! Colin Curtis and Ian Levine back…
Wild Sauna & Forest Plunge | Whinlatter Forest Step into the wild beauty of the Lake District and…


The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
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Penrith
A short stroll from the main Aira Force car park is the Aira Force Coffee Shop, a place to relax and refuel ready for your next adventure. It’s open daily from 10am – 4.30pm, with outdoor seating, serving some tasty treats and refreshing cold drinks.
Windermere
Our three warm and cosy pods are situated behind the main farm steading in a quiet setting away from the road and next to a small beck. The pods all have underfloor heating so you are guaranteed to be warm no matter the season. Unfortunately we…
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…
Hartsop, Patterdale
Between Ullswater and Windermere, Scandanavian style lodges sit on a secluded site, in a quiet corner of the Lakes. Sleep up to six in all Lodges. Week, short-week & weekend breaks available. Equipped with fitted kitchen, colour TV & free Wi-Fi.
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…
Bampton, Haweswater
A rugged Lake District landscape where nature restoration works alongside hill farming, to benefit wildlife, water and people.
Penrith
Our spacious plush glamping cabins can offer a comfortable glamping experience.
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…
Coniston
Brantwood, the former home of eminent Victorian John Ruskin and a treasure house of art and memorabilia. The 250-acre estate comprises 8 unique gardens, ancient woodland, high moors and meadows.
Ullswater
Fancy feeling the freedom of abseiling down a cliff or off a railway viaduct?
If you enjoy high level excitements then why not step boldly over the edge of a near-vertical rock face or abseil down the side of a railway viaduct?
Ullswater
Local food and drink, contemporary en-suite rooms, roaring fires and lively conversation await for guests, locals and walkers in our relaxed Cumbrian pub with wide angle Ullswater views.
Keswick
Flag stone floors, oak beams and roaring log fires create a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere at the 17th century Salutation Inn in the heart of the Lake District.
Popular with the "locals", the bar has the welcoming hospitality, warmth and…
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…
Nr Kendal
Contemporary licensed café serving a selection of hot and cold drinks, meals and snacks. Shop selling local products, home accessories, gifts, toys and plants.
Keswick
Grange Bridge Cottage occupies one of the most iconic settings within the Lake District National Park. Situated at the entrance to the picturesque village of Grange in Borrowdale by the double humpback bridges, the cottage and her backdrop have been…
Coniston
Scrambling is an outdoor adventure experience that sits half way between hill walking and rock climbing, it is a great way to ascend a mountain taking on the challenge of using your hands and feet to climb steeper sections of rocky terrain. As the…
Located at the tranquil southern end of Lake Windermere, Lakeside Pier offers a different pace of exploration in the Lake District. Board a Windermere Lake Cruise’s vessel and get treated to the finest views from the water.
Newby Bridge, Backbarrow
The Whitewater Hotel is the ultimate Lake district retreat, featuring the fantastic Cascades Leisure Club & Spa.
Windermere
The family run Lamplighter Dining Rooms offers the very best in accommodation in the Lake District.
Ambleside
If you are looking to take your hill and mountain walking to the next level, this could be just what you’re looking for! You’ll be scaling rocks to reach the summit, learning new skills along the way and enjoying those hard earned views at the top.
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Cumbria Tourism, Windermere Road, Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 9PL