You are here: Home > Explore Cumbria > Areas of Cumbria > The Lake District
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
Based in the heart of Whinlatter Forest, just inside Keswick, adventure awaits. Whether you're a…
Join photographer Steve Blake on a half day workshop Whinlatter's beautiful woodland environment…
Celebrate the launch of our first All-You-Can-Eat Sunday Carvery at The Borrowdale Hotel. Enjoy…
Sign up to take on this unique triathlon event, while raising funds for Turning Tides, a…
Go Ape Grizedale is reopening its three sites for Easter and beyond. Come on down for fun for all…
A one day map reading course for beginners based in the Lake District. If you have never looked at…
Looking for a family-friendly creative activity during half-term? Look no further than our craft…
Soft Machine is one of the greatest UK avant/jazz-rock bands of all time. Their work, from their…
Join us on the first Saturday of every month for our monthly morning meet at the Lakeland Motor…
Looking for a fun outdoor activity this Easter with your family? Take on Egg-venture, a 'cracking'…
Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad) and Marianne Jean-Baptiste (Hard Truths) feature in a five-star,…
Head to the Great Barn at Sizergh to see an exhibition from a creative collective of artists,…
Join us for a relaxed early evening in our charming wine cellar — the perfect chance to take a…
Get ready for an adventure with a Totally Wild UK professional forager on our Forage and Cookery…
A performance of Faure's celebrated Requiem and the wonderfully uplifting Magnificat by John Rutter…
Vintage acoustic jazz music from 1920's New York and sophisticated 1930's Swing. Plus the sound of…
The varied habitats of the Dalemain Estate parklands and gardens area provide a rich, year-round…
The Mystery of the Pirate Lagoon A comic radio play presented live on stage. What is the mystery…
Discover documentary photographer Joanne Coates's powerful exhibition about women in agriculture in…
53k and 23k trail running races.
Iggety Ziggety Zaggety Zoom! Walk with a witch and her cauldron and broom! Help collect the…
Wild Sauna & Forest Plunge | Whinlatter Forest Step into the wild beauty of the Lake District and…
In April, the earth begins to sing again. As Earth Day draws near, this Quiet Day offers space to…
Joe Martin is a modern day troubadour, a seasoned songwriter and performer having played to tens of…


The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
.jpg)
Number of results: 470
, currently showing 101 to 120.
Ullswater, Penrith
Waterfoot Park is located in the beautiful Ullswater Valley, within walking distance of the charming village of Pooley Bridge, the Ullswater ‘Steamers’ pier, and Ullswater itself.
Windermere
Join Green Man Survival for our most in depth and demanding survival challenge. You will spend 72 hours surviving in our private woodland learning a wealth of skills and knowledge that will enable you to thrive in this stunning habitat.
Ravenglass
Standing proudly in the center of the village of Ravenglass the Pennington Hotel has 22 well appointed and relaxing bedrooms, with quality bathrooms, smart TV’s, and comfy beds, all areas offer high speed internet which has been complete upscaled…
Cockermouth
A 16thC inn situated at the foot of Melbreak and between Loweswater lake and Crummock Water. Roaring log fires, home-cooked meals with a local emphasis and high-quality real ales on offer.
Coniston
SUP Paddleboarding by Genuine Adventures offers a serene glide across Lake District waters, guided by experts for all ages, with gear provided for a tailored, scenic adventure.
Bassenthwaite
Get up close and personal with our Alpacas, for participants aged 16 years and over. Alpacas are friendly and inquisitive animals and just like us they enjoy a bit of fresh air and exercise. Meet our five boys Hugo, Hector, Herbie, Dougal and…
Grasmere
Art gallery and art shop run by the Heaton Cooper family, selling original paintings and prints from 4 generations of the family.
Lake Road, Windermere
Experience the adventure. Glamping is one of the best ways to stay close to nature without sacrificing those all-important home comforts.
Coniston
Explore Coniston Water - one of the Lake District's famous lakes and see the magnificent scenery from a Canadian Canoe. We'll tailor the day to suit your group - whether it’s a fun day of games, exploring the lake and splashing with the whole family…
Every single one of our holiday cottages have been personally inspected by dedicated property managers to ensure a high standard of holiday accommodation. Our growing collection of well-kept properties in Cumbria and the Lake District make a perfect…
Coniston
• Large Victorian house in Coniston Village
• Sleeps 16 guests across 6 bedrooms with 6 bathrooms
• Lake views and open fire
• Large lounge & dining room, ideal for get-togethers
• Perfect adventure base for those wanting to explore everything the…
Hawkshead, Ambleside
Situated in the quaint Lake District Village of Hawkshead, the boys Grammar School gives insight into school life ever since it opened in 1585. William Wordsworth also attended the school from age 9 to 17 with his brothers.
Windermere
The Lake Edge Restaurant at Storrs Hall offers a seasonal fixed price menu, as a distinctly different choice to The Bistro. There is a choice of dishes for each course of this 3 course dinner menu.
Grange-over-Sands
Greaves Farm Caravan Park is family run park in beautiful countryside on the fringe of the Lake District within easy reach of Lake Windermere, the historic village of Cartmel and Grange over Sands and many places of interest. An ideal location for…
Penrith
A perfect location to explore the Lake District, there are seven dog-friendly, high-quality, tastefully decorated, family-friendly self-catering cottages. Located in the heart of the Cumbrian countryside, Near Howe is an idyllic, quiet, and tranquil…
Keswick
An interactive world of optical illusions including illusion rooms, holograms and interactive exhibits to amaze the whole family, young and old! Do you believe your eyes?
Penrith
A traditional tearoom set in a historic barn with homemade food and freshly brewed coffee, alongside Dalemain’s marmalade gift shop.
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.
Hawkshead
Discover the magic of the Lake District at Grizedale Forest. Whether you're seeking a romantic couples’ getaway or a peaceful base to explore the Lake District, The Cabin provides a one-of-a-kind forest experience.
Ullswater
1863 is more than a bar, bistro and B&B accommodation with seven elegant bedrooms; we are a family affair who enjoy getting the little things just right, welcoming guests back times and again to share in a slice of Lake District paradise.
Receive all the latest news, special offers and information from the Lake District, Cumbria
Cumbria Tourism, Windermere Road, Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 9PL