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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
Learn about the moon as it reaches its brightest and most visible phase. An astronomy expert will…
A 48-Hour Retreat for Discovery & Replenishment of Mind, Body, and Spirit, for men and women. Fiona…
Immerse yourself in the luxury of Tropic Skincare, complemented by a glass of bubbly as you…
Busy Weekly Market with 80 stalls. Food, Crafts and Gifts.
Fast, flat and inclusive 10km running event along the Keswick to Threlked railway. 3km fun run for…
We are delighted to invite you to this Quiet Day at Rydal Hall — a reflective and theologically…
"The difference between a Lady and flower girl isn't how she behaves, but how she is…
A British Rowing affiliated rowing competition, launching from Keswick Foreshore and racing the…
In this hysterical, deranged and irreverent Austen parody that meditates on girlhood, romance and…
Explore the wonders of the moon. Join us for a family-friendly evening learning about the moon as…
A beautiful day's walk in the central Lake District. We'll be heading into the Great Langdale…
The varied habitats of the Dalemain Estate parklands and gardens area provide a rich, year-round…
This interactive exhibition celebrates the treasures of the Wordsworth Grasmere trove. Discover…
An A-Z of Beatrix Potter takes you on a journey through 26 key words and phrases drawn from Beatrix…
BounceFest is a high-energy inflatable play experience for children aged 0–12 years, filled with…
Join Mountain Leader Dougie Walker for a guided winter ascent of the Fairfield Horseshoe, one of…
Join Pete Jones, Cumbria Wildlife Trust Skiddaw Forest Project Manager, for an evening all about…
Join Mountain Leader Dougie Walker for a guided Coniston Classics walk in the Lake District. This…
We are delighted to welcome Harpist Elinor Nicholson to perform in Brantwood's Drawing Room as part…
Live music with The Elderly brothers who play a range of tunes from 1920s to 2020s. Smile-inducing,…
We're delighted to invite you to a special Meet the Maker event with artist Frances Priest,…
Discover life on Windermere through the lens of award-winning artist Juliet Klottrup. This…
Looking for things to do this February half term in Cumbria? Escape the ordinary and head to Go Ape…
The 25/26 series of canicross races has now launched! Held in England's only mountain forest, Dodd…


The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
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Number of results: 457
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Coniston
Explore Coniston Water - one of the Lake Districts' famous lakes and see the magnificent scenery from a Canadian Canoe. Along the way we will stop off to try a little Bushcraft. We will cover the exciting and essential skills of how to make a fire…
Kendal
High Swinklebank is a hill sheepfarm with local Kendal rough fell sheep. It is in one of the beautiful unspoilt valleys of the Lake District. Ideal for walking, relaxing and getting away from it all.
Grasmere
The Cottages at Broadrayne Farm are all just full of character having been converted from former 17th - 19thC farm buildings. Unusually for holiday accommodation they all have the benefit of allocated parking, separate entrances, electric charging…
Penrith
Master the 'Art of Nordic Walking' with our , Nicky Merrett, AKA Nordic Nic, or Sean Bolland our new expert instructor. Both Nicky & Sean are qualified instructors with British Nordic Walking. They will take you through the ‘10 Steps to Nordic…
Ambleside
Swim the Lakes are the Lakes District's Open Water Swimming Specialists. Our friendly team provides inspirational adventure swimming for all abilities, from Short Wild Swims to 3-day Swim Breaks. Plus excellent swim gear in our Ambleside store.
Whether you would like to rent an Electric Bike or join a Bike Tour or Holiday, we organise everything and provide self-guided tours with tailored routes to suite you.
Windermere
Charter a skippered yacht for a two hour sailing experience for up to four people.
Borrowdale, KESWICK
Have you ever walked on thin air? Get your heart racing while experiencing breathtaking scenery with our Infinity Bridge… so named because you are often unable to see the other end! Strung across a breathtaking gorge high up on the mountain, 2,000…
ULVERSTON
Yes, you can: Users of Mobility aids, anyone who can sit with support, wheelchair users, unsure or low confidence walkers, visually impaired people, people with auditory impairments, people with learning difficulties, people with autism, people with…
Keswick
The Restaurant at The Borrowdale offers an experience shaped by its surroundings—thoughtfully prepared food, elegant interiors, and service that gives you time to savour it all.
Bowness-on-Windermere
Bowfell Cottage is admirably situated fronting a private drive just off A5074, Lyth Valley Road, above eastern shore of the lake about 1 mile south of Bowness Bay and set in 0.5 acre of wooded ground and gardens. Excellent parking.
Troutbeck, Windermere
Cumbrian produce with a French Twist. Set within 7 acres of landscaped gardens, with our expertise in bespoke dining, quality of service and attention to detail ensures we are simply somewhere special.
Windermere
Our modern hard standing touring caravan and motorhome pitches have been tastefully landscaped into our surrounding countryside and have lovely views of Moor How and the surrounding fells.
Portinscale
Keepers Cottage was lovingly rebuilt in 2016 and now offers stylish four-bedroom accommodation with spectacular views of the surrounding fells, with the lake, playground, and squirrel hide just a short stroll away, it is perfectly placed for guests…
Hawkshead
In the heart of Hawkshead, the King’s Arms offers a warm welcome and a real taste of the Lake District. The menu celebrates local produce, featuring hearty pub favourites and creative seasonal specials made with ingredients from nearby farms. Enjoy…
Graythwaite, Ulverston
38 Self catering dog friendly properties, from Lakeside to Woodland views. A romantic break for two, an adventurous family vacation or an elaborate celebration, we have accommodation fit for all occasions.
Ravenglass
Located at the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway, Fellbites Café serves everything from hot and cold drinks, sandwiches and homebaked cakes, to full meals made to order.
Keswick
The Good Hotel Guide "Best Hotel in North of England 2024"
St John's in the Vale, Keswick
Rigg Barn was converted from a detached bank barn and sleeps up to six people.
Broughton-in-Furness
Thornthwaite Farm is set amidst the beautiful scenery of the Woodland Valley. We have four cottages including our 4 star VisitEngland Gold Award barn conversion and a handbuilt Log Cabin all with stunning views of the Lakeland fells.
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Cumbria Tourism, Windermere Road, Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 9PL