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  1. Hill Top © National Trust Images - James Dobson
    The National Trust in the Lake District, Cumbria
  2. Crummock Water © National Trust Images - Wai Lee
    The National Trust in the Lake District, Cumbria
  3. Sizergh © National Trust - James Dobson
    The National Trust in the Lake District, Cumbria
  4. Ullswater © National Trust - Paul Harris
    The National Trust in the Lake District, Cumbria
  5. Great Langdale © National Trust - Paul Harris
    The National Trust in the Lake District, Cumbria
  6. Cycling in Eskdale © National Trust - Paul Harris
    The National Trust in the Lake District, Cumbria
  7. Tarn Hows © National Trust - Annapurna Mellor
    The National Trust in the Lake District, Cumbria
  8. Yew Tree Farm © National Trust Images - Paul Harris
    The National Trust in the Lake District, Cumbria

You are here: Home > Explore Cumbria > The National Trust in the Lake District

The National Trust in the Lake District

The National Trust has been looking after the Lake District for 120 years, preserving its unique heritage, iconic landscapes and open spaces for everyone to enjoy, forever.

We’re proud to care for over 20 per cent of the Lake District National Park, including 100 mountains, 24 lakes and tarns, rivers, valleys, woodlands, coast, footpaths and its precious habitats; helping nature and people thrive.

We also look after the homes and places that inspired the people who helped protect and preserve the much-loved landscapes, traditions and culture of the Lake District. From William Wordsworth’s childhood home Wordsworth House and Garden in Cockermouth to Beatrix Potter’s Hill Top home in Near Sawrey, each year we welcome visitors from all over the world and help share the stories of the people who have shaped the Lakes.

Thanks to our members, supporters, tenants and volunteers, we’re able to look after England’s highest mountain, Scafell Pike, its deepest lake, Wastwater and some of the most iconic beauty spots in the Lake District, such as Ashness Bridge, Tarn Hows and Friar’s Crag.

Plan Your Lake District Visit


The Trust has some of the best located car parks in the Lakes, all of which are free to members. Great Wood and Kettlewell cap parks in Borrowdale are a stone’s throw away from getting your toes wet and soaking in the jaw dropping views of some of the Lakes’ highest mountains from the shores of Derwent Water, while Stickle Ghyll and Elterwater car parks in Langdale are the perfect starting point for a day hiking in the Langdale fells or enjoying a bike ride through the valley. You can check how busy our car parks are using the Safer Lakes tool.

Every time you visit, park, buy, join or donate to the National Trust, you’re helping us to look after the places you love in Cumbria. We look forward to welcoming you soon.

For your enjoyment, we have a pre-booking system in place for some of our places. Please visit nationaltrust.org.uk/lake-district to plan your visit and to book.

To find out more about becoming a National Trust member and enjoying free entry to most of our places visit nationaltrust.org.uk/join-us.

The History of the National Trust in the Lake District


The Lake District was home to one of the three founders of the National Trust, Canon Hardwicke Rawnsley. His belief in preserving the natural and cultural landscape of the Lakes for the benefit of people is still at the heart of our work today.

Farming and the National Trust


As well writing many of her most famous tales here, Beatrix Potter was a prominent member of the farming community and passionate about preserving the Lakeland way of life. An early supporter of the National Trust, when she died in 1943 she left 15 farms and 4000 acres of land and countryside to the Trust.

Today we care for over 90 farms in the Lake District, and as much as 70 per cent of the world’s Herdwick sheep. We couldn’t do this without our tenant farmers, who manage the land and produce food in a sustainable, nature-friendly way for the people and wildlife who depend on it. No one is better placed to care for the landscapes, improve the natural environment and maintain Lakeland traditions than the hill farmers who have helped shaped this special corner of the world for generations.

Find Out More at:
 

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  1. Wray Castle | The National Trust
    Wray Castle
    Explore miles of paths, lakeshore and parkland of the Gothic castle sat beside Windermere.
    1. Hill Top | The National Trust
      Hill Top
      Step into the pages of Beatrix Potter’s tales at her beloved Lakeland farmhouse in Near Sawrey.
      1. 18 Feb 202329 Oct 2023
    2. Beatrix Potter Gallery | The National Trust
      Beatrix Potter Gallery
      Discover Beatrix Potter’s original artwork and sketches in this 17th century house in Hawkshead.
      1. 26 Mar 202329 Oct 2023
    3. Acorn Bank | The National Trust
      Acorn Bank
      Wander through a delightful garden and woodland near Penrith renowned for its herbs, fruit orchards and wildlife.
      1. Allan Bank | The National Trust
        Allan Bank
        Enjoy picture-perfect views over Grasmere from a house and garden once lived in by Canon Rawnsley.
        1. Sizergh | The National Trust
          Sizergh
          A beautiful medieval house near Kendal with rich gardens, estate and hundreds of years of history.
          1. Wordsworth House and Garden | The National Trust
            Wordsworth House and Garden
            Explore the Georgian home in Cockermouth that poet William Wordsworth grew up in.
            1. 1 Apr 20235 Nov 2023
          2. Steam Yacht Gondola | The National Trust
            Steam Yacht Gondola
            Glide across Coniston Water and take in the lush, rolling scenery from the decks of a luxury Victorian yacht.
            1. 25 Mar 202331 Oct 2023
          3. Fell Foot | The National Trust
            Fell Foot
            A lakeshore park with stunning mountain views at the southern tip of Windermere.
            1. Aira Force | The National Trust
              Aira Force
              A thundering waterfall that was the backdrop for William Wordsworth’s poem ‘Somnambulist’ - a Gothic tale of love and tragedy.
              1. Townend | The National Trust
                Townend
                An atmospheric farmhouse near Windermere full of quirky objects, fascinating stories and 400 years of history.
                1. Sticklebarn | The National Trust
                  Sticklebarn
                  Enjoy a cake, bake or pint below the Langdale Pikes before exploring the surrounding rugged pikes.
                  1. 1 Jan 202331 Dec 2023
                2. Claife Viewing Station | The National Trust
                  Claife Viewing Station
                  Grab a ferry from Bowness across to Claife Viewing Station to admire panoramic views of Windermere.

                  See the Lake District from a new point of view.

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