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It rains from time to time in the Lake District, but how else did you think we got our fabulous landscapes and those lakes? Still, we’re more than prepared for the occasional downpour, and there’s plenty to do while taking shelter from the elements.
The county’s collection of museums alone could keep you busy for a year, whether it’s visiting the homes of William Wordsworth or Beatrix Potter, learning about life on the lake at the spectacular new boat museum on Windermere, or uncovering the fascinating history of the humble pencil, which we-bet-you-didn’t-know was invented in Keswick back in the 16th century. Don’t knock it until you try it!
You can watch Beatrix Potter’s most memorable creations come to life in Bowness or explore the miner’s life deep in a mountain at Honister. The county’s waterfalls are best visited when there’s been a downpour – Aira Force and Stock Ghyll are powerful examples of nature’s extraordinary force and beauty.
Lake cruises depart in all weathers, as do Cumbria’s railroads – what better way of whiling away a wet day than aboard a 19th century steam train? And if you want to work up a proper sweat, there are indoor climbing walls in Ambleside, Kendal `and Keswick.
Cumbria’s towns are well worth a mooch in their own right: Windermere, Bowness, Ambleside and Kendal are beautiful places lined with independent shops and cafes, but you can go farther afield and while away a few hours in the shopping havens of Rheged, near Penrith (where there’s also an IMAX cinema); and Carlisle, whose busy centre is full of distractions (and there’s a pretty impressive castle and cathedral too).
Inspiration
You may leave the Lake District, but once you’ve been, it’ll never leave you.

Number of results: 108
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Penrith
Award Winning Craft Gin Distillery and shop offering gin making workshops in a beautiful medieval setting with other artisan producers and cafe on site.
Coniston
Meet Coniston's heroes, John Ruskin, artist, radical and seer and Donald Campbell, speed ace. View the fully restored Bluebird craft in the Bluebird wing of the museum. Discover the mineral wealth of the fells, all at 'the most thought provoking…
Borrowdale, Keswick
Adrenaline filled adventure inside the belly of a Lake District mountain, ‘Climb the Mine’ is the only one of its type in England.
Windermere
Discover the breathtaking beauty of the Yorkshire Dales National Park on a full-day tour from the Lake District, where rolling green hills stretch as far as the eye can see, framed by iconic dry-stone walls and quaint country lanes. Immerse yourself…
Ulverston
Swarthmoor Hall is a 17th century, Grade II* listed country house. The Hall is regarded as the cradle of Quakerism as it was here in 1652 that the Quaker movement was formed during a period of enormous political and religious turmoil.
Kendal
Regional artists know all too well how few spaces are available to show their work, so the recent opening of this large gallery space in Kendal is an exciting new addition to the Lakeland arts scene. With around a hundred square metres of space, the…
Ambleside
Work out in our state of the art Techno Gym which includes treadmills, power plate, cross trainer, resistance machine, ipod docking stations and the outstanding Kinesis machine.
W Walls, Carlisle
Carlisle's taproom-led brewery. We brew, package and serve our beer in the same room — fresher than you'll find anywhere else. Pizza by the slice. Open Thursday to Sunday. Dog-friendly.
The Promenade, Maryport
Roman museum displaying the internationally significant collection of Romano-British altars, inscriptions and sculptures from the adjacent Roman fort and civilian settlement.
Kendal
Photography tours and workshops under the guidance of Amy Bateman, British Life Photographer of the Year and Forty Farms Creator. Enjoy photographing Lakeland Farm life and subjects ordinarily out of reach.
Windermere
An intimate and luxury spa that cherishes special time together with private experiences just for two.
Cockermouth
The brewery is now open again, at the foot of Cockermouth Castle, surrounded by the River Derwent and the River Cocker. This water source is integral to our brewing, as our water is drawn direct from the castle well. This pure, Lakeland water, is…
Ambleside
Museum, art gallery and reference library covering the history life and arts of the Lakes. Collections include Kurt Schwitters, Beatrix Potter, photography, fine art and local history.
Ulverston
The Laurel and Hardy Museum celebrates the life and career of Stan Laurel, born in Ulverston.
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.
Windermere
The Spa at Low Wood Bay will take you on a journey of indoor and outdoor thermal spaces, exquisite lunch or afternoon tea options and a hand-selected spa treatment; enjoy unpretentious luxury in a unique setting.
St John's St, Keswick
Keswick Film Festival is Cumbria’s premiere cinematic event bringing the best of international and independent cinema from across the world for those who love films and the beautiful setting of the Lake District.
Cockermouth
Situated on what was once the Cockermouth, Keswick and Penrith railway line, Bassenthwaite Lake Station offers a unique place to enjoy breakfast, brunch and lunch aboard the replica Orient Express train, right here in the Lake District.
Kentmere
Discover our immersive and transformative courses, which run for between 2 to 5 days, all centred on the art of drawing from observation. It's a journey of self-expression and visual communication, making the world's true beauty come alive.
Windermere
Step into the world of James Herriot on the All Creatures Great and Small Tour, set against the stunning backdrop of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. This tour takes you deep into Herriot country, where you’ll discover the charming villages and…
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Cumbria Tourism, Windermere Road, Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 9PL