Things to Do

Have you got a year to spare? You’ll need that amount of time and more if you want to make a real dent in the list of incredible activities available in the Lake District, Cumbria.

Cumbria is England’s adventure playground, with a seemingly inexhaustible list of experiences for all ages and interests. One moment you could be flying through the trees on a zipwire in Grizedale Forest, the next you’re trying to stay dry on a paddleboard on Lake Windermere. It’s just as easy to play a round of golf with a dramatic mountain backdrop as it is to wade into a fast-flowing stream for a spot of wild water fishing. And how about scaling some rocks…did you know that the Lake District, Cumbria was the birthplace of modern rock climbing?

We’re also pretty proud of our world-class cultural heritage. There’s an impressive list of radical thinkers and artistic pioneers who found inspiration here – William Wordsworth, Beatrix Potter, JMW Turner, John Ruskin, Kurt Schwitters and Andy Goldsworthy. Walk in their footsteps, visit their homes, explore the rich creative life built on their exceptional heritage. You can see and feel it within a few short miles: the top class museums and heritage centres; the artworks in the mountains and forests; the scores of galleries and artists’ studios; the packed, year-round programme of performances and festivals celebrating all manner of creative endeavours, from music to local craft. And yes, we have lots of traditional performance venues, but there’s a particular thrill in attending a show on an outdoor stage in a spectacular setting.

Whatever you’re into, you’ll find a pretty great version of it in the Lake District, Cumbria. You can take a hawk for a walk or be a farmer for a day. You can try your hand at dog sledding or learn the basic skills of bushcraft. You can take to the sky in a gyroplane or stay grounded aboard a Segway. You can attend poetry readings in Wordsworth’s living room and listen to a symphony orchestra by a lake. It’s all here, just waiting for you to come and experience it.