Things To Do
Things To Do
Things To Do
Things To Do
Things To Do

Things to Do in the Lake District and Cumbria

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.

Inspiration

Great Days Out - Grizedale Forest
Forestry England’s Grizedale Forest is a special place, one that inspires, exhilarates, and rejuvenates those who visit.

28 Jul 2020
Lake District Activities

Where can you go gorge walking in the morning, sailing in the afternoon and mountain biking in the evening – and still find time to try some archery and some zorbing?
Family Days Out

Because the Lake District, Cumbria is a destination for the whole family, so our menu of activities is broad enough to satisfy every interest and ability. From farm experiences to taking to the water in a kayak, we have exactly what it takes to keep the whole family happy.
Accessible Activities

Useful information to find out about activities and specialist residential holidays with great inclusive facilities.
Experiences

These days, everything is about ‘experiential travel,’ which is just another way of describing doing something that you’ll remember.
History and Heritage

Wherever you are in Cumbria and the Lake District you can feel the shadow of a deep cultural heritage. Here are the standing stones and circles of the ancients.
Arts and Culture

Beauty, brains and exceedingly good taste: the Lake District, Cumbria is the full package. Here we celebrate a living culture that incorporates the past but is rooted firmly in the present. Our history - ancient and more recent - is alive and well in the very Cumbrian landscape, but you can interpret it in our impressive collection of museums that tell Cumbria’s story - from prehistory right through to the modern age.
Shopping

Cumbria is the home of multiple independent shops, with plenty of retail therapy on offer both inland and all the way along the county’s coastline.
Guided Tours

Why not avail of an expert to explore the Lake District, Cumbria? There's a range of expertise that can be put at your disposal.
Adventure Activities

Cumbria and the Lake District are England’s adventure playgrounds, with an almost inexhaustible list of activities to test your mind and muscle. From walking to abseiling, zorbing to kayaking, this is the place to be for an action-packed adventure holiday.