Skip To Main Content

  • Accommodation
    • Don't Miss
      • Sustainable Stays
      • Dog Friendly Accommodation
      • Family Accommodation
      • Accommodation with a Swimming Pool
      • Accommodation with Gyms
      • Accommodation with Hot Tubs
      • Group Accommodation
      • Luxury Accommodation
      • Something a Bit Different
      • Spa Breaks
    • Accessible Accommodation
    • B&Bs & Guesthouses
    • Hotels
    • Lake District Cottages
    • Self Catering Accommodation
    • Camping, Glamping, Caravans and Lodges
    • Holiday Parks
    • Hostels
    • Pubs with Rooms
    • Restaurants with Rooms
    • Holiday Homes for Sale
    • Cottage Agencies
  • What's On
    • Challenge Events
      • 13 Valleys
      • Great North Swim
      • Windermere Marathon
      • Cross-Bay Walks
      • Traditional Sports
      • Gurning Festival (Egremont Crab Fair)
      • World’s Biggest Liar
    • Cultural Events
      • Winter Droving
    • Festivals
      • Cockermouth Live!
      • Lake District Music Summer Festival
      • Cumbria Dark Skies Festival
      • Marmalade Festival at Dalemain
      • Fells for All Festival
      • Dave Day
    • Food Events
    • Galleries & Exhibitions
    • Markets
    • Add your event
  • Things to Do
    • Bookable Experiences
    • 50 Great Cumbrian Experiences
    • Lake District Attractions
    • Adventure Activities
      • Adventure on the Water
      • Adventure Training
      • Extreme & Off Road
      • Rocks & Ropes
    • Arts and Culture
      • Let's Go Culture
      • Famous Artists, Poets & Writers
      • Festivals
      • Galleries & Exhibitions
      • Independent Cinema
      • Museums
      • Theatre & Live Performance
    • Experiences
      • Aerial Experiences
      • Animal Experiences
      • Bushcraft Experiences
      • Craft Demonstrations & Workshops
      • Food & Drink Experiences
      • Gift Experiences
    • Guided Tours
      • Coach & Minibus Tours
      • Guided Cycling
      • Guided Walks
      • Nature & Wildlife Tours
    • Health & Wellbeing
      • Forest Bathing
      • Gym & Swim
      • Massage
      • Wild Swimming
      • Yoga
    • History and Heritage
      • Cumbrian Castles
      • Cumbrian Churches
      • Historic Houses, Parks & Gardens
      • King Arthur in Cumbria
    • Outdoor Activities
      • In the Air
      • On the Land
      • On the Water
      • Cycling
      • Walking
      • Boat Hire
      • Golf
      • Horse Riding & Pony Trekking
      • Lake Cruises & Boat Trips
      • Sporting Activities
      • Hen & Stag Activities
      • Team Building activities
      • Free Wainwright Podcasts
    • Shopping
      • Virtual Christmas Market
      • Cumbrian High Street Shopping
      • Local Produce
      • Markets in the Lake District, Cumbria
      • Shop Online
    • Accessible Activities
    • Family Days Out
    • Wildlife & Nature
    • Safety/Adventure Smart
  • Food and Drink
    • Dog Friendly Places to Eat
    • Family-friendly places to eat
    • Afternoon Tea
    • Breweries & Distilleries
    • Cafés
    • Fine dining
    • Foraging & Bushcraft
    • Local Produce
    • Pub Food & Gastro Pubs
    • Restaurants
    • Vegetarian & Vegan
    • Food & Drink in Cumberland
  • Explore Cumbria
    • Areas of Cumbria
      • The Lake District
      • Carlisle & Hadrian’s Wall
      • Eden Valley & North Pennines
      • Morecambe Bay
      • Western Lake District & Coast
      • Where The Lakes Meets The Dales
    • Towns & Villages
    • Lakes of the Lake District
    • Travel
      • Let's Go Car Free
      • Getting To Cumbria
      • Getting Around Cumbria
      • Car Parking and Car Charging
      • Group Travel
    • Year of the Coast
    • World Heritage Cumbria
    • Mountains & Fells
    • Harbours & Marinas
  • Ideas and Inspiration
    • Cumbria Tourism Awards 2025
    • Starring Great Britain: The Lake District, Cumbria
      • timeline
      • Gallery of Locations
    • Lake District, Cumbria Bucket List
    • Selfie Guide
    • Dark Sky Cumbria
    • Suggested Itineraries
    • Sunny day ideas
    • Rainy day ideas
    • The National Trust in the Lake District
    • Spa Breaks
    • Romantic Breaks
    • Family Holidays
    • Dog Friendly Holidays
    • Bespoke Holidays
    • The Inn Collection Group in the Lake District
    • Sustainable Stays
    • Caring for the environment
      • Lake District Foundation
      • Safety/Adventure Smart
  • Plan Your Visit
    • Access for all - Adventure for Everyone
      • Accessibility on film
      • Adventure for all - Ideas and Inspiration
    • Tourist Information Centres
  • Weddings
    • Wedding Venues
      • Exclusive Use Venues
      • Venues with Accommodation
    • Wedding Suppliers
    • Wedding Fairs & Events
    • Stag & Hen Parties
    • Honeymoon & Minimoon
    • Transport
    • Spa Treatments
  • Conferences & Event Spaces
    • Conference Venues with Rooms
    • Attraction Venues & Meeting Spaces
    • Functions, Banquets and Corporate Event Venues
    • Team Building
    • Event Organisers, Catering & Suppliers
  • Prizes & Guides
    • Subscribe to our Newsletter
    • Free Holiday Guide Downloads
    • Gift Vouchers
    • Download Free Desktop Wallpaper
    • Download Free Wainwright Podcasts
    • Prize Draws
      • Win two Pure Lakes Candle or Soap Making Experienc
      • WIN a £250 Holiday Voucher for Woodclose Park
      • Win a £500 holiday voucher
      • WIN two Forage & Nibble vouchers with Forage Box
      • Win a break in the Lake District, Cumbria
      • Win a stay at North Lakes Hotel & Spa
    • 2025 Dogs Love Cumbria Guide Photo Competition
  • Let's Go Lake District Blog
  • Special Offers

Don't Miss

  • Summer | Description

    Summer in the Lake District, Cumbria

  • Sign up to receive our newsletter containing news and special offers from the Lake District, Cumbria.

    Subscribe to our Newsletter

  • Site Logo
  • Print Logo
Site Search Icon

My Planner

To build your own Itinerary, click Add to Excursion to add an item to your Itinerary basket.

Already saved an Itinerary?

List All My Saved Itineraries

Language
  • DE
  • EN
Menu
  1. Smiling woman on a high rope course at Go Ape Whinlatter in the Lake District, Cumbria
    Things To Do
  2. Couple looks at the Bluebird at The Ruskin Museum in Coniston, Lake District
    Things To Do
  3. Two women pose for a photo with their arms over their head atop Binsey in the Lake District, Cumbria
    Things To Do
Smiling woman on a high rope course at Go Ape Whinlatter in the Lake District, Cumbria

Things to Do

You are here: Home > 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. If you like your sporting activities, 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 doing some fell walking or scaling some rocks…did you know that the Lake District, Cumbria was the birthplace of fell walking, fell running and modern-day rock climbing? Whether on land or in the water, you will find a wealth of activities, attractions and things to do in the Lake District, Cumbria.

We’re also pretty proud of our world-class cultural heritage. There’s an impressive list of radical thinkers, artists, poets and writers - 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 exhibitions; the packed, year-round programme of performances and festivals celebrating all manner of creative endeavours, from music to local craft demonstrations and workshops. 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. Check out our Lake District, Cumbria blog, packed full of inspiration to help you make the most of your visit. It’s all here, just waiting for you to come and experience it.

Loading..

Inspiration

  1. Visitor enjoying the zipline at Go Ape Grizedale in the Lake District, Cumbria
    Things to Do Special Offers
    Check out these special offers on things to do in the Lake District, Cumbria!
  2. An enchanting world where Beatrix Potter’s stories are brought to life.  Look out for the summer show and Peter Rabbit Café!
    World of Beatrix Potter
    An enchanting world where Beatrix Potter’s stories are brought to life. Look out for the summer show and Peter Rabbit Café!
    1. 1 Jan 202531 Dec 2025
  3. Book Country Pursuits with Visit Lake District, the official website for the Lake District and Cumbria
    Bookable Experiences
    Experiences and activities here in the Lake District, Cumbria that you can book online.
  4. Plan your journey the smart way - Visit Lake District.
    Plan your journey the smart way
    Our new travel planner enables you to plan your trip in the most efficient way possible.
  5. View and order our free Lake District, Cumbria guides
    The Holiday Guide
    The definitive guide to getting the most out of your visit to the Lake District & Cumbria.
  6. The Lake District, Cumbria Attractions Guide 2024
    Attractions Guide
    The Attractions Guide is jam packed full of great places to visit, fun days out and activities for the whole family.
  7. Family Days out in the Lake District
    Family Days Out
    The best family days out inthe Lake District, Cumbria. From farm experiences to taking to the water in a kayak, we have exactly what it takes to keep the whole family happy.
  8. Accessible activities in the Lake Didtrict
    Accessible Activities
    Useful information to find out about activities and specialist residential holidays with great inclusive facilities.
  9. Guided tours in the Lake District, Cumbria.
    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.
  10. Arts & Culture
    Check out the Galleries, museums, performing arts, exhibitions, studios in an area which has always been known for providing inspiration to great artists, poets and artisitc pioneers.
  11. The Lake District, Cumbria blog
    Check out our blog
    Get inspiration on great things to do and places to see during your visit.
  12. Sign up to receive our newsletter containing news and special offers from the Lake District, Cumbria.
    Receive our e-newsletter
    Sign up to receive all the latest news and special offers delivered direct to your inbox.

You may leave the Lake District, but once you’ve been, it’ll never leave you.

Search
  • Accommodation
  • Things to Do
  • What's On
  • Food & Drink
Accommodation
Check Availability
Arrival Date
Add Room
Type
Area
Location
Within miles
Keyword
Refine By
Site Features
Leisure Facilities
Property Facilities
Room/Unit Facilities
Parking
Accessibility
Other
Things to Do
Type
Refine By
Beyonk Online Booking
Area
Location
Within miles
Keyword
Refine By
Accessibility
What's On
Dates
Type
Area
Location
Within miles
Keyword
Food & Drink
Type
Area
Location
Within miles
Keyword
Refine By
Accessibility
Accommodation
Check Availability
Arrival Date
Add Room
Type
Area
Location
Within miles
Keyword
Refine By
Site Features
Leisure Facilities
Property Facilities
Room/Unit Facilities
Parking
Accessibility
Other
Things to Do
Type
Refine By
Beyonk Online Booking
Area
Location
Within miles
Keyword
Refine By
Accessibility
What's On
Dates
Type
Area
Location
Within miles
Keyword
Food & Drink
Type
Area
Location
Within miles
Keyword
Refine By
Accessibility

Things To Do Highlights

Windermere Lake Cruises, Wray Castle
Windermere Lake Cruises, Wray

Nestled on the peaceful western shore of Lake Windermere, Wray Pier offers a tranquil entry point…

Visitors watching a display at the Grizedale Observatory in the Lake District, Cumbria
Grizedale Observatory

Grizedale Observatory and planetarium for stargazing under the dark skies of the Lake District.…

Setting for Afternoon Tea at Exclusive Experiences at Wordsworth Grasmere in the Lake District, Cumbria ©Copyright Gareth Gardner 2019
Exclusive Experiences at Wordsworth Grasmere

Step back in time and immerse yourself in the world of Regency England with an exclusive,…

Ullswater 'Steamers' on Ullswater in the Lake District, Cumbria © Ben Barden
Ullswater Steamers

With beautiful, dramatic scenery that lends itself to days spent hiking amongst the Lakeland fells,…

Visitors Sketching at an Art Course with Long House Studios in Kentmere, Lake District
Art Courses at Long House Studios

Discover our immersive and transformative courses, which run for between 2 to 5 days, all centred…

Exterior and Signage at The Heaton Cooper Studio in Grasmere, Lake District
The Heaton Cooper Studio

Art gallery and art shop run by the Heaton Cooper family, selling original paintings and prints…

PrevPrev
  • 1Windermere Lake Cruises, WrayWindermere Lake Cruises, Wray Castle
  • 2Grizedale ObservatoryVisitors watching a display at the Grizedale Observatory in the Lake District, Cumbria
  • 3Exclusive Experiences at Wordsworth GrasmereSetting for Afternoon Tea at Exclusive Experiences at Wordsworth Grasmere in the Lake District, Cumbria ©Copyright Gareth Gardner 2019
  • 4Ullswater SteamersUllswater 'Steamers' on Ullswater in the Lake District, Cumbria © Ben Barden
  • 5Art Courses at Long House StudiosVisitors Sketching at an Art Course with Long House Studios in Kentmere, Lake District
  • 6The Heaton Cooper StudioExterior and Signage at The Heaton Cooper Studio in Grasmere, Lake District
NextNext

You may also like

  • Bookable Experiences

  • Download Guide

  • Gift Vouchers

  • Itineraries

  • E-newsletter Sign Up

  • Blog

Stay in Touch

Follow The Lake District, Cumbria on Social Media

Sign up for E-newsletter

Receive all the latest news, special offers and information from the Lake District, Cumbria

Sign Up
  • Let's Go Lake District Blog
  • About Visit Lake District
  • Media Enquiries
  • Travel Trade
  • Contact Us
  • Jobs in the Lake District, Cumbria
  • Site Map
  • Terms of use
  • Privacy Policy
  • World Heritage Cumbria
  • Romantic Breaks
  • Selfie Guide
  • Accommodation
  • What's On
  • Things to Do
  • Food and Drink
  • Lake District Weddings
  • Access for all - Adventure for Everyone
Contact Us

Cumbria Tourism, Windermere Road, Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 9PL

Made by Simpleview Logo
Beyonk Logo
Experience Booking Powered by Beyonk

Ratings Powered By

tripadvisor

Cumbria Tourism

© Cumbria Tourism