explore cumbria's landscape & historic sites...
At 885 square miles the Lake District is England’s largest national park just waiting to be explored.
We are home to England’s deepest lake, Wastwater; longest lake, Windermere and highest mountain, Scafell Pike. In-fact there are only 5 peaks over 900m in England and they are all here in Cumbria.
With 50 stone circles, and Hadrian’s Wall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Whether you want to delve into our deep,
sometimes dark past or simply enjoy some stunning surroundings, there's plenty of local history and heritage to keep you interested in the scenic highlights of the Lake District.
historic sites & scenic highlights
Historic sites & buildings
Visit Lake District highlights from Hadrian's Wall in the north to Furness Abbey in the south, delve into in the history of the region.
Industrial heritage
Visit a 19thC mining village, take a steam train ride to the foot of England's highest mountain. Cumbria has a wealth of industrial heritage for you to experience
Mountains & valleys
Explore the Lake District fells and mountains in Cumbria or wander along the valley floors. There is so much to see in Cumbria and so many views to enjoy.
mountains
borrowdale valley
Lakes & rivers
The lakes in Cumbria are England's longest and deepest, and there are plenty more all in different shapes and sizes.
lakes
Waterfalls
The inspiration of writers old and new. While fells and lakes define the Lake District landscape there are more wonders of nature to see such as Lake District waterfalls.
waterfalls
Forests & woodland
Home to a rare and thriving population. Nesting ospreys, red squirrels and red deer. The Lake District woodlands provide shelter for a micro-world of mosses and lichens.
forests & woodland
Oddities
Submerged forest
The remains of a submerged forest can be seen at low tide to the south of Beckfoot, near SillothBorrowdale Sop
The Borrowdale Sop is a small cloud that develops at the head of Borrowdale near Styhead Tarn. Weather watchers monitor its movements to predict the weather. If it goes towards St John's in the Vale, the weather will continue to be fair; but if it heads towards Langdale, rain will follow within a dayFrozen lake
In 1895, Windermere became ice-bound for 6 weeks, making it possible to walk across from one side to the other. Other frozen years were 1864, 1946 and 1963.Floating island
Derwentwater has a floating island that sporadically appears towards the end of summer. It consists of a mass of vegetable matter that rises to the surface on a cushion of methane gas.Orrest Head, Windermere
Orrest Head was the first summit visited by Alfred Wainwright and he later recalled that ‘those few hours at Orrest Head cast a spell that changed my life'.
Scenic highlights on a map
Using the map
The map shows the location of the scenic highlights in the county. The darker the sandy colour the more features there are in that area.Plan your visit
wildzone
Flora and fauna
Cumbria has more wildlife sites of national and international importance than any other county. Although we hope you'll encounter some of these plants and creatures we also hope you will help us protect them and their homes.
Flora of the Fells
Wealth Of Wildlife
Cumbria Wildlife Trust
Wildzone Cumbria
churches trust for cumbria
There are hundreds of churches, chapels and meeting houses across the county for you to visit, each with their own story.
