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England’s best-known and most popular national park is a postcard landscape of shimmering lakes, craggy hilltops and ancient forests that has enchanted poets and painters since the late 18th century, when the Romantics first had their imaginations stirred by the panoramas that have remained unchanged to this day.
And what panoramas they are. There’s the classic Lakeland setting of Windermere, England’s largest lake and the primary destination for millions of tourists since the railroad was first built in the middle of the 19th century. On it is busy Bowness and the charming villages of Grasmere and Hawkshead, surrounded on all sides by beautiful mountains.
The north lakes – Ullswater, Bassenthwaite, Derwentwater, Loweswater – are quieter and wilder, in the shadow of the rugged Skiddaw range and with handsome Keswick at the heart of it. The lush Borrowdale Valley leads to the dramatic Honister mountain pass and into the natural lakes of Buttermere & Crummock.
Adventure seekers go west, to the higher ground of Great Langdale and the region’s major summits of Bowfell, Crinkle Crags and the biggest mountain of all, Scafell Pike.
The Lake District is an outdoor activities paradise, but its literary connections draw as many visitors as its walks do. William Wordsworth lived virtually all of his life here, drawing inspiration from the surrounding countryside to write some of the English language’s most enduring poetry. The landscape also proved a creative spark for the likes of Sameul Taylor Coleridge, Arthur Ransome and Beatrix Potter – who dedicated much of her life to protecting the Lake District’s beauty and heritage.
In all its beauty and diversity the Lake District remains as it has been for millennia, which is one of the reasons why in 2017 the national park was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site – its river valleys, lakes and mountains home to an unique hill-farming culture and ancient heritage that has been carefully preserved. Here in the Lake District we know how to take good care of you; we’ve had plenty of practice.
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A walking photography workshop around Ambleside and the nearby countryside with photographer Chris…
Cockermouth Mechanics' Band is a community brass band based in Cockermouth and active throughout…
Create your own silver pendant or earrings inspired by the natural world. Silver clay is fun, fast…
In 2004, Richard Askwith published Feet in the Clouds: a personal memoir of fell running and…
As part of Windermere Science Festival enjoy an Agatha Christie-inspired three-course meal and…
Join rising star Dana Zemtsov and Festival Director Anthony Hewitt in John Ruskin's elegant drawing…
Enjoy a freshly prepared buffet, a relaxed atmosphere and a unique viewing point for some of the…
Dr Anna Ploszajski is an award-winning materials scientist, author, presenter, comedian and…
Join us on a journey through the world's most breathtaking landscapes with a selection of award…
On 14 December 2017, Omar Samra and Omar Nour, affectionately dubbed 'O2', set off in the world's…
A 13 or 26 mile trek for supporters of Alzheimer's Society to raise funds.
Brought to you by the National Trust and Mobile Adventure, an opportunity to get out on the lake…
Join us for an incredible adventure on Scafell Pike, one of the National three peaks and the…
Are you ready to embark on a transformative journey that combines the power of nature, ancient…
Brought to you by the National Trust for Geo Week. Come and join us for a rare opportunity to visit…
A short National Park Volunteer-led guided walk using accessible paths to the summit of Orrest Head…
Take inspiration from Windermere Jetty Museum's collection and build your own model boat from…
Enjoy a STEAM-filled weekend brimming with insightful talks, engaging workshops, and events for…
Little Explorers story and nature walks for under 5s and their grown-ups. These fun interactive…
This week we'll be helping our special woods at Staveley Woodlands Nature Reserve. Try your hand at…
The autumn 23/24 series of canicross races has now launched! Held in England's only mountain…
Since 2019, The Native Cult has been radiating their musical sunshine across the North West of the…
On the 31st May we're looking forward to welcoming Rambling Rob Young – A singer-songwriter…
Spend a weekend learning how to sail our Canoes. They are specifically designed to Sail fast and…
The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
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Nr Kendal
This imposing house stands proud at the gateway to the Lake District. Its rich and beautiful garden includes a pond, lake, a national collection of hardy ferns and a superb limestone rock garden. Sizergh Castle is a medieval house with Tudor…
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
1570 reviewsConiston
We are a small family run cottage letting business in Central Lakeland. Our five traditional cottages are in Langdale, Grasmere, Ambleside and Coniston.
Great Langdale, Ambleside
The Langdale Hotel & Spa in the heart of the Lake District, is the perfect place for getting away from it all.
Keswick
A luxury, family run country house hotel and restaurant near Keswick in The Lake District National Park. Lyzzick Hall is a perfect base for a walking, sight-seeing or relaxing break.
Various locations in Cumbria
Tailor made self guided, walking, cycling and touring holidays with luxury and classic accommodation showing you the hidden gems of the area.
Ambleside
Our air-conditioned Brasserie is open to both residents and non-residents for Lunch & Dinner and our menus feature the finest fresh produce from the region.
Ambleside
Come to Skelwith Fold for a warm welcome and a unique place to stay in one of our glamping pods in the Lake District. We would love to help you create a Lakeland adventure that you will never forget!
Newby Bridge
Join us at our secluded woodland camp on the shores of Windermere for a bushcraft brunch to die for, this is thriving not just surviving!
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
54 reviewsKeswick
We are a long established, 1981, family-run guest house, with friendly, relaxing atmosphere. We have a range of comfortably furnished rooms all with colour TV, tea/coffee making facilities and serve an excellent breakfast.
Ambleside
Parkland and Gothic Revival castle sitting on the west shore of Windermere providing an impressive backdrop of turrets, towers, informal grounds and miles of lakeshore paths.
Boot
Ghyll Scrambling for adventurers! The ultimate all-day adventure - not for the faint-hearted!
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
458 reviewsGrange-over-Sands
Unique, therapeutic & life-changing experiences for all animal lovers with the famous Black Horses of Cartmel.
Lakeside
A spectacularly located site on the quieter western shores of Windermere, England’s largest lake and with stunning views our Lakeside site has it all in spades. Each of our yurts here have stunning lake views and are a hop, skip and a splosh away…
Ullswater
Glenridding Manor House Hotel: Without doubt, the best quality non pretentious accommodation on Lake Ullswater. Perfect for walking the coast to coast, climbing Helvellyn, Sailing, canoeing or paddle boarding on Ullswater, Taking a steamer to…
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
95 reviewsReceive all the latest news, special offers and information from the Lake District, Cumbria
Cumbria Tourism, Windermere Road, Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 9PL