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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.
Explore
Stuck for things to do this May Half Term? Whether you are a thrill seeker looking for…
Keswick Mountain Festival is the UK's largest participatory, outdoors multi-sports event in the UK.…
Award winning crime writer Jonathan Whitelaw is flying in from Canada to launch his new book, The…
Join us for an incredible adventure on the Coniston Fells, a stone's throw from the historic…
Looking ahead to Friday 24th May, we'll be welcoming Jack Hartley to The Swan. An Avid player on…
On the 31st May we're looking forward to welcoming Rambling Rob Young – A singer-songwriter…
The Disabled Ramblers is a small national charity working to help those with limited mobility to…
Since 2019, The Native Cult has been radiating their musical sunshine across the North West of the…
In partnership with the Theatre by the Lake and part of the Fells for All festival, join in on a…
Join us for an incredible adventure in the Great Langdale Valley in the heart of the Lake District…
Brought to you by National Trust and Karen Whybrow Coaching, carry out a powerful releasing ritual…
Dr Anna Ploszajski is an award-winning materials scientist, author, presenter, comedian and…
Brought to you by the National Trust and Mobile Adventure, an opportunity to get out on the lake…
Develop your hand building techniques to create a range of pots that you will fire the following…
Brought to you by the National Trust and Experience Community for the Keswick Mountain Festival,…
Broadoaks is the fairytale Lake District wedding venue to host your special day. Steeped in…
Cockermouth Mechanics' Band is a community brass band based in Cockermouth and active throughout…
Join us for an epic day exploring the breathtaking Coniston fells with our expert guide, where…
Brought to you by the National Trust for Geo Week. Come and join us for a rare opportunity to visit…
The full Flower (or Hare) moon aligns with the colourful early summer flowers blooming and…
Take a guided tour supported by British Sign Language interpretation. Join us as we take you…
The Swan Hotel & Spa are excited to be bringing back summer spa-rties, and this time it's going to…
A National Park Volunteer-led guided walk along the Keswick to Threlkeld Trail
This week we'll be helping our special woods at Staveley Woodlands Nature Reserve. Try your hand at…
The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
Number of results: 494
, currently showing 1 to 20.
Keswick
Situated in the heart of Newlands Valley Keswick, opposite Catbells, The Old Barn and Farm House have outstanding views of the entire valley.
Grasmere
A visit to Dove Cottage today transports you back to this remarkable period of ‘plain living and high thinking’. The sights, sounds and smells bring to life the bustling family home the Wordsworths would have known over 200 years ago.
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968 reviewsWindermere
Escape the crowds and explore Lake Windermere at your own pace! Choose your adventure with Windermere Lake Cruises self-drive boat hire. Whether you crave the quiet charm of a classic rowboat or the effortless glide of an electric motorboat, we've…
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4508 reviewsWindermere
Tents can pitch in one of two areas. - Our Ghyllside camping area, allows you to reserve your pitch, with electrical hook-up (6amps) suitable for lighting, recharging devices and small appliances such as a travel kettle. These pitches are allocated…
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849 reviewsCockermouth
Eco cottages, built and furnished to the highest standards, in 'one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen'. The cottages have used green design and technologies with ground and air source heat pumps to power the under-floor heating beneath the…
Hawkshead, Lake Windermere
Nestled in the heart of Graythwaite Estate, 5,000 acres of managed woodland, parkland and lake frontage, is our magical bushcraft base where we love to welcome those seeking a real outdoor experience. Our bushcraft experiences are relaxed, fun and…
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331 reviewsUllswater
The six new shepherd huts have been expertly crafted by Blackdown Shepherd Huts using sustainable French oak cladding. The double-braced huts have stargazing roofs, free-standing baths, and a lounge area with a log burner.
Pooley Bridge
Just a stone's throw away from Lake Ullswater, Hillcroft Park boasts one of the most stunning locations of any UK holiday park, offering glamping with a choice 19 eco-pods of two types.
Langdale
The abseil is around 100-120 feet and you also get to have an explore around Hodge Close Quarry. It's a fascinating site to look around. Be prepared for a short, steep walk out the quarry on loose rock. There is a limited free parking area right…
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1053 reviewsRavenglass
Welcome to Lakeland's oldest, longest and most scenic railway!
La'aL Ratty, the little Cumbrian railway, is an award-winning heritage visitor attraction and Lake District icon, living up to its “must do” reputation for all ages. Excellent…
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1940 reviewsUllswater, Penrith
Waterfoot Park is located within the Lake District National Park, easily accessible from J40 M6.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
442 reviewsMillom
The Wayside is a beautifully renovated hidden gem in an idyllic, secluded location in the Western Lake District, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Overlooked by the magnificent Black Combe Fell, and beach access is just a short walk away. The…
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
329 reviewsConiston
Explore one of the Lake District’s famous lakes, Coniston Water, and see the magnificent scenery from a canoe. We'll tailor the day to suit you - whether it’s a fun day of games, exploring the lake and splashing with the whole family or a relaxing…
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
458 reviewsAmbleside
Stay in a luxury Shepherd's Hut at the stunning Victorian House Hotel in Grasmere. Perfect for a relaxing stay after days exploring the Lake District with private riverbank views.
Penrith
Camping Cabins are the perfect alternative to camping in a tent.
Grasmere
Our Garden Restaurant overlooks our beautiful gardens in the scenic village of Grasmere. We have recently been re-awarded our two coveted AA Rosettes offering high quality seasonal dishes made with local ingredients, expertly delivered by our…
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
1377 reviewsNewby Bridge, Road, Windermere
Named after the local slate, Burlington's is not just a hotel restaurant, its a destination in its own right. Our head chef Lukasz specialises in French and English cuisine and uses only the finest, freshest local produce and ingredients. Our AA…
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
1472 reviewsEskdale Valley
Experience canoeing on one of the Lake Districts most remote and impressive lakes and take a journey on the deepest lake in England taking in the views of the Scafell Massif.
Bassenthwaite Lake, Bassenthwaite
Connoisseurs of fine cuisine will find much to appreciate at Armathwaite Hall Country House Hotel and Spa.
Torver Mill
• 5 Star Gold Rated Barn Conversion for 2
• Idyllic riverside location
• Secluded gardens
• Views of Coniston Old Man
• Fantastic walking and mountain biking from the doorstep
• Beautiful, luxury interior
• EV charger
• Secure bike storage
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Cumbria Tourism, Windermere Road, Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 9PL