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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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Stuck for things to do this May Half Term? Whether you are a thrill seeker looking for…
Often described as the friendliest and most beautiful UK marathon. This wonderful and undulating…
Take inspiration from Windermere Jetty Museum's collection and build your own model boat from…
Nestled on the shores of Lake Windermere in Cumbria, this extensive working mill produced literally…
Our 1/2 day NaturesGems tours start at 9am and finish around 1pm. We will spend the morning…
The Challenging Whinlatter Forest is the venue for this Trail Half Marathon & 10k in May 2024. With…
Come and join us for a day's Canoeing from Fell Foot. Fell Foot has amazing accessible facilities,…
A one and a quarter-hour cruise to catch the sunset over Windermere. This relaxing cruise takes…
Enjoy a STEAM-filled weekend brimming with insightful talks, engaging workshops, and events for…
Join us for an incredible adventure on Scafell Pike, one of the National three peaks and the…
A walking photography workshop around Ambleside and the nearby countryside with photographer Chris…
If you fancy a challenge, why not Canoe the length of Windermere with us? We do this over 2 days…
On 14 December 2017, Omar Samra and Omar Nour, affectionately dubbed 'O2', set off in the world's…
Little Explorers story and nature walks for under 5s and their grown-ups. These fun interactive…
Develop your hand building techniques to create a range of pots that you will fire the following…
Join us for an epic day exploring the breathtaking Coniston fells with our expert guide, where…
The Lakeland Historic Car Club meet on the first Saturday of every month at the museum and Cafe…
A 13 or 26 mile trek for supporters of Alzheimer's Society to raise funds.
An outdoor exhibition based on the award-winning book, Forty Farms by Lakeland Photographer of the…
Spend a weekend learning how to sail our Canoes. They are specifically designed to Sail fast and…
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…
Like the poets of antiquity, Wordsworth turns to vocal groves as sites of commiseration and…
Looking ahead to Friday 24th May, we'll be welcoming Jack Hartley to The Swan. An Avid player on…
The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
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Fun, adventure and good times guaranteed! Why not come and ride the White Water with us?
We have several exciting trips in and around The Lake District, whether you’re looking for family fun or something more wild, we can make it happen!
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
302 reviewsNewby Bridge
The Swan Inn, nestled within The Swan Hotel, is a charming pub that serves as the heart of our wonderful establishment, providing a warm and inviting space for both guests and locals alike! It's the ideal cosy hub where you can unwind and reconnect…
Windermere
Offering a traditional Afternoon Tea in the heart of the Lake District.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
402 reviewsGet ready for an experience on the water you'll never forget! We offer a range of options for kayaking, canoeing, and stand up paddleboarding (SUP) in Coniston. Get in touch today to build your own custom experience.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
46 reviewsAmbleside
Our traditional Lakeland property welcomes groups of up to 16 in the main house and four in the adjoining apartment. Nestled in the heart of Ambleside in a quiet location, we offer stunning Fell views, as well as private parking. Packed with…
Ambleside
From short walks along valley bottoms or around lake shores, to lesser known mountain routes on the smaller and bigger mountains, right up to the likes of Scafell Pike and Helvellyn or even multiple summits, we will endeavour to build a route to…
Braithwaite, Keswick
Based at the head of England's best trail centre, the Altura trail in Whinlatter Forest, Keswick. A well stocked trail centre bike shop offering premium bike hire, fast repairs and premium road and mountain bike sales. We also offer guiding and…
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
154 reviews2 Yewdale Rd, Coniston
The Yewdale Inn is a traditional British pub located in the picturesque village of Coniston. Enjoy a pint of ale by the fire or sit down for a delicious pub meal. With 9 comfortable en-suite guest rooms it's the perfect base to enjoy the area. Also…
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
557 reviewsWindermere
Our modern hard standing touring caravan and motorhome pitches have been tastefully landscaped into our surrounding countryside and have lovely views of Moor How and the surrounding fells. They are maintained to high standard so on arrival you can…
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
849 reviewsNewby 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 reviewsConiston
Float back to Victorian times as you indulge in a luxurious cruise on captivating Coniston water in this exquisite steam-powered craft.
Braithwaite, Keswick
We are a relaxed, gourmet getaway nestled in Whinlatter Forest, the only true mountain forest in England, with nine contemporary rooms offering woodland or garden views, it’s a haven of tranquillity and relaxation.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
809 reviewsGraythwaite
We may be biased but genuinely believe we run watersports from one of the best locations in the Lake District; Grubbins Point on Windermere. From this sheltered bay on the southwest shore, we offer both instructed lessons and board hire. Stand up…
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
331 reviewsConiston
• Sleeps up to 16
• 3 inter-linking cottages, can be booked individually sleeping 2-8 or together sleeping 16
• A total of 8 bedrooms and 7 bathrooms
• Each cottage comes with its own hot tub - 3 hot tubs in total
• Large rooms, perfect for…
Coniston
Spoon Hall Caravans is a quiet family run farm site with beautiful views over Coniston water. Nearly 1 mile from Coniston village in a good area for walking and touring the Lakes.
Troutbeck, Windermere
All rooms at our beautiful Boutique Country House Hotel are completely different. Each one has been furnished and finished to a very high standard – and to suit the particular quirks of the room. Each space oozes its own personality; the hard bit is…
Ambleside, Windermere
British and continental menu served up in contemporary, colourful, and classy surroundings.
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.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
968 reviewsAmbleside
Sitting right on the shore of England’s most famous lake, The Wateredge Inn is the perfect location to eat, drink, sleep and explore from with unrivalled views across Windermere.
Coniston
Our range of glamping pods can be found in the heart of the Lake District at our Coniston Park Coppice site.
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Cumbria Tourism, Windermere Road, Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 9PL