You are here: Home > Explore Cumbria > Areas of Cumbria > The Lake District
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
Our 26th Keswick Beer Festival will take place on the 7th and 8th June 2024.
If you've ever been curious about how photography was done a century or more ago, this workshop…
Take inspiration from Windermere Jetty Museum's collection and build your own model boat from…
Create your own silver pendant or earrings inspired by the natural world. Silver clay is fun, fast…
This new display delves into the Townend archive collection, a treasure trove of four hundred years…
We're excited to present our first ever Green Film Festival to celebrate the Big Green Week! Five…
This talk by Joseph Ritson will take you through the history of fell running in the Lake District,…
The Lakes Charity Classic Vehicle Show is an annual event for the whole family in the English Lake…
Join us for an incredible adventure on the Coniston Fells, a stone's throw from the historic…
Are you ready to embark on a transformative journey that combines the power of nature, ancient…
This week we'll be helping our special woods at Staveley Woodlands Nature Reserve. Try your hand at…
Brought to you by National Trust and Karen Whybrow Coaching, carry out a powerful releasing ritual…
An outdoor exhibition based on the award-winning book, Forty Farms by Lakeland Photographer of the…
A 13 or 26 mile trek for supporters of Alzheimer's Society to raise funds.
Join rising star Dana Zemtsov and Festival Director Anthony Hewitt in John Ruskin's elegant drawing…
Join us for an epic day exploring the breathtaking Coniston fells with our expert guide, where…
Lake District Theatre Alan Ayckbourn's revival of THINGS WE DO FOR LOVE runs from 17 May – 1 June…
The Swan Hotel & Spa are excited to be bringing back summer spa-rties, and this time it's going to…
Discover two remarkable Arts & Crafts houses in the Lake District in one afternoon. Blackwell – the…
Join our crafty team in the Visitor Centre for free drop in craft activities. A great way to finish…
If you fancy a challenge, why not Canoe the length of Windermere with us? We do this over 2 days…
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 on Scafell Pike, one of the National three peaks and the…
Explore the natural world both indoors and outdoors at Windermere Jetty Museum this summer. …
The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
Number of results: 496
, currently showing 421 to 440.
Cumbria
During the nineteenth century, adventurous tourists travelled by horse-drawn carriage through Borrowdale and onto Buttermere via the Honister Pass, before returning to Keswick through the Newlands Valley. This short trail through some of the finest…
Windermere
Laik manages super-stylish holiday homes in some of the favourite spots in the Lake District.
Local, flexible and friendly, Laik goes that bit extra with their homes and hospitality to make sure your stay in The Lakes turns out just perfect…
Keswick
This small and friendly guest house is located a short walk from the town centre and many of the rooms enjoy fine views of the surrounding fells. Bedrooms are well equipped and the breakfast room overlooks the small front garden.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
193 reviewsBowness-on-Windermere
Glamping PODs in the heart of the Lake District National Park above Lake Windermere. Nestled in a woodland with great walks and mountain bike routes from the door. Dogs welcome in some PODs. Heated facilities and on-site parking. Great for…
Ambleside
Experience the very best of England's Lake District with a journey aboard a renowned Windermere cruise from Ambleside (Waterhead) Pier. Windermere Lake Cruises is the most popular attraction in Cumbria and constantly one of England top five ‘paid…
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
4511 reviewsWindermere
A stunning four star hotel set in 17 acres of grounds on the shores of Lake Windermere.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
1436 reviewsPenrith
Family park set in magnificent scenery with access to lake Ullswater. Modern facilities for touring caravans and camping include bar, restaurant, takeaway, shop, pony trekking, bike hire, laundry and childrens playground.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
1033 reviewsKeswick
Sally's Cottages is an award-winning, local, family run holiday cottage letting agency in Keswick with 500 self-catering holiday cottages in the Lake District and Cumbria, including over 270 dog-friendly cottages.
Ullswater
Wet bouldering, Canyoning, Ghyll Scrambling, Rock hopping...
Whatever you want to call it, whether it’s a descent or ascent or a splash down the river, it’s a buzz.
Windermere
A real Lakeland hidden treasure set in the beautiful village of Troutbeck, this 17thC solid stone and slate house sits imposingly on the hillside, its huge chimneys typical of the area.
Ambleside
At The Wateredge Inn, you can enjoy delicious homecooked food with a view. Whether you are looking for traditional pub grub or exciting seasonal specials there is something for everyone at this fantastic lakeside pub.
Near Hawkshead
Our pop-up canvas village is made up of sturdy pre-pitched bell tents that take the hassle out of pitching up, leaving you free to explore the local area or try out some of the activities available on site. How idyllic does this sound? Located on…
Staveley
Delightful village inn, riverside location with friendly family welcome, offering excellent cosy accommodation. Local produce of superb real ales.
Keswick
Rural location, small hamlet but only 1.5 miles from Keswick and Skiddaw and with outstanding views southwards. Ideal for fell walking, touring, water sports and ready access to north and central Lakes. Arrival time 16.00, departure 10.00.
Coniston
• Sleeps 4
• Mountain hot tub with incredible views of Coniston Old Man
• 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms
• Fellside garden
• Slate floors
• Up to 2 dogs welcome
• Log-burning stove
• Spectacular views throughout
Graythwaite
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
334 reviewsWindermere
Low Wood Watersports and Activity Centre, with it's large lake frontage and extensive range of equipment, is a great location for waterskiing, wakeboarding, sailing, kayaking/canoeing and boat hire.
Ullswater
1863 is more than a bar, bistro and B&B accommodation with seven elegant bedrooms; we are a family affair who enjoy getting the little things just right, welcoming guests back times and again to share in a slice of Lake District paradise.
Grasmere
Warm and welcoming Bed & Breakfast accommodation in the heart of Grasmere Village.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
508 reviewsLakeside
Steam from the lake shore of Windermere along the heritage track to Haverthwaite Station, where you can visit the station tea room, gift shop, woodland playground, picnic area and engine shed. Steam trains running a seasonal daily service from…
Receive all the latest news, special offers and information from the Lake District, Cumbria
Cumbria Tourism, Windermere Road, Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 9PL