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
Christmas Day Lunch at the Salutation Inn from 12-3pm. £60 per person for 3 courses Christmas Day…
Busy Weekly Market with 80 stalls. Food, Crafts and Gifts.
Enjoy the delightful flavours of Christmas with our festive-inspired Afternoon Tea. Indulge in…
Step back in time with Regency Christmas at Dove Cottage. The mantlepieces are garlanded with holly…
Packed with magic, puppetry & escapology ✨ Legendary magician the Great Baldini tells the story of…
The Swan's Santa's Grotto, a festive wonderland awaits your little ones! Every weekend from…
Series of matinee piano recitals showcasing talented concert pianists in the exquisite venue of…
26th December 12pm-2.30pm £35 for 3-courses Indulge in the ultimate post-Christmas tradition with…
Ever wondered how Santa navigates the skies on Christmas Eve? Join Jo from JAG Outdoors for a…
Experience the magic of the season with Festive Afternoon Teas at Muncaster Castle, hosted in the…
Join a jolly gathering to sing carols on Helvellyn this Christmas! Bring your instruments and…
1st January 2025 12pm-4pm £42 for 3-courses Start the new year with a sumptuous feast in the…
This is a practical course aimed at beginners, although more experienced students are welcome. Over…
Local people enjoying their retirement in The Lake District can get some amazing discounts at…
The autumn 24/25 series of canicross races has now launched! Held in England's only mountain…
Dress Code: Glamorous attire is strongly encouraged! Event Highlights: - Enjoy a sumptuous…
This exhibition celebrates the work of British-Nigerian sculptor, Lawson Oyekan (b.1961). Oyekan's…
A busy weekly Market each Thursday from Mid February to end December.. A wide range of food, fresh…
Explore the wonders of the winter night sky. Our astronomy experts will take you on a whistle stop…
Join lots of proud classic vehicle owners as they bring their private vehicles to display at the…
Date – 12th January Time – 09.00am Duration – 6hrs Distance – 10km From the centre of Coniston…
Step into a world of festive creativity and holiday cheer this December as Blackwell hosts its…
This Christmas, take your family on a magical journey through the heart of the Lake District…
Wander through a nature-themed lights trail around the Knoll, inspired by Sizergh's estate, and get…
The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
Number of results: 439
, currently showing 141 to 160.
Every single one of our holiday cottages have been personally inspected by dedicated property managers to ensure a high standard of holiday accommodation. Our growing collection of well-kept properties in Cumbria and the Lake District make a perfect…
Windermere
Specialist bike hire for everyone from 3 great locations around Lake Windermere. Electric bikes. Mountain bikes. Kid's bikes. Kid's seats and trailers. We have planned routes for you available as maps and downloads.
Ambleside
Beatrix Potter's iconic house, full of her personal possessions, with traditional cottage garden. Her paintings of the House and garden were used to illustrate many of her tales.
Braithwaite, Keswick
Our Michelin Star restaurant offers a delicious tasting menu, created by Chef Jack Bond using the finest ingredients from Cumbria and further afield in creative, sustainable ways.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
826 reviewsUllswater
Stylish, spacious, contemporary stone barn conversion for two with many designer touches including an incredible spiral stair case, bespoke furnishings and living room with woodburner and fabulous views. The perfect romantic retreat.
Seascale
A small family-run boutique bed & breakfast in an enviable location. Superb views and a great base from which to explore the quieter part of the Lake District - its mountains, valleys & coastline.
Our contemporary interiors are designed to offer…
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
306 reviewsAmbleside
Nestled in 130 acres of tranquil woodland, Skelwith Fold is the perfect destination to escape from everyday life. An array of scenic walks, quaint villages and cosy pubs and restaurants all within walking distance. There is a Stagecoach bus stop…
Keswick
Set in Threlkeld, a quiet village just outside of Keswick with views of Blencathra and surrounding fells. Spacious, cosy and with an abundance of walks from the doorstep. Garden with patio, garden furniture and barbecue. Private parking for 3 cars.…
Ambleside
Art gallery and art shop run by the Heaton Cooper family, selling original paintings and prints from 4 generations of the family.
Eskdale, Holmrook
Experience peace, tranquillity, and adventure on your next holiday at Parkgate Farm, located at the base of the picturesque Eskdale and Wasdale valleys. Whether you're a hiker, walker, or cyclist, our farm offers an extensive network of bridleways…
Ullswater
Our restaurant is a relaxed, ambient space with an open kitchen and views of the lake. Another Place, The Lake is a relaxed, convivial hotel on the shores of Ullswater from where you can explore the great outdoors. At the heart are good food, fresh…
Bassenthwaite
Go wild & experience a world of wildlife! There's over 100 species from Anaconda to Zebra. Rare and endangered species like Gibbons and Asian Fishing Cats, plus family favourites like lemurs and Meerkats. A great day out for all the family.
Coniston
The team at The Crown Inn takes great pride in the food we prepare; serving fulfilling dishes made with the freshest, Cumbrian produce.
Bowness-on-Windermere
Bowfell Cottage is admirably situated fronting a private drive just off A5074, Lyth Valley Road, above eastern shore of the lake about 1 mile south of Bowness Bay and set in 0.5 acre of wooded ground and gardens. Excellent parking.
Ullswater
Hidden with a seculded spot within the hotel grounds and connected by glazed walkways, a large double bedroom and twin bedroom look out onto floor-to-ceiling views across the grounds to the lake and fells beyond.
Penrith
We offer a selection of beautiful Lakeland self-catering cottages. Located both on Park Foot holiday park on the shores of Lake Ullswater and around the village of Pooley Bridge, they are suitable for families or couples looking for the convenience…
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
1067 reviewsBraithwaite
Welcome to England's only true mountain forest. Whinlatter boasts unrivalled views across Bassenthwaite Lake, Derwentwater and Keswick. Located in the North West of the Lake District, you'll find us in the heart of it. It plays host to two of our…
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
261 reviewsPenrith
Opened in April 2019, The Queen’s Head Askham is a village pub with a difference just a two minute walk from Askham Hall. Part of the esteemed Askham Collection, The Queen’s Head is a cosy 17th century village pub with bedrooms ideally located in…
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
30 reviewsAmbleside
Zeffirellis is an independent cinema that supports new and emerging talents within the world of cinema and the arts. We offer the complete evening out, you can wine and dine and see a film.
Bowness-on-Windermere
The Peter Rabbit Garden has proved tremendously popular with visitors who have delighted in the beauty and attention to detail in the design and the way the garden evokes the atmosphere of the Peter Rabbit stories.
Receive all the latest news, special offers and information from the Lake District, Cumbria
Cumbria Tourism, Windermere Road, Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 9PL