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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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The pretty village of Hawkshead will once again become a picture postcard setting for their annual…
Don your Christmas jumpers and hats for professional dog photographer, Shaun Barr, to capture a…
Celebrate the energy of the winter solstice with forest bathing in the beautiful Whinlatter forest.…
The award-winning Dyad Productions, (A Room of One's Own, I, Elizabeth, Austen's Women, Female…
Christmas Day Lunch at the Salutation Inn from 12-3pm. £60 per person for 3 courses Christmas Day…
Stuck at home and put to work by her spoiled Step-Sisters, Cinderella's life is dreary and dull.…
Get in the festive spirit with our fun Whinlatter Welly Walk! Suitable for all the family, our…
Thursday 5th December Entertainment from DJ Ryan Non-stop dancefloor fillers 3-course meal Tea,…
Enjoy live classical musical played by a harp quartet at Allan Bank. Informal performances will…
Come and join us for a festive afternoon in our Hilltop room with the wonderful Graham Tyson doing…
Come and join us for a festive winter-themed painting party! Immerse yourself in the holiday spirit…
The full Cold moon illuminates our deepest desires with her magical bright light. Whilst the world…
What was Christmas like when the Wordsworths lived at Dove Cottage 200 years ago? Have a go at some…
Join lots of proud classic vehicle owners as they bring their private vehicles to display at the…
Get ready to swing into the holidays with the UK's No. 1 jive and swing band, the Jive Aces! The…
Enjoy a traditional afternoon at Allan Bank singing carols around the Christmas tree with local…
26th December 12pm-2.30pm £35 for 3-courses Indulge in the ultimate post-Christmas tradition with…
Join Clara at a delightful Christmas Eve party that becomes a magical adventure once everyone else…
Saturday 7th December Eat, drink and be merry at this lively party night as we take you through…
Local people enjoying their retirement in The Lake District can get some amazing discounts at…
Explore the treasures of the Wordsworth Trust's collection with Jeff Cowton, Principal Curator, and…
This show runs from Friday 20 – Tuesday 24 December. Friday 20 Dec: 1pm & 4pm | Saturday 21 Dec:…
Legendary magician the Great Baldini (the emperor of illusion, the prince of prestidigitation, the…
oin us for three days of the much anticipated and fabulous Yew Tree Barn Christmas Festival Market!…
The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
Number of results: 442
, currently showing 1 to 20.
Windermere
This private 4×4 driving experience offers a wide variety of vantage points including, lakes, mountains, caves, waterfalls, rivers and streams. An ideal activity for those with an adventurous nature and passion for the outdoors. The tour is customer…
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209 reviewsNewby Bridge
We developed our bespoke canoe sailing boats to make an easily accessible boat for people with mobility difficulties - but everyone loves them. Fast light and you are a solo sailer from the very start. If you want a friend or carer in the boat to…
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 canoe hire. Journeying…
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373 reviewsWindermere
A luxury estate with seven self catering properties set in the picturesque Lake District.
Penrith
Home to the Hasell family since 1679, visitors to Dalemain will discover a fascinating combination of history, architecture and family which is both a Cumbrian and national story. Dalemain is an award-winning delight and is part of the UNESCO World…
Cockermouth
Set in Loweswater village between Loweswater lake and Crummock water. Rural setting with picturesque views.
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896 reviewsUllswater
Spacious, comfortable, warm and well-equipped, Broad How is a charming, large Lakeland house, sleeping 14, ideally sited in an acre of grounds, 0.5 mile from village of Patterdale, pub and shop. Restaurants, steamer and boat hire 1.5 miles.
Penrith
We are delighted to announce that we are now offering Cycle Hire from the beautiful surroundings of Lowther Castle. The venture coincides with the launch on the Lowther Estate of a network of dedicated cycling and walking trails. This will enable…
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128 reviewsAmbleside
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.
Ulverston
Steam trains running a seasonal daily service from Haverthwaite to Lakeside via the Leven valley. Licensed tea room, gift shop, engine shed, picnic area & playground.
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.…
Patterdale, Ullswater
A luxuriously renovated, character house in the tiny hamlet of Deepdale. Beautifully presented in contemporary, country style. Roaring log fire, beams and magical views.
Great Langdale, Ambleside
The Langdale Hotel & Spa in the heart of the Lake District, is the perfect place for getting away from it all.
Bowness-on-Windermere
A magical indoor attraction that brings to life all 23 Beatrix Potter's Peter Rabbit tales. Meet all your favourite characters and find out more about Beatrix Potter herself.
St John's in the Vale, Keswick
A 17thC working Lakeland sheep farm set in magnificent scenery. Beautifully converted from traditional stone barns, our cottages are spacious, comfortable and well equipped.
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112 reviewsWindermere
Offering a traditional Afternoon Tea in the heart of the Lake District.
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408 reviewsWindermere
Charter a skippered yacht for a two hour sailing experience for up to four people.
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209 reviewsWindermere
Our relaxed 2 AA Rosette restaurant, Gilpin Spice has an open kitchen serving a pan-Asian menu inspired by countries along the spice trail and guided by fantastic Cumbrian and British ingredients. Dishes are fun and flavourful with a story behind…
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429 reviewsWindermere
Situated in the midst of all the beauty and grandeur of the English Lake District, the Cedar Manor Hotel takes it's name from the majestic Indian Cedar Tree, said to be 200 years old, which dominates its mature private gardens.
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1642 reviewsEskdale
There is gorge scrambling, there is canyoning, then there is The Esk Gorge. A mega place with massive jumps into crystal clear waters. The pools are deep and big offering lots of swimming and scrambling along the rocky edges too.
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337 reviewsReceive all the latest news, special offers and information from the Lake District, Cumbria
Cumbria Tourism, Windermere Road, Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 9PL