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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
This outdoor swimming course takes place at the picturesque Rydal Water, a charming small lake. The…
A 5-hour course with a foraging expert, which includes tasting wild ingredients and a wild-inspired…
The Knotted Project's Forge Festival is returning for the fourth year, promising a day filled with…
A Celebration Reading from the Poetry Business International Book & Pamphlet Competition. Hosted…
Evie is a singer-songwriter from the Lake District. Evie has built up a vast repertoire of songs,…
A gripping tale of friendship and hope. Lennie and George are unlikely best friends, two drifters…
Join us at the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway for an egg-citing Easter celebration from 5th - 21st…
From Sketchbook to Canvas is a five day painting course led by artist Nick Bush. You will be…
Can you discover eight of the birds that call Sizergh home? Take part in the Spring Bird Challenge…
Book early for Easter Sunday! On Sunday 20th April 2025 we will be serving a three-course dinner…
Join us this Easter holiday to celebrate Romantic painter JMW Turner's 250th birthday! Taking…
Join us in celebration for the 20th year of the Dalemain Marmalade Awards!! A celebration of all…
Let's unite in music and mystery as the stage is set for a killer performance! You'll need to pitch…
A 3-hour session with a foraging expert, including ID work, finding and tasting wild ingredients,…
Hop into a world of Easter excitement at Muncaster – a fun day out for all the family. 5&6,12&13,…
Embark on an unforgettable adventure with Help for Heroes with the Scafell Pike Heroes Hike. Take…
Busy Weekly Market with 80 stalls. Food, Crafts and Gifts.
Don't miss this opportunity to delve into the life and legacy of Alfred Wainwright at The Armitt…
The medical form for this event will be emailed out before the event to the email address you…
Join photographer Steve Blake in our beautiful woodland environment. Full day workshops are…
This is a journey through the astonishing highs and lows of one of Britain's most famous men from…
Looking for exciting family activities this Easter? Go Ape Grizedale, near Hawkshead is the perfect…
Following on from the success of his 2024 album, True North, acclaimed Folk artist, Jonny Campbell…
A 6 day all inclusive retreat to train you to become a massage therapist. Includes accredited…
The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
Number of results: 437
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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…
Penrith
Start your navigation journey with Hiking Highs, from the very beginning, the first time you have opened your paper map, to the technical contour only courses, our team are experienced navigation coaches... have fun, see the map with 3 dimensional…
Windermere
One of the premier bars and restaurants in Windermere, located in the heart of the Lake District The Lamplighter Dining Rooms has been trading now for over 21 years.
Bowness-on-Windermere
Memories have never been easier! Freedom Boat Club takes care of everything – maintenance, cleaning, repairs and storage. All you have to do is book your boat, relax and revel in time spent with family and friends. We’ve taken every step to make…
Keswick
For a fine dining experience which includes enticing menus and attentive service, the Borrowdale Hotel’s Restaurant will be the most memorable reservation you have made yet.
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…
Newby Bridge
Situated on the picturesque River Leven at the southern tip of Lake Windermere, this 17th-century coaching inn is full of character and charm, but also offers well-equipped rooms, first-class leisure facilities and a fabulous new Holte Spa. Enjoy…
Coniston
Scrambling is an outdoor adventure experience that sits half way between hill walking and rock climbing, it is a great way to ascend a mountain taking on the challenge of using your hands and feet to climb steeper sections of rocky terrain. As the…
Grasmere
Whatever the reason for your visit and whatever the weather outside, you can expect to sleep soundly within the walls of this 17thC coaching inn. Many of our bedrooms have views across the garden towards Helm Crag.
Bowness-on-Windermere
Blackwell – the Arts & Crafts house is a rare architectural gem in the heart of the Lake District and offers a perfectly preserved snapshot of early 20th-century living.
Keswick
Join our Head Chef Chris Lyon and our restaurant team for an experience you wont forget.
Bowness-on-Windermere
Whether you’re keen to try outdoor activities or just want to relax and unwind in a stunning location, you'll enjoy every moment spent on a holiday at Fallbarrow Holiday Park.
Windermere
Our Langdale Club bar and lounge offers a relaxed, informal dining experience whilst surrounded by a chic interior that takes infomal dining to refreshing new heights, sleek and elegant and designed to impress. The Club lounge is the perfect place…
Rusland
Lands End Cottage is a luxury two bedroomed cottage, with 2 bathrooms and a private garden, in a very peaceful location. With its stunning views and comfortable accommodation, Lands End Cottage is ideal for a relaxing break.
Ambleside
Come to Skelwith Fold for a warm welcome and a unique place to stay in one of our glamping pods in the Lake District. We would love to help you create a Lakeland adventure that you will never forget!
Glenridding, Penrith
Welcome to The Patterdale Estate, where your holiday adventure awaits amidst the breathtaking beauty of the Ullswater Valley. Set against a backdrop of majestic mountains and serene lakes, our charming retreat offers a perfect blend of nature,…
Ambleside
Ambleside Manor Vegetarian Country Guest House situated in over 2 acres of privates with plenty of free parking in the lovely village of Ambleside where we have two award winning vegetarian restaurants within a short walking distance.
Grange-over-Sands
Greaves Farm Caravan Park is family run park in beautiful countryside on the fringe of the Lake District within easy reach of Lake Windermere, the historic village of Cartmel and Grange over Sands and many places of interest. An ideal location for…
Lake Rd, Keswick
Theatre by the Lake has a setting on the shores of Derwentwater no other professional theatre in Britain can match. Each year it stages up to nine of its own productions of classic, modern and new plays and has won multi-starred reviews.
Keswick
The Horse and Farrier has an excellent reputation for good food from our hearty Lakeland breakfast to our home cooked meals served in our intimate restaurant or bar. Our menus are interesting and varied making full use of seasonal and local produce…
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Cumbria Tourism, Windermere Road, Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 9PL