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
A very Merry Muncaster Immerse yourself in the festive spirit at Muncaster Castle this Christmas…
A ray of glimmer and shine, André Rieu's 2024 Christmas Concert will be returning to cinemas! This…
Christmas Day Lunch at the Salutation Inn from 12-3pm. £60 per person for 3 courses Christmas Day…
Food Smoking Course Experience a unique food smoking course in the Lake District at Wild Boar…
Don your Christmas jumpers and hats for professional dog photographer, Shaun Barr, to capture a…
Let's party – Christmas Parties at The Swan Grab your work pals, friends or family and join us for…
Saturday 7th December Eat, drink and be merry at this lively party night as we take you through…
Thursday 5 | Friday 6 | Saturday 7 December (Doors open at 6.30 pm for a 7.00 pm start) Direct…
Explore the treasures of the Wordsworth Trust's collection with Jeff Cowton, Principal Curator, and…
Saturday 30 November (14:30/18:00) Add some homemade charm to your festive celebrations this year…
This Christmas, take your family on a magical journey through the heart of the Lake District…
Wild Wreath Making Workshop Enjoy a wonderful evening with your friends, listen to your favourite…
The Swan's Santa's Grotto, a festive wonderland awaits your little ones! Every weekend from…
This exhibition celebrates the work of British-Nigerian sculptor, Lawson Oyekan (b.1961). Oyekan's…
Stuck at home and put to work by her spoiled Step-Sisters, Cinderella's life is dreary and dull.…
What was Christmas like when the Wordsworths lived at Dove Cottage 200 years ago? Have a go at some…
This show runs from Friday 20 – Tuesday 24 December. Friday 20 Dec: 1pm & 4pm | Saturday 21 Dec:…
Enjoy a traditional afternoon at Allan Bank singing carols around the Christmas tree with local…
Saturday 21st December Live music from singer Glen Anderson Party anthems and feelgood…
Saturday 14 December 2024 from 6pm. Muncaster Hawk & Owl Centre will this year be hosting a…
Join us for a very special Father Christmas Tea Party in our amazing winter wonderland. We’ll be…
Whalebone arches were once a common sight across Britain, especially near to whaling ports like…
Written by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson | Adapted by John Hewer Hambledon Productions are…
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 221 to 240.
Windermere
The house is in an elevated position with views of the Langdales in the distance. Shops are within walking distance. Bikes can be stored in the garage. Dogs are welcome.
Windermere
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.
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
Discover 200 years of Windermere’s boating history and the stories of the people involved - from wealthy owners to boat builders, inspired writers to ordinary Lakeland folk - at the Lake District’s new all-weather museum.
Keswick
The Borrowdale Hotel is nestled in a quiet corner of the Borrowdale valley and offers a relaxing escape near Derwentwater. It's interior offers a perfect mix of tradition and modern designs, preserving the hotel's historic character.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
1580 reviewsAmbleside
Our 2 luxurious Micro Lodge Pods have been hand built for couples wanting a romantic retreat or a place to chill out for a few days. Located on Broadrayne Farm in the very heart of the Lake District National Park.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
41 reviewsUllswater
Glenridding Manor House Hotel: Without doubt, the best quality non pretentious accommodation on Lake Ullswater. Perfect for walking the coast to coast, climbing Helvellyn, Sailing, canoeing or paddle boarding on Ullswater, Taking a steamer to…
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
97 reviewsKendal
Carus Green Golf Club is based on the edge of the English Lake District and has become popular due to it’s PGA Golf Course and other fantastic features.
Windermere
The 1797 Restaurant at Storrs Hall offers a seasonal fixed price menu, as a distinctly different choice to The Bistro. There is a choice of dishes for each course of this 3 course dinner menu.
Newby Bridge, Backbarrow
The Whitewater Hotel is the ultimate Lake district retreat, featuring the fantastic Cascades Leisure Club & Spa.
Grange, Keswick
Our country house hotel is the best-kept secret in the Borrowdale Valley, with log fires, wonderful Lakeland-inspired cooking and warm, comfortable bedrooms updated in classic, modern style - a real home-from-home.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
1410 reviewsAmbleside
Central Lake District location ideal for sight-seeing and walking. Overlooking the centre of the market town of Ambleside, the Ambleside Salutation Hotel has welcomed visitors since the 1600s.
Ambleside
Parkland and Gothic Revival castle sitting on the west shore of Windermere providing an impressive backdrop of turrets, towers, informal grounds and miles of lakeshore paths.
Penrith
Our modern 6-berth static caravans are spacious and offer comfortable family accommodation with all the facilities and equipment that you would expect from your holiday home.
Windermere
Refurbished in 2021, Lakes Hostel is a hidden gem in the heart of Windermere. Available to book as an exclusive hire or by the room, Lakes Hostel offers the flexibility and facilities to cater for large multi-generational family breaks, special…
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
23 reviewsGrasmere
Warm and welcoming Bed & Breakfast accommodation in the heart of Grasmere Village.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
550 reviewsWindermere
Canoe, Paddleboard, Kayaking in Windermere, Lake District. Tailored made courses from sea to surf, lakes to rivers, adults to children.
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…
Cumbria
As well as beautiful scenery, the Lake District is also famous for its associations with a large number of poets, novelists and essayists. This lovely, 36-mile walk takes you through some of the Lake District’s best-loved areas, visiting many of the…
ULVERSTON
Fast and exciting, Canoe Sailing is a great sport to experience!
Yes, you can: Users of Mobility aids, anyone who can sit with support, wheelchair users, unsure or low confidence walkers, visually impaired people, people with auditory impairments,…
Receive all the latest news, special offers and information from the Lake District, Cumbria
Cumbria Tourism, Windermere Road, Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 9PL