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
The popular event 'Music for a Summer Evening' returns to Hawkshead Parish Church in June and July…
Full and Half marathon distance Hike to raise money for Macmillan Cancer support.
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 us for a fun and relaxing day learning the art of mosaic. Create a colourful plaque, a trivet…
Fell Foot For All is a day of activities championing accessibility to the outdoors for…
Stuck for things to do this May Half Term? Whether you are a thrill seeker looking for…
How exciting that the summer solstice & full Strawberry moon coincide; the high vibing peak of…
Take inspiration from Windermere Jetty Museum's collection and build your own model boat from…
30th Anniversary Charity Auction (on line) We have a fantastic range of lots for you to browse…
You can get involved with Great Big Green Week, the UK's biggest celebration of community events to…
Brought to you by the National Trust and Karen Whybrow Coaching, carry out a powerful releasing…
The longest day of the year is also very often a fine and sunny day here in the Lake District.…
Explore the natural world both indoors and outdoors at Windermere Jetty Museum this summer. …
This new display delves into the Townend archive collection, a treasure trove of four hundred years…
If you want to learn to sail a large dinghy/small yacht, come and join us for a weekend learning to…
"Three disasters. Two world wars, one bloody big depression. And every time, the band play on…
Enjoy traditional games on the lawn including croquet and tug of war, or head indoors for creative…
An outdoor exhibition based on the award-winning book, Forty Farms by Lakeland Photographer of the…
The Lakes Charity Classic Vehicle Show is an annual event for the whole family in the English Lake…
Our 26th Keswick Beer Festival will take place on the 7th and 8th June 2024.
A one and a quarter-hour cruise to catch the sunset over Windermere. This relaxing cruise takes…
Make the most of summer with fun outdoor and indoor creative activities at Allan Bank in Grasmere…
Join our experienced, knowledgeable Ranger as they lead you around our amazing WOW Trail! The Wow…
The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
Number of results: 495
, currently showing 61 to 80.
Ambleside
Open seven days a week, the cafe provides the full range of refreshment choices throughout the day, from speciality coffees, full English breakfasts, all-day snacks, tasty lunches and very popular Afternoon Teas.
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…
Duddon Bridge, Broughton-in-Furness
Located in the picturesque Duddon Valley near the market town of Broughton-in-Furness awaits the stylish Cow Barn. With 3 sunny bedrooms, a modern airy interior, cosy log-burner & pretty garden, it’s the ideal base for a break in the Lakes
Troutbeck, Windermere
All rooms at our beautiful Boutique Country House Hotel are completely different. Each one has been furnished and finished to a very high standard – and to suit the particular quirks of the room. Each space oozes its own personality; the hard bit is…
Troutbeck, Windermere
Cumbrian produce with a French Twist. Set within 7 acres of landscaped gardens, with our expertise in bespoke dining, quality of service and attention to detail ensures we are simply somewhere special.
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…
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
114 reviewsBampton, Haweswater
A rugged Lake District landscape where nature restoration works alongside hill farming, to benefit wildlife, water and people.
Grasmere
This delightful traditional 2-bedroom Lakeland cottage is idyllically situated in a quiet, elevated and secluded rural position above Grasmere next to Little White Moss Tarn a short walk from Dove Cottage.
Windermere
Nestled on the shores of Lake Windermere, in the heart of the National Park, with Wainwrights walks a stone’s throw away and the pretty Lakeland village of Ambleside a mile away, Low Wood Bay is the perfect base for relaxing and exploring the Lakes.
Ambleside
For a fun and accessible adrenaline hit, stepping out over a 150ft drop is hard to beat! We offer abseiling throughout the Lake District, all venues are stunningly beautiful and offer different abseil lengths so we can pick a venue to suit you best.
We offer a range of private group experiences across the county, including ghyll scrambling, canyoning, canoeing and kayaking, rock climbing and more. We also provide outdoor team building experiences, so get in touch today to start building your…
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
46 reviewsPenrith
Highgate is a characterful and comfortable property with 5 bedrooms, all of which have their own bath or shower room. It is situated in the North Lakes near to Penrith and a few miles from Ullswater.
Ambleside
Our air-conditioned Brasserie is open to both residents and non-residents for Lunch & Dinner and our menus feature the finest fresh produce from the region.
Cockermouth
A unique and special cafe experience on board the replica Orient Express train and restored station buildings, with a level-access path along the former platform and through woodland teeming with wildlife. Serving interesting and fresh cafe food,…
Coniston
Grab your tent and get ready to set off on your next adventure. At our Coniston Park Coppice site we welcome tent campers and can accommodate tents of up to 3mx3m (approximately a 4-person tent). Dogs are welcome too.
Windermere
The Wild Boar is a special venue for any occasion, whether it be a romantic or adventurous break, family get-together, business meeting or as one of our very valued frequent diners.
Penrith
Whether you're planning a car free stay, would like to explore the areas stunning scenery & landmarks by cycle, or would like an exclusive guided day out, simply select what you require & we will deliver everything directly to your accommodation.…
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
114 reviewsTorver Mill
• 5 Star Gold Rated Barn Conversion for 2
• Idyllic riverside location
• Secluded gardens
• Views of Coniston Old Man
• Fantastic walking and mountain biking from the doorstep
• Beautiful, luxury interior
• EV charger
• Secure bike storage
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…
Keswick
Located in Keswick, the home of the first pencil, visitors enter this museum through a replica graphite mine which would have served as the source of the pencil industry over three centuries ago.
Receive all the latest news, special offers and information from the Lake District, Cumbria
Cumbria Tourism, Windermere Road, Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 9PL