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
Celebrate the energy of the winter solstice with forest bathing in the beautiful Whinlatter forest.…
Get ready to swing into the holidays with the UK's No. 1 jive and swing band, the Jive Aces! The…
Saturday 21st December Live music from singer Glen Anderson Party anthems and feelgood…
Come and join us for a festive afternoon in our Hilltop room with the wonderful Graham Tyson doing…
A busy weekly Market each Thursday from Mid February to end December.. A wide range of food, fresh…
Enjoy a traditional afternoon at Allan Bank singing carols around the Christmas tree with local…
oin us for three days of the much anticipated and fabulous Yew Tree Barn Christmas Festival Market!…
Hosted by the talented local florists, Bluebell & Ivy, this hands-on workshop is your ticket to…
Written by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson | Adapted by John Hewer Hambledon Productions are…
Saturday 30 November (14:30/18:00) Add some homemade charm to your festive celebrations this year…
Thursday 5 | Friday 6 | Saturday 7 December (Doors open at 6.30 pm for a 7.00 pm start) Direct…
Join JAG Outdoors for a walk around the forest at night. The walk will cover up 5 - 7 miles…
Discover two remarkable Arts & Crafts houses in the Lake District in one afternoon. Blackwell – the…
Join Clara at a delightful Christmas Eve party that becomes a magical adventure once everyone else…
Busy Weekly Market with 80 stalls. Food, Crafts and Gifts.
Join us for a very special Father Christmas Tea Party in our amazing winter wonderland. We’ll be…
Food Smoking Course Experience a unique food smoking course in the Lake District at Wild Boar…
ELVIS at The Ryebeck Hotel, Bowness-on-Windermere . Get ready for a rockin' night at The Ryebeck!…
A high-flying adventure for all the family… Raised in the Indian jungle, Mowgli the man cub spends…
Wrap up warm and join us one a spellbinding storytelling walk through the woods this December at…
Ever wondered how Santa navigates the skies on Christmas Eve? Join Jo from JAG Outdoors for a…
The award-winning Dyad Productions, (A Room of One's Own, I, Elizabeth, Austen's Women, Female…
We warmly invite you to our Holiday Market where local crafters will be selling locally handmade…
Wild Wreath Making Workshop Enjoy a wonderful evening with your friends, listen to your favourite…
The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
Number of results: 442
, currently showing 121 to 140.
Keswick
The Coppice is quintessentially a former Edwardian small country house situated on the lower slopes of Catbells in the stunning Borrowdale Valley, close to the village of Grange and approximately five miles from the market town of Keswick.
The…
Wasdale
Ranging from small groups in steep wet gorges involving roped ascents, to the fun of group set challenges. It may involve short scrambles, possible squeezes and crawls or even a rough stream walk. It can take you to places on the fell that you’d…
Witherslack
A small, off the beaten track campsite with a warm welcome. An ideal base to explore all the Lake District has to offer without the crowds. With just 25 camping and campervan pitches, stunning views down the Winster Valley, on site shop, food van,…
Hawkshead
You will visit the fascinating 16th century Grammar School with its tales of teaching Mathematics and the Classics (and cockfighting between lessons!). Here William Wordsworth and his brother went to school and had many happy and inspiring…
Grasmere
Broadrayne is a traditional Lakeland Farm with a small cluster of former 17th to 19th century farm buildings nestling round a picturesque farmyard in the beautiful Vale of Grasmere.
Ambleside
A staycation at Brathay gives you everything you need for a well-deserved break that will get you away from it all and boost your wellbeing. Whatever the weather, or time of year, and however chilled or super-adventurous you want to be, we have…
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
148 reviewsAmbleside
Our traditional Lakeland property welcomes groups of up to 16 in the main house and four in the adjoining apartment. Nestled in the heart of Ambleside in a quiet location, we offer stunning Fell views, as well as private parking. Packed with…
Newby Bridge
Our reality-based 2 day survival training course will give you the skills to be self-sufficient in any wilderness environment. Immerse yourself in the challenge.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
56 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…
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
428 reviewsThe Lake District is one of the best places you can visit for Stargazing and is listed in the top 5% of the darkest places in Britain. On a clear evening, we are able to see thousands of stars and constellations including the spectacular Milky Way.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
525 reviewsAmbleside
Situated in the heart of The Lake District and the tourist hotspot of Ambleside, you’ll find a cosy, relaxed & welcoming atmosphere. The perfect place to enjoy good quality, freshly made food, all at a reasonable price, & an extensive range of local…
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
459 reviewsUllswater
1863 is more than a bar, bistro and B&B accommodation with seven elegant bedrooms; we are a family affair who enjoy getting the little things just right, welcoming guests back times and again to share in a slice of Lake District paradise.
Keswick
Our restaurant full of eager diners, a non-fussy, relaxed atmosphere, staff who take pride in serving Executive Chef David’s delectable dishes and where the food and service speak for itself. Hopefully our guests agree, it’s called real Cumbrian…
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
156 reviewsHartsop, Patterdale
Between Ullswater and Windermere, Scandanavian style lodges sit on a secluded site, in a quiet corner of the Lakes. Sleep up to six in all Lodges. Week, short-week & weekend breaks available. Equipped with fitted kitchen, colour TV & free Wi-Fi.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
109 reviewsWindermere
Mountain Goat Tours has over 50 years’ experience and recognises itself as the No.1 Lake District tour specialist. Mountain Goat has rightfully made its mark of distinction and won the ‘Minibus Operator of the Year Award’ in 2010 and was Finalist of…
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
2875 reviewsBowness-On-Windermere
Brand new Free house British pub, serving home made classic British pub food, real fires, real ale and dog friendly.
Hawkshead
Nestled between Windermere and Coniston, in the heart of the Lake District. Go Ape’s hub in Grizedale Forest packs a punch with both action and adventure where you can test your nerve amongst the trees on one of two high rope’s courses.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
880 reviewsUllswater
The six new shepherd huts have been expertly crafted by Blackdown Shepherd Huts using sustainable French oak cladding. The double-braced huts have stargazing roofs, free-standing baths, and a lounge area with a log burner.
Ullswater
The Living Space is a place for eating, meeting and lounging on sofas. Its food is fresh, bold and distinctive. Expect lamb tagine, burgers and fries, meze plates, salads, sourdough pizza and doorstep sandwiches.
Ambleside
Spacious apartment for four. On two floors over an interesting jewellery and gift shop. Central location with immediate access to fells, shops, restaurants, pubs and cinema.
Receive all the latest news, special offers and information from the Lake District, Cumbria
Cumbria Tourism, Windermere Road, Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 9PL