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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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Carmen declares that any man she loves should beware. However, even she is unprepared for what will…
We'll be hosting the wonderful Chuck Fish on the 17th of May. Hailing from Washington State, Chuck…
Cockermouth Mechanics' Band is a community brass band based in Cockermouth and active throughout…
Brought to you by the National Trust and Experience Community for the Keswick Mountain Festival,…
Enjoy a freshly prepared buffet, a relaxed atmosphere and a unique viewing point for some of the…
Our 1/2 day NaturesGems tours start at 9am and finish around 1pm. We will spend the morning…
Brought to you by the National Trust and Experience Community for the Keswick Mountain Festival,…
On 14 December 2017, Omar Samra and Omar Nour, affectionately dubbed 'O2', set off in the world's…
Looking ahead to Friday 24th May, we'll be welcoming Jack Hartley to The Swan. An Avid player on…
Brought to you by the National Trust and Experience Community for the Keswick Mountain Festival,…
Our 2024 gala celebration will be taking place from Saturday 4th May - Monday 6th May, as we…
The Challenging Whinlatter Forest is the venue for this Trail Half Marathon & 10k in May 2024. With…
Nestled on the shores of Lake Windermere in Cumbria, this extensive working mill produced literally…
Come and join us for a day's Canoeing from Fell Foot. Fell Foot has amazing accessible facilities,…
Little Explorers story and nature walks for under 5s and their grown-ups. These fun interactive…
The Disabled Ramblers is a small national charity working to help those with limited mobility to…
Join us for an incredible adventure in the Great Langdale Valley in the heart of the Lake District…
Stuck for things to do this May Half Term? Whether you are a thrill seeker looking for…
Join us for an incredible adventure on the Coniston Fells, a stone's throw from the historic…
A walking photography workshop around Ambleside and the nearby countryside with photographer Chris…
Brought to you by the National Trust and Mobile Adventure, an opportunity to get out on the lake…
Dr Anna Ploszajski is an award-winning materials scientist, author, presenter, comedian and…
This new display delves into the Townend archive collection, a treasure trove of four hundred years…
Join us for a fun and relaxing day learning the art of mosaic. Create a colourful plaque, a trivet…
The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
Number of results: 492
, currently showing 1 to 20.
Windermere
Tents can pitch in one of two areas. - Our Ghyllside camping area, allows you to reserve your pitch, with electrical hook-up (6amps) suitable for lighting, recharging devices and small appliances such as a travel kettle. These pitches are allocated…
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848 reviewsConiston
Enjoy a guided tour around the magnificent Coniston Water and immerse yourself in its stunning mountain scenery. We’ll make a stop on the lake shore and our expert instructors will teach you the fundamentals of bushcraft.
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458 reviewsWindermere
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…
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23 reviewsWindermere
Charter a skippered yacht for a 2 hour sailing experience for up to 4 people, get involved and take control of the yacht or just sit back and enjoy the stunning scenery unfold around you.
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167 reviewsAmbleside
Zeffirellis hosts an award-winning vegetarian restaurant, a daytime café, a jazz bar on the second floor of the restaurant, and a cinema.
Zeffirellis restaurant offers an Italian themed pizza and pasta menu with daily specials freshly prepared by…
Ullswater
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.
Ambleside
At The Wateredge Inn, you can enjoy delicious homecooked food with a view. Whether you are looking for traditional pub grub or exciting seasonal specials there is something for everyone at this fantastic lakeside pub.
Ambleside
Biketreks Grizedale is a bike hire centre and shop in Grizedale Forest, offering mountain bike and E-Bike hire all year round. Our shop stocks a wide range of clothing, accessories and new and ex-hire bikes.
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3 reviewsAmbleside
Following secret ravines by scrambling up waterfalls, boulder hopping along the streambed and taking every opportunity to jump into crystal clear plunge pools. This is next level fun and the bonus is this can be enjoyed just as much when it’s…
Elterwater, Ambleside
The Britannia is a traditional 500-year-old Lakeland Inn nestling in the village of Elterwater and the fells of the Langdale Valley. Real ales, traditional food and real log fires.
Penrith
Family park set in magnificent scenery with access to lake Ullswater. Modern facilities for touring caravans and camping include bar, restaurant, takeaway, shop, pony trekking, bike hire, laundry and childrens playground.
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1030 reviewsCumbria
Mountain passes have been important thoroughfares in the Lake District ever since people needed to travel from one valley to another, because the distance around the mountains was usually very long. This scenic and atmospheric walk follows these old…
Ambleside
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.
Accessible Canoeing in the Lake District - Open to everyone - A Full Day with lunch.
Tranquilly paddle along a beautiful, tree-lined river with the steam train passing on the shoreline and the current tugging gently from below towards the sea…
Ravenglass
Located at the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway, Fellbites Café serves everything from hot and cold drinks, sandwiches and homebaked cakes, to full meals made to order.
The Turntable Café, located on Platform 1 serves a wide array of food from hearty…
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1938 reviewsBowness-on-Windermere
Sublime Symmetry is an exhibition featuring 60 pots, tiles and vases from the De Morgan Collection, including examples of De Morgan's Middle Eastern-inspired designs and glistening lustreware.
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…
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77 reviewsGrasmere
Voted Best Small Hotel at the 2018 Cumbria Tourism awards, Rothay Garden is a delightful Lakeland hotel, overlooked by majestic fells in the vale of Grasmere, surely the perfect choice to enjoy a holiday in Cumbria's English Lake District.
Coniston
Copper View is a VB 4-star bungalow. Set in the centre of Coniston village - an ideal base for many activities.
Ravenglass
The Ratty Arms is located on the platform of Ravenglass station on the scenic Cumbrian Coast Line, which runs past the main terminus of our narrow gauge railway. Guests can sit back and unwind with a drink, while watching the trains go by.
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873 reviewsReceive all the latest news, special offers and information from the Lake District, Cumbria
Cumbria Tourism, Windermere Road, Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 9PL