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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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The full Flower (or Hare) moon aligns with the colourful early summer flowers blooming and…
Since 2019, The Native Cult has been radiating their musical sunshine across the North West of the…
A one and a quarter-hour cruise to catch the sunset over Windermere. This relaxing cruise takes…
Take a guided tour supported by British Sign Language interpretation. Join us as we take you…
In 2004, Richard Askwith published Feet in the Clouds: a personal memoir of fell running and…
Create your own silver pendant or earrings inspired by the natural world. Silver clay is fun, fast…
The Whopper is a 6hr or 12hr looped trail race set within Whinlatter forest. Each loop is…
The Challenging Whinlatter Forest is the venue for this Trail Half Marathon & 10k in May 2024. With…
On the 31st May we're looking forward to welcoming Rambling Rob Young – A singer-songwriter…
The Swan Hotel & Spa are excited to be bringing back summer spa-rties, and this time it's going to…
Lake District Theatre Alan Ayckbourn's revival of THINGS WE DO FOR LOVE runs from 17 May – 1 June…
Enjoy a freshly prepared buffet, a relaxed atmosphere and a unique viewing point for some of the…
Choose between the 60km or 99km routes starting just outside Keswick. The route takes us into…
Looking ahead to Friday 24th May, we'll be welcoming Jack Hartley to The Swan. An Avid player on…
The Lakes Charity Classic Vehicle Show is an annual event for the whole family in the English Lake…
Little Explorers story and nature walks for under 5s and their grown-ups. These fun interactive…
Join our crafty team in the Visitor Centre for free drop in craft activities. A great way to finish…
Fell Foot For All is a day of activities championing accessibility to the outdoors for…
Explore the natural world both indoors and outdoors at Windermere Jetty Museum this summer. …
If you fancy a challenge, why not Canoe the length of Windermere with us? We do this over 2 days…
A 13 or 26 mile trek for supporters of Alzheimer's Society to raise funds.
Discover two remarkable Arts & Crafts houses in the Lake District in one afternoon. Blackwell – the…
As part of Lake District Music's spring series of concerts, London Central Brass Quintet perform at…
Join us for an incredible adventure on Scafell Pike, one of the National three peaks and the…
The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
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The Bridge, Coniston
Springbank Cottage is a luxury, 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom cottage in the popular village of Coniston. Close to spectacular walking, the lake and with a beautiful, enclosed garden it really is the perfect base for any Lake District holiday.
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.
Lake Road, Windermere
Experience the adventure. Glamping is one of the best ways to stay close to nature without sacrificing those all-important home comforts.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
446 reviewsSail Winderemere with us, feel the wind ruffle your hair, and then the surge of the boat as the sails begin their work of converting breeze to smiles.
You can choose how complicated the experience is from being in charge of pulling or not pulling…
Bassenthwaite
Go wild & experience a world of wildlife! There's over 100 species from Anaconda to Zebra. Rare and endangered species like Gibbons and Asian Fishing Cats, plus family favourites like lemurs and Meerkats. A great day out for all the family.
Ambleside
Located within the peaceful grounds of Brathay Hall, we have just six grasscrete pitches available for weekend stays, and some mid-week stays in summer, including electrical hook-up. Access to a water supply is available on site with a tap opposite…
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
143 reviewsConiston
Located on the shores of Coniston Water with sensational lake and fell views, this classic Lakeland slate building has undergone an exciting restoration to create a stunning pub with rooms. Open all day, every day for food, drinks and rooms.
Rusland
Luxury Cottage set in the heart of the Lake District, between Windermere and Coniston, Lands End Cottage is a beautiful,
two-bedroomed cottage.
Coniston
Meet Coniston's heroes, John Ruskin, artist, radical and seer and Donald Campbell, speed ace. View the fully restored Bluebird craft in the Bluebird wing of the museum. Discover the mineral wealth of the fells, all at 'the most thought provoking…
Bassenthwaite Lake, Bassenthwaite
Connoisseurs of fine cuisine will find much to appreciate at Armathwaite Hall Country House Hotel and Spa.
Windermere
Originally built in early Victorian times and dating back to 1815 The Belsfield is situated in 6-acres of gardens overlooking Lake Windermere and the Cumbrian hills beyond.
Grange-over-Sands
Unique, therapeutic & life-changing experiences for all animal lovers with the famous Black Horses of Cartmel.
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…
Eskdale
Is jumping from height into water your thing? There are jumps galore along with swimming across pools and scrambling up rocks. It's set in a beautiful area and you will really immerse yourself in the surrounding scenery - literally! If you're…
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
1055 reviewsNewby Bridge
Join us for a half-day guided woodland walk in the South Lakes, learning some bushcraft essentials on the way. An enjoyable morning to be had by the whole family!
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
54 reviewsReceive all the latest news, special offers and information from the Lake District, Cumbria
Cumbria Tourism, Windermere Road, Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 9PL