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Why we love the Lake District

Welcome to nature’s playground. From the tip of England’s tallest peak to the nation’s deepest lake, this national park is stacked with super-sized scenery – and there are endless ways to get involved: wild swimming, pack rafting, canyoning, spelunking, sailing… not to mention some of Britain’s premier hiking trails.

Covering 912 square miles (2,362 square km), the Lake District is England’s largest national park and a Unesco World Heritage Site, home to more than 200 mighty mountains and hills (known as ‘fells’). Between them lie beautiful lakes, rivers and tarns, surrounded by thriving towns and historic monuments – a landscape that has inspired great novels and fine artworks, plus countless adventures too.

To discover its geological wonders and cultural treasures for yourself, here’s how to plan an epic Lake District escape.

Things to do in the Lake District

Feeling adventurous? Try wild swimming, kayaking, paddleboarding and windsurfing on England’s largest lake.

Make a splash at Lake Windermere

VisitBritain/Adam Burton

Stile over a drystone wall overlooking landscape of valleys
Lake Windermere

For invigorating mountain hikes, you’ve come to the right place: Langdale is famous for its lofty peaks, with cosy pubs and guesthouses too.

Plan your Langdale Valley adventure

VisitBritain/Jack Anstey

Man skateboarding down valley paths. Green landscape
Langdale Valley

Step into Beatrix Potter’s enchanting stories, with a chance to meet Peter Rabbit, Mrs Tiggy-Winkle and friends.

Discover The World of Beatrix Potter

www.stevenbarber.com

Peter Rabbit 2013 credit photograper Steve Barber
The World of Beatrix Potter, Lake District

On the shores of Derwentwater, this pretty market town is a hive of activity – with festivals, hotels, watersports and more.

See what’s on at Keswick

VisitBritain/Ruby Nicholson/Alpacalyeverafter

Keswick

A bearded man wearing a wool hat holding two white alpacas
Keswick

From ziplines and via ferratas, to camping on the edge of a cliff – this outdoor activity centre is a thrillseeker’s paradise.

Delve deeper into Honister Slate Mine

honister_slate_mine

Honister Slate Mine
Honister Slate Mine

Feeling adventurous? Try wild swimming, kayaking, paddleboarding and windsurfing on England’s largest lake.

Make a splash at Lake Windermere

VisitBritain/Adam Burton

Stile over a drystone wall overlooking landscape of valleys
Lake Windermere

For invigorating mountain hikes, you’ve come to the right place: Langdale is famous for its lofty peaks, with cosy pubs and guesthouses too.

Plan your Langdale Valley adventure

VisitBritain/Jack Anstey

Man skateboarding down valley paths. Green landscape
Langdale Valley

Step into Beatrix Potter’s enchanting stories, with a chance to meet Peter Rabbit, Mrs Tiggy-Winkle and friends.

Discover The World of Beatrix Potter

www.stevenbarber.com

Peter Rabbit 2013 credit photograper Steve Barber
The World of Beatrix Potter, Lake District

On the shores of Derwentwater, this pretty market town is a hive of activity – with festivals, hotels, watersports and more.

See what’s on at Keswick

VisitBritain/Ruby Nicholson/Alpacalyeverafter

Keswick

A bearded man wearing a wool hat holding two white alpacas
Keswick

From ziplines and via ferratas, to camping on the edge of a cliff – this outdoor activity centre is a thrillseeker’s paradise.

Delve deeper into Honister Slate Mine

honister_slate_mine

Honister Slate Mine
Honister Slate Mine

Places to stay in the Lake District

On the move

With a caravan or motorhome, you can explore even further – and enjoy the Lake District’s many beautiful campsites.

Boutique hotels

Take your pick from charming B&Bs and grand country houses alike. Some also have spas, swimming pools and direct lake access.

Gourmet stays

Many of the park’s best-loved restaurants and pubs offer accommodation too, so you can dine and stay in style.

Explore nearby

From palaces to cobbled alleys, and a dormant volcano, this city is a real show-stopper.

VisitBritain/Andrew Pickett

Edinburgh

A young couple taking a selfie of view over historic town

An unmissable destination for travellers, London is a melting pot of history, culture and green spaces.

VisitBritain/Hazel Parreno

Picadilly Circus underground station

World-class football and a music scene that brought Oasis to centre stage – there’s lots to love about Manchester.

VisitBritain/Manchester Craft Beer Festival

DJ playing to groups of people at Manchester Craft Beer Festival, in Depot Mayfield, Manchester

From The Beatles to Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Liverpool is a UNESCO City of Music with seriously cool credentials.

Oh Me Oh My

Liverpool

Rooftop of Oh me oh my restaurant in Liverpool

Getting to the Lake District

The Lake District is located in Cumbria, in the north-west of England. Manchester Airport is 80 miles (128km) to the south (75 minutes by car), and offers routes to around 200 global destinations. Newcastle International Airport is 75 miles (120km) to the north-east (90 minutes by car), and serves more than 80 destinations. The train from London takes from two hours 35 minutes.

Getting around

Many of the Lake District’s key locations are served by train, as the West Coast Mainline connects London and Glasgow with Oxenholme, Penrith and Carlisle, and there are local services to Kendal, Staveley and Windermere. The bus network is also extensive, calling at all major towns and villages.

By boat

Kayak? Electric cruiser? Sailing boat? You’ll find rental vessels of all descriptions at Windermere, Ullswater, Coniston and Derwentwater.

By bike

From gentle lakeside loops to challenging mountain trails, there are routes for every ability – and a  local luggage transfer can carry your bags.

By electric car

With EV charging points at the car parks of Coniston, Glenridding and Grasmere, driving sustainably is easy to do.

Want to know more?

From its highest peaks to its winsome waters, the Lake District’s official website is full of local tips.