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A much-lauded corner of northwest England, made famous by the Romantic poets, the Lake District is a region of green fields, mountainsides rendered purple and russet from heather and bracken, and steely lakes. Most of the area is now protected as a national park and the views that so inspired William Wordsworth, Beatrix Potter and John Ruskin have changed little over the years.
England's highest mountain and deepest lake are found here, along with many tiny villages seemingly left untouched by the passing of time. It’s a great place to hike, its fells (the local word for peak) entwined by a network of stone walls, and dotted with hardy sheep and ancient stone circles.
UK & Ireland specialist JasmineThe Lake District is natural England at its most pristine. I love its mirror-like lakes that reflect the surrounding landscapes. Every turn you take in the mountains or the woods has the potential to surprise you with a new vista.
Things to see and do in the Lake District
Lake Windermere
A long, shimmering expanse of water, Lake Windermere is the largest natural lake in England. It's an impressive sight, 16.9 km (10.5 miles) long and surrounded by steep hills and fertile valleys.
It was the inspiration for the fictional lake in Arthur Ransome's adventure Swallows and Amazons, and has been a strategic waterway ever since the Romans built a fort at its northern end to control regional trade.
Today, Windermere is one of Lake District's best spots for fishing, canoeing, sailing and kayaking. It’s just a short hop from many of the region's most popular attractions, such as Beatrix Potter's beloved farm, Hill Top.
Ambleside
Just north of Lake Windermere is Ambleside, a Victorian-era town with a lively atmosphere. It’s a popular starting point for many of the region’s gentler walks and bicycle rides, and its streets are lined with cafés, restaurants and outdoor clothing shops.
The Stock Ghyll stream rushes through the town, turning into Stock Ghyll Force (‘force’ being an old northern English term for waterfall). It flows under the photogenic Bridge House, a tiny 17th-century storage room that has been painted by many artists, including Turner. Just a mile south of the town is Waterhead, where the Windermere steam ferries dock.
Grasmere
One of the prettiest Lake District villages, Grasmere is a meandering cluster of stone cottages that sits on the banks of the River Rothay. It has strong connections to the Romantic poets, in particular to William Wordsworth who lived in nearby Dove Cottage. Along with his wife Mary and sister Dorothy, he is buried in the graveyard at the village church.
The place hums with visitors during the summer months. Yet explore in the quiet evenings, and you'll appreciate more readily Grasmere’s poetic setting, its knot of streets surrounded by a valley and fells.
who's been there
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Places near the Lake District
- Liverpool 118 kilometers away
- York 142 kilometers away
- Edinburgh 167 kilometers away
- Glasgow 173 kilometers away
- Loch Lomond 199 kilometers away
- St Andrews 211 kilometers away
- The Highlands 237 kilometers away
- Loch Awe 246 kilometers away
- Isle of Jura 248 kilometers away
- Isle of Islay 249 kilometers away
- Oban 265 kilometers away
- Stratford-upon-Avon 269 kilometers away
- Glencoe 278 kilometers away
- The Cairngorms 290 kilometers away
- Fort William 292 kilometers away
- The Cotswolds 297 kilometers away
- Oxford 326 kilometers away
- Cambridge 330 kilometers away
- Loch Ness 330 kilometers away
- Speyside 336 kilometers away
- Inverness 344 kilometers away
- Bath 347 kilometers away
- Isle of Skye 381 kilometers away
- London 385 kilometers away
- Brighton 451 kilometers away
- Canterbury 452 kilometers away
- Rye 468 kilometers away
- The White Cliffs of Dover 476 kilometers away
Photos of the Lake District
Accommodation choices for the Lake District
We've selected a range of accommodation options for when you visit the Lake District. Our choices usually come recommended for their character, facilities and service or location. Our specialists always aim to suggest properties that match your preferences.
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The Swan
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Forest Side Hotel
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The Waterhead
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The Wild Boar
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Macdonald Old England Hotel & Spa
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Gilpin Hotel & Lake House
Lake District
Ideas for experiencing the Lake District
Our specialists seek out authentic ways to get to know the places that could feature in your trip. These activities reflect some of the experiences they've most enjoyed while visiting the Lake District, and which use the best local guides.
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Hardknott Roman Fort, Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway and Muncaster Castle Hardknott Roman Fort, Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway and Muncaster Castle
Hardknott Roman Fort, Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway and Muncaster Castle
Your driver-guide can navigate Cumbria’s steep and winding roads while you admire the looming mountains and sweeping sea views. The tour also stops at Muncaster Castle, the Roman-era Hardknott Fort and the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway, a Victorian steam train line.
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Wordsworth's Lake District Wordsworth's Lake District
Wordsworth's Lake District
Explore the landscape that inspired one of Britain’s most renowned poets. Your guide will bring you to two of Wordsworth’s homes, Rydal Mount and Dove Cottage, to learn about his life and family. You can also explore nearby Grasmere village.
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Tea at Beatrix Potter's cottage Tea at Beatrix Potter's cottage
Tea at Beatrix Potter's cottage
Discover the land that Beatrix Potter loved and helped to preserve on this tour of her Lake District home. Cross Lake Windermere before having a tour and tea with a Potter expert at the author’s marital house, Castle Cottage.
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North Lakes explorer North Lakes explorer
North Lakes explorer
Your driver-guide will create a tour of the North Lakes area based around your interests. You can take your time exploring the unspoiled lakes, sheep-dotted mountains, and tiny towns at an unhurried pace, with pauses for walks in the countryside or taking photographs.
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Lake District farm experience Lake District farm experience
Lake District farm experience
Experience life on a traditional Lake District fell farm where you'll get a chance to meet the hardy Herdwick sheep, learn about farm practices and local lifestyles and get to try your hand at dry stone walling.
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