The Lake District
is poetry in the hills
Welcome to The Lake District
The Lake District (or Lakeland, as it's commonly known round these parts) is by far the UK's most popular national park. Every year, some 15 million people pitch up to explore the region's fells and countryside, and it's not hard to see why. Ever since the Romantic poets arrived in the 19th century, its postcard panorama of craggy hilltops, mountain tarns and glittering lakes has been stirring the imaginations of visitors. Since 2017 it has also been a Unesco World Heritage Site, in recognition of its uinque hill-farming culture.
Top experiences in The Lake District
Recent articles
Travel guides
Starting at $32.49
The Lake District activities
Lake District National Park Ten Lakes Day Tour from Windermere
The Lake District is renowned for being the most beautiful corner of England and this full-day tour introduces you to just that; a magnificent scenery of mountains, valleys and lakes from the south to the north. The tour includes a lake cruise, a visit to the 4,000-year-old Castlerigg Stone Circle, set high on the fells and time in Keswick for lunch. From within the circle, you will get picture-perfect views of some of the Lake District’s highest peaks. You will travel over the famous Kirkstone and Honister passes whilst enjoying some spectacular mountain scenery. From beautiful valleys to waterfalls and traditional Lakeland villages, there will be plenty of stops for admiring the views and taking photographs. The tour highlights also include lakes and sights such as Kirkstone Pass - Lakeland's highest mountain pass, Ashness Bridge and Surprise View, Borrowdale, Honister Mountain Pass, Buttermere Valley, Thirlmere, Grasmere, Rydal and Ambleside. Your lunch stop will be in the market town of Keswick, where you can try a typical pub lunch, or seek out a charming restaurant. You will also get the chance to stretch your legs at either the magnificent lake of Derwent water or Ullswater, where you can enjoy a cruise and see the Lake District from the tranquility of the Lake.
The High Adventure: High Mountain Passes Spectacular from Windermere
Take in the striking mountains and western fells of the Lake District on this guided full-day adventure. Travel steep roads through the Hardknott and Wrynose Passes, and take a ride on the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway before seeing Wastwater Lake and historic Muncaster Castle's gardens. Depart from Windermere, driving through the majestic Great Langdale Valley toward the mountain passes of Wrynose and Hardknott - 2 of the steepest roads in England. Following the line of an old Roman road (the tenth highway). The journey from Langdale take you to Wastwater, the deepest lake in England overlooked by its highest mountain, Scafell Pike in the background. The area features "Britain's Favourite View," it captures the lake surrounded by the sheer, rugged slopes of the Wastwater Screes. Arriving in Eskdale we stop for lunch at a pub with a light lunch menu, before boarding the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway. Affectionately dubbed La’al Ratty, the heritage line takes you through enchanting, ancient woodlands down the valley. After your charming train ride, continue your tour to Muncaster Castle, here entrance to the grounds and Garden is included. The time here varies dependant on the day but you will have time to explore some of the extensive Gardens and view the Valley of which the Castle overlooks. On the way back to Windermere, pass through the beautiful Yewdale Valley as a picturesque end to your tour.
Beatrix Potter's Lakeland Tour and Lake Cruise from Windmere
Surround yourself with the scenery that inspired Beatrix Potter's enchanting tales during a half-day tour in the Lake District National Park. This tour gives you the chance to visit the author's home, and explore the medieval Hawkshead and scenic Tarn Hows. The tour starts as we make our way to Hill Top, the 17th-century home that Beatrix Potter used as an artistic retreat. Stroll through the colourful garden, home to various flowers, vegetables and herbs. A tour of the old 17th-century farmhouse is included, then you can browse the goods in the shop or if you wish The House and Gardens remain as it was when Beatrix Potter herself lived there. Your next destination is the nearby medieval township of Hawkshead, which was originally owned by the monks of Furness Abbey until the 12th century. Spend time exploring the ancient charms of the village, including the 14th-century Hawkshead Parish Church and the grammar school where poet William Wordsworth was educated Later, head to Tarn Hows, a picturesque area of the Lake District National Park that was once owned by Beatrix Potter. Learn about the challenges the author faced in purchasing it in an attempt to preserve it from development, and how it became part of England's National Trust. The afternoon concludes with a cruise down England’s largest lake, Windermere, offering unrivalled views towards the mountains. Please note: Hill Top house is not open on Fridays outside of June, July & August.
England's Lake District Winter Tour from Windermere
Meet your guide at Windermere Tourist Information Center, and board your coach for your day of sightseeing around the Lake District. As you travel, listen to your guide talking about the scenic region and its many natural landmarks. Open space and a lack of pollution mean that the area is popular with lovers of the great outdoors, and hikers are as much of a feature of the landscape as its photogenic meres and mountains.Travel around Lake Windermere, the most famous body of water in the Lake District, and then stop to stretch your legs in the charming village of Ambleside with its rural pubs and independent shops. Have your camera at hand for impressive lakeside shots at Rydal Water, and continue to Grasmere, a tiny village of limestone cottages framed by slate quarries and rolling green hills.Drink in the beauty of Thirlmere, and hear how the reservoir provides water for most people living in the county of Cumbria. Admire the timeless views that characterize Borrowdale Valley and gaze out at Bassenthwaite Lake, one of the largest in the Lake District. Travel along Honister Pass, a tiny road that snakes around the mountains, and visit Buttermere village with its namesake lake.After traveling through Newlands Valley to see Crummock Water, stop in the Cumbrian capital of Keswick for a leisurely lunch (own expense). Enjoy some free time for a look around the town, and then meet back up with your guide to continue exploring more Lakeland villages and beauty spots.Stretch your legs on a stroll around Castlerigg Stone Circle and learn about its history that dates back to Megalithic times. Pass along Kirkstone Pass to see your last two lakes — Ullswater and Brothers Water — and then return to the start point in Windermere to finish your tour.
Lake District, Lake Cruise from Windmere: 3 Days
This 2 Night, 3 Day discovery tour of the Lake District highlights begins at the charming 4-star Lindeth Howe Country House Hotel, that used to be owned by the beloved children's author Beatrix Potter. The hotel's logo is actually in her handwriting. On Day 2 you will join the full-day Ten Lakes Spectacular tour to Ullswater, Borrowdale, Buttermere and Beyond tour which covers Ten Lakes, three mountain passes and a lake cruise, a beautiful waterfall, Castlerigg Stone Circle and the ancient township of Keswick for lunch. Certainly the most comprehensive, popular and satisfying tour in the Lake District, visiting central, north, north-west and north-east parts of Cumbria with so many stops for photographs and time to take in the breath-taking scenery. At the end of the tour you will have a departure transfer back to your hotel or Windermere train station.
Lake District 4-Day Tour with Cruise, Hotel from Windermere
This 3 night, 4 day tour includes 2 full day tours in the Lake District. This includes visiting the central Lake District on the Ten Lakes Spectacular as well as visiting the western Lake District on the High Adventure Tour. On arrival, spend the rest of the day as you wish. Enjoy the views from the gardens, stretch your legs along nearby Lake Windermere or explore Bowness, and then relax over dinner at the hotel tonight. On Day 2, you'll enjoy a full-day Ten Lakes Spectacular tour by minivan to experience the full beauty of the national park, from north to south. See ten lakes including Ullswater, Grasmere and Buttermere and enjoy a scenic cruise on one of the lakes. Journey through breathtaking valleys and mountain passes and visit the market town of Keswick. On Day 3, you'll visit the Western Lake District on this High Adventure tour. Travel over the Wrynose and Hardknott passes, the steepest in England you stop to view the extraordinary remains of Hardknott Roman Fort 1000 ft up on the fells. You have the opportunity to walk through the fort and see the spectacular view to Upper Eskdale, Scafell and Scafell Pike, England’s highest mountains. You then embark on the famous miniature Ravenglass and Eskdale railway before a lunch stop at a traditional country inn. In the afternoon we drive onward to ‘Britain’s Favourite View’, Wastwater ; England’s deepest and most dramatic lake. Your final destination is the splendid 14th Century Muncaster Castle surrounded by its internationally acclaimed gardens and famous for its World Owl Trust. Your experience ends after breakfast this morning when you check out of the hotel. If you wish, enjoy an included minivan transfer to Windermere railway station or back to your original starting point.