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Lake District

Ullswater Steamers, Lake District, Cumbria © Dave Willis

Lake District

It’s difficult to overstate the beauty of the Lake District. The area’s sparkling lakes, secret valleys and picturesque stone-built villages have captivated generations of visitors and inspired many famous artists.

Lake District at a glance

  • A place of superlatives, the Lake District National Park is the largest in the UK and boasts England’s highest mountain – Scafell Pike – and its largest lake – Lake Windermere.

  • The area has long been a magnet for artists and writers. Visit Hill Top cottage to see where Beatrix Potter penned many of her famous works, or retrace the footsteps of William Wordsworth at his home Dove Cottage, now a quaint museum packed full of memorabilia.

  • Billed as the ‘Gateway to the Lakes’, Kendal in South Cumbria makes a natural first stop on your Lake District adventure while the market town of Keswick provides a great base for exploring the northern lake and the beauty of nearby Borrowdale.

  • Did you know? You can fly 200m across the top of Grizedale forest with Go Ape’s tree top adventure course. Designed to entertain tarzans big and small, expect to traverse the tree canopy on zip wires and aerial walkways.

  • Be sure to check out Visit Lake District for more info on places to stay and events in the area.

  • The Lake District is in Cumbria, North West England. It's around 3.5 hours away from London by train and 1.5 hours from Manchester International airport.
Ullswater in the Lake District © Cumbria Tourism
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England’s largest National Park is also a World Heritage Site and is home to Scafell Pike, England’s highest mountain, and Wastwater, the nation’s deepest lake. The region has strong literary ties too, which can be explored at the World of Beatrix Potter attraction and at Dove Cottage, William Wordsworth’s former home. The Lake District National Park is renowned for its stargazing too and is listed as a Dark Skies Discovery site, while quaint Lake District cottages line the streets of thriving communities like Bowness-on-Windermere and Keswick. Renowned for its beauty and unbridled greenery, if you’re planning to visit Lake District attractions they’ll be an abundance of awe-inspiring scenery to view on the way.

Things to do in Lake District

  • Discover Lakes Culture
  • Manchester - Lake District

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    Where is the Lake District?

    The Lake District National Park is located in Cumbria in the North West corner of England. Manchester Airport is around 80 miles to the south of the Lake District  (around 75 minutes by car) and has routes to around 200 global destinations. Newcastle International Airport is approximately 75 miles to the North East of the Lake District (around 90 minutes by car) and serves more than 80 destinations. National Express also operates services from London Victoria to the Lake District, as well as from numerous other destinations in the UK.

    Getting around the Lake District

    Rail services connect many of the key places to visit in the Lake District, as the West Coast mainline connects London and Glasgow with Oxenholme, Penrith and Carlisle. A direct train also links Manchester with Windermere, while local services call at Kendal, Staveley and Windermere too. An excellent bus network provides an alternative means of getting around. In addition, you can explore Lake District attractions on a minibus tour or admire the views from a lake steamer. Several heritage railways, including the Ravendale and Eskdale Railway, the Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway and South Tynedale Railway, also operate in the region, providing some of the best views in the Lake District.

    • The official Lake District website has maps and guides to the different regions, showcasing what to expect in each area and making it easy for you to plan your trip
    • Visit the Lake District Tourist Information Centres for booklets, guides and details on events that are happening across the region
    • Numerous companies offer lake cruises on Ullswater, Windermere, Coniston Water and Derwent Water

    BY BUS

    Stagecoach operates a number of bus routes that connect the main Lake District towns and villages.  Tickets can be purchased on the day of travel from the driver using cash or contactless payment options, and you can also download the Stagecoach Bus App if you want to purchase tickets in advance. Visitors are encouraged to use public transport instead of cars to help conserve the region’s stunning natural environment.

    BY FOOT

    Discover the splendour of the Lake District landscape by walking one of its many paths. Miles Without Stiles is a set of 48 walking routes through the Lake District National Park that are suitable for those with limited mobility, while guided walking tours can also be booked on selected days throughout the year.