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Visit Lake District

The Lake District is located in north-west England, around Keswisk and between Carlisle and Kendal, in Cumbria. The Lake District National Park was established in 1951 to help protect this important and beautiful region.

The region, most of which falls within the Lake District National Park, covers roughly 2,300 square kilometres, and contains many of England's highest mountains, numerous lakes, and some of the finest scenery to be found in England.

The lower parts of the region tend to be small scale farming, often sheep-farming, with fields typically separated by low stone dry walls with scattered, often isolated, traditional stone farmhouses, while at higher elevations the terrain is more barren with rough scrubland and moorland interspersed by rocky outcrops and peaks. (You will often see these walls in very inhospitable mountainous regions - it was an extraordinary feat to build some of them!)

Although already established on the tourist trail by the 18th century, it was perhaps William Wordsworth in the 19th century who contributed most to the inflow of tourists, with popular travel guides, and poems set in the region. The children's author Beatrix Potter also lived and set stories here. You will find several attractions more or less related to these authors during your visit.

The opening of a rail line to Windermere in 1847 also played a significant part in increasing tourism to the region.

Essentially an outdoors destination, the Lake District is attractive to walkers, climbers, cyclists (both road bikes and mountain bikes), and those who enjoy water sports such as sailing, canoeing and kayaking and fishing. There are also many interesting and picturesque towns and villages to enjoy, and numerous 'tourism' related activities.

Weather in the Lakes is variable, but often wet and windy and with frequent fog especially on the higher ground. So be sure to visit, but come prepared for possible cold and wet weather. Consider it an extra-special treat if you find you also have glorious weather during your stay!

Lake District mountains

The four highest peaks in the Lake District are over 3,000 feet and hence generally classified as 'mountains' in the UK. These are:

• Scafell Pike - 978 metres
• Scafell - 965 metres
• Helvellyn - 951 metres
• Skiddaw - 931 metres

There are more than 50 other peaks of over 2,500 feet (762 metres) in the National Park

Bluebells and postbox in the Lake District  - ( photos are copyright: Michael Turner )

Lakes

There are numerous lakes, both in the lower regions and hidden away in the higher parts of the Lake District. Some of the best known and most visited are

Bassenthwaite Lake / Buttermere / Coniston Water / Crummock Water / Derwent Water / Ennerdale Water / Grasmere / Haweswater Reservoir / Loweswater / Rydal Water / Thirlmere / Ullswater / Wast Water / Windermere (the largest lake in England)

Information Centres

The main Lake District information centres are found at Bowness Bay, Keswick and Ullswater.

There are also several small local information points, typically the shop or post office in a smaller town or village.

Lake District towns and villages

Main / larger towns

• Kendal (south)
• Keswick (central)
• Penrith (central)
• Windermere and Bowness-on-Windermere - main town in the southern region, with numerous leisure facilities
• Whitehaven (west, coastal town)
• Workington (west, important regional shopping centre)

Some of the many smaller towns and villages

Ambleside / Appleby-in-Westmorland / Bassenthwaite / Caldbeck / Cleator Moor / Cockermouth / Coniston / Glenridding / Grasmere / Hawkshead / Newby Bridge / Sawrey / Shap / Tebay / Ulverston / Wetheral

Other Lake District attractions

• Beatrix Potter's house
• Steamers (boats) on Windermere and other lakes
• Visitor Centre at Brockhole (between Ambleside and Troutbeck Bridge) has a substantial adventure playground, gardens, displays and other activities in an attractive setting overlooking Windermere.
• To the south of the lake district you can visit the gentler landscapes of the Cartmel Peninsula, including the resort of Grange-over-Sands.

Walking in the Lake District

While there are many challenging walks in Lakeland for which you will need the correct equipment and to be well prepared (suitable clothing, maps, compass, water, emergency provisions etc), there are also lots of easier and low-lying pathways, and the more popular destinations also have wheelchair and pushchair-friendly walks marked out.

The local information centres have detailed information about these, and there are several books available with full details.

Striding Edge - not a walk for vertigo sufferers!
(photo is copyright: Dominic Donnini)

Remember that dealing with damage and erosion along the most popular hiking routes remains one of the major challenges faced within the National Park so please stay on the footpaths!