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Your Travel Guide to the Lake District
The Lake District, also known as Lakeland or The Lakes, in the North West of the country is known for its stunning views of the highest mountains, and the longest, deepest lakes in England. Made up of charming English villages, breathtaking landscapes, and literary history the region attracts millions of visitors annually, it is the most popular National Park in Britain.
About the Lake District | Getting to the Lake District | How to Get Around the Lake District | Activities in the Lake District
About the Lake District
Visitors from both Britain and the world come to The Lake District not only for the scenery but for the literary history. Famous authors such as Beatrix Potter, and poets like William Wordsworth found inspiration in the lakes and forests, their homes still stand as tourist attractions and museums in some of the most picturesque parts of the region. Although not all parts of The Lake District are blissfully peaceful, down by the lakes, for the more adventurous visitor, there are many different watersports to try as well as hiking and walking in the fells.
Climate
The Lake District’s closeness to the sea means that it has colder winters and cooler summers than most other parts of Northern England. During the day in the summertime temperatures can get up to 19 degrees, and the winter can see a maximum temperature of 7 degrees.
Language
The official language of The Lake District is English.
Getting to the Lake District
 | Train | The West Coast Mainline runs to the east of the Lake district which connects Oxenholme, Penrith and Carlisle with London and Glasgow. There is also a direct train from Manchester and a scenic route which follows the Cumbrian coastline. Visitors can buy a ticket for this particular route and use it as a tour to see all of the coastline by train. |
 | Bus | Small villages around The Lake District such as Windermere and Keswick are linked by bus. They are more frequent in the summer and greatly reduced during the off-peak season. National Express runs buses from large cities all around the country. |
 | Flights | Nearest airports to The Lake District are Manchester and Glasgow. Manchester is more easily accessible with a train route from the airport to several towns in The Lake District. |
How to Get Around the Lake District
Train
There are two lines within The Lake District, one from Oxenholme to Windermere, which then connects with services to London and Glasgow. The other scenic service goes around the Cumbrian coastline and goes through Lancaster or Preston. It then goes on to connect Barrow-in-Furness and Carlisle. West Coast services will let passengers use the service to see the sights and complete the loop. An authentic steam train connects Haverthwaite to Lakeside.
Bus
There are open top buses giving the opportunity to see more while getting from place to place, and smaller ‘Rambler Buses’ which have interactive app services showing where they are and how long the wait is. Passes are also available for this service. Bus tours are available daily.
Bike
Different bike routes for different abilities are available from beginner or easy/slow routes to mountain biking. Bike Boats run from May to August which allows people exploring the region by bike to easily move across the lakes. There are many hire points around the region along with repair shops.
Places to Visit
Windermere Lake
The largest natural lake in both the Lake District and in England, Windermere is the most popular natural attraction in the region. Boat tours take place daily, some explore the whole length of the 5-mile lake.
Dove Cottage
William Wordsworth's first home is in The Lake District which he lived in from 1799. The cottage is full of memorabilia like his passport and reading glasses. At the back of the cottage is where he liked to sit and compose his poetry overlooking beautiful scenery
Keswick
A traditional English market town, Keswick is a beautiful small town full of character and charm. The town covers landscape of high fells, lakes, and sandy beaches making it a perfect destination for both relaxation by the water and shopping at the village fairs, or trying watersports on the lake, or the distinctive sport of fell running.
Activities
Hiking
The landscape of The Lake District is an attraction in itself and the perfect way to see it is by joining a walking tour. With its calm lakes, and dramatic mountains there are days worth of walking trails to explore. from short hour long walks, to inn-to-inn walks that last for several days every tour will show visitors something different and equally as impressive.
Sailing and Watersports
In The Lake District there are several different watersports to try and visitors come from around the world to canoe, sail, or dive against the backdrop of the steep mountains. There are many different companies that offer both group and private lessons from a few hours to week-long certificate courses.
Spas and Wellness Centres
Visitors to The Lake District don’t just visit for the broad range of activities that the region offers, but also to relax in one of the many wellness centres located all over the region. Almost all include saunas, pools and a wide range of treatments. Most are based inside of hotels and offer day or weekend passes.
Events
Kendal Mountain Festival
Known as one of the largest and most varied event of its type within Europe, the Kendal Mountain Festival celebrates culture within film and literature. The biggest event during the festival is the film competition which premieres around fifty films every year from all around the world. The event is popular with the locals, and tourists come from all over Europe to watch the films over the 4 days from 16th - 19th November.
The Great British Food Festival
Taking place over a weekend at the end of summer festival season, The Great British Food Festival hosts food tasting, chef demonstrations, cooking classes, and live music from local bands. The festival takes place from the 29th to the 31st August annually.
Theatre by the Lake
Said to be one of the most beautifully located theatres in Britain, The Theatre by the Lake aims to produce six new plays per year starting in March and taking place till November.
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