Lake District Attractions
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Top Tourist Attractions in Lake District
The Lake District in Cumbria, much of which (900sq.mi/2,330sq.km) was designated a national park in 1951, is an area of incomparable beauty and great variety.
Lake Windermere
Lake Windermere, a glacier lake formed during the Ice Age, is England's largest lake, 10mi/16km in length and 230ft/70m deep. At its northern end it is enclosed by rocks; at the southern end it is drained by the River Leven, which flows into Morecambe Bay. Its shores are beautifully wooded, and in some places lined by houses. The largest island, Belle Isle, and some of the smaller ones can be reached by regular boat services. On Ladyholme are the remains of a 13th century chapel.There is an annual festival in Lake Windermere which takes place during the summer.
Hill Top - Beatrix Potter Museum
In Hill Top, near Sawrey the London-born Beatrix Potter (1866) wrote her popular series of little books about animals which she illustrated herself, beginning with "The Tales of Peter Rabbit". She spent the last 30 years of her life in the small cottage which is now a museum.The museum is restricted to 800 visitors a day on a timed entry system. It is best to avoid peak times: mornings on school holidays.
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Orrest Head
A particularly fine view of the southern part of the Lake District and of Morecambe Bay is to be had from Orrest Head, reached on a track which runs through Elleray Woods.
Hawkshead, England
The charming little village of Hawkshead (6mi/10km west; pop. 660) is located at the head of Esthwaite Water. Hawkshead has picturesque old stone houses around the Market Square, Flag Street and Main Street. The latter is the sight of the Victorian Red Lion Hotel (1850). To the north of the market square are the town hall (1790), the parish church of St Michael and All Angels (15th century) and the grammar school founded in 1585 by Edwin Sandys, Archbishop of York, at which William Wordsworth was a pupil from 1779-87.
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Coniston Water
Coniston Water is a smaller version of Windermere. The most impressive part of the lake is the north end, with Coniston Fells, but the wooded shores are also very attractive. The Old man of Coniston can be climbed in 1.5-2 hours (magnificent views of the surrounding hills).
Little Langdale (Loughrigg Fell)
From Ambleside there are lovely walks and excursions - into Little Langdale, to Loughrigg Terrace (good view), up Walsfell Pike and Loughrigg Fell. The ascent of the Langdale Pikes takes about 1.5-2 hours. Dungeon Ghyll is a popular climbing center.
Rydal Water, England
The very beautiful Rydal Water lies in a sheltered situation below Rydal Fell (2,000ft/610m) and is the first lake to freeze in winter making it popular with skaters. Rydal (pop. 530) is a quiet little village on the River Rothay at the east end of Rydal Water, 1mi/2km northwest of Ambleside.Walking through the hills and fells, and around the small lake are popular with visitors to Rydal.
Rydal Mount
Rydal Mount was the poet William Wordsworth's last home from 1813 until his death in 1850. It contains family portraits and other memorabilia.
Lake Grasmere
Grasmere is a small lake, almost circular in shape, with a lonely green island in the middle.
Helvellyn
There are excellent walks from Helvellyn, e.g. into Easedale and Borrowdale. The impressive Helvellyn (3,118ft/951m) can be climbed in 3-3.5 hours.
Haweswater - Lake Thirlmere
At the foot of Helvellyn is Thirlmere, a reservoir belonging to the city of Manchester, which draws its water from Haweswater to the east, a relatively isolated lake, its banks lined with pine woods.
Ullswater, England
Ullswater is the second largest lake in the Lake District, offering ideal conditions for sailing and fishing. On the shores of the lake is Gowborrow Park, the scene of Wordsworth's best known poem "Daffodils". Glenriding and Patterdale are beautifully situated on the shores of Lake Ullswater and make excellent centers for walkers.Steam boats, that have been in operation since the 1850's, offering trips around the lake from Pooley Bridge, Glenridding, and Howtown.
Derwent Water
Derwent Water is generally agreed to be the most beautiful of the lakes, with its grandiose backdrop of hills and the wooded crags and green fells which rise from its shores. A number of pretty little islands in the lake invite the visitor to visit them by boat. The River Derwent flows in at one end and out at the other, and the lake is famed for its trout and salmon. A fine view of the lake can be had from Castle Head.
Buttermere and Ennerdale, England
The village of Buttermere lies between Buttermere and Crummock Water, two small lakes belonging to the National Trust, linked by a stream 0.75mi/1km long.The National Trust maintains 3,588ha (8,866 acres) of fell and commonland that include the lakes of Buttermere and Loweswater. There is also lakeshore access to Ennerdale Water where there are extensive prehistoric settlements on the fells south of Ennerdale.Buttermere is noted for the scenic walks around Buttermere Lake and the wide main street lined with specialty shops.
Cockermouth, England
West of Buttermere is Cockermouth, with castle ruins dating from the 13/14th century. William Wordsworth was born here in 1770.The majority of the 18th and 19th century architecture in Cockermouth has remain unchanged. Other attractions include the partly ruined Norman castle, Dovenby Hall Estate, Kirkgate Centre and the Printing House Museum.
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Ulverston, England
Ulverston (pop. 11,963) is located on Morecambe Bay, 55mi/89km north of Liverpool. The main street is cobbled and features many specialty shops and a war memorial dedicated to soldiers from WW I. Hoad Monument, in Ulverston, is a concrete structure that was completed in 1850 and provides scenic views of the surrounding area.
Furness Abbey
No visitor to the Lake District should omit the excursion to Furness Abbey in the wooded "Vale of Deadly Nightshade", 6mi/10km from Ulverston
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Wasdale, Eskdale and Duddon
Wasdale, Eskdale and Duddon form the South West Lake District. In this region, the National Trust owns most of the head of Wasdale. Wasdale has England's highest mountain, Scafell Pike, the deepest lake, Wastwater, the smallest Church and biggest liar (annual lying competitions are held). In Eskdale the Trust protects extensive areas of fell, several farms and the Hardknott Roman Fort. Eskdale has a miniature railway. In Duddon the Trust maintians several farms as well as the Scansdale Haws Nature Reserve.
Barrow-in-Furness, England
Barrow-in-Furness (pop. 71,900) was a center for shipbuilding during the industrial revolution. It is located 52mi/84km north of Liverpool. Barrow-in-Furness is a popular tourist destination due to its proximity to the Lake District and the waterfront is undergoing rejuvenation. Some of the notable attractions include the Dock Museum, an indoor market and Hollywood Park, a leisure facility with ten-pin bowling and a cinema.
Dalton Castle, Dalton-in-Furness, England
Dalton Castle is a National Trust property in Dalton-in-Furness that houses a display about the painter George Romney. The castle is a 14th century tower in the main market area of the town.In addition to the castle in Dalton-in-Furness, Furness Abbey and South Lakes Wildlife Park are notable attractions.
World of Beatrix Potter Attraction, Bowness-on-Windermere, England
The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction in Bowness-on-Windermere features a film theater and exhibition that highlights the life and work of Beatrix Potter. Special attention is paid to Peter Rabbit and all of his friends in an underground recreation of the Lakeland countryside they inhabited.Visitors to Bowness-on-Windermere also enjoy sailing and watersports on the lake.
St Michael's Church, Much Hoole, England
Much Hoole is a small village with St Michael's Church. Of particular note is the stained glass window of Jeremiah Horrocks as he observed the Transit of Venus across the face of the sun. Horrocks was a curate-in-training at Hoole during the event and the stained glass was created by Robert Brickell to honor the astronomical hero.
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Windermere and Troutbeck
Windermere and Troutbeck is a region, the South East Lake District, that includes the Troutbeck valley and several sites next to Lake Windermere. Popular places to visit in the area are: Troutbeck Park (once farmed by Beatrix Potter), Ambleside Roman Fort, Cockshott Point on the lake at Bowness-on-Windermere and tiny Bridge House in Ambleside.
Workington, England
Workington (pop. 26,123) is located 32mi/52km southwest of Carlisle. At one time it was a major coal mining center. There are a number of churches in Workington including St Michael's, which was built in 1770 and remodelled in 1887; and St John's, completed in 1823 of local sandstone. The Helena Thompson Museum houses items from Georgian times including furniture, silver and glass.
Maryport, England
Maryport (pop. 11,598) is an old port village on Solway Firth at the mouth of the Ellen River 28mi/45km southwest of Carlisle. It has a maritime museum, summer festivals and well-preserved Georgian houses. Maryport also offers golfing, shoreline walks and sailing opportunities.
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Rawtenstall, England
Rawtenstall (pop. 22,231) is located on the Irwell 17mi/27km north of Manchester. There is an historic museum in the town and a large indoor market. Nearby is Ski Rossendale, a large dry ski-slope.
Burnley, England
Burnley (pop. 89,000) is located 22mi/35km north of Manchester at the confluence of the Burn and Calder rivers. Burnley offers a variety of sporting facilities as well as an active nightlife. The town also hosts the annual two-day Burnley National Blues Festival during March and April.
Nelson, England
Nelson (pop. 47,800) is located 28mi/45km west of Leeds. It was named after the famous admiral. Nelson is noted for its cotton and rayon factories.
Colne, England
Colne (pop. 18,203) is located 27mi/43km north of Manchester. Colne has a municipal golf course, athletics track, swimming pool, and two local parks.
Buttermere and Ennerdale
The region of Buttermere and Ennerdale spans 8,866 acres of fell and commonland. It includes the lakes of Buttermere, Crummock and Loweswater and provides lakeshore access to Ennerdale Water. Within the area there are also several farms and open woodlands.
Hawkshead and Claife
Hawkshead and Claife makes up the South Central region of the Lakes District. It features the lakeland village of Hawkeshead and the Claife Woodlands with many low-lying small farms. The area offers camping and scenic walks as well as some historic sites that may be explroed on walks or driving tours.
Holmrook - Eskdale Mill
The Eskdale Mill in Holmrook dates back to the 16th C when the main feature, two standing waterwheels, would have been the main source of power. An exhibition on local life is also on display here and you can enjoy a picnic and woodland walk in one of the Lake District's most picturesque valleys.
Bassenthwaite - Armathwaite Hall Equestrian Centre
The center offers tuition for riders of all abilities as well as riding opportunities in 400 acres of parkland and lakeshore. Facilities include show jumping and dressage areas and instruction arenas.
Clitheroe, England
Clitheroe (pop. 13,552) is located on the Ribble, 28mi/45km north of Manchester. Clitheroe is also on the southern edge of the Forest of Bowland and a popluar base for tourists.
Coniston and Little Langledale
Coniston and Little Langdale is a fell and woodland region in the South Central Lake District. Two well-known features in the area are the Tarn-Hows beauty spot and the Thingmount (a Norse meeting place) by Fell Foot Farm.
Cumbria Way Walking Trail
This 70mi/112km trail allows you to see the Lake District Mountains and lakes by foot. The trail starts at Ulverston and finishes at Carlisle, near the Scottish border.
Grasmere and Great Langdale
Grasmere and Great Langdale make up the Central Lake District. It spans 12,170 acres which include: 10 farms; the White Moss Common; the glaciated valley of Mickleden; a Victorian garden; the bed of Grasmere lake, and part of Rydal Water.
Kirkby Lonsdale, England
Kirkby Lonsdale is a lovely small town noted for the Devil's Bridge, completed in 1370. Each September, Kirkby Lonsdale is the site of a Victorian Fair complete with traders' stalls and entertainment.
Sedbergh, England
Sedburgh is a scenic town in the mountains and is a favorite tourist stop. The narrow main street is lined with interesting shops. St Andrew's Church in Sedburgh dates back to the 12th century.
