Lake District Tourist Guide - Articles
Lake District Tourist Information
Lake District Tourist Information
The Lake District is recognised worldwide as one of the most appealing tourist destinations in the UK. Second only to London in the tourist popularity stakes, few other parts of Britain can compete with the Lake District in capturing the imagination of the independent traveller in search of the perfect all-year-round British break or longer stay.
Lake District Tourist Information – At a Glance
Geography: Located in England’s north-western corner, the Lake District, Cumbria, is just 64 kilometres (40 miles) across and approximately 160 km (100 miles) in circumference, yet it encompasses an extraordinary variety of landscapes: the high summits of Scafell Pike and Helvellyn contrast starkly with lush-green hillsides, fells, dales and picturesque lakeside scenery.
Travel: Although easily accessible from both the M6 Motorway and West Coast mainline railway, a car is recommended for exploring the more remote parts of the Lake District.
Where to Stay: The Lake District offers a wide range of quality accommodation to suit all tastes and budgets: luxury hotels, family-run hotels, B&Bs, self-catering, caravan and camping sites, working farms, etc. Popular bases for exploring the region include Keswick, Ambleside and Windermere (particularly geared to the family market), Ullswater, Grasmere and Coniston. Wherever you go in the Lake District, you can be sure of a warm welcome.
Eating & Drinking: From small cafés and pubs to top-notch restaurants, the emphasis throughout the area is on variety and the use of superb local produce. Sample local Cumbrian fayre in a glorious setting; savour the moment.
Shopping: The Lake District has more than its fair share of small galleries, arts and craft and specialist shops – perfect for picking up superior souvenirs! The entire Lake District is geared towards low-key tourism, both in the the main tourist centres and the many welcoming market towns and smaller villages.
Outdoor Pursuits: A walker’s paradise (over 1,800 miles of well-signed footpaths), hiking, climbing, cycling, off-roading, fishing, boating (steamer cruises, e.g. at Windermere, Ullswater, Derwent Water and Coniston); waterskiing, etc.
Lake District National Park – The Low-down
England’s largest National Park occupies 855 square miles and contains 6 national nature reserves, 16 lakes, 150 mountains, over 50 dales, around 100 sites of ‘special scientific interest’ and more than 40 towns and villages. The Lake District National Park is wonderful walking and cycling territory.
Indoor Attractions
Famous Houses: Hill Top, Near Sawrey, Hawkshead, Ambleside, Cumbria: 17th-century farmhouse and home to Beatrix Potter (1866 – 1943); Rydal Mount and Gardens, Rydal, Ambleside, family home of William Wordsworth (1770 – 1850), where he lived for 37 years; Brantwood, Coniston, Cumbria: home to artist and social critic John Ruskin (1819 – 1900).
Keswick Museum and Art Gallery, Fitz Park, Station Road, Keswick: explores the history of Keswick from its industrial mining days to becoming a favourite Lake District tourist destination.
Laurel & Hardy Museum, 4C Upper Brook Street, Ulverston: dedicated to the lives of Laurel & Hardy, this fascinating museum contains a vast collection of personal memorabilia - a must for Laurel & Hardy fans!
Did you know that …
The Lake District boasts England’s highest peak - Scafell Pike at 3,120 feet (978 metres); steepest road - Hardknott Pass with a 1:3 gradient; longest lake - Windermere at 10 miles (17 kilometres) long; and deepest lake - Wastwater at 258 feet (79 metres) deep?
According to the latest ‘Health of the Nation’ study (CACI and TNS), Eden, in Cumbria was identified as the second healthiest place in the country?
Lake District Tourist Information Resources
Lake District Visitor Centre, Brockhole, Windermere; www.lake-district.gov.uk
Windermere Tourist Information Centre, Victoria Street, Windermere; Tel: +44 (0)15394 46499; email: windermeretic@southlakeland.gov.uk
Lake District National Park Authority Headquarters, Murley Moss, Oxenholme Road, Kendal, Cumbria General enquiries Tel: +44 (0) 01539 724555; email: hq@lake-district.gov.uk
Lake District Tourist Information
The Lake District is recognised worldwide as one of the most appealing tourist destinations in the UK. Second only to London in the tourist popularity stakes, few other parts of Britain can compete with the Lake District in capturing the imagination of the independent traveller in search of the perfect all-year-round British break or longer stay.
Lake District Tourist Information – At a Glance
Geography: Located in England’s north-western corner, the Lake District, Cumbria, is just 64 kilometres (40 miles) across and approximately 160 km (100 miles) in circumference, yet it encompasses an extraordinary variety of landscapes: the high summits of Scafell Pike and Helvellyn contrast starkly with lush-green hillsides, fells, dales and picturesque lakeside scenery.
Travel: Although easily accessible from both the M6 Motorway and West Coast mainline railway, a car is recommended for exploring the more remote parts of the Lake District.
Where to Stay: The Lake District offers a wide range of quality accommodation to suit all tastes and budgets: luxury hotels, family-run hotels, B&Bs, self-catering, caravan and camping sites, working farms, etc. Popular bases for exploring the region include Keswick, Ambleside and Windermere (particularly geared to the family market), Ullswater, Grasmere and Coniston. Wherever you go in the Lake District, you can be sure of a warm welcome.
Eating & Drinking: From small cafés and pubs to top-notch restaurants, the emphasis throughout the area is on variety and the use of superb local produce. Sample local Cumbrian fayre in a glorious setting; savour the moment.
Shopping: The Lake District has more than its fair share of small galleries, arts and craft and specialist shops – perfect for picking up superior souvenirs! The entire Lake District is geared towards low-key tourism, both in the the main tourist centres and the many welcoming market towns and smaller villages.
Outdoor Pursuits: A walker’s paradise (over 1,800 miles of well-signed footpaths), hiking, climbing, cycling, off-roading, fishing, boating (steamer cruises, e.g. at Windermere, Ullswater, Derwent Water and Coniston); waterskiing, etc.
Lake District National Park – The Low-down
England’s largest National Park occupies 855 square miles and contains 6 national nature reserves, 16 lakes, 150 mountains, over 50 dales, around 100 sites of ‘special scientific interest’ and more than 40 towns and villages. The Lake District National Park is wonderful walking and cycling territory.
Indoor Attractions
Famous Houses: Hill Top, Near Sawrey, Hawkshead, Ambleside, Cumbria: 17th-century farmhouse and home to Beatrix Potter (1866 – 1943); Rydal Mount and Gardens, Rydal, Ambleside, family home of William Wordsworth (1770 – 1850), where he lived for 37 years; Brantwood, Coniston, Cumbria: home to artist and social critic John Ruskin (1819 – 1900).
Keswick Museum and Art Gallery, Fitz Park, Station Road, Keswick: explores the history of Keswick from its industrial mining days to becoming a favourite Lake District tourist destination.
Laurel & Hardy Museum, 4C Upper Brook Street, Ulverston: dedicated to the lives of Laurel & Hardy, this fascinating museum contains a vast collection of personal memorabilia - a must for Laurel & Hardy fans!
Did you know that …
The Lake District boasts England’s highest peak - Scafell Pike at 3,120 feet (978 metres); steepest road - Hardknott Pass with a 1:3 gradient; longest lake - Windermere at 10 miles (17 kilometres) long; and deepest lake - Wastwater at 258 feet (79 metres) deep?
According to the latest ‘Health of the Nation’ study (CACI and TNS), Eden, in Cumbria was identified as the second healthiest place in the country?
Lake District Tourist Information Resources
Lake District Visitor Centre, Brockhole, Windermere; www.lake-district.gov.uk
Windermere Tourist Information Centre, Victoria Street, Windermere; Tel: +44 (0)15394 46499; email: windermeretic@southlakeland.gov.uk
Lake District National Park Authority Headquarters, Murley Moss, Oxenholme Road, Kendal, Cumbria General enquiries Tel: +44 (0) 01539 724555; email: hq@lake-district.gov.uk
Lake District Tourist Information