Hotels in the Lake District

One of Britain’s most visited regions and yet only opened up with the railway less than 200 years ago. The Lake District’s core is high dramatic mountains and rugged fells from which pastoral and forested valleys radiate like the spokes of a wheel down to its gleaming lakes and labyrinth of watercourses. To William Wordsworth the area was ‘the loveliest spot that man ever found’. Grasmere, the birthplace of English Romanticism, was the home of the poet, first at Dove Cottage and later Rydal Mount. Both are open to the public.

Crossing Windermere, England’s longest lake, all those who have delighted in the stories of Beatrix Potter will recognize Hill Top as Tom Kitten’s house or the farm where Jemima Puddleduck quacked around the yard. The World of Beatrix Potter exhibition is at Bowness-on-Windermere.

Take time to unwind and enjoy a leisurely day out on a nostalgic steam railway, in a mountain Goat bus or on a cruise aboard one of the lake steamers. A walk amongst the hills and England’s highest mountains will reveal more of the region’s splendours. From water-ski-ing to weaving, the Lake District is a dream for both the outdoor and indoor enthusiast.

Historic buildings in the area include 12 th-century Furness Abbey in Barrow, Dalemain near Penrith, Holker Hall near Cartmel, Muncaster Castle, near Ravenglass and Levens Hall near Kendal, with its fantastic topiary and working steam engine collection.

Helvellyn, near Thirlmere, at 3116 ft is Cumbria’s highest mountain. Walks in the area include the Dunnerdale Forest Nature Trail and the Grizedale Forest Path.