Lake District

Home of Beatrix Potter, fascinating history, dramatic landscapes and – of course – plenty of lakes. Cycle, walk or sail through the unforgettable Lake District and discover its many delights.

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Bridge over Aira Force waterfall, Ullswater, Lake District, Cumbria

Place

Aira Force and Gowbarrow Park

Aira Force is a showcase for the power and beauty of nature; it’s a place to escape the ordinary.

The cream exterior of Allan Bank house on a sunny day

Place

Allan Bank and Grasmere

The loveliest spot that man hath ever found

A courtyard with stone buildings on three sides. One side has crenellations and a solid square tower

Place

Sizergh

Beautiful medieval house with rich gardens and estate

Place

Wray

Parkland and castle on the west shore of Windermere.

The Boathouse Cafe at Fell Foot, Cumbria from Lake Windermere

Place

Fell Foot

Lakeshore park with stunning mountain views, Boathouse cafe, watersports hire and play area

A mother and baby sit among the wildflower meadows on the Whitehaven Coast on a summer's day

Place

Whitehaven Coast

There are hidden gems of history and wildlife along this post-industrial coastline

A father and young son standing on stones along the shore of Derwent Water at Crow Park on a sunny day, with a view of the water and land beyond

Place

Borrowdale and Derwent Water

Spectacular and varied lakeland landscape around Derwent Water

A view of the fells from the Ennerdale Water shoreline, Cumbria, showing the calm water and clear blue sky.

Place

Ennerdale

Home of the Wild Ennerdale project with 30 miles of traffic-free paths

A group of four people walking in a garden front of a traditional farmhouse

Planning your visit to the Lake District

Tools, tips and guidance to help you make the most out of your trip to the Lake District and help us look after it.

Cyclist riding their bike on the road alongside Wastwater with mountain views in the background

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Places you can visit in the Lake District without a car

Whether you’re looking to travel by train, bus, bike or foot, there are many places in the Lake District that you can visit without a car - here's the info to help you plan a car-free day out.

A man sitting on the back of his car in a car park to put his walking boots on to go for a walk in Borrowdale, Cumbria

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Countryside car parks in the Lake District

Discover the National Trust's countryside car parks in the Lake District.

Alongside our tenant farmers, the National Trust looks after 20% of the Lake District National Park, including England's deepest lake and highest mountain. We work to restore habitats for nature and to conserve the cultural heritage within a dozen historic buildings. Find out more about what the teams have been up to here.

Walker looking down over a green valley with a stream and stone path

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Help us to protect and restore the Lake District

Every year, the National Trust spends £10 million on projects, maintenance and staffing to support farming, wildlife, and tourism across the Lake District National Park. As the effects of climate change bring with it more storms and extreme weather patterns, threatening wildlife and this iconic landscape, we need your help more than ever to continue this vital conservation work.

Herdwick sheep grazing in fields next to Tarn Hows on a summer's day

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Farming in the Lake District

Learn about the traditional farming practices in the Lake District and how the National Trust works with farm tenants to restore vital habitats, protect wildlife and support quality local produce.

A view of Watendlath Beck Borrowdale, Lake District

Riverlands projects

Rivers are life forces. They’ve helped sustain ecosystems, cultures and communities for millennia, their quiet power steadily shaping everything from landscapes to place names. Find out more about the work the National Trust is doing with local partners, tenant farmers and other landowners in the area to help restore the Lake District's rivers and improve the water quality in lakes and tarns.

Five people in coats and scarves walking beside placid lake with bare trees dotted around

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Windermere Gateway

The Windermere Gateway programme is a unique opportunity for the National Trust to make a difference in Windermere and support the Lake District National Park Local Plan ambitions.

There are plenty of opportunities to get involved in our work across the Lakes

Search volunteering opportunities in the Lake District

Visitors on a volunteer-led guided tour around Wray Castle in Ambleside with the castle and blue sky in the background

Volunteering in the Lake District

Find out more about volunteering for the National Trust in the Lake District. You could work indoors or outside, welcoming and guiding visitors, growing crops or managing woodland or building paths.

Wasdale Campsite

A mile from Wastwater, close to challenging bike trails and Scafell Pike, England’s tallest mountain.

Volunteers sitting on a bench with Cat Bells in the background at Borrowdale and Derwentwater in Cumbria

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Romantic places to stay in the Lakes

A dog with a view of Wastwater at Wasdale in Cumbria

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Dog-friendly cottages in the Lake District

Eskdale Campsite

Low in the valley, with trails by the river and up through the fells to small mountain lakes. Village pubs are a short stroll away.

Low Wray Campsite

By Windermere, England’s largest lake, surrounded by things to do and places to visit.

See all events

Event

Golden Hour Sessions

Fell Foot, Windermere, Cumbria

Looking for a more chilled paddling experience?

Event

Wray Grounds Tour - Walk & Talk

Wray, Ambleside, Cumbria

Want to learn more about the history of the Wray estate? Why not join one of our 45-minute Walk and Talk’s with a knowledgeable member of the Wray team, as they share the secrets and stories of Wray.

Event

Secrets of Sandscale's Orchids

Sandscale Haws National Nature Reserve, near Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria

Join this guided walk to spot flowering orchids and other wildflowers.

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Letters from London

Townend, Windermere, Cumbria

Delve into the Townend archive collection through these fascinating personal letters.

Event

My Dear Beatrix...

Hill Top, Cumbria

Send Beatrix Potter a letter about your connection to her, her stories, and the Lake District that she loved and was inspired by.

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Summer of Play at Wray 2025

Wray, Ambleside, Cumbria

Summer of Play at Wray kicks off in June and stretches across the summer holidays. Designed for families and children of all ages, Wray’s outdoor spaces will become zones of activity.

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Mischief in Miniature

Hill Top, Cumbria

The Tale of Two Bad Mice comes to life at Hill Top, with little needle-felted mice in various mischievous scenes around the property for you to try and spot.