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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.

Places to visit

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Top places to visit in the Lake District

Waterfall cascading between green mossy rocks.
Place
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.

Penrith, Cumbria

Fully open today
The cream exterior of Allan Bank house on a sunny day
Place
Place

Allan Bank and Grasmere 

The loveliest spot that man hath ever found

Ambleside, Cumbria

Fully open today
A family walk along a gravel path at the bottom of a picture of a rock garden with the house visible behind
Place
Place

Sizergh 

Beautiful medieval house with rich gardens and estate

near Kendal, Cumbria

Fully open today
The castle lit by dramatic autumn light with autumn trees in front of it and autumn leaves on the ground
Place
Place

Wray 

Parkland and castle on the west shore of Windermere.

Ambleside, Cumbria

Fully open today
The boathouses in the winter sun at Fell Foot in the Lake District
Place
Place

Fell Foot 

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

Windermere, Cumbria

Fully open today
View of the cliffs and the sea along the Whitehaven Coast, Cumbria
Place
Place

Whitehaven Coast 

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

Whitehaven, Cumbria

Fully open today
A trio of people sit looking out on a view over a lake from a mountainside in the Lake District.
Place
Place

Borrowdale and Derwent Water 

Spectacular and varied lakeland landscape around Derwent Water

near Keswick, Cumbria

Fully open today
Looking across Ennerdale water to an outcropping of trees reflected in the water and the sun kissed mountains in the background
Place
Place

Ennerdale 

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

Cleator Moor, Cumbria

Fully open today

Planning your visit to the Lake District

Walkers setting out from Seatoller car park in Borrowdale, Lake District
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Article

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.

Family in the garden at Sizergh with a pushchair, Cumbria
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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.

Our work 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.

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.

Get involved

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

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.

Places to stay in the Lake District

An aerial view of Wasdale Campsite and Wastwater, Cumbria

Wasdale Campsite 

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

An aerial view of Eskdale Campsite, Cumbria

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.

An aerial view of Low Wray Campsite and Windermere, Cumbria

Low Wray Campsite 

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

Upcoming events

Event

Pooch Passport 

Aira Force and Gowbarrow Park, Penrith, Cumbria

Pooch passport is back! Explore new places with your dog/s until 28 February 2025. Find out more about the scheme and discover dog-friendly places to explore together.

Event summary

on
11 Oct 2024 to 28 Feb 2025
at
09:00 to 16:00
+ 140 other dates or times
Event

Pooch Passport 

Fell Foot, Windermere, Cumbria

Pooch passport is back! Explore new places with your dog/s until 28 February 2025. Find out more about the scheme and discover dog-friendly places to explore together.

Event summary

on
11 Oct 2024 to 28 Feb 2025
at
09:00 to 16:30
+ 140 other dates or times
Event

Letters from London 

Townend, Windermere, Cumbria

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

Event summary

on
11 Oct to 1 Nov 2024
at
10:00 to 15:00
+ 12 other dates or times
Event

Other Everests: One Mountain, Many Worlds 

Wray, Ambleside, Cumbria

Other Everests: One Mountain, Many Worlds, shares photographs and mountaineering artefacts from the Royal Geographical Society and the Mountain Heritage Trust in the centenary year of the 1924 Mount Everest expedition.

Event summary

on
11 Oct to 24 Nov 2024
at
10:00 to 16:00
+ 44 other dates or times
Event

Ancient Trees exhibition 

Sizergh, near Kendal, Cumbria

Standing proud on the estate for centuries, Sizergh’s ancient trees can tell fascinating stories about the landscape.

Event summary

on
11 Oct to 3 Nov 2024
at
10:00 to 17:00
+ 23 other dates or times
Event

Guided tour 

Townend, Windermere, Cumbria

A great indoor activity, our guided tours are designed to bring to life the fascinating farmhouse with stories about the family and fun facts. Themed tours run daily at 3pm.

Event summary

on
11 Oct to 25 Oct 2024
at
15:00 to 16:00
+ 8 other dates or times
Event

Parkrun at Fell Foot, every Saturday 

Fell Foot, Windermere, Cumbria

A simple way to get fit, with a great community at its heart.

Event summary

on
12 Oct to 28 Dec 2024
at
09:00 to 10:00
+ 11 other dates or times
Event

Outdoor skills sessions at Fell Foot *POSTPONED* 

Fell Foot, Windermere, Cumbria

*POSTPONED* Unfortunately we have had to postpone the sessions originally scheduled for 12th and 13th October 2024. We will be re-scheduling for Spring 2025. Please check back here for new dates. Thank you for your understanding.

Event summary

on
12 Oct to 13 Oct 2024
at
10:00 to 12:00
+ 1 other date or time
A group of four women along a path, in the background, down a hill is a reservoir

Where will you visit next?

Discover lots of gardens, historic houses, days out at the coast and more.