Cumbria Tourist Information

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As the second largest county in England, Cumbria 's largely rural landscape is dominated by its lakes & mountains.

Carved out by the ice age some 10,000 years ago Cumbria's mountainous landscape now boasts the country's highest mountains, deepest valleys and longest lakes. These have provided inspiration for generations of artists, poets and writers from William Wordsworth's "Host of Daffodils" to Beatrix Potter's Peter Rabbit and Wainwright's guides to walks in the Lake District.

The stunning Norman market town of Cockermouth based at the junction of the River Derwent and the River Cocker is a fabulous place to visit. Famed residents of the area include Dorothy and William Wordsworth whose house on Main Street is now maintained by the National Trust.

Buttermere is a quiet village situated between the lakes of Buttermere and Crummock Water. The area provides wonderful walking territory and is a peaceful place to spend the afternoon fishing or boating. The highest waterfall in the Lake District Scale Force is nearby, with its breathtaking 170 foot drop.

Images of Cumbria

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Keswick is a very popular location for tourists, a pretty market town, with a wide choice of attractions, shops and restaurants. The town is closely associated with several literary characters; the romantic poets Coleridge, Southey and Wordsworth, and also Beatrix Potter, who spent long summer holidays there.

Nestled in a lush valley Borrowdale is now a National Trust site, a far cry away from its industrial heritage. A tranquil and scenic area, with many wonderful walking and hiking opportunities.

Perfectly placed in the Rothey valley lies the Victorian village of Ambleside, one of the major centres for climbing and walking. Home of the renowned Armitt Museum, featuring watercolours, manuscripts and archaeological remains from the Mary Armitt collection. In 1934 Beatrix Potter donated many of her fabulous watercolours and drawings to the Armitt library. Just outside the village the spectacular Stock Ghyll Force waterfall with its dramatic 70 foot drop is the perfect spot for photo opportunities.

 
Lake Windemere

A visit to Cumbria would not be complete without seeing the awe inspiring Lake Windemere. At 10.5 miles long and 220 feet deep it is the largest natural lake in England. The lake is a mecca for boating and water-sports enthusiasts alike, and is probably Cumbria 's most widely known attraction.

The busy tourist town Bowness on Windermere is one of Cumbria's most popular destinations. Visitors can enjoy the host of water-sports available, or just relax and soak up the atmosphere of the stunning town. One of the famed attractions of the area is The World of Beatrix Potter, where you can meet Jemima Puddleduck, Peter Rabbit and a host of their friends.

The village of Grasmere owes much of its popularity to the famous poet William Wordsworth. William and his sister Dorothy lived in both Dove Cottage and Allan Bank, the gravestones of William and his wife Mary can be seen at St Oswalds Church.

Hawkshead is a tiny village dating back to Norse times. It is home to the famed Beatrix Potter Gallery, a pretty 17th century building, once owned by William Heelis. Famed for the mountain "The Old Man of Coniston" and loved by walkers and climbers alike, the lovely village of Coniston is partially National Trust owned. Nestling against the fabulous Coniston Water the third largest of the lakes, it's the perfect place to discover the scenery that inspired Arthur Ransome's book Swallows and Amazons.

Western Lakeland

Western Lakeland is an area of fabulous contrast, home to Ravenglass, a quiet coastal hamlet within the Lake District National Park. Situated on an estuary of the Esk, Mite and the Irt, Ravenglass was once an important Roman naval base. One of the notable tourist attractions in the area is the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway, which once bought granite, copper and iron into the estuary.

The small and pretty seaside resort of Seascale dates back to Norse times, and is now a popular destination for holiday makers. Its impeccable beaches, safe bathing and wonderful scenery make it a fantastic resort for visitors to enjoy fishing, windsurfing, water skiing and village walks.

On the western coast of Cumbria lies the village of St Bees, boasting an idyllic long sandy beach. St Bees is the starting point of the coast to coast walk, which travels through many of the villages in Cumbria. Nearby, the picturesque Georgian town of Whithaven has over 250 listed buildings, making it a fantastic spot for amateur photographers and artists.

The Eden Valley still remains a hidden gem of Cumbria, relatively unknown to the UK tourist market. Its most notable town is Penryth, the bustling hub of the region, whose rich history and imposing castle ruins will captivate you. Nearby Eamont Bridge contains many historic houses and two ancient henges; King Arthur's round table and the Mayburgh Henge.

Carlisle, The Capital of Cumbria

The capital of Cumbria, Carlisle is home to the striking medieval fortress Carlisle Castle , where visitors can discover the fascinating history of the region through a series of guided tours and displays. Carlisle also boasts a stunning red sandstone cathedral, dating back to 1122, which has many outstanding features such as intricate carved woodwork and beautifully landscaped grounds.

Gilsland is a pretty little village that straddles the border between Cumbria and Northumberland, situated on Hadrian's Wall, it's the perfect spot for exploring the Eden Valley , North Pennines and the Scottish borders. In additional to several Roman forts the region of Gilsland also boasts many castles.

To the South of the Lake District you will find Kendal, a busy town with two castles, a host of historical buildings and a fine selection of shops. With a traditional heritage in wool trade, the town is also famous for the sweet treat Kendal Mint Cake, but is now better known for its thriving retail sector and stunning historical buildings.

Visitors with children will enjoy Grizedale Forest, with its adventure playground and host of award winning sculptures. Opportunities to walk and cycle abound amongst the stunning scenery.