From sparkling lakes and Englands highest mountains, to valleys and seascapes, Cumbria and the Lake District have inspired generations of visitors and famous writers and poets such as William Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter. But theres more to see than just scenery. The area has a rich heritage, a vibrant and contemporary cultural scene, and a growing reputation for fine food and drink Just 20-30 mins drive from Blackpool.

Lake Windermere info

Solway Firth info

Derwent Water info

"...The Lake District and Cumbria are dramatic at all levels. From the high tops with their panorama views to the low levels. There is the natural beauty of the lakes, towns and villages. There are ever-changing colourful landscapes, with blossoming colours, lush greens in summer, golden autumn tones and snow top mountains in winter."

You enter the Lakes District at Kendal, with its cobbled streets and lots of small interesting shops.The Lakes themseleves have a number of quaint and lovely small towns and villages:

Lake Windermere, the largest and best known of the lakes.

Hawkshead with its cobbled streets and associations with Wordsworth's school days

Tarn Hows, perhaps the lake's most scenic beauty spot.

Coniston Water and a trip on the steam yacht Gondola.

Ambleside with its shops, Bridge House and Stock Ghyll.

Keswick as a base to climb Skiddaw, or walk round Derwent Water.

Cockermoth and the house where Wordsworth was born.

Carlisle, the fortified border city with a castle.

Keswick Theatre: Theatre by the Lake is Cumbria's year-round theatre, situated in Keswick - the heart of the English Lake District. Purpose-built to house the best in arts and entertainment

Cumbria:There are many books that will give you a selection of walks and details of the way. Perhaps the most famous of the guide authors is Wainwright, apart from his works on fell walking in Cumbria, Wainwright also pioneered the Coast to Coast Long Distance Walk, from St Bees Head on the Cumbrian coast and wending some 190 miles across country to Robin Hood's Bay on the Yorkshire coast.

Lake District:
Lake District coast aquarium | Lake District Walks | Pictures of the Lake District |World of Peter Rabbit | National Trust | Westmorland Gazette | Keswick Theatre