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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People enjoying the shade on the rocks by the river at Aira Force & Gowbarrow Park

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.

View of the Active Base and jetties from the lake, on an early morning in spring

Place

Fell Foot

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

The path along the Whitehaven Coast on a sunny day with views out to the sea and rocky cliffs.

Place

Whitehaven Coast

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

A view of Derwent Water lake on a sunny day with two children running and playing in the foreground

Place

Borrowdale and Derwent Water

Spectacular and varied lakeland landscape around Derwent Water

Trees on the bank reflecting in the water at Ennerdale Water, Cumbria

Place

Ennerdale

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

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

Dog-friendly places

Looking for places to visit with the kids in the Lake District? Explore days out in nature, activities for all the family and places to spot wildlife all year round.

Family enjoying a picnic on the lawn at Allan Bank, Grasmere

Family-friendly places in the Lake District

Plan your next family day out in the Lake District – seek out natural play areas, scramble over rocks and spot wildlife on your way. The long summer days are a great opportunity to make the most of your membership and visit somewhere new.

Summer holidays in the Lake District

Plan your holiday adventure with us this July and August, where we've got something for all ages to enjoy whatever the weather has in store. If it's rainy, try some animal arts and crafts at Wordsworth House & Garden, or follow the scallop trail around the House at Sizergh, or outdoors, head to the play trail on the Whitehaven Coast, or thrill seekers can try a canoe or paddle-board taster session at Crow Park on Derwent Water, Keswick.

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

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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.

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.

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

This campsite lies 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

Lakeside or mountain-view pitches for tents and campervans, along with pre-pitched tents and pods, on Windermere, England’s biggest lake.

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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.

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Summer of Play at Wray

Wray, Ambleside, Cumbria

Imagine you’re preparing for an adventure of a lifetime: scaling Mount Everest. Kick start your training by getting active at Wray, with free fun activities around the grounds.