The Lake District - Cumbria
The Lake District is the largest National Park of twelve in England and probably the most spectacular. It has Scafell Pike which at 3,210 feet is England’s highest mountain and also the deepest lakes, the deepest being Wastwater which is half a mile wide and nearly three miles long.
This dramatic landscape reveals many breathtaking views. There are the larger well known lakes which are very popular for water sports and walking such as Windermere but smaller more tranquil lakes can also be found for those who want to get away from it all.
In amongst these mountains and lakes are traditional market towns and lovely villages. The Lake District caters for every type of visitor with activities from peaceful bird watching to the more active pastimes of climbing and windsurfing, there’s something for everyone.
| The most well known lake is Lake Windermere which is the largest natural lake in England. It is twelve miles long, one mile wide and 220 feet deep with several rivers running into it. Bowness-on-Windermere is the most popular holiday resort on the lakes. Fishing, rowing, yachting and swimming are some of the activities visitors can enjoy here. |  |
Windermere town is one kilometre from the lake and most of the buildings are of the Victorian era. This is a great place as a base for your holiday, it is near to all major attractions with a wide selection of places to stay and some of the best restaurants in the area. But you are never far away from the lakes and mountains.
Grasmere which was once the home of the poet William Wordsworth can be found right in the heart of the Lake District National Park. Grasmere lake is situated to the south of the village. You can visit two of William Wordsworth’s homes, Dove Cottage and Rydal Mount. The graves of the Wordsworth family are in the graveyard of St Oswalds Church in the centre of the village.
The small town of Keswick lies on Derwent Water in the Northern Lakes. The Northern Lake District has magnificent glaciated scenery with volcanic mountains, lakes and villages in the valleys. It is a walkers and climbers paradise with mountain and forest trails, and with more gentle walks in the valleys. There are five major lakes within ten miles of Keswick with water sports for everyone.
Keswick has a large range of shops, with specialist shops providing every need for your holiday. It has a weekly market around Moot Hall which holds the national park information centre. The author Beatrix Potter spent her family holidays here between 1885 and 1907 at Lingholm and Fawe Park. There are lots of places in the area which inspired some of her stories and you can visit the World of Beatrix Potter at Bowness on Windermere.
All photographs copyright © 2006 Andrew John Weller
