Lake District

No wonder William Wordsworth fell in love with this county and explored the landscape on foot himself. John Constable spoke of Lake District as "the finest scenery that ever was. "And children's books author Beatrix Potter wrote during her time in the national park some of her best works. 

When you enter a national park, always be aware of your surroundings. The landscape, with its many lakes, offers perfect conditions for biodiverse wildlife. Some places, especially some lake islands, need special protection, therefore, access is prohibited. Please treat nature with respect and follow the rules of the national park.

Millennia ago, glaciers covered the national park's land and over time, they melted and carved their way into the hard soil - this way, the most beautiful lakesides came to exist. Ullswater is not only the second largest lake in the Lake District but probably the most popular of them all. You can explore the beautiful site on foot or by bike and follow a route from Glenridding to Hallin Fell along the eastern shore.

It is possible to climb a mountain over 910 m (3,000 feet) above sea level in the Lake District National Park. Follow the routes to England's highest peaks and enjoy the great view from the top of the 978 m (3,209 feet) high Scafell Pike towering above Wastwater. If you are looking for a leisurely walk or cycling trip along a calm lake, you can select from a vast range of easy paths.

The Lake District provides the perfect setting for families to spend quality time together away from the hustle and bustle of the regular day-to-day. Adventurers of all ages will want to get outdoors in this gorgeous slice of Cumbria, whether spending a morning on one of the various family-friendly walks or a tranquil morning boating on the lakes themselves, there is something for everyone!

For the History Lover in the Family, the Kendal to Castle route is a fantastic way to explore the history of the area. Situated just a few miles south of the Lake District, Kendal is considered to be the southern gateway to the Lake District. Climb to the top of the northwest tower pike, explore the castle's cellars and deep well, and see into the moat. With towers to climb and vaults to explore, as well as the opportunity to walk along an ancient canal. There is also a children's play area near the start of the walk, and if you want to venture a few hundred yards you can visit one of Cumbria's top museums or go shopping in the town centre.

Or, walk in the footsteps of Beatrix Potter today as you follow trails through landscapes that inspired her writing and visit famous sights associated with the renowned author while on the Beatrix Potter Walk to Wray Castle and Hill Top walking route. On the western shore of Lake Windermere, Wray Castle has a woodland playground, grounds by the lake to explore and an impressive, but informal and relaxed castle building. The perfect place for rough weather, Wray Castle has lots of rooms for creative play, dressing up, and Peter Rabbit games. You can learn about the history of the castle, and there are toilets, a cafe and a shop on site. Here there are multiple walks to reach the Castle, such as walking from the Westshore or Ambleside.

While a busy road runs on the eastern side of Windermere, the western shore is a place of calm and tranquillity. On the Windermere & Wray Castle route, the slopes leading down to the water’s edge are draped in dense woodland – the leaves of deciduous trees tickling the surface of England’s longest lake. Hundreds of wonderful hikes surrounding Windermere and the lakeshore are easily accessible from our docks and cruises.