‘Milktwosugars’; there are no cups of tea in sight here, but you may want to make one yourself, as you sit back, relax, and find out more about the Lake District. This is a site dedicated to England’s largest, and most popular National Park, and one that attracts millions of visitors every year.
The Lake District isn’t just a tourist attraction though, the natural landscape is varied, and of national and international importance. Within the 2,292 sq km there are over 100 SSSI’s (Sites of Special Scientific Interest), 2 European Special Protection Areas, 8 NNR’s (National Nature Reserves), and 3 RAMSAR sites (internationally important wetland designation). All this keeps the National Park Authority and other conservation organisations busy, as they seek to continually build on the Lake District’s appeal as a tourist attraction, and preserve all its habitats.
These habitats include heathland, mires full of peat which support species like liverworts, and mosses, woodland, limestone pavement, and conifer plantations in the forests. While agriculture used to play a big part in shaping the land in the National Park, something else shaped the land as well – glaciers. They gouged out depressions, which were filled later on by rain and meltwater. The result, a whole host of lakes, some of which are popular for leisure activities, while others are relatively undisturbed, yet all support habitats both in the water, and around the shores. Pay a visit to the Lake District, and you’ll likely come across one of the 14 main lakes in the area, which are: Windermere, Ullswater, Derwentwater, Bassenthwaite Lake, Coniston Water, Haweswater, Thirlmere, Ennerdale Water, Wastwater, Crummock Water, Buttermere, Grasmere, Loweswater, and Rydal Water.
Facts aside, we have details on the different types of activities you can take part in on a holiday or short break. There are suggested locations for different sports, possible walking or cycling routes, some of which are great for families and beginners, and where to find the best water sports action.
Our pages also provide a snapshot of the different towns and villages in the National Park, and where to go if you want to find out more about the history and culture of the area. There are a massive 1760 listed buildings and structures, and 14,650 archaeological sites and monuments on record, so there is plenty of build heritage to find out about.
Need some help on where to stay, and what type of accommodation is on offer? Or are you looking for advice on how to get to or around the Lake District? then this is included too, along with details of some popular tourist attractions in the area, and how the National Park has been immortalised in film.
15.8 million visitors every year can’t be wrong, so why don’t you join them, and discover what is unique about this part of the UK, how it was shaped by nature, people, traditions, and industry, and why it continues to inspire people, just as it did the Lakeland Poets and well known authors many years ago.
The Inspiring Lake District
As one of the largest National Parks in the UK, the Lake District is a place that needs no introduction. The rolling hills, large deep lakes, and lively traditional towns, attract millions of visitors every year. Tourists enjoy cycling, walking, water sports, and outdoor adventure breaks in the parks boundaries, and there are plenty of opportunities to explore visitor attractions and sample local produce as well.
The purpose of this piece isn’t to focus on what may already be familiar to you, but to introduce some facts and other information about the Lake District which you may not have heard of before, and may want to find out more about, should you decide to pay a visit for a day trip or holiday.
The Lake District On Paper And In Film
The Lake District has long been an inspiration for writers, including Beatrix Potter who famously visited and stayed in the area as a child. As an adult, she acquired farms and land in the Lake District, and on her death, left 14 farms to the National Trust. Seasonal visits are welcome at Beatrix Potter’s former home, Hilltop House.
The Lake District was also home to ‘The Lake Poets’, a group of poets including William Wordworth, who lived in this part of Cumbria, and openly spoke of how the countryside and lakeland settings inspired their work.
The National Park has appeared in films on a number of occasions too, and 2012 saw the release of a film called ‘Sightseers’. Set in the North of England, the storyline of the film focusses on a dark and mysterious road trip across the area. ‘Sightseers’ not only draws viewers into the storyline, but showcases some of the best scenery England has to offer. The film highlights Honister Pass, Castlerigg Stone Circle near Keswick, and Keswick Pencil Museum, along with the surrounding countryside.
‘Sightseers’ is just one example of how the beautiful National Park has been seen on film. Others include ‘Miss Potter’, ‘Withnail and I’, and The Tenant of Wildfell Hall’, all of which used locations in the Lake District.
