The Lake District Guide

Sleep Soundly 
Accommodation in The Lakes - a complete guide
Luxury hotels
Recommended hotels
Country house hotels
Vegetarian hotels
Hotels for romantic breaks
Pubs with rooms / Inns
Bed & Breakfast / Guest Houses
Self-catering / Cottages
Family friendly
Camping & caravanning
Youth hostels

Budget & backpackers

Owners: promote your business with us

Eat, Drink & Be Merry!
A guide to eating out in the Lake District
Gourmet restaurants
Restaurants/gastropubs
Other Lakes pubs
Cafes and bars
Vegetarian
Great everyday eating

Enjoy a great day out walking!
Our guides to the best mountain and valley walks in the Lakes include walks for all abilities and fitness.
Trek the fells*
Stroll in the valleys Lakes twelve best walks

Things to do, places to go - the big attractions

Cinema & theatre
Galleries & exhibitions
Lake District crafts

Festivals & concerts
Castles and houses
Spas and therapies
Best things for kids

Top ten attractions

What's on diary guide

Useful Lakes information

Great travel websites

English Heritage in the Lake District
Wonderful properties, lovingly cared for.

The National Trust in the Lake District
An organization that works hard to protect our heritage.

Towns and villages, and areas in the Lakes

Disabled access
If you have limited vision follow this link. You'll find information on ways to enjoy the Lakes.

Are you a keen birdwatcher, or just interested in garden and wild  birds? This unusual gift is a fascinating and different way of observing the wildlife in your garden. Click here for full details, on the Gifts page of this site.

Property owners:
If you'd like us to feature your property in our accommodation, restaurant or attractions listings, please email rod@lake-district-guides.co.uk

Contact us


* For those who don't yet know the local language:

Fell = hill or mountain

Dale= valley

Beck = stream or brook

Ghyll = waterfall

Water or Mere = Lake

More Lakeland Words.

Lake District Social History

Baedeker's Guide, 1890

More from Baedeker

Lake District holiday and tourism guide

Welcome to your personal and friendly guide to the English Lake District!

(The picture above is the view from High Rigg Summit, courtesy of Andrew Leaney)

We're different because we know the Lakes inside out - we've been regular visitors for over 40 years. We've built up a detailed knowledge of the best places to stay, the best restaurants, the finest cafes and bars, the most attractive and delightful walks (whether you want to climb a mountain or stroll along the edge of one of the beautiful lakes), the most exciting and fun-filled family activities and attractions, and even the best shops in the district! You can use the menus in the left and right columns to navigate around the site; and please send us feedback on accommodation, events, and any other items of interest! You can contact us at rod"at"lake-district-guides.co.uk (replace "at" with @) - Best wishes to you all, from your Lake District Guides, Rod & Helen.

 

2011 Lake District Photography Competition Results Announced

2012 Photography Competition Now Open

Lake District What's On - Events Guide  (send in your events!) and Music and Festivals Guide

Go Ape - Amazing Forest Adventures For Adults And Kids!

Where would you go if you wanted to see the classic Lakeland view, the one that sums up everything about the English Lakes?

Or if you were buying outdoor gear, where would you go for great personal service and advice - from experts who really know what they're talking about? What about eating out? Who's in and who's out of fashion? Where can you go for the best pub food? Or an exquisite gourmet treat? And how can you find the most comfortable and enjoyable accommodation - the place to stay that exactly suits you and your needs? You'd like a romantic weekend away or you just have to have king-size beds? No problem!

We have the answers to these and all your other questions - saving you hours looking around, avoiding disappointment, and simply giving you the best holiday experience you can have!

The Lakes attracts many thousands of people every year, yet the region retains its beauty, charm and tranquillity. You can easily find yourself alone among some of the finest mountain scenery in Europe, or you can explore the beautiful valleys and little towns with a host of exciting restaurants, cafes, shops and galleries.

 

Whether you want to trek the high passes of the Lakeland mountains, take a weekend break, or plan a fun day out, we can give you the ideas you need to make any Lakeland trip a rip-roaring success!

You can choose where to go in the Lakes - and, of course, on this website - by clicking on one of the links in the left hand column, or you can take a short cut to see our favourite Lake District places and pastimes in our exciting, handy and time-saving "Top Ten" feature to the right of this page.

So which of the Lakes will you visit first? The bustling little towns of Bowness, Ambleside and Windermere offer shops, restaurants, cinemas, and just about everything that everyone in the family could want. You could cruise slowly and sedately down the length of Windermere in a vintage steamer, stride out from Ambleside on a 20 km (14 mile) trek across 7 high peaks, or sit and watch the swans feeding at Bowness Bay.

Or maybe you'd prefer to visit Coniston, a beautiful and tranquil village with walks through the ancient copper mining districts to the top of Coniston Old Man, where you're rewarded with truly amazing views down to the Lake. Once you're back at lake level, you can visit the home of John Ruskin, anthropologist and social reformer, at Brantwood, and feel the tranquillity of his ancient lake-side home.

Esthwaite Water offers you the chance of some trout fishing and a visit to the enchanting village of Hawkshead, with its tiny streets, charming pubs and delicious Lakeland treats from the local delicatessen.

On the other hand, Keswick is the archetypal Lakes' market town, much unchanged for hundreds of years, and it's the perfect base for seeing the sheer, unsurpassed wild beauty of the Northern Lake District. And Bassenthwaite Lake, Crummock Water, and Derwentwater may be just about the most beautiful places in England.


Fancy Doing Something Different?

After 10 years of successful group guiding in the UK, Andrew and Rick launched gr8trails this year. They offer all inclusive guided mountain biking and walking short breaks and weekends away, in various parts of the UK. Their slogan is "bringing adventure to everyone", no matter what their age, experience or ability.

They offer a full experience to prospective customers; food and accommodation, transport, fully organized and guided activities, all tailor made to their own requirements, in the Peak District, the Lake District, North Wales and Glen Coe or the Scottish Borders.

They encourage young and old people alike to experience the Great British outdoors and benefit from the social experiences that come from outdoor activities. Here's more information:

gr8trails offers all inclusive guided mountain biking and walking short breaks and weekends away throughout the UK. Our short break and weekend destinations include the stunning Lake District with dramatic mountains, endless lakes and wooded forests. We choose from a wide selection of quality accommodation to suit your needs. gr8trails founders, Rick and Adrian are passionate about the outdoors, with over 10 years of successful group guiding in the UK. Whatever your inspiration, your ability or experience, contact us to tailor make your perfect break.

Phone: 07786 343990  Email: info@gr8trails.co.uk or see the website:  www.gr8trails.co.uk

We'd like to hear and read about your experiences. Email us and tell us what you enjoyed and what you didn't - we especially want to hear about your experiences in hotels and restaurants. 

We truly hope you find as much happiness and pleasure in the Lakes as we've had over the years, and perhaps we'll meet at the top of the Langdale Pikes one day.......or wherever. Meanwhile, the Lakes are yours to enjoy!

Your guides,

Rod & Helen

PS: We list many hotels in every price range, with personal recommendations and observations. If you find a hotel that deserves to be on the list, please let us know! Wanting to stay in a Lakes cottage?

The finest selection of cottages to rent is provided by Lake District Cottages - they have properties for all sizes of groups in all areas of the Lakes. 

One of our good friends, Candy Verney, offers superb singing holidays in the UK. Over the course of a week or longer, she builds community, offers a relaxing and friendly experience, and provides the opportunity to find your voice on singing holidays in Scotland, staying in some of the most wild and beautiful places in Britain.

 

The Lakes' Top Attractions & Activities

Abbot Hall Art Gallery, Kendal

Blackwell Arts & Crafts House

Muncaster Castle

Windermere Steamers

Lakes Aquarium

Ullswater Steamers

Lake District Guiding

Honister Mine Via Ferrata

Kendal Mountaineering Services

The Sheepdog Experience!

Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway

Steam Yacht Gondola

 

An email: Hi Rod, please see photo I recently took on top of great gable on the 19th May. Overlooking Kirk Fell and Pillar in the background. Could this be used on your website? It was taken during a very windy wild camp last week. As I haven't sent any of my pictures off before, it would be a good confidence boost towards my photography! Cheers, Chris.

Happy to post such an inspiring picture....(click to see the full size version!)


Lake District photography by Barry Hutton

Lakescape.co.uk  is the online showcase for the Lake District photography of Barry Hutton.

See his winning entry in our 2009 photo competition here:

The English Lake District: prize winners of the 2009 photography competition

A wide range of fine art prints and canvases of landscape photographs are available to buy online, and individual requests are welcomed for bigger prints and canvases, for example, or for locations that are not represented online. Photographing in The Lake District all year round, Barry can also be commissioned to take a photograph of a particular time and place that may be important as a gift or for a special memory.


Helvellyn by Nigel Wilkins - see more of his stunning Lakes landscape photography here.


Why Not Do Something Different?

If you fancy trying something different on your holiday, Kendal Mountaineering Services provide bespoke adventurous activities and outdoor training courses in the English Lake District.

This company has an established record of offering memorable and – at the same time - value for money experiences of all kinds to suit all ages and abilities – in every area of the Lake District. They offer anything from a half day of activities to a full day depending on what you want to do. All the courses are tailor made to suit your requirements – and this is probably their unique selling point. Moreover, they will design a suitable program for all ages, and all sizes of groups. All people - from individuals to large groups - are welcome, and discounts apply to groups booking above the minimum numbers. What they offer is as follows:

Half day activities (£45 per person, minimum 2 people)

Half day activities can be combined to make a multi-activity day.

Canoeing,  Kayaking, Ghyll scrambling, Canyoning, Abseiling, Introduction to rock climbing, Orienteering, Team building events.

Full day activities (Price depending on activity – minimum £70 per person. Minimum group size - 2 people)

Caving days – introductory (level 1trip),  Caving days – advanced (level 2 trip),  Lake District Classic Rock Multi-pitch climbing days (guided),  Guided Lake District Classic Scrambles,  Guided mountain walking days,  Winter skills days, Hen days, Stag days,  Corporate Events.

Outdoor skills training courses (prices start at £75 per person, per day - depending on course.

(One on one tuition is available for outdoor skills training courses. Prices start at £135.00 per day.)

Navigation skills training courses (1 or 2 day courses), Introduction to rock climbing, Learning to lead rock climbing, Improvised rescue techniques for rock climbers, Learning to lead scrambling course, Winter skills courses (2 days), Winter climbing days.

To make a booking or find out more, please contact info@kendalmountaineeringservices.co.uk  or phone 01539 737332 or mobile 07761 483364.  Additional information can be found at www.kendalmountaineeringservices.co.uk  where you can also see what they’ve been up to on their Blog!


Hotels in the Lake District - a useful summary!

Lake District Guide Privacy Policy

New - EFT tapping therapy


Many of the images at the top of the pages on this website are from Andrew Leaney's website. This is a highly enjoyable website with many of Andrew's walks and photographs.


Lakeland places  Other sites

London Visitor Guide Thinking of a holiday in Devon? Visiting Mallorca?

Find us in the Yahoo! Directory....

Find us in the Yahoo! Lake District travel directory

And our counterpart travel and accommodation guide to London is also worth a look if you're travelling there.

As is our Majorca travel guide and our Devon travel guide and Devon visitor guide - all recommended in the Yahoo directory!


More Lakes walks can be found here. You can also go here for many more Lake District walks. And the latest mountain walks are here.


  

Walks
A collection of walks in the Lakes, taking you o'er dale and hill.

Top Ten Attractions
What we think might be the most enjoyable, impressive or entertaining attractions in the Lakes!

Great Gifts for any occasion!
Super gifts of quality and character.

Lake District Therapists
If you need a massage therapist, counsellor,  psychotherapist, or any other kind of  complementary therapist, this is a listing of what the Lakes has to offer.

Lake District Photography
Amazing photography that sums up the timeless beauty & essential spirit of the English Lake District.

Lake District Shopping

Lake District What's On Guide

Lake District Internet Access

Lake District Food, Drink & Recipes

Lake District Weddings

Lake District Accommodation - Great Bed and Breakfasts!

The Cumbria Directory
Travellers' guide to Cumbria and the Lake District, with helpful listings of Lakes businesses and accommodation, together with all the tourist attractions.

Property owners:
If you'd like us to feature your property in our accommodation, restaurant or attractions listings, please email rod@lake-district-guides.co.uk

Webmasters:
To promote your website on our Lakes information page or our Lakes and other areas listings page please email rod@lake-district-guides.co.uk We require a reference back to us from your website in return.

Great prices on hotel rooms in the Lakes!
Check out the special low price offers at
Late Rooms.com

 

Weather report: Carlisle