Cumbria/Lake District

The English Lake District National Park is 885 square miles in size, the largest of the 11 national parks in England & Wales, containing over 1800 miles of footpaths through some of Britain's most beautiful countryside. The variety of spectacular mountains, peaceful lakes, rolling fells and bustling market towns make the Lake District a unique part of Britain.

The English Lake District is also steeped in literary history, with Wordsworth and Ruskin (and others) using the area's natural beauty to help provide inspiration.

The area around Grasmere, Ambleside, Coniston & Windermere forms the hub of the tourist activity during the Summer months and are perfect places to base walking or cycling trips.

Kendal is known as the Gateway to the Lake District and Carlisle is the only city within the county of Cumbria. Barrow in Furness is the largest town, and Appleby in Westmorland was the old capital of Westmorland before the counties of Cumberland and Westmorland were merged to become Cumbria. Scafell Pike is the highest mountain in England, Lake Windermere is England's largest lake, and Wast Water the deepest.