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Lake District |
The central, and most visited, part of the area is contained in the Lake District National Park, one of fifteen National Parks in the United Kingdom and the largest National Park in England [1]. It lies entirely within Cumbria, and is one of England's few mountainous regions. All the land in England higher than three thousand feet above sea level lies within the National Park, including Scafell Pike, the highest mountain in England.
General geography
The Lake District is approximately 34 miles (55 km) across. Its features are a result of periods of glaciation, the most recent of which ended some 15,000 years ago. These include the ice-carved wide U-shaped valleys, many of which are now filled with the lakes that give the park its name. The upper regions contain a number of glacial cirques, which are typically filled with tarns. The higher fells are rocky, with lower fells being open moorland, notable for its wide bracken and heather coverage. Below the tree line, native oak woodlands sit alongside nineteenth century pine plantations. Much of the land is often boggy, due to the high rainfall. The Lake District is one of the most highly populated national parks. Its total area is near 885 square miles (2,292 km2), and the Lake District was designated as a National Park in 1951.
North-west
The north-western area stands between the valleys of Borrowdale and Buttermere, with Honister Pass joining the two dales. This area comprises the Newlands Fells (Dale Head, Robinson, Catbells) and the ridge joining them. To the north stand Grasmoor, Grisedale Pike and the hills around the valley of Coledale, and in the far north-west is Thornthwaite Forest and Lord's Seat. The fells in this area are rounded Skiddaw slate, with few tarns and relatively few rock faces.
West
The western part is the area between Buttermere and Wasdale, with Sty Head forming the apex of a large triangle. Ennerdale bisects the area, which consists of the High Stile ridge north of Ennerdale, the Loweswater Fells in the far north west, the Pillar group in the south west, and Great Gable (2,949 feet / 899 metres) near Sty Head. Other tops include Seatallan, Haystacks and Kirk Fell. This area is craggy and steep, with the impressive pinnacle of Pillar Rock its showpiece. Wastwater, located in this part, is England's deepest lake. Rising up around the Western Valley of Wasdale is Scafell Pike, England's highest mountain.
Central
The central part is the lowest in terms of elevation. It takes the form of a long boot-shaped ridge running from Loughrigg Fell above Ambleside—a popular tourist destination—to Keswick, with Derwent Water on the west and Thirlmere on the east. The Langdale Pikes, with High Raise behind them, are another feature popular with walkers. The central ridge running north over High Seat is exceptionally boggy.
East
The eastern area consists of a long north-to-south ridge—the Helvellyn range, running from Clough Head to Seat Sandal with the 3,118-foot (950 m) Helvellyn at its highest point. The western slopes of these summits tend to be grassy, with rocky corries and crags on the eastern side. The Fairfield group lies to the south of the range, and forms a similar pattern with towering rock faces and hidden valleys spilling into the Patterdale valley. It culminates in the height of Red Screes overlooking the Kirkstone Pass.
Far-east
The far-eastern fells lie on the other side of Patterdale and are characterised by steep sides leading up to a huge moorland plateau, again on a north–south axis. High Street is the highest point on the ridge, overlooking the hidden valley of Mardale and Haweswater. In the south of this region are the fells overlooking Kentmere, and to the east is Shap Fell, a huge area that is more akin to the Pennines than the Lakes, consisting of high flat moorland.
Mid-west
The mid-western fells form a triangular shape, with the corners at the Irish Sea, Borrowdale and Langdale. They comprise the Wastwater Screes overlooking Wasdale, the Glaramara ridge overlooking Borrowdale, the three tops of Crinkle Crags, Bowfell and Esk Pike overlooking Langdale and Scafell Pike in the centre, at 3,209 feet (978 m) the highest ground in England. Scafell one mile (1.6 km) to the south-west is slightly lower but has a 700-foot (210 m) rock face on its north face, Scafell Crag. The valley of Eskdale penetrates this upland wilderness. These fells are the most rugged and craggy of all, and consequently going is slower amongst the tumbled granite.
South-west
The south-western fells have as their northern boundary the Hardknott and Wrynose Passes. These are particularly narrow and steep, with tight hairpin bends. The Furness Fells (invariably referred to as the Coniston Fells by walkers) stand between Coniston and the Duddon Valley, which runs NE-SW through the centre of the area. On the other side of the Duddon is Harter Fell and the long ridge leading over Whitfell to Black Combe and the sea. The south of this region consists of lower forests and knolls, with Kirkby Moor on the southern boundary. The south-western Lake District ends near the Furness peninsulas, which leads to Cumbria's second largest settlement (Barrow-in-Furness). The Castlehead field centre is in this area.
South-east
The south-eastern area is the territory between Coniston Water and Windermere and east of Windermere. There are no high summits in this group; it is mainly low hills, knolls and bumpy terrain such as Gummer's How, Whitbarrow and Top o' Selside. The wide expanse of Grizedale Forest stands between the two lakes. Kendal and Morecambe Bay mark the edge.
Lake District Visitor Centre at Brockhole
Windermere
LA23 1LJ
Opening hours vary depending on the Centre. Please see their individual pages:
Bowness on Windermere Information Centre
Things to do
With more than 3,500 kilometres of rights of way, you can walk, cycle and ride around the beautiful Lake District countryside to your heart's content. And of course you can also get on the water of our lakes and coastline.
You can walk freely over 55 per cent of the National Park, thanks to Open Access and CROW.
You can:
· hire a bike and cycle the forests
· fly your kite on a stunning beach
· experience beautiful bridleways on horseback
· fancy fishing? Ask at any of our Information Centres
· enjoy riverside strolls
· visit one of the many 'open gardens' schemes
· glimpse the glories of the Lake District from a hot air balloon
Countryside Code
Follow the Countryside Code to get the best enjoyment possible and protect the countryside now and for future generations.
· Be safe - plan ahead and follow any signs
· Leave gates and property as you find them
· Protect plants and animals, and take your litter home
· Keep dogs under close control
· Consider other people
Academy-award winning Aardman - the makers of Wallace and Gromit - are promoting the Countryside Code using Creature Comforts characters and countryside sets of moorland, coast and farmland. To find out more, check out The Countryside Code website (opens in new window).
The Lake District is a foodie's heaven with many locally produced, organically grown products. Some have a distinctly Lake District history, such as:
This rolled-up coil of a sausage is sold by weight or length. There are many theories as to its distinctive shape. One possibility is the shape was introduced during Elizabethan times by German miners who worked in the Lake District. Find out more from the Cumberland Sausage Association (opens new window).
Damsons
Originally damsons came from the area around Damascus. Damsons have been grown in Westmorland since the early 1700s. The Westmorland damson is a member of the plum family. Its unique flavour is caused by cross pollination with wild sloes and also the favourable Cumbrian climate.
In springtime, the white blossom of the damson orchards fill the Winster Valley and Lyth Valley, east of Windermere. The fruit is harvested in September. Damsons are used to flavour wines, gin, pies, cheeses, chocolate, bread, jams and beer.
Find out more at the Westmorland Damson Association (opens in new window) which runs the Damson Day festival.
Grasmere gingerbread
This secret recipe was created by Sarah Nelson in 1854. It’s a unique product, between a cake and a biscuit and nothing like crisp gingerbread used for gingerbread shapes. You can buy it from the Grasmere Gingerbread Shop (opens in new window) in Grasmere village next to the church.
Herdwick lamb
Herdwick lambs grow slowly because of the harsh Lake District climate on the higher fells. This makes the meat sweeter and fuller in flavour. It’s at its best between January and May.
Kendal Mint Cake
This slice of peppermint flavoured congealed sugar has been giving an energy boost to walkers and climbers in the Lake District for over a century. It even made it to the top of the world in the 1953 Everest expedition.
It was made by accident by a confectioner who was making mints but found that the mixture had turned cloudy. When he poured it out, Kendal Mint Cake was born! It is made in Kendal, just outside the National Park. Suppliers include Romneys and Quiggins (both links open in a new window)
Rum butter
This is made by mixing butter with rum, nutmeg and brown sugar. There was an ancient custom to serve it to celebrate the birth of a new baby, where visitors would leave coins in the butter bowl to symbolise bringing a prosperous life to the baby.
Rum was popular in the Lake District in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries as it was imported, and smuggled illegally, through the thriving sea ports on the west coast. Some Lake District families still own their ancestors' Rum Butter bowls. Read more in History of Rum Butter (opens in new window)
How to get to Lake District ?
Why not have a carefree day out by leaving the car behind? Many of the Lake District's best loved places are easily explored by bus, boat, bike or boot. Enjoy the views without worrying about traffic or parking and help the environment.
Public transport
Trains
The West Coast mainline runs to the east of the Lake District, connecting Oxenholme, Penrith and Carlisle with London and Glasgow. A direct train runs from Manchester to Windermere. Local trains call at Kendal, Staveley and Windermere. There is also a route following the Cumbrian coastline.
Buses
Towns and villages such as Ambleside, Windermere, Coniston and Keswick are linked by bus, with extra services in the summer.
Steamers and launch trips
Taking a cruise is a great way to experience the beautiful Lake District views. Our on the water section has more details.
Give the driver a break
Our give the driver a break leaflets show maps, timetables and great ideas for days out by bus, train and even boat. Or pop into one of our information centres for details of travel packages, ticket deals and bus services.
Useful public transport links
(open in new window)
· Cumbria County Council bus timetables
· First TransPennine Express Trains
· Traveline for bus, train and coach information
· National Rail for timetables
· Virgin Trains serving Oxenholme, Penrith and Carlisle
· Trainline for online tickets
· Lakeside and Haverthwaite preserved railway
· Ravenglass and Eskdale preserved railway
By car
The average journey time from London and the south east is about five hours. It takes about one and half hour from Manchester and two hours from York.
The M6 runs to the east of the Lake District National Park:
· Take Junction 36 and then A590 for the southern end of the Lake District
· Take Junction 40 and the A66 or A592 for the northern end of the Lake District
If you're using satellite navigation, check out our Postcodes for Sat Nav page.
Even A roads can be quite twisting so allow extra time for your journey and for finding a space in Car parks in high season. Example journey times are:
· Kendal to Keswick: one hour
· Windermere to Keswick: 40 minutes
· Kendal to Wasdale: one and a half hours
Hardknott Pass and Wrynose Pass between Eskdale and the Langdales have gradients of 1 in 3 and Honister Pass between Borrowdale and Buttermere is 1 in 4, making them some of the steepest roads in England!
Useful car transport links (open in new window)
· The AA
· Frixo up-to-date road reports
· Keswick Car Share Scheme - for Keswick and the rest of Cumbria
· Multimap - if you know start and end postcodes, use the Directions button at the top
Contact details of Lake District
Day trip to Lake District |  |
General enquiries
Tel: 01539 724555
Fax: 01539 740822
Minicom: 01539 792690
email: [email protected] or fill in our Contact Us Form.
Office opening hours: Monday - Thursday 9am - 5pm and Friday 9am - 4.45pm.
Head office
Lake District National Park Authority
Murley Moss
Oxenholme Road
Kendal
Cumbria
LA9 7RL
Nearest railway station: Oxenholme - 0.66 miles, 15 minutes' walk or 3 minutes' taxi ride
Map to LDNPA head office at Murley Moss, Kendal (opens Document Library)
Planning enquiries
A Duty Planner is available 9.30 - 12.30pm Monday to Friday. Call 01539 724555 or in person at our head office in Kendal. This is a first come first served basis and no appointment is necessary. You can also email [email protected]
Please check in advance if you wish to contact a specific member of staff.
Events enquiries
Events section including links to other organisations
Tel: 0845 272 0004
Learning and education enquiries
Tel: 015394 40800
Fax: 015394 45555
email: [email protected]
Addresses and telephone numbers
Maps and postcodes for satellite navigation
Maps to various LDNPA offices (opens Document Library)
Lake District Visitor Centre at Brockhole
Windermere
LA23 1LJ
Lake District Visitor Centre at Brockhole web page for more details.
Tel: 015394 46601
Fax: 015394 43523
Coniston Boating Centre
Coniston Boating Centre web page for more details.
Coniston Boating Centre
Lake Road
Coniston
LA21 8EW
Tel: 015394 41366
Fax: 015394 41833
Email: [email protected]
Online booking for Coniston Boating Centre
The payment side is dealt with by Freedom of the Lake District. If you have a problem with your booking, please use their free phone customer services helpline on 0800 634 7020 open 7 days a week all day or email [email protected]
Day trip to Lake District | |
Rangers
For contact details and a Ranger Area Map, please look at our Rangers page.
Windermere Lake Rangers
For reporting byelaw issues or asking advice:
Tel: 0844 225 2922
If they are busy, please leave your message and a contact number and they will call you back.
For more general information please contact our Information Centres
Ambleside Depot
Tel: 015394 32574
Threlkeld Depot
Tel: 015394 32574
Fax: 017687 79264
Broughton Depot
Tel: 01229 716061
Blencathra Centre
Education Centre enquiries Tel: 017687 79601
National Park Authority office Tel: 017687 79633
Blencathra Centre
Threlkeld
Keswick
CA12 4SG
Specialist enquiries
Press enquiries only
Mick Casey, Media and Marketing Coordinator
Tel: 01539 792683
email: [email protected]
or check out our Latest News section.
Website enquiries only
Helen Reynolds - Web Editor
For website enquiries please call 01539 724555. For general enquiries ask the operator directly.
email: [email protected]
Complaints, comments and compliments
We want to provide high quality services at all times - please see What can you expect from us? If you feel any aspect of our service has been at fault we want to know about it and investigate. A complaint can be any dissatisfaction you, or other members of the public, experience about the standard of a service we provide.
