The Lake District

Fabulous scenery at Elterwater, Lake District

WHAT TO SEE AND DO WHEN YOU VISIT ONE OF OUR HOLIDAY LODGES

A brief history

Tourism in the Lake District dates back to 1698 when many visitors travelled to the Lake District for the education and the pleasure of the journey. The area started to become popular with travellers towards the end of the 18th century, and in 1778 Father Thomas West wrote A Guide to the Lakes, which started the era of true tourism.

In 1810 William Wordsworth published his Guide to the Lakes, which was very influential in helping to popularise the region and boost tourism to the Lake District. By 1835 the book had reached its fifth edition and was now called A Guide through the District of the Lakes in the North of England.

In this Guide Wordsworth referred to the Lake District as “a sort of national property, in which every man has a right and interest who has an eye to perceive and a heart to enjoy”. The area was officially recognised as having some of the aspects of ‘a national property’ when it was formally designated as a national park in 1951.

Another well-known character of the Lake District was Beatrix Potter . She invested the money earned from her ‘little books’ buying Lake District farms and was a leading conservationist of her time. On her death she left 14 farms and over 4,000 acres of countryside to the National Trust. Her legacy can be enjoyed by visitors to this day.

 

 

The Lake District Today

The Lake District is the largest of the United Kingdom's National Parks and covers nearly 900 square miles. It contains 18 Lakes (one man made) and many smaller tarns, more than 150 peaks, with four over 3000 feet. These are the only mountains in England and including the highest, Scafell Pike at 3206 feet.

It is now one of the most popular destinations in the UK and over 15 million visitors a year come and enjoy the area for all sorts of reasons. Whether that is to walk, climb, cruise on the lakes, take part in the many adventure activities, eat at the fabulous range of restaurants, drink the local brews or simply just relax and take in the scenery then the Lake District won't disappoint.

The Lake District is a glorious place to visit either in the warmth of high summer, the beautiful colours of Autumn, the crisp cold days of Winter or when the days get longer and warmer as Spring returns. It will simply take your breath away whenever you decide to visit.

 

WHAT TO SEE AND DO WHEN YOU STAY AT ONE OF OUR HOLIDAY LODGES