Book TourThe scale of the natural world in the Lake District is impressive. Lake Windermere is the largest lake in England at ten miles long. It is a popular place for sailing and motor cruising as well as a lovely place to walk and enjoy the stunning scenery.
Lake District Tours
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The Lake District is a region within the northwestern county of Cumbria. Known for its dramatic scenery, beautiful glacial lakes, rugged mountains, creative environment and good food. The area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Lake District contains many attractive villages and market towns which are great to explore or use as a base. They contain many good pubs, restaurants, outdoor equipment shops and art galleries.
Further north Rydal Water is a more tranquil environment and contrasts with the busier Lake Windermere. William Wordsworth, the poet, lived nearby and a short distance to Dove Cottage where he wrote many of his poems. He was influenced by the long hill walks he took with his sister Dorothy and friend, the poet, Samuel Taylor Coleridge. Dove Cottage is now a museum dedicated to his work.
Scafell Pike is the highest mountain in England at 978 metres above sea level and forms part of the Southern Fells. It is popular with walkers and rock climbers. It has both walking and rock climbing routes which connect with the other mountains in the area.
The writer Beatrix Potter lived in the area and so loved it that she purchased a great deal of local land. On her death she gave the land to the National Trust so that it would be preserved as it was and would continue to be used as farmland by local people.
The whole area of the Lake District is protected as a natural environment and is therefore perfect to visit for nature spotting, walking, climbing or just enjoying the scenery.
The Nature Reserves of Cumbria and the Lake District are managed by the Cumbria Wildlife Trust. The trust manages 40 nature reserves including Campfield Marsh, Finglandrigg Woods, Clints Quarry and Whitbarrow Scar.
Varied habitats attract varied flora and fauna including wax cap fungi and yellow meadow ants in the limestone woodland of Cumbria's Brown Robin and interesting bog plants at Butterburn Flow. If you're lucky you might even see a rare red squirrel at Bassenthwaite.
There are many impressive managed gardens in the Lake District including Wordworth Daffodil Garden, Holker Hall (where you can see double poppies) and Mirehouse & Gardens set between Skiddaw and Bassenthwaite Lake.
There's also the house, gardens and dovecote at Hutton in the Forest and the peaceful and tranquil Holehird Gardens - home of the Lakeland Horticultural Society.
