In Cumbria’s Lake District, mountain views, beaches and numerous shimmering lakes shape the landscape. If you’re planning a trip to Cumbria, you can choose from a variety of themes: scenery, literary history, historic buildings or train rides.
Scenery, Lakes and Trails
The Lake District’s landscape is shaped by more than nature alone. Agriculture, industry, picturesque landscape design and the conservation movement have all helped shape its character. Since the late 18th century, the landscape has inspired Romantic poets and artists; since the 19th century, it has also influenced conservationists. This blend of natural and cultural history offers a distinctive perspective on the region: here, the landscape is both a habitat and part of a long history of human influence.
At Grizedale Forest, impressive views, artworks and extensive woodland trails are among the defining experiences. The forest lies within the Lake District World Heritage Site. Cycling is also possible there, with options ranging from beginner-friendly terrain to rock gardens. Trail and cycling conditions can change, so check them before your ride. Cycling in Cumbria also includes quiet country roads, challenging off-road mountain bike trails, official cycle routes and bridleways. This variety covers different types of cycling, but not every route is suitable for every ability level.
Aira Force in Penrith, Cumbria, showcases the power and beauty of nature. Together with woodland trails, lakes and mountain views, the waterfall makes nature an attraction in its own right. If you’re more interested in rural traditions, country shows in Cumbria feature displays of farming, Cumbrian wrestling, hound trailing, fell races and sheepdog trials. Dates vary for individual events.
Train Rides and Journeys on the Water
The Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway is a 15-inch narrow-gauge railway. It runs for seven miles from Ravenglass to Dalegarth for Boot. Ravenglass station also has a museum with interactive exhibits; station facilities may change. If you’re planning a trip, check the latest timetables and operating days.
Trips on the water are another option in Cumbria. Windermere Lake Cruises offers daily scenic cruises from the piers at Ambleside, Bowness, Brockhole or Lakeside. Check current timetables and departures. For getting around the region, you can also consider buses, trains—including steam railways—and traditional steamers on the lakes. Before your trip, check the latest connections and journey times for the transport you plan to use.
Literature and Historic Buildings
William Wordsworth and his family lived at Dove Cottage from 1799 to 1808. Wordsworth wrote many of his most important poems there. The Wordsworth Museum displays handwritten manuscripts, journals, letters, published poems and personal belongings; the exhibits may change. A visit therefore connects a specific historic home with a wide range of materials from Wordsworth’s life and work.
Built of red sandstone, Brougham Castle stands near the site of a Roman fort and guarded a strategic river crossing. Visitors can climb a spiral staircase to the top of the keep and enjoy views across the Eden Valley. Access within historic buildings may vary. Those more interested in earlier history can visit Castlerigg Stone Circle, a ring of 38 standing stones. It was probably built about 4,500 years ago, in the late Neolithic period. The stone circle is accessible during daylight at reasonable times; parking at the site is limited. Access may change depending on the weather or site management.
Local Food and Trip Planning
Even a food can tell a regional story. R B Woodall’s Traditional Cumberland Sausage is made to a centuries-old recipe, using pork shoulder from Cumbria and spices that once arrived through the port of Whitehaven. The recipe specifies a meat content of 95 percent. The R B Woodall Shop in Waberthwaite is the home of this sausage; check current opening information before planning a visit.
Cumbria brings together scenic experiences, literary history, historic buildings and rural traditions.
Discover more destinations:
Flookburgh, Workington, Windermere, Wellington, Ulverston, Troutbeck, Temple Sowerby, Stanwix, Shap, Seascale, Ravenglass, Penrith, Patterdale, Oulton, Newby Bridge, Mealsgate, Kirkby Lonsdale, Keswick, Kendal, How, Grasmere, Dockray, Cockermouth, Cleator, Cartmel, Carlisle, Bowness-On-Windermere, Barbon, Arnside, Ambleside, Wheyrigg, Watermillock, Bassenthwaite, Grange Over Sands, Chapel Stile, Spark Bridge, Nether Wasdale, Great Clifton, Embleton, Winscales, Portinscale, Hawkshead, Bewcastle, Millom, Stapleton, Broughton, Tebay, Bampton, Waterhead, Crook, Drigg, Levens, Eskdale, Lowick, Thirlmere, Alston, Preston Patrick, Kirkby Thore, Whitehaven, Coniston, Orton, Brough, Askham, Camerton, Wetheral, Appleby-In-Westmorland, Silloth, Milnthorpe, Wigton, Sedbergh, St Bees, Holmrook, Brampton, Greystoke, Kirkby Stephen, Morland, Bouth, Applethwaite, Pooley Bridge, Kirkoswald, Crosthwaite, Near Sawrey, Lupton, Maryport, Threlkeld, Rusland, Whitbeck, Roose, Barrow-In-Furness, Scotby, Dalston, High Harrington, Sedgwick, Aspatria, Underbarrow, Staveley, Egremont, Killington, Longtown, Glenridding, Little Langdale, Backbarrow, Winton, Ireby, Haverigg, Great Asby, Garrigill, Uldale, Torpenhow, Soulby, Silecroft, Mungrisdale, Kirkby-In-Furness, Grayrigg, Farlam, Dufton, Cotehill, Brigham, Askam-In-Furness, Ainstable, Westward, Broughton-In-Furness, Dent, Baycliff, Storth, Beckermet, Allerdale District, Penruddock, Elterwater, Ivegill, Calthwaite, Lindal in Furness, Haverthwaite, Burneside, Gleaston, Gamblesby, Frizington, Crosby Garrett, Bowness-on-Solway, Stainburn, Skinburness, Crosby Ravensworth
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