Introduction to the Park

The Lake District National Park was created by the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 and came into being on 15 August 1951.

Covering 885 square miles, the Lake District National Park is the largest of England's National Parks. It includes one third of the County of Cumbria from Caldbeck in the north to Lindale in the south, from Ravenglass in the west to Shap in the east.

The Lake District National Park has many special qualities unique to the area. There are over fourteen lakes and tarns although officially Bassenthwaite Lake is the only titled ‘lake’ - the rest are ‘meres’ or ‘waters’.

The rocks forming the Lake District provide a dramatic record of nearly 500 million years. Colliding continents, deep oceans, tropical seas, and kilometre-thick ice sheets helped shape the landscape we see today.

There have been people in the Lake District since the end of the last ice age. There are traces of prehistoric and medieval field systems, archaeological monuments such as stone circles, Roman roads and forts and the remains of the mining, gunpowder and wood-processing industries.

The red squirrel is still found here, and there are woodlands rich in Atlantic mosses, ferns and lichen. Lakes, tarns and rivers are nationally important for their range of habitats and species such as vendace, charr, crayfish and schelly. On the fells ravens and birds of prey are a relatively common sight.

The Lake District National Park Authority Education Service offers a complete range of services to educational groups and teachers including the residential field studies centre at Blencathra.

There is no shortage of things to do either.  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.

Canoe, sail or fish on the rivers, lakes or coast. Hire a boat from the Coniston Boating Centre.

For a more laid-back experience, country fairs and shows provide a different sort of retail therapy. Check out the adventure playground, beautiful gardens or tasty cafe at the Lake District Visitor Centre overlooking Windermere.

Or simply enjoy wandering around the slate-roofed and limewashed cottages and houses, taking in the tranquil atmosphere of this special corner of England.

Getting There

BY TRAIN 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, Windermere and the Cumbrian coast.

Getting Around the Park

The Park can be explored on foot, bike and by an extensive local network of buses and trains.  You can find out all about local transport at by visiting the Part Authority web site.  The Cumbrian Coast Line serves the western edge of the Park, while there is a branch line to Windemere.  Buses serve the Towns and villages such as Ambleside, Windermere, Coniston and Keswick, with extra services in the summer.  The bus from Ambleside to Keswick and Buttermere travels through the heart of the Lake District National Park's wild, stunning scenery.

Don't forget the steamers on Lake Windemere for a unique view of the Park, while the Lakeside Steam Railway links with these services to explore even more of the Park.  

Links

 Lake District National Park
 Park Authority Web Site