Green Holidays in the Lake District | Greentraveller Destination Guide

Yew Barrow fell on the shores of Wastwater © Cumbria Tourism-golakes.co.uk. Photos below (left to right): Cedar Manor Hotel & Restaurant; Lindeth Howe Hotel; © Cumbria Tourism-golakes.co.uk/Dave Willis; © Cumbria Tourism-golakes.co.uk/Tony West

Towering mountains, expansive lakes and wide open hillsides, food festivals, museums and mountain bike trails - England's Lake District is a fantastic year-round destination.

This Greentraveller Guide to Holidays in the Lake District will help you make the most of your time in this iconic National Park. We've done all the hard work for you, uncovering many of the region's gems, including restaurants and cafés serving local organic food, great places to stay - from a luxurious eco hotel in Great Langdale to a traditional shepherd's hut in Penrith - plus a range of activities and attractions, from mountain biking to sailing on Lake Windermere.

We'll also give you tips on how to cut down on carbon emissions by taking the train and bus to the Lake District, as well as how to get around using the Bike Bus system and innovative Electric Bike Network.

Less Carbon, More Fun!

Browse by section

Places to stay go

The magnificent Cedar Manor in Windermere

Hotels, B&Bs, Campsites and Cottages

Check out our selection of the best green (and gorgeous!) accommodation in the Lake District - from lavish Country Houses to yurt camps and traditional campsites.

Places to eat go

Woodland Dessert from Lindeth Howe, Lake District

Restaurants, Inns and Local Produce

From field to fork, find the best local produce, from local farmers' markets to high-end restaurants where expert chefs combine local ingredients with global influences.

Local Attractions go

Natural Spaces, Historic Houses and Gardens

From the giddy heights of magnificent Scafell Pike, to the stunning Holker Hall Estate and the quirky Brewery Arts Centre, you'll never be at a loss for interesting attractions.

Activities go

A pair of walkers explore the Lake District

Walking, Cycling and Family Adventures

Explore dramatic mountain passes on foot, go mountain biking around Ullswater and discover the Lake District as a family with our selection of top outdoor activities.

Features

Getting to and around the Lake District

Electric Bicycle Network

Interactive map of the Lake District National Park

Click on the coloured tabs to select what to look at.

select none

Electric bike hire point
Electric bike charge point
Nearest national cycle network

A word from the Lake District National Park

Richard Leafe, Chief Executive at the Lake District National Park AuthorityThe Lake District is world-renowned for its breath-taking scenery – mountains, lakes, moorland, coastline, a dazzling choice of unforgettable landscapes - captured by artists and writers for centuries.

The national park home to over 2225 miles of public footpaths, 18 lakes (including the largest and the deepest in England – Windermere and Wastwater), the five tallest mountains in England and no less than 13 Nature Reserves.

And there is more to complement those stunning views – luxury accommodation, award-winning dining experiences, a wealth of delicious local produce, inspiring cultural events and exciting adventures.

It is no surprise that roughly 16 million visitors explore the Lake District each year. Our diverse landscape of the national park happily welcomes and accommodates these visitors, but not without an impact.

Most visitors use their own cars to travel around the area, but thanks to a new GoLakes Travel programme funded by the Department for Transport there are many ways to explore the national park car-free. And every time you do, believe me, you’ll come across something new.

This Greentraveller Guide allows you to head off the beaten track and see more of our beautiful region in a sustainable manner; knowing you are helping to keep it one of the most stunning places in the UK.

Richard Leafe
Chief Executive,
Lake District National Park Authority

Did you know?

The Lake District is England's biggest National Park, covering some 885 square miles
The Lake District is home to some 23 separate Conservation Areas, covering historic towns and villages
The National Park is also home to Scafell Pike, the highest mountain in England at 3,210ft
William Wordsworth is buried in St Oswald´s Churchyard in Grasmere, along with his wife and sister
The 14 main lakes in the region (including Windermere and Wastwater), cover 5,669 hectares in total
The only official lake is Bassenthwaite Lake, as all the others are 'meres' or 'waters'

Videos from the Lake District

Watch this video of A taste of Food and Drink - a great insight into the wide range of locally sourced produce availabile within the Lake District and Cumbria.

Watch this video for plenty of information on the Fantastic Arts and Cultural Events that take place in the Lake District, from galleries to historical buildings.