The Lake District, England
The Lake District, England is famous for its stunning scenery, luxurious spa hotels with hot tub suites in Windermere and of course, its magnificent lakes.
Famous former residents of the Lake District were poet William Wordsworth (1770-1850) and children´s author, Beatrix Potter (1866-1943) who were inspired to write many of their poems and stories while living in the region.
Wordsworth´s former houses, Dove Cottage at Ambleside and Rydal Mount can still be visited today, as can the former house of Beatrix Potter, Hill Top at Sawrey.
Historically shared by the counties of Cumberland, Westmorland and Lancashire, the Lake District now lies within the county of Cumbria. All the land higher than 3,000 feet above sea level lies within the National Park, including Scafell Pike, which is the highest mountain in England at 978 metres. The deepest and longest lakes are also situated in the Lake District – Wastwater and Windermere.
The Lake District was designated as a National Park in 1951, and the area covers 885 square miles.
Animals and birds which inhabit the Lake District include Red Deer, Red Squirrel, Herdwick Sheep, the Fell Pony, the Arctic Charr and the Peregrine Falcon.
Tourism in the Lake District was first evident in Victorian times when wealthy visitors would arrive to breathe in the fresh country air, which they felt was beneficial to their health. Many bought houses overlooking Windermere which still stand today.
The Kendal and Windermere Railway was the first railway to be built in the Lake District, reaching Kendal in 1846 and Windermere in 1847. The line was then extended to reach Coniston and Penrith, through Keswick and Cockermouth. The line to Lakeside in Windermere was opened in 1869 to cater to a huge influx of visitors.
The annual number of visitors to the Lake District is 15.8 million and 23.1 million day visitors.
Friendly local experts are on hand at Bowness-on-Windermere Information Centre, Keswick Information Centre and Ullswater Information centre to give visitors information about things to do and places to visit in the Lake District.
Lake District Weather
The weather in the Lake District, England, can change quickly. Visitors should always come prepared if they are planning walks or hikes through the mountains. The weather in Britain mostly comes from the Atlantic and when the clouds hit the Lake District fells they rise. The water vapor then cools within the clouds, condenses and falls as rain or snow. It can still be cool in the summer during the evening, and layers are the best thing to pack, plus a waterproof jacket.
For walkers and climbers, the temperatures drop one degree for every 150 metres climbed and it can get very cold on high ridges.
Lake District Accommodation
Visitors can choose from a vast choice of accommodation in the Lake District, England, including spa hotels with hot tub suites in Windermere, which is very popular with couples looking for romantic weekends away or who are looking to plan a wedding or honeymoon.