Discover Cumbria

Cumbria brings together a variety of features to consider when planning a trip: the Lake District’s landscape is shaped by lakes, mountain views and beaches, alongside historic places, literary connections and rural traditions. The themes that interest you most can help you decide what to focus on during your trip.

Landscape and nature in the Lake District

The Lake District in Cumbria is characterised by mountain views, beaches and numerous shimmering lakes. Its landscape has been shaped by agriculture and industry, as well as by picturesque landscape design and the conservation movement. Nature and a cultural landscape shaped by people meet here.

The history of how people have perceived nature is also part of this landscape: since the late 18th century, the Lake District has inspired poets and artists of the Romantic movement; since the 19th century, it has also played a role for conservationists. If you are interested in the connection between landscape and culture, this offers a different perspective from visiting individual attractions.

Aira Force in Penrith, Cumbria, showcases the power and beauty of nature. In Grizedale Forest, striking views, works of art and extensive woodland trails are part of the forest’s character within the Lake District World Heritage Site. Trail conditions can change.

Journeys and routes through Cumbria

The Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway is a 15-inch narrow-gauge railway. Its seven-mile journey runs from Ravenglass to Dalegarth for Boot. There is a museum with interactive displays at Ravenglass station; station facilities may change. If you plan to take the train, check the timetable and operating days in advance.

Windermere Lake Cruises offers scenic daily trips from the jetties at Ambleside, Bowness, Brockhole or Lakeside. Here, too, you should check current timetables and departures. Cumbria can also be explored by bus, train—including steam railways—and traditional steamers on the lakes. The option that suits your plans depends on the services and times available.

Cycling offers further perspectives on the region, including quiet country roads, challenging off-road mountain bike trails, official cycle routes and bridleways. In Grizedale Forest, cycling options range from beginner-friendly terrain to rock gardens. The routes vary in difficulty; check the conditions on your chosen trails before setting off.

Literature and historic places

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. Exhibitions may change. A visit therefore connects a specific place from Wordsworth’s life with different forms of his literary legacy.

Castlerigg Stone Circle offers a different glimpse into the past: the circle consists of 38 standing stones and is thought to have been erected around 4,500 years ago, in the late Neolithic period. The stone circle is accessible during the day at reasonable times; parking at the site is limited. Weather or site management may affect access conditions.

Built from red sandstone, Brougham Castle stands near the site of a Roman fort and guarded a strategic river crossing. Visitors can climb the spiral staircase to the top of the keep and enjoy panoramic views over the Eden Valley. Access within historic buildings may vary. The castle’s location at the former river crossing and its proximity to the Roman fort also place it in a military-historical context.

Rural traditions and regional food

Country shows in Cumbria feature agriculture, Cumbrian wrestling, hound trailing, fell races and sheepdog trials. These traditions give the events a rural character; dates vary from one event to another. Check the dates if you plan to include a show in your trip.

One distinctive culinary tradition is the Traditional Cumberland Sausage from R B Woodall. It is made to a centuries-old recipe using Cumbrian pork shoulder and spices that once arrived via the port of Whitehaven. The recipe calls for a meat content of 95 percent. The R B Woodall shop in Waberthwaite is considered the home of the Traditional Cumberland Sausage; check whether the shop is open before visiting.

Whether you are interested in literary history, historic buildings, nature or regional traditions, these themes can help you understand the different sides of Cumbria and choose the focus that best suits your trip.

Discover more destinations

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.

For the broader travel overview: North West England.