England
Cumbria

Lake District Travel Guide - Towns and villages

with the occasional city thrown in for good measure!

Ambleside   Ambleside, at the heart of the southern Lake District, is beautiful but busy. Its scenic setting, one mile north of Lake Windermere, guarantees its popularity. Grey stone houses, B&B's, hotels, galleries, and shops catering to the tourists abound. Ambleside, Cumbria, England Attraction Type: Town Details of Ambleside OS NY3702 Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Appleby    Appleby is a good base for a visit to the Eden Valley; large enough to boast a variety of accommodation and services, yet small enough to give a feeling of "getting away from it all". Appleby, Cumbria, England Attraction Type: Town Location: On the A66 15 miles south east of Penrith Details of Appleby OS NY715195 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Bewcastle   A remote moorland hamlet which features the extraordinary 'Bewcastle Cross', a 7th-8th century cross with intricate carvings on all 4 sides. Beside the church stands the ruins of a castle, built in part with stone from Hadrian's Wall. Bewcastle, Cumbria, England Attraction Type: Town Location: On a minor road 5 miles east of Roadhead, off the B6318 OS NY564748 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Bowness    The closest village to the western end of Hadrian's Wall, and the site of a Roman army camp. The church porch boasts a bell stolen from a Scottish church as revenge for a raid in which the Scots stole the church's original bell, only to lose it in Solway Firth on their return north. Bowness, Lake District, Cumbria, England Attraction Type: Town Location: On a minor road 1 miles west of Port Carlisle OS NY222626 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Burgh-by-Sands    Famous as the place where Edward I was brought after his death in 1297. Edward was on his way north to fight the Scots under Robert the Bruce when he died, and the king's body was brought to lie in state in the fortified church of Burgh-by-Sands. The course of Hadrian's Wall runs right through the village. Burgh-by-Sands, Cumbria, England Attraction Type: Town Location: On a minor road 3 miles west of Carlisle OS NY327592 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Caldbeck    This little village at the foot of the Caldbeck Fells is known as the final resting place of famed hunter John Peel (d.1854). Peel's grave is in the 12th century churchyard, under the gaze of the fells he hunted for 55 years. A popular song about his exploits was written by his friend, JW Graves. Caldbeck is a good walking centre, with access to High Peak and Carrock Fell. Caldbeck, Lake District, Cumbria, England Attraction Type: Town Location: On the B5299 12 miles north east of Cockermouth OS NY321399 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Carlisle    Carlisle is the county town of Cumbria, and the only city. Not surprisingly, it is well-supplied with shopping ammenities, and the entire centre of the town has been made into an attractive pedestrian district. Carlisle, Cumbria, England Attraction Type: Town Details of Carlisle OS NY4054 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Cockermouth   Situated between two hills, on the edge of the Lake District, the market town of Cockermouth is best known for its connection to the poet, William Wordsworth, who was born here on April 7, 1770 and spent his first 13 years in the town. Cockermouth, Lake District, Cumbria, England Attraction Type: Town Details of Cockermouth OS NY1331 Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Edenhall    The little village was home to the Musgrave family, subject of a ballad by Longfellow. According to Longfellow, the House of Musgrave was doomed if a 'fairy cup' in their possession was broken. The cup, believed to be 13th century Persian, is now in a museum in London, and the house is destroyed. The parish church is Norman, built on Saxon foundations, and several Musgrave monuments can be found in the interior. Edenhall, Lake District, Cumbria, England Attraction Type: Town Location: 3 miles north east of Penrith, on a minor road off the A686 OS NY568325 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Glenridding   A lovely Lakeland village at the southern end of Ullswater. A good centre for the eastrern Lakes, the Ullswater Steamer leaves from here on a regular trip up the lake. Boats can be hired for exploring Ullswater by sail or under motor power. Glenridding, Lake District, Cumbria, England Attraction Type: Town OS NY388171 Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Gosforth   This small village is famous for the slender Scandinavian cross that stands in the churchyard. The cross features carvings of both Christian and pagan symbols. From Gosforth minor roads lead up Wasdale to remote Wast Water, one of the more isolated of the Lakes. Gosforth, Cumbria, England Attraction Type: Town Location: Off the A595 3 miles north east of Seascale OS NY064039 Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Grange   A lovely village at the head of Borrowdale, popular as a centre for walking and outdoor activities. Nearby is the natural feature known as the Bowder Stone, a huge boulder tipped up on one end. Grange, Lake District, Cumbria, England Attraction Type: Town OS SD4076 Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Grasmere   Small village on the shores of Lake Windermere, where poet William Wordsworth lived at Dove Cottage. Wordsworth and his sister Dorothy are buried in St Oswald's churchyard here. Grasmere, Lake District, Cumbria, England Attraction Type: Village Location: At the northernmost tip of Lake Windermere Details of Grasmere OS NY3406 Photo Credit: Andrew MacCormack Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Great Salkeld    A small village famous for its church tower. The tower houses two vaulted chambers and, unusually, a dungeon. A Roman altar discovered here in the late 19th century is displayed in the church porch. Great Salkeld, Cumbria, England Attraction Type: Town Location: On the B6412 5 miles north of Penrith OS NY550371 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Kendal    Kendal is a large market town situated on the River Kent, on the eastern edge of Cumbria, and is the southern gateway to the Lake District. Because the town was built largely of grey stone, it received the nickname 'the auld grey town'. Kendal was granted its market charter in 1189, and it relives those days each year during spring bank holiday. A medieval market with pageantry, music, and entertainment takes over the streets with strolling players, jugglers, and jesters, while sellers ply their wares at market stalls. Kendal, Lake District, Cumbria, England Attraction Type: Town Details of Kendal OS SD5191 Photo Credit: http://www.visitcumbria.com/ Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Keswick   Keswick is located at the north end of Derwent Water, beneath the considerable bulk of Skiddaw Peak. The town can lay claim to being something of a capital for the northern Lakes, and makes an excellent base for traveling in the region. Keswick, Lake District, Cumbria, England Attraction Type: Town Details of Keswick OS NY2723 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Kirkby Lonsdale    One of the larger towns in Cumbria and a gateway to the Lune Valley. The Victorian writer John Ruskin extolled Kirkby Lonsdale for its 'sweet river', and just north of the town is 'Ruskin's View', a beautifully scenic lookout. Kirkby Lonsdale was settled in Roman times, and an old Roman road runs through the town. There also some attractive Georgian houses, and the 15th century 'Devil's Bridge' across the Lune, said to have been built by the Devil himself. Author Charlotte Bronte attended school at nearby Cowan Bridge. Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria, England Attraction Type: Town Location: On the A65 6 miles south east of J36 of the M6 OS SD608789 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Kirkby Stephen    An attractive market town at the head of the Eden Valley., Kirkby Stephen boasts a 12th century church with a 'Bound Devil' carving, a figure of the Devil in chains, as well as memorials to the Musgrave family (see Edenhall). Nearby is Pendragon Castle, reputed home of Uther Pendragon, father of King Arthur, but in actual fact a Norman stronghold. Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria, England Attraction Type: Town Location: On the A685 4 miles south of Brough OS NY776089 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Kirkoswald   A small village known for its ruined castle. The ruins are now overgrown, but the traces of the moat are clearly visible, and one crumbling tower still stands. The small, two-aisled 12th century church is unusual in that it has a detached bell tower situated 200 feet away on the top of a hill overlooking the village. The tower may have been built in such an odd position in order to better warn villagers of approaching Scottish raiders. St Oswald's Well is built into the wall of the church, and it is thought that the source of the well is a stream running under the nave of the church. Kirkoswald, Cumbria, England Attraction Type: Town Location: 3 miles north of Great Salkeld on the B6413 OS NY555413 Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Penrith   A regional capital since Roman times, the market town of Penrith is a popular centre for exploring the north east Lake District. The ruins of a 13th century castle stand in Castle Park, and south of the town are the prehistoric sites of Mayburgh Henge and King Arthur's Seat. South east at Brougham are the ruins of a Roman fort and beside it, Brougham Castle. Penrith, Cumbria, England Attraction Type: Town Location: On the A6, just off the M6 at J40 OS NY515299 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Pooley Bridge   A quiet village at the northern terminus of the Ullswater Lake Steamer route. There are walking trails along the shore of Ullswater to Glenridding, and nearby is the remains of a prehistoric hill fort. Pooley Bridge, Lake District, Cumbria, England Attraction Type: Village Location: On the B5320 at the northern end of Ullswater OS NY470245 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Ravenglass    A shingle beach frames Ravenglass, in western Cumbria, the only coastal village within the Lake District National Park. The village, whose main street is paved with sea cobbles, sits where three rivers meet: the Esk, the Mite, and the Irt. The Drigg Dunes and Irt Esturary Nature Reserve, to the north, is home to a colony of black headed gulls. Ravenglass, Lake District, Cumbria, England Attraction Type: Town Details of Ravenglass OS SD0995 Photo Credit: http://www.visitcumbria.com/ Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Rydal   Pretty village that gives its name to the smallest of the lakes in the Lake District. Wordsworth lived here at Rydal Mount until his death in 1850. The large rock known as Wordsworth's Seat was where this most famous of the Lakeland poets sat to take in the beautiful views. Rydal, Lake District, Cumbria, England Attraction Type: Town OS NY363061 Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Ulverston    Ulverston is an attractive market town located on the Furness peninsula, founded in the Saxon period. It was for many years a hub of canal transportation between the River Leven and Morecambe Bay. Ulverston was the birthplace of comedian Stan Laurel of 'Laurel and Hardy' fame, and there is a small museum dedicated to Laurel in the town. Ulverston, Cumbria, England Attraction Type: Town Location: On the A590, 5 miles north east of Dalton-in-Furness OS SD288782 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Watendlath   One of the most scenic and often photographed Lake District locations, Watendlath is a hamlet high up in a hanging valley above Derwentwater, between the Borrowdale and Thirlmere valleys. An old packhorse bridge spans the beck, and there are walking trails over Grange Fell. Watendlath is the fictional home of Hugh Walpole's heroine 'Judith Paris'. Watendlath, Lake District, Cumbria, England Attraction Type: Town Location: Up a narrow minor road off the B5289 at the south end of Derwentwater OS NY274162 Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Windermere   The largest town in the Lake District, on the shores of England's largest lake, Windermere is also the region's most popular tourist destination. Windermere was a popular Victorian resort, and has a lot to offer family vacationers. Windermere Steam Boat cruises travel the lake, and nearby is the Lake District Visitor Centre at Brockhole. Windermere, Lake District, Cumbria, England Attraction Type: Town OS SD412987 Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Cumbria/Lake District Travel Guide Introduction to Cumbria - Photo Tour Featured attractions Ambleside - Brantwood - Carlisle - Carlisle Castle - Cartmel Priory - Castlerigg Stone Circle - Cockermouth - Dove Cottage - Grasmere - Hadrian's Wall - Keswick - Kendal - Lake District National Park - Ravenglass Cumbria Accommodation Hotels - Self Catering Cottages