Places to visit in Lake District
The Lake District has a deep heritage of culture and was home to Beatrix Potter and William Wordsworth. The region also boasts 16 stunning lakes (plus many smaller ‘tarns’), the highest mountain in England, and some of the most spectacular scenery in the British Isles.
Cumbria and the Lake District have a wonderful tradition of hospitality, having welcomed tourists for the best part of three centuries. Explore the magnificent landscape, see it with your own eyes and be inspired. From the wide lakes and imposing mountains shrouded in mist, to the ridges, streams and silent forests, there are natural wonders a plenty. This list of Haven’s best places to visit in the Lake District is designed to help you plan your trip to this exceptional region of England.
Bowness-on-Windermere
Bowness-on-Windermere has become the Lake District’s most popular tourist destination, attracting large volumes of visitors each year, and for good reason. Windermere itself is the largest natural lake in England and its mountainous, forested surroundings would be worth the trip alone. However, you can enhance the scenic views by taking a cruise on the lake on a historic 'steamer' or modern launch, viewed from which the scenery is all the more impressive.
For fans of her tales, Bowness is also home to the wonderful World of Beatrix Potter, where you can relive your favourite childhood stories or share them with your own kids. If you go further afield, trails that lead to Orrest Head from the town offer views across the lake and the fells beyond. Bowness will fulfil your every want, whether you wish to enjoy the lake for sailing and water sports, or simply to relax and enjoy the atmosphere of the area and the town’s delightful setting.
Keswick
This small but vibrant town is a popular hub for visitors to the Lake District located on the northern shore of the Derwent Water and ideally positioned for exploring the spectacular Thirlmere reservoir as well as the fells of Skiddaw and the magnificent peaks of the Cat Bells. The quaint market town itself is also a charming place to explore thanks to its collection of boutique shops, quirky attractions, delightful eateries and a weekly market that exhibits authentic local produce.
The town is one of the best places to visit in the Lake District thanks to its several attractions including the Cumberland Pencil Museum that, you guessed it, documents the history of pencils, as well as the Keswick Museum & Art Gallery that displays local artefacts. For further adventures, visitors can discover Castlerigg Stone Circle dates back to the Neolithic era on a hilltop east of town or take a boat cruise of the vast lake Derwent Water.
Carlisle
Perched precariously on the historically lively border between England and Scotland, Carlisle is technically England’s biggest city – by area at least. Its wide, open roads and green spaces give it the most unusual of titles. While it isn’t strictly part of the Lake District National Park, the county town of Cumbria still attracts multiple visitors thanks to its location on the Hadrian’s Wall trail.
Looming over the northern side of Carlisle town, the castle – built from stones taken from Hadrian’s Wall – has protected the city from invasion for a thousand years and is now a popular attraction. Carlisle also has a large central shopping district, the greatest variety of restaurants in Cumbria, and a nightlife scene that is surprisingly active.
Kendal
One of the gateways to the Lakes, Kendal is located to the southeast of the Lake District, just eight miles from Windermere, the most famous of the lakes. Its prime location and amenities make it ideal for those who want to experience the Lake District atmosphere without straying too far from the conveniences of modern life.
Kendal has plenty to keep the family entertained. There are the ruins of a castle, one of the oldest museums in the country (which houses one of the largest stuffed animal collections in Europe) and Lakeland Maze Farm Park nearby. The town is perhaps best known for its world-famous Mint Cake, a sugary snack used by hikers around the world in need of sustenance. Be sure to grab yourself a bar to eat and or take home as a souvenir!
Grasmere
Grasmere is probably Cumbria’s most popular village, thanks to the poet William Wordsworth. Wordsworth spent his most inspired years at Dove Cottage, writing his most famous poetry there, while the nearby Rydal Mount house is still owned by his descendants. Both are now highly acclaimed visitor attractions, and you can also visit the Wordsworth family grave at the 13th-century St Oswald’s Church in the centre of the village.
Nowadays, Grasmere is totally given over to the tourist industry, with plenty of gift shops and places to eat. Grasmere is home to the famous Sarah Nelson's Grasmere Gingerbread shop, which draws visitors from hundreds of miles around to try the baked wonders. The town is only a short walk to the lake, which is at its best at early morning in the summer when the mist rises over the water.
Rowing boats are available for hire every day of the week between March and early November so you can explore the lake as the Wordsworth himself did many years ago. Altogether, Grasmere is packed with quintessential Cumbrian charm, making it one of the best places to visit in the Lake District.
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Important information
Brand new holiday homes from £34,995
Holiday home price is for a new 3-bedroom ABI New Horizon holiday home and includes siting, connections and standard accessories.
Price excludes 2024 site fees, running costs and add-ons requested at point of sale. Subject to status and availability.
As at 19 July 2024, price is available at all parks, excluding Church Farm, Cala Gran, Kiln Park, Littlesea, Lydstep Beach, Penally Court, Perran Sands, Rockley Park, Seashore, Seaview and Thornwick Bay.
Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
New holiday homes from £33,995
Holiday home price is for a new 3-bedroom Willerby Ellerton Extra holiday and includes siting, connections and standard accessories.
From 12 July 2024 the holiday home price is reduced from £37,995 to £33,995 and will remain at this price until all available stock is sold.
The holiday home price excludes 2024 site fees, running costs and add-ons requested at point of sale. Subject to status and availability.
As at 12 July 2024 this price is available at Berwick, Burnham-on-Sea, Devon Cliffs, Doniford Bay, Hafan y Mor, Kent Coast, Lakeland, Marton Mere, Presthaven, Primrose Valley, Reighton Sands, Seton Sands and Weymouth Bay.
Haven reserves the right to withdraw this offer at any time. Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
Pre-owned holiday homes from £19,995
Holiday home price is based on a Bronze Grade pre-owned holiday home 6 years or older and includes siting, connections and standard accessories.
Price excludes 2024 site fees, running costs and add-ons requested at point of sale. Subject to status and availability.
As at 12 July 2024, price is available at all parks, excluding Cala Gran, Church Farm, Cardigan View, Cleethorpes Beach, Craig Tara, Far Grange, Golden Sands, Haggerston Castle, Kiln Park, Littlesea, Lydstep Beach, Orchards, Penally Court, Perran Sands, Rockley Park, Riviere Sands, Seashore, Seaview, Skegness and Thornwick Bay.
Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times. Park cannot be used as a permanent residence.
Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
Let2offset - make no site fee payments until 2031
Let2offset is a contractual lettings product that offers eligible owners a guaranteed letting income at a preferential rate (calculated each year) in exchange for a stipulated number of letting breaks. It also allows eligible owners to pay their site fees and receive their letting income in 12 equal monthly instalments; the monthly site fee amount charged by Haven will be after deduction of the letting income.
‘Make no site fee payments when using Let2offset until 2031’ is available at 33 Haven parks excluding Burnham, Cardigan View, Far Grange, Garreg Wen, Lydstep Beach, Riviere Sands and Seaview. The letting income received will vary by make, model and location. The monthly site fee payment does not include running costs e.g. utilities, rates & insurance.
“Make no site fee payments when using Let2offset until 2031” is applicable to new and existing customer purchases of new Atlas Sahara 3 Bed or equivalent or superior grade holiday home purchases made through Haven where customers have also signed up to Haven’s Let2offset contract. It is not applicable to private sales and cannot be used in conjunction with our free Site Fee promotion. It is available across 40% of eligible Parks and applies when letting a new Atlas Sahara 3 Bed holiday home (or equivalent or superior grade for 15 weeks.
An example of how “Make no site fee payments when using Let2offset until 2031” operates under Let2offset is the purchase of an Atlas Sahara 3 Bed holiday home at Primrose Valley with a monthly site fee of £585.00 (includes purchasing discount of £45) and monthly letting income of £803.67. The monthly difference equates to £218.67, which will be credited to the owner's account. Both letting income and site fees are subject to yearly pricing reviews and the monthly site fee costs and letting income shown in the example are based on 2024 figures.
Modelled assumptions on expected annual site fee and letting income charges over the 7-year lettable life of the Atlas Sahara 3 Bed indicate that under Let2offset it is anticipated that these customers will continue to receive a monthly credit during this period, however, this is not guaranteed. The modelled assumptions are based on the historical performance of Haven over the past 5 years of trading.
Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.