Cumbria Sightseeing, Attractions & Activities Guide

recommended places to visit and things to do in Cumbria


 
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Dove Cottage in Grasmere was William Wordsworth’s home, where he wrote much of his poetry. The adjoining Wordsworth Museum showcases manuscripts, artefacts, and exhibitions, offering a rich glimpse into the poet’s life and the Romantic movement.

Hill Top Farm

Near Sawrey

  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • open year round
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  • pre-booking advised
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  • National Trust
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  • Beatrix Potter
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  • guided tours
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  • shop

Hill Top Farm in Cumbria is the charming 17th-century farmhouse of Beatrix Potter. Preserved as she left it, the cottage showcases her belongings and illustrations, with a beautiful cottage garden and links to her beloved children’s stories.

The World of Beatrix Potter

Bowness-on-Windermere

  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • open year round
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  • Beatrix Potter
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  • café
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series of dioramas showing scenes from all the famous children's books, including Peter Rabbit's garden and Mrs Tiggy-Winkle's Laundry

Acorn Bank

Temple Sowerby

  • National Trust
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  • walking
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  • wildlife
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a delightful sheltered garden, with a partially restored watermill, renowned for its herbs and orchards, growing old English fruit varieties, and planted with over 250 medicinal and culinary herbs

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  • all-weather attraction
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  • free admission
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  • open year round
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  • architecture
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dating back to the twelfth century with a long and turbulent history with excellent stone carvings and medieval stained glass windows

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  • all-weather attraction
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  • open year round
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  • art
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local graphite mining led to the growth of the pencil industry. The museum gives an in depth guide to pencils and pencil making down the centuries

  • all-weather attraction
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  • open year round
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producing the famous Westmorland Green Slate, which has been extracted for centuries and offering a wealth of adventure experiences

Jennings Brewery

Cockermouth

  • all-weather attraction
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  • architecture
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  • industrial heritage
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  • shop

this traditional brewery has nearly 200 years of brewing experience using pure Lakeland water drawn from the brewery’s own well

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  • all-weather attraction
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  • open year round
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  • pre-booking advised
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  • transport
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historic narrow gauge railway, located in the Western part of the Lake District National Park with two main stations, Ravenglass and Dalegarth

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  • all-weather attraction
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houses considerable collections of fine and decorative art, human history and natural sciences as well as holding a wide range of temporary exhibitions

Wordsworth House

Cockermouth

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  • all-weather attraction
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  • National Trust
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Wordsworth's birthplace and family home, presented as it would have been when he lived here with his siblings and family servants

Fell Foot

Newby Bridge

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  • National Trust
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  • sport
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7 hectare park with mountain views across Windermere, wild play area and multiple activities on and off the lake for all ages and abilities

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  • all-weather attraction
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  • open year round
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  • film & TV
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started as a small private collection, which quickly outgrew its original premises, this new, spacious museum was opened in 2009

Whinlatter Forest Park

Whinlatter Pass

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  • free admission
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  • open year round
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Whinlatter is home to stunning views, fantastic walks, exhilarating mountain biking, rare wildlife and adventure play

  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • open year round
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  • National Trust
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  • art
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  • Beatrix Potter
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  • shop

Housed in a 17th-century building in Hawkshead, the Beatrix Potter Gallery showcases original illustrations and sketches by the beloved author. The gallery highlights her life, art, and Lake District inspirations in a charming historic setting.

Bridge House

Ambleside

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  • external view only
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  • National Trust
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  • architecture

Bridge House in Ambleside, a tiny 17th-century building spanning Stock Beck, is one of the Lake District’s most photographed landmarks. Once used as a home and shop, it’s now cared for by the National Trust and symbolises the town’s heritage.

  • free admission
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  • open year round
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  • English Heritage
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  • archeology

constructed about 3000 BC, one of the earliest stone circles in Britain having commanding views over the surrounding countryside

Grizedale Forest

Hawkshead

  • family-friendly
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  • free admission
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  • open year round
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  • World Heritage Site
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  • sport
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  • walking
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Grizedale Forest in the Lake District is known for scenic walking and cycling trails, wildlife, and its unique outdoor sculpture collection. With a visitor centre, Go Ape treetop adventures, and stunning views, it’s a hub for nature and art lovers alike.

Lakes Aquarium

Lakeside

  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • open year round
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  • wildlife
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home to hundreds of amazing creatures from local wildlife to more exotic species from around the world

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scenic rides on vintage steam trains, connecting with Windermere cruise boats at Lakeside, with a playground, picnic area and engine shed visits

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