North West England | An Introduction to North West England

Alston

Alston is a characterful market town in Cumbria, often called England’s highest. Set amid the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, it features cobbled streets, stone cottages, and independent shops. Surrounded by wild moorland and scenic trails, including the South Tynedale Railway, Alston is a charming base for exploring rugged landscapes and timeless rural life.

Ambleside

Ambleside, at the head of Lake Windermere, is a charming town known for its Victorian architecture and stunning natural surroundings. It serves as a gateway for exploring the Lake District National Park, offering hiking trails, water activities, and panoramic views. Ambleside's cultural heritage includes the Bridge House, a historic 17th-century structure, and numerous independent shops and eateries.

Appleby

Appleby-in-Westmorland is a picturesque Cumbrian market town set on the River Eden. Framed by green hills, it’s famed for its medieval Appleby Castle and the annual Horse Fair. With riverside walks, historic streets, and easy access to the Eden Valley and Pennines, Appleby offers a blend of heritage, scenery, and traditional charm.

Barrow-in-Furness

Barrow-in-Furness is a coastal town on the edge of Cumbria, shaped by shipbuilding heritage and sea views. Highlights include Furness Abbey’s atmospheric ruins, Walney Island’s beaches and nature reserves, and access to the Lake District nearby. With its maritime character and surrounding coastal scenery, Barrow offers both history and outdoor adventure at the tip of the Furness Peninsula.

Bassenthwaite

Bassenthwaite is a tranquil village in the Lake District, set near the shores of Bassenthwaite Lake. Surrounded by fells, including the popular Skiddaw range, it’s perfect for walkers and nature lovers. The area is rich in wildlife, with ospreys often spotted in summer. Peaceful and unspoilt, Bassenthwaite offers a classic Lake District escape with stunning scenery.

Boot

Boot is a tiny, picturesque hamlet in Eskdale, one of the quieter valleys of the Lake District. Surrounded by rugged fells and gentle rivers, it’s home to cosy inns, a historic watermill, and access to scenic trails. With the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway stopping nearby, Boot is an idyllic base for peaceful walking and timeless countryside charm.

Borrowdale

Borrowdale is a stunning Lake District valley stretching from Derwentwater into dramatic mountain scenery. Known for its ancient oak woodlands, craggy peaks, and peaceful villages, it offers some of the region’s best walking routes. With landmarks like Castle Crag and Honister Pass, Borrowdale blends natural beauty, history, and adventure in a classic Lakeland setting.

Bowness-on-Windermere

Bowness-on-Windermere is a bustling Lake District town set on the shores of England’s largest lake. A hub for boat trips, watersports, and lakeside strolls, it also offers shops, cafés, and attractions like The World of Beatrix Potter. Surrounded by scenic fells and woodland, Bowness blends lively tourism with classic Lakeland beauty, making it a favourite base for visitors.

Brampton

Brampton is a traditional market town in Cumbria, set amid rolling countryside near Hadrian’s Wall. Its Georgian buildings and bustling market square give it character, while nearby attractions include Talkin Tarn Country Park and Lanercost Priory. With easy access to walking trails, history, and scenic landscapes, Brampton is a welcoming base for exploring the Borders and North Pennines.

Carlisle

Carlisle, a historic city in Cumbria, is known for its medieval Carlisle Castle, once a stronghold against Scottish raids and now a fascinating museum. The city's rich history is also evident in its well-preserved Carlisle Cathedral, featuring stunning stained glass. Carlisle serves as a cultural hub for the region, with modern amenities set against the backdrop of its ancient heritage.

Cleator

Cleator is a small West Cumbria village with a quiet, rural feel, once shaped by iron ore mining. Today it’s known as the starting point of the famous Coast to Coast Walk, drawing walkers from across the country. Nestled between the Lakeland fells and the Irish Sea, Cleator offers a peaceful base with a strong sense of heritage.

Cockermouth

Cockermouth is a charming Georgian market town on the edge of the Lake District, known as the birthplace of poet William Wordsworth. Its elegant streets feature independent shops, galleries, and traditional pubs. With the River Derwent flowing through and the fells close by, Cockermouth blends culture, history, and easy access to stunning Lakeland scenery.

Coniston

Coniston, a picturesque village in the Lake District, is celebrated for its idyllic setting beside Coniston Water, the third-largest lake in the Lake District. Famous for its association with Victorian artist John Ruskin and speed-record breaker Donald Campbell, Coniston is a hub for outdoor activities, including hiking, boating, and climbing. The surrounding fells, notably the Old Man of Coniston, offer stunning panoramic views.

Elterwater

Elterwater is a picture-perfect Lake District village, named after the small lake it overlooks. Surrounded by dramatic fells like the Langdale Pikes, it’s a favourite starting point for walkers exploring scenic trails. With stone cottages, a cosy pub, and peaceful woodland nearby, Elterwater offers classic Lakeland charm in a tranquil, natural setting.

Eskdale

Eskdale is a peaceful valley in the western Lake District, prized for its unspoilt landscapes and quiet charm. Surrounded by fells and rivers, it’s popular with walkers exploring routes like Scafell and Hardknott Pass. The Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway adds character, winding through stunning scenery. With cosy villages and timeless views, Eskdale is a true Lakeland retreat.

Glenridding

Glenridding is a lakeside village on Ullswater, framed by dramatic fells including Helvellyn. Popular with walkers and climbers, it’s a hub for outdoor adventure, offering lake cruises, hiking trails, and stunning viewpoints. With welcoming pubs, cafés, and easy access to both water and mountains, Glenridding is a perfect base for exploring the Lake District’s rugged beauty.

Grange-over-Sands

Grange-over-Sands is a genteel Edwardian resort town on the edge of Morecambe Bay. Known for its mild climate, ornamental gardens, and long promenade, it offers a peaceful coastal escape. With nearby Cartmel and the Lake District fells within easy reach, Grange-over-Sands blends seaside relaxation with access to countryside and cultural charm.

Grasmere

Grasmere, a charming village in the Lake District National Park, is known for its natural beauty and literary heritage. It was home to the renowned poet William Wordsworth, and his former residence, Dove Cottage, is a popular attraction. Grasmere's picturesque lake, also named Grasmere, adds to its allure, offering opportunities for boating and scenic walks.

Grizedale Forest

Grizedale Forest is a vast woodland in the Lake District, known for its scenic walking and cycling trails through valleys and fells. Famous for its outdoor sculpture trail and Go Ape adventure course, it blends art with nature. With wildlife, panoramic viewpoints, and peaceful picnic spots, Grizedale Forest offers a perfect mix of adventure and tranquillity.

Hawkshead

Hawkshead is a postcard-perfect Lake District village with cobbled streets, whitewashed cottages, and a timeless charm. Once home to William Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter, it brims with literary and historic links. Surrounded by scenic countryside and close to Esthwaite Water, Hawkshead combines heritage, cosy inns, and natural beauty in a classic Lakeland setting.

Holmrook

Holmrook is a quiet Cumbrian village on the western edge of the Lake District, close to both coast and fells. Centred around the River Irt, it offers peaceful surroundings and easy access to Wasdale, Eskdale, and nearby sandy beaches. With its rural charm and scenic setting, Holmrook is a restful base for exploring the western Lakes.

Kendal

Kendal, a historic market town in Cumbria, is often referred to as the "Gateway to the Lakes" due to its proximity to the Lake District National Park. It is known for its charming streets, traditional markets, and Kendal Mint Cake, a famous local confection. The town also boasts historical landmarks like Kendal Castle and the Quaker Tapestry Museum.

Keswick

Keswick, a picturesque town in the heart of the Lake District National Park, is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. Surrounded by stunning lakes and fells, Keswick offers numerous hiking trails, water activities, and panoramic vistas. It is home to the Theatre by the Lake, providing cultural entertainment, and the Keswick Pencil Museum, a unique attraction showcasing the town's history of pencil making.

Kirkby Lonsdale

Kirkby Lonsdale is a picturesque market town on the River Lune, set between the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales. Its cobbled streets, independent shops, and welcoming pubs create a lively yet historic feel. Famous for Ruskin’s View, overlooking the Lune Valley, Kirkby Lonsdale blends charm, culture, and scenery, making it a favourite stop for visitors.

Kirkby Stephen

Kirkby Stephen is a traditional market town in the Upper Eden Valley, surrounded by the rolling fells of Cumbria. Known for its cobbled square, independent shops, and welcoming pubs, it’s a gateway to both the Yorkshire Dales and North Pennines. With scenic walking routes, heritage sites, and a strong community feel, Kirkby Stephen offers charm and countryside appeal.

Lake District

The Lake District is a mountainous region in northwest England, known for its stunning natural beauty, tranquil lakes, and rugged fells. Visitors can hike scenic trails, take a boat ride on Lake Windermere, and visit charming villages like Grasmere, home to the poet William Wordsworth. The region also offers outdoor activities like cycling and watersports.

Millom

Millom is a small coastal town in southwest Cumbria, overlooking the Duddon Estuary. Once a centre of iron mining, it now offers a quieter charm with sandy beaches, estuary walks, and views of Black Combe fell. With heritage sites, a local museum, and easy access to both coast and countryside, Millom is a relaxed base on the edge of the Lakes.

Near Sawrey

Near Sawrey is a quaint Lake District village, best known as home to Beatrix Potter’s Hill Top farmhouse. Its traditional cottages and peaceful lanes capture timeless rural charm, while surrounding fells and woodlands offer scenic walks. With its literary heritage and tranquil setting near Esthwaite Water, Near Sawrey is a quintessentially Lakeland destination.

Newby Bridge

Newby Bridge is a small village at the southern tip of Windermere, where lake and river meet. It’s home to the Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway and offers boat trips, making it a great starting point for exploring the Lake District. Surrounded by woodland and hills, Newby Bridge blends waterside charm with easy access to nearby attractions.

Patterdale

Patterdale is a peaceful Lake District village at the southern end of Ullswater, surrounded by dramatic fells. Popular with walkers, it’s a gateway to routes like Helvellyn, Place Fell, and the Coast to Coast path. With its traditional inn, scenic valley views, and close lakeside access, Patterdale is an ideal base for outdoor adventure and tranquillity.

Penrith

Penrith, a historic market town in Cumbria, is situated on the edge of the Lake District National Park. Known for its medieval Penrith Castle, the town offers a blend of heritage and natural beauty. Penrith's charming streets and traditional market attract visitors, while its proximity to the Lake District makes it an ideal base for exploring the stunning countryside and lakes.

Ravenglass

Ravenglass is a coastal village in Cumbria, uniquely set within both the Lake District National Park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Once a Roman port, it now charms visitors with its quiet estuary views and historic remains. Famous for the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway, it’s a tranquil base linking coastal heritage with Lakeland scenery.

Seascale

Seascale is a quiet coastal village in West Cumbria, known for its long sandy beach and wide views across the Irish Sea to the Isle of Man. With a laid-back seafront, golf course, and easy access to nearby fells like Wasdale and Eskdale, Seascale offers a relaxed blend of seaside calm and Lakeland adventure.

Sedbergh

Sedbergh is a Yorkshire Dales market town with a strong literary and walking reputation. Nestled beneath the Howgill Fells, it’s England’s official Book Town, filled with second-hand bookshops and cosy cafés. Surrounded by rolling hills and scenic trails, Sedbergh blends cultural charm with outdoor adventure, making it a perfect base for both readers and ramblers.

St. Bees

St Bees is a charming coastal village in Cumbria, famed for its long sandy beach and dramatic red sandstone cliffs. It marks the start of Wainwright’s Coast to Coast Walk and is rich in history with St Bees Priory at its heart. Combining seaside scenery, heritage, and walking routes, St Bees is a perfect mix of coast and countryside.

Ulverston

Ulverston is a lively market town in Cumbria, known for its cobbled streets, festivals, and the Laurel and Hardy Museum. Overlooked by the striking Hoad Monument, it offers a mix of heritage, independent shops, and pubs. Close to Morecambe Bay and the Lake District fells, Ulverston blends character, culture, and easy access to coast and countryside.

Whitehaven

Whitehaven is a Georgian coastal town in Cumbria, once a key port in the coal and shipping industries. Its elegant harbour is lined with historic buildings, museums, and a marina that reflects its maritime past. With coastal walks, nearby cycle routes, and easy access to the western Lake District, Whitehaven offers heritage and seaside charm in equal measure.

Wigton

Wigton is a traditional Cumbrian market town on the edge of the Solway Plain. Its Georgian streets host local shops, markets, and a strong community atmosphere. Surrounded by rolling farmland and close to both the Lake District and Solway Coast, Wigton blends small-town charm with easy access to countryside and coastal landscapes.

Windermere

Windermere is a bustling Lake District town named after England’s largest lake, just a short walk away. It offers shops, cafés, and a lively atmosphere, while nearby trails and viewpoints provide stunning scenery. Popular for boating, walking, and exploring the surrounding fells, Windermere is a central base for experiencing the beauty and adventure of the Lakes.

Windermere

Windermere is a bustling Lake District town named after England’s largest lake, just a short walk away. It offers shops, cafés, and a lively atmosphere, while nearby trails and viewpoints provide stunning scenery. Popular for boating, walking, and exploring the surrounding fells, Windermere is a central base for experiencing the beauty and adventure of the Lakes.

Workington

Workington is a coastal town in West Cumbria, shaped by its industrial heritage and maritime history. Its harbour and riverside recall a busy past, while modern shopping, arts venues, and leisure facilities give it fresh energy. With the Solway Coast and western Lake District nearby, Workington combines practical town life with easy access to coast and countryside.