The English Lake District - an overview

The English Lake District has long been treasured for its spectacular beauty, made famous by the many great literary figures connected with the area - none more so than the poet William Wordsworth who was born in Cockermouth in 1770 and whose home for much of his life, Dove Cottage, and Rydal Mount can be visited to this day in Grasmere.

Occupying the central portion of Cumbria, the Lake District National Park covers around 700 square miles of England's most stunning scenery. Renowned for both its lakes and mountains, the region is home to both England's largest lake (Windermere) which Linthwaite overlooks, and the highest mountain (Scafell Pike - 3,210 feet). Nearby Helvellyn is not far behind at 3,118 feet.

The Lake District's dramatic glacial landscape is a haven for walkers, cyclists, sailors and climbing enthusiasts. Only one body of water, Bassenthwaite, is actually a lake. The bigger bodies of water in the Lake District are generally named as amere or water, whilst smaller ones are denoted by tarn. Some refer to Lake Windermere though it's not strictly correct. Well known waters in the area besides Windermere include Derwentwater, Ullswater, Coniston, Thirlmere, Haweswater, Wastwater, Brotherswater and Buttermere, each of which has its own unique character and charm. Oir favourite is Buttermer, not least because the best walk in our opinion is over Red Pike and Haystacks. 

For those that are here for a more relaxing break, there are numerous towns and villages to be enjoyed - there's Bowness and Windermere almost on our doorstep, of course, but also towns such as Ambleside, Coniston, Grasmere, Hawkshead, Kendal and Keswick that are a little further afield yet which are all well worth a visit.

The outskirts of Cumbria and the Lake District such as Carlisle, the Eden Valley, the Lake District Peninsulas of Furness and Cartmel, and Cumbria's west coast are also all worth a visit, offering a diverse range of scenery and local attractions. It is perhaps no wonder that the Lake District is England's most popular tourist destination outside of London.

Linthwaite House Hotel is an ideal base from which to explore the Lake District and outlying areas. Occupying a convenient location alongside key transport links and close to all the major heritage attractions, there is no shortage of places to visit.

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The area around Linthwaite House abounds with places of special interest and places to visit. There are over 50 visitor centres and attractions some of the more famous include Beatrix Potter's 17th century house from where she penned many of her famous children's stories and William Wordsworth beloved homes; Dove Cottage and Rydal Mount. There are an array of historic homes and gardens. Many attractions are open all year round and all are within easy reach of the hotel.

Linthwaite is ideally located for touring the Lake District so take time to explore the countryside that inspired Wordsworth, enter Beatrix Potter's 'land of stories' and follow in Wainwright's footsteps, high among the mountains and fells. Or just marvel at the truly magical splendour of the lakes.

Further afield you could visit Birdoswald Roman Fort - it was one of sixteen forts situated along Hadrian's Wall frontier system. It is now a designated World Heritage Site and is the most important monument built by the Romans in Britain. It is the best known frontier in the entire Roman Empire and stands as a reminder of past glories of one of the world's greatest civilisation.

The Lake District has endless activities from mountain biking and kayaking to gorge scrambling and hill walking. For avid golfers Linthwaite is only a mile away from Windermere Golf Club (Certificate of Handicap required), tee off times can be arranged. There are many other golf courses around such as Silloth, Ulverston, Kendal, Carus Green and this writer plays at Kirkby Lonsdale! For the less energetic you can enjoy a gentle stroll around one of the picturesque villages or do a little shopping. It is a great place for retail therapy. Or take a relaxing cruise on one of the many lake cruises. The Lake District is the ideal location for any activity holiday.