Lake District often called as ‘The Lakes’ is a very popular tourist destination located in North West England. It is popularly known for its mountains and lakes together forming scenic beauty in the entire area. Many people from England and all over the world visit Lake District to escape the stressful city life and come close to nature. The scenery is spectacular consisting of the highest mountains to the deepest lakes not to mentions the marvelous waterfalls. Lake District has been mentioned in the writings and poems of famous authors like William Wordsworth and many more. The Lake District is about 2292 sq. km in size. It is one of the most populated national parks consisting of various towns and villages. The geology of this area is very complicated as it if formed as a result of periodic glaciations over many years. The oldest rocks found here are the Borrowdale Volcanic and Skiddaw Slate aging about 500 million years. The climate of Lake District is maritime experiencing moderate temperature throughout the year. The place is also the wettest section of England though rainfall varies from region to region. The best time to visit Lake District is in summer from April to October. Hill fog is also a common feature here. There are any places to visit in Lake District. Lake District National Park is the main attraction very popular among tourists since 1950s. It is the largest national park of England situated in the county of Cumbria. Nature lovers visit this park to see the highest mountain, Scafell Pike in England. The park is also home to the deepest and the longest lakes of the country.
People often go for walks, cycle or ride around the stunning lakes and countryside and explore the area. There are innumerable trails throughout the countryside ideal for walking or cycling. Most of them are accessible to all with the exception of a few which are more suitable for adventure lovers. Some tourists even cycle to the forests and enjoy the wildlife to their hearts content. Water lovers can hire a boat or kayak and have fun sailing. With more than 16 lakes some people find it as the best place for fishing. There are water sports centres at Windermere, Keswick, Coniston and Penrith from where different types of boats can be hired. Some people enjoy sailing, rowing, windsurfing or simply have fun splashing and dipping on the coast. Windermere Lake Cruises are quite popular in the summer. All the water facilities come with complete water safety so that people can enjoy to their fullest.
There are many options for adventure seekers too like rock climbing, mountain biking, abseiling, kite surfing, scrambling, zorbing, horse riding and mountain boarding. There is an adventure hub located in the town centre in Keswick, which gives detailed information about all these activities. There are indoor as well as outdoor climbing facilities available. Some of them even provide a tater for kids. Windermere also offers exciting adventures for kids and teenagers such as slides, swings, zip wires, rope walks and scramble nets. Some of the places also feature ghost walks and tours to amuse kids. Brockhole is one of the most popular family day out centre. Other highlights of Lake District are archaeological sites, castles, churches, historic sites and Roman remains. Some of the well known castles are Carlisle Castle built in 1092, Muncaster Castle renowned for its collection of rhododendrons and azaleas, Piel island which is a 14th century historic castle constructed to guard the coast against pirates and Scots raiders etc.
Lake District has something for everyone. Tourists interested in art and history can visit a variety of museums and galleries to know about the history of the area. Some of the popular museums are The Bond Museum in Keswick, High Head Sculptor Valley in Cumbria, Keswick Mining Museum, the Beacon, Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery and Laurel and Hardy Museum. To learn about the culture and links of Lake District with imminent writers and artists, tourists are attracted to many theatre performances in this area. Theatre by the Lake in Keswick, Heron Theatre, Eclipse Leisure Centre and West Walls Theatre are some of the most popular ones. They host awesome plays for Christmas, Easter, and literature, jazz and creative arts festivals. Every year, there are many events and festivals in Lake District attracting tourists from all over the globe. Some of the famous festivals are the Western Lake District Kite Festival, Keswick Mountain Festival, Jennings Keswick Jazz Festival and many more. Some of the events include Tarn Beck and Seathwaite Tarn which is a guided tour, Virginia Monologues, and the Royal Collection Photography.
Lake District is also home to Beatrix Potter, the famous writer of children’s story books including ‘The Tale of Peter Rabbit’, ‘The Tale of Benjamin Bunny’ and ‘Squirrel Nutkin’. All these stories have their background and basis in Lake District. The development of railway also led to the expansion of tourism in Lake District. The Kendal and Windermere railway was first established in 1846 for the purpose of industry. This brought the influx of tourists in this beautiful district. Later on the trains were supplemented by well built roads and steamer to provide easy access to penetrate this district.
For accommodation, there are a number of B&BS and hotels located in the entire district. Many visitors come here for camping and caravanning to enjoy and be more close to nature. There are several sites that allow and provide facilities for camps and caravans. The splendid sights and nature of Lake District has mesmerized not only the English but tourists from all over the globe. It is a popular weekend getaway for tourists in England and is becoming increasingly famous amongst foreign visitors too. The breathtaking walks, trails, lakes, gardens and mountains with the combination of pollution free fresh air has made it an ideal holiday destination for peace, serenity and fun.
