
Carlisle
Carlisle brings together a castle, cathedral, museums, shopping and more than two thousand years of border history, making it a strong city base for northern Cumbria and Hadrian’s Wall.
Find genuinely useful local recommendations for places to stay, eat, explore and experience across Cumbria.
Picked by people who know Cumbria
Carlisle brings together a castle, cathedral, museums, shopping and more than two thousand years of border history, making it a strong city base for northern Cumbria and Hadrian’s Wall.

Keswick is a lively northern Lake District town with markets, museums, theatre, outdoor shops and immediate access to Derwentwater, Borrowdale and the surrounding fells.

Bowness-on-Windermere is a lively lakeside town with cruises, shops, attractions, restaurants and easy access to the islands and shores of England’s largest natural lake.

Cockermouth is a handsome Georgian market town at the meeting of two rivers, known for Wordsworth, independent shops and easy access to the western Lake District.

Grasmere is a celebrated Lake District village associated with William Wordsworth, set beside a small lake and surrounded by some of central Lakeland’s most accessible scenery.

Whitehaven is a planned Georgian harbour town with museums, coastal walks and a complex maritime history linked to trade, industry and the wider world.
Cumbria Guru favouriteKeswick
A four-star Borrowdale hotel overlooking Derwentwater, combining rooms and suites, an award-winning adults-only spa, two de...
Cumbria Guru favouriteWindermere
A four-star Lake Windermere resort between Windermere and Ambleside, combining contemporary rooms, the Winander Club, an aw...
Cumbria Guru favouriteWorkington
A historic country-house hotel near Workington undergoing a major phased transformation, with 26 bedrooms, newly refurbishe...
Cumbria Guru favouriteNewby Bridge
A four-star hotel and Elemis spa directly on the southern shore of Lake Windermere, with newly renovated Lakeside Suites, l...
FeaturedCarlisle
An award-winning independent Carlisle venue for live music, comedy, theatre and special events, with a varied programme thr...
FeaturedRavenglass
A celebrated 15-inch-gauge heritage railway carrying passengers seven scenic miles from coastal Ravenglass through the Eskd...
FeaturedWindermere
A brand-new indoor BeWILDerwood play experience at Brockhole for children aged 0 to 12, with tree-top tunnels, river-rapid ...
Portinscale
Alpacaly Ever After is a wildlife and family attraction in Portinscale, offering an engaging way to explore local history, ...
Keswick
England's last working slate mine on Honister Pass, with mine tours, Via Ferrata, the Infinity Bridge and the new 1.2km Hon...
Cumbria Guru favouriteKeswick
An award-winning Pan-Asian restaurant at Lodore Falls Hotel & Spa, serving sushi, sashimi, tempura, ramen, curries, grilled...
Cumbria Guru favouriteWindermere
A four-star Lake Windermere resort between Windermere and Ambleside, combining contemporary rooms, the Winander Club, an aw...
Cumbria Guru favouriteWorkington
A historic country-house hotel near Workington undergoing a major phased transformation, with 26 bedrooms, newly refurbishe...
Cumbria Guru favouriteNewby Bridge
A four-star hotel and Elemis spa directly on the southern shore of Lake Windermere, with newly renovated Lakeside Suites, l...
Family Trail
Find needle-felted Hunca Munca and Tom Thumb hiding in playful miniature scenes throughout Beatrix Potter's Hill Top from 15 …
Exhibition
Seasonal Hill Top display exploring the real inspiration, manuscript, artwork and restored dolls' house behind Beatrix Potter…
Musical
The hit musical inspired by the true story of the Calendar Girls, at Theatre by the Lake from 6 August to 5 September.
Agricultural Show and Sale
Blacknose Beauties returns to H&H Borderway Mart in Carlisle on 21-22 August 2026. Public hours are Friday 9am-10pm and Satur…
Plan the Tour de France in Cumbria on 2 and 3 July 2027: Carlisle finish, Keswick start, Lake District route, free spectating, road closures, travel updates and FAQs.
Plan a car-free Lake District August Bank Holiday with the £3 Wasdale Explorer, 517 Little Langdale Shuttle, Buttermere buses, open-top 599 and Ullswater services.
Plan the Ravenglass Railway Grand Victorian Day Out on 22 August 2026, including the 10am museum activities, 1.10pm anniversary train and donation tickets.