
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 favouriteNewby Bridge
A four-star hotel and Elemis spa directly on the southern shore of Lake Windermere, with newly renovated Lakeside Suites, l...
Cumbria Guru favouriteWindermere
A characterful boutique self check-in stay in central Windermere, offering individually styled en-suite rooms, keyless acce...
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 favouriteNewby Bridge
A four-star hotel and Elemis spa directly on the southern shore of Lake Windermere, with newly renovated Lakeside Suites, l...
Cumbria Guru favouriteWindermere
An intimate luxury country-house hotel above Windermere with 12 individually designed rooms, 67 acres of grounds, a Micheli...
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…
Exhibition
A free community exhibition at Rosehill Theatre, open Wednesday to Saturday until 22 August 2026.
Family Activity
Free creative make-and-play sessions at Rosehill, running Wednesday to Saturday until 22 August.
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.
Plan Hawkshead Show 2026 with the 9am-5pm times, current ticket prices, showfield directions, livestock programme, 12 noon fell race and children's sports.