
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.

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.

Windermere is a busy south Lakes town with a railway station, shops, restaurants and immediate access to Orrest Head, Bowness and the wider lake district transport network.
CumbriaGuru favouriteKeswick
A four-star Borrowdale hotel overlooking Derwentwater, combining rooms and suites, an award-winning adults-only spa, two dest…
CumbriaGuru favouriteWindermere
A four-star Lake Windermere resort between Windermere and Ambleside, combining contemporary rooms, the Winander Club, an awar…
CumbriaGuru favouriteWindermere
A characterful boutique self check-in stay in central Windermere, offering individually styled en-suite rooms, keyless access…
FeaturedKeswick
A luxury country-house hotel beside Bassenthwaite Lake, combining 41 individually designed rooms, an award-winning spa, lake-…
FeaturedCarlisle
An award-winning independent Carlisle venue for live music, comedy, theatre and special events, with a varied programme throu…
FeaturedRavenglass
A celebrated 15-inch-gauge heritage railway carrying passengers seven scenic miles from coastal Ravenglass through the Eskdal…
FeaturedWindermere
A brand-new indoor BeWILDerwood play experience at Brockhole for children aged 0 to 12, with tree-top tunnels, river-rapid pl…
Portinscale
Alpacaly Ever After is a wildlife and family attraction in Portinscale, offering an engaging way to explore local history, la…
Keswick
Honister Slate Mine is an outdoor or adventure attraction in Keswick, offering an engaging way to explore local history, land…
CumbriaGuru favouriteKeswick
An award-winning Pan-Asian restaurant at Lodore Falls Hotel & Spa, serving sushi, sashimi, tempura, ramen, curries, grilled d…
CumbriaGuru favouriteWindermere
A four-star Lake Windermere resort between Windermere and Ambleside, combining contemporary rooms, the Winander Club, an awar…
FeaturedKeswick
FeaturedKeswick
A luxury country-house hotel beside Bassenthwaite Lake, combining 41 individually designed rooms, an award-winning spa, lake-…
Theatre
The final 2026 performance of Theatre by the Lake's production of Nell Gwynn on 1 August.
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.
Family Workshop
Creative summer drama sessions for children aged 12 and under on 5, 12 and 19 August.
Sport plays a central role in life across Cumbria. From historic football and rugby clubs to village cricket teams and world-famous outdoor challenges, the county has a sporting identity shaped by both its communities and its landscape. Whether you are a…
The New Year is a time for fresh starts, quieter landscapes and seeing familiar places in a new light. Across Cumbria and the Lake District, January brings a calmer pace, dramatic winter scenery and the perfect excuse to explore without the crowds. Whether…
We treated ourselves to Skate By the Lake at Another Place near Ullswater as a Christmas day out, and it turned out to be a truly special family experience. We booked the 4pm session, which was perfect timing; skating as the sun dipped behind the mountains…