HPB’s holiday booking service has been rated 4.7 out of 5
based on 14748 customer reviews on Feefo.
Feefo Platinum Award Feefo logo

Your guide to the English Lake District

Posted by Luci Ackers on 22 March 2017
Related property: Braithwaite Court
Your guide to the English Lake District

The Lake District has inspired people for centuries and has become one of the most popular holiday destinations in England. Of the 15 National Parks in the UK, the Lake District is the second largest with an area of almost 2,400 km2. This beautiful region is famous for its lakes and fells, rich moorland and stunning wildlife. 500 million years worth of geological processes have made it home to the highest point (Scafell Pike) and the longest natural lake (Lake Windermere) in England.

Why are we so obsessed with the Lake District?

The Lake District is a wonderful natural phenomenon in Cumbria; a large, circular upland massif that is dissected by valleys and lakes in an almost perfect radial pattern. A bird's eye view of the National Park was once described by Wordsworth in his 1835 Guide through the District of the Lakes as “...a number of vallies […] diverging from the point […] like spokes from the navel of a wheel.”

But our landscapes have not always been viewed with such awe. William Wordsworth was one of several 'Lake Poets', writing during the 19th century. It was the influence of Wordsworth and other Romantic poets that began to alter people's perceptions of the countryside. What was once seen as wild, remote and intimidating was now considered idyllic. The English countryside was idealised and praised in a lot of contemporary poetry, for example through repeated themes in Coleridge's works. Wordsworth, who spent a great portion of his life living in the Lake District, and has become associated with its pastoral acclaim, described the landscape here as “a sort of national property, in which every man has a right and interest who has an eye to perceive and a heart to enjoy”.

Morning view over Derwentwater and Catbells Fell

Appreciation of the countryside continued to grow. By the 1930s activity enthusiasts and nature conservationists such as The Rambler's Association and the Council for the Preservation of Rural England were rallying together to convince the government to protect our country's special places. This finally happened in 1949 when National Parks were established in order to preserve and enhance natural beauty, while providing recreational opportunities for the public. Two years later the Lake District was designated as one.

It has been growing in popularity ever since and is now viewed as an incredibly beautiful place, receiving more than 17 million tourists per year!

Most notable lakes

So where is the best place to go? Well wherever you end up you will find something stunning. But as the National Park's name sake, you really shouldn't miss one of its famous lakes. There are too many lakes, tarns and reservoirs to visit them all, but here are some of the larger ones:

Windermere (14.8km2)

As the largest, Windermere is a great one for water sports and activities. You can take a boat out on the lake or enjoy a day out with one of the adventure companies based around the shore. There are also steamers and launchers travelling back and forward if you fancy taking a relaxing journey across the water or a visit to National Trust's Wray Castle on the west shore.

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/wray-castle

Boats on Windermere

Ullswater (8.9km2)

Ullswater is another good one for sports and boating. If you fancy a pretty walk, it is around the shores of Ullswater that you'll find the famous Aira Force waterfalls.

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/aira-force

Coniston Water (4.0km2)

Coniston Water is home to the National Trust's Victorian Steam Yacht Gondola and John Ruskin's Brantwood House.

www.brantwood.org.uk

Derwentwater (5.5km2)

Derwentwater is a picturesque location for walks, and it was here that Beatrix Potter spent her summer holidays, inspired by its beauty to write some of her most famous works. There are a number of adventure activity companies as well as boat hire. You'll spot pretty little islands in the lake and the surrounding Borrowdale woodlands are home to red squirrels. Please visit our Derwentwater Lake walking guide for more inspiration.

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/borrowdale-and-derwent-water

View of Derwentwater

Bassenthwaite Lake (5.3km2)

As the location of the Lake District Osprey Project, Bassenthwaite is a great one to visit if you're a keen birdwatcher. The stunning birds of prey return to breed each year in the woodland overlooking the lake. You can visit the visitor centre to learn all about the successful recolonisation project that was established here in 2001.

www.ospreywatch.co.uk/wordpress

Female feeding young

Grasmere (0.6km2)

Grasmere was Wordsworth's home for a while where he lived at Dove Cottage and then Allan Bank with his sister Dorothy. You can visit Allan Bank which is now in the care of the National Trust.

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/allan-bank-and-grasmere

The Lake District is an area of immense beauty and grandeur whose incredible scenery is characterised by the striking contrast between the fells and dales. It is also home an array of wildlife in its vast variety of habitats such as red squirrels, rare fish and a number of bird species like kites, buzzards and ospreys. Red deer can also be spotted and fell ponies wander in the mountainous, moorland areas.

Scafell Pike

At 978 metres above sea level, Scafell is England's highest mountain and it's located just to the east of Wast Water. If you want to challenge yourself there are several walking routes that will lead you to the summit. Many tourists start their route from Wasdale Head where there is a little car park you can use. From here you can take either the Corridor Route or the Wasdale Route.

More info here and here.

Hiking the path from Scafell

If mountain climbing isn't quite for you, fear not, the Lake District is crisscrossed with a whole network of public footpaths and trails. Take a look at a few here and here.

Stay at Braithwaite Court in the heart of the Lake District and discover all these amazing places for yourself. Enter your details at the bottom of the page to find out more and receive a free brochure.

Luci Ackers

Luci Ackers

Luci loves getting out and about for a good cycle ride or easy-going walks in the countryside, and thoroughly enjoyed the time she previously spent working for the National Trust. Her love of writing started from a young age and on rainy days nothing beats curling up in a secret corner with a good book.

How can I find out more?

The Holiday Property Bond could do as much for your quality of life as it has done for many thousands of families who have already invested. That's why we invite you to get in touch with us in any of these 3 ways and please don't forget our unique 'Money back promise' and 'interest free loan' options.

Request our brochure Speak to a representative Explore one of our UK sites

Please request our fully illustrated holiday property brochure

Please read "How HPB works" and then we will be delighted to send you our brochure, including our property portfolio, and your FREE copy of Insight Magazine. See the beautiful holiday homes and magnificent locations where you can spend your holidays as a Bondholder and learn how impressed Bondholders have been by our handling of the problems caused by coronavirus.

Please complete and submit the form or, alternatively, telephone our FREE brochure request line on 0800 230 0391

Request a brochure
Title *  
First Name *  
Surname *  
Email address *
Postcode *  
Telephone number
How did you hear about us?

We will use the details you provide above to send you our detailed HPB brochure and keep you updated about HPB holiday offers. Details of how we use the information you provide are in our privacy policy.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

SUBMIT SUBMIT
* Indicates required fields
HPB’s holiday booking service has been rated 4.7 out of 5 based on 14748 customer reviews on Feefo.

You can speak to one of our representatives

Your local HPB representative will be happy to call or video call you at a convenient time for an informal chat. Simply fill in your details and we'll do the rest.

Most of our representatives are Bondholders themselves and all have visited a number of Bond sites.

The representative will give you all the information you need and then leave you to make up your own mind. He or she will talk to you about your holiday requirements and what level of investment is needed to secure the kind of holidays you want.

Video chat now available with a local representative

This request is for new enquiries only, if you are an existing Bondholder please contact us via myBond.

How should we contact you? *  
Title *  
First Name *  
Surname *  
Email address *
Telephone number *  
Post code *  
Preferred Date/Time
Preferred Date/Time 2
Preferred Date/Time 3
OR
Please contact me to arrange a date

Your local representative will contact you to confirm the date and time.

Date/Time *  
How did you hear about us?
Chosen date (choose above) *
Chosen time (choose above) *

We will use the details you provide above for a representative to contact you. Details of how we use the information you provide are in our privacy policy.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

SUBMIT SIGN ME UP
* Indicates required fields


See our stunning holiday properties for yourself

Having a Private Tour at an HPB holiday location is an enjoyable way to see the high standards of furnishings and facilities you could enjoy with HPB. One of our representatives will show you around the site and answer any questions you may have.

Alternatively, you are welcome to book a Personal Presentation at a hotel near you. You can chat to one of our representatives, ask your questions and view the complete portfolio of HPB locations.

BOOK A PRIVATE TOUR OR PERSONAL PRESENTATION

This advertisement is issued by HPB Management Limited (HPBM), the main UK agent and the property manager for HPB, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, registered at HPB House, Newmarket, Suffolk, CB8 8EH. HPB is available exclusively through HPBM. HPB is issued by HPB Assurance Limited (HPBA) registered in the Isle of Man and authorised by the Financial Services Authority there. The Trustee of HPB is Equiom (Isle of Man) Limited, registered at Jubilee Buildings, Victoria Street, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM1 2SH. The Securities Adviser is Stanhope Capital LLP of 35 Portman Square, London W1H 6LR. No medical examination is required.

HPBM promotes only HPB and is not independent of HPBA. Holders of policies issued by HPBA will not be protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme if the company becomes unable to meet its liabilities to them but Isle of Man compensation arrangements apply to new policies.