A popular holiday destination, the Lake District is a picturesque region in Cumbria in North West England, consisting of the most vivid lakes and beautiful fells, tarns and mountains. The Lakes or Lakeland as it is also known as has been a great source of inspiration to some of the most renowned poets that include, William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge. These poets highlighted the charm and attraction of this region and they along with some others were termed as the Lake Poets.
The most sought after part in the Lake District is the Lake District National Park, which is one of the fourteen parks in the whole of Great Britain. It is the most mountainous regions in England consisting of the tallest peaks with the tallest being Scafell Pike at 3,210ft. The third highest mountain, the Hellvellyn offers long hiking trails and is great for nature walks, but it is advisable to look up the weather forecast before you venture out into the mountains, as the weather up there is very unpredictable.
Bassenthwaite Lake is the largest of all the lakes in the Lake District and also the only true lake as the others are either meres or waters. The lake is home to a large number of wildlife species apart from which one can indulge in water sports and other activities such as camping etc. There are endless numbers of lakes in the district, all of which have a beauty of their own. Some of the lakes include the Esthwaite Water, Lake Winderemere and Coniston Water to name a few.
Grasmere Lake is the focal point for mountaineers wanting to climb some of the nearby peaks. The lake was made famous by William Wordsworth and the poets who followed him. The nearby Grasmere village gives you an insight to the traditional life in the Lakelands. The Lake District offers some great tourist attractions apart from the mesmerizing natural beauty that surrounds the region.
Wordsworth House in Cockermouth is a fine 1770 town house and the birthplace and childhood home of the famous poet. One can see displays of the life of the poet in this little cottage while costumed actors can be seen enacting the lifestyle of 18th century Cockermouth. Lakeland Miniature Village in Flookburgh, Grange-over-Sands is a beautiful village comprising of 120 traditional Cumbrian houses, all of which have been handmade by Edward Robinson. The village was also home to Beatrix Potter.
The other places of interest include the Aquarium of the Lakes in Newby Bridge, which is a fascinating educational as well as entertainment day trip that one can make with their family. The World of Beatrix Potter, the Haig Colliery Mining Museum, Windermere Steamboats and Museum, Carlisle Cathedral and Abbot Hall Art Gallery are all places that one can explore or visit.
There are several villages in the Lake District that one can visit while those interested in outdoor activities can enjoy horse riding, hiking, fishing and a number of other activities. The Lake District can be arrived at by car or by train, but driving through the naturally rich countryside, can give you a most enjoyable and beautiful view of the enchanting Cumbrian landscape.
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