Lake District National Park

The Lake District National park is located within the county of Cumbria. The national park covers an area of 885 square miles approximately one third of Cumbria making this the largest park within England. The park is located between the towns of Calbeck to the North and Lindale to the South, from Ravenglass in the West and Shap in the East. There are over 40,000 people living within the park land. The area attracts 12 million visitors a year.
The National Park can be reached by either road or rail. The M6 Motorway travels north through the centre of Cumbria - junction 36 for Kendal for the areas around Windermere and junction 40 for Penrith the Northern area of the Park.

The Lake District is also referred to as ‘The Lake’ or ‘Lakeland’, and is one of England’s few mountainous regions. A major part of the park is control by the National Trust's who most important work is the conservation of about one quarter of the Lake District National Park. The central fell area and the major valley heads are owned or held on lease by the trust including 91 farms, twenty four lakes and tarns, and much of their shoreline are also fully protected. There are also 6000 known archaeological sites, 200 ancient monuments and 21 conservation areas

The lakes were also home to the poet William Wordworth and the author Beatrix Potter was in residence at Hill Top Farm. The Lake District is totally suited to the outdoor enthusiast and is an ideal for base for your Lake District walking holiday and voted time and again the ‘Walkers favourite destination’. The area has become popular for ‘Fell Walking’, the word ‘Fell’ is the local name for a hill or mountain. Alfred Wainwright became famous for his pictorial guides of the Lakeland fells all hand written and drawn.

Fell walking has become very popular, however to choose the right equipment is the responsibility of the individual, however no matter what time of the year the weather can change and the fell can be very dangerous.
It is always advisable to let someone know where you are going. For the person venturing on the fells a good knowledge of compass work and navigation is advisable, also good maps (The Ordnance Survey have produced an ‘Outdoor Leisure’ Map of this area Scale size 1:25000), walking boots and protective clothing should also be taken.

The fell ranges of the Lake District consist of slate which is about 500 million years old; the central ranges of younger volcanic rock; and a southern range of limestone and other rock both about 440 million years old.
The fells are dissected by U-shaped valleys which are known as dales, containing the Lakes, some of which are artificial and all but one of which do not have the word “lake” in their names, being known instead as “meres” (Windermere, Grasmere, Thirlmere) or “waters” (Ullswater, Wastwater, Coniston Water); with the exception of Bassenthwaite Lake. The deepest lake is Wastwater 74 metres (243ft) on the West side of the area also home to England’s only pair of nesting golden eagles and the longest lake windermere 10.5 miles long on the East side.

The Lakes include Scafell Pike which is the highest mountain in England 978 metres or 3210 feet and is the largest of the area known as the Scafell pikes.
For the less adventurist the lake district offer leisurely Steam boat trips on the major lakes of Ulswater, Windermere, Coniston water and Derwentwater
The Lake District is classed as one of the Mecca’s for walking outdoor pursuits in the British Isles the perfect base for your Lake District Walking Holiday some hotels that make an ideal base for your holiday are:

Hotels and B&B>>>Lake District National Park