Poetic Artistry at its Best

The inspiration behind many a poet, the serene Lake District has majestic peaks and glorious lakes that form the UK’s largest and most visited national park.

A particular favourite of Wordsworth, Windermere is England’s longest lake and her waters are still plied by historic boats. With a range of luxury Lake District hotels and a Beatrix Potter Museum, the town is connected by cable-operated car ferry to a spot close to Near Sawrey where Miss Potter once lived. Near the lake’s northern tip is popular Ambleside, home of the Stock Ghyll Force waterfall.

A road goes north from here past picturesque Grasmere and Thirlmere lake to Keswick. Set by Derwent Water, this pretty town is overlooked by Skiddaw, while Scafell Pike – England’s highest mountain – is to its south-west. Bassenthwaite lake is north-west, and Glenridding to the east is on the shores of the popular sailing spot of Ullswater, watched over by Helvellyn.

In the Southern Lakes, Coniston is a small village by a lake offering watersports. South-west is the port town of Barrow-in-Furness, and also by the sea is Grange-over-Sands with its long promenade. Kendal is known for its tasty mint cake and has a museum of Lakeland life, as well as a good range of Lake District hotels with pools on Booking.com.