What To Do In Cumbria On Your Holidays

Cumbria is a fantastically picturesque and ‘happening’ county in the UK with one major draw – Cumbria is home to the stunning Lake District.

The Lake District is one of the most scenic regions in Britain, with many great lakes and walks, bustling traditional market towns and huge annual events that attract thousands.

If you’re planning a holiday and are looking for something a bit different to a Europe city break or relaxing sunny beach, here are some of the fun things you can do in Cumbria.

Walking in Cumbria

Cumbria is renowned for its great walks, hikes and rambles around the valleys and fells of the Lake District.

One of the great Cumbrian epicentres for walks in the Lake District is Keswick. This small, traditional market town sees thousands of tourists rolling in and out of its cottages and hotels every year to tread the paths of some stunning routes including Castle Crag and the Coledale Peaks.

Events in the Lake District and Surrounding Areas

Thousands of people flock the Cumbria each year to see one of the many great annual events, from the very popular Keswick Mountain Festival with its challenging sporting events and live music tent next to the lake, to Kendal Torchlight Festival where crazy costumes and lit fire medieval style torches are paraded through the streets on what is an historic event for the Lake District.

The Winter Driving Festival is another massively popular calling, as are the Carlisle Fireshow by the castle and the Taste of Cumbria Food Festival.

Historic Market Towns and Villages

Renowned for its plethora of stunning lakes and fell walks, Cumbria also boasts a number of market towns that are well worth a visit, or indeed a great base to begin your Lakeland adventure.

One of the most popular is the holiday cottages in Keswick. This town is perhaps the most popular tourist area in the region with a great array of local produce shops, great pubs and its close vicinity to a number of the most famous walking trails and pathways.

Other popular towns include the historic Kendal famous for those mint cakes, the pretty port of Whitehaven that’s extremely popular during the summer months, Bowness-on-Windermere which sits on the banks of a picturesque lake, and the York-like Penrith just outside the Lake District boundaries.

 The Lakes are what makes the Lake District

This really is a given, but the vast bodies of water that reside within this wettest region in the UK are what gives this area its name, but also its tourist heritage.

Lake Windermere is perhaps the most scenic, as are the views of Ullswater from mount Helvellyn. Derwentwater is particularly popular too with photographers, with the waters surface seemingly changing moods throughout the day as it reflects the morning sunrise and evening sunset.

Bring your camera, your camping chairs, your loved ones. Even bring your dogs with plenty of pet friendly cottages in the Lake District to choose from.