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Welcome to the Western Lake District & Coast: a striking area encompassing an awe-inspiring coastline, breathtaking countryside, and a whole host of things to see and do.
Discover secluded beaches, majestic castles, hidden lakes and awe-inspiring mountains. There are some of Cumbria’s most striking landscapes here, including the Solway Coast National Landscape and two UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
From seaside villages to pretty market towns, there’s plenty to explore in this part of Cumbria. In the south, you’ll find places like Silecroft, Bootle and Ravenglass - which has the accolade of being in two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the English Lake District and the Frontiers of the Roman Empire. It’s also the only coastal village in the Lake District National Park!
Coastal towns like Whitehaven, Maryport and Silloth highlight the region’s rich maritime history. Uncover our industrial heritage in towns and villages like Millom, Cleator Moor, Egremont and Workington. Visit the birthplace of William Wordsworth in the market town of Cockermouth and visit St Bees where Mr Bean actor Rowan Atkinson went to school.
Delve into the area’s past with interactive museums telling tales of smugglers, the spice trade, and the Romans who once patrolled these shores. In Whitehaven, visit The Beacon Museum and The Rum Story for maritime history and heritage, or head to the Senhouse Roman Museum in Maryport to learn more about Roman history along the Cumbrian coast. William Wordsworth was born in the Cumbrian town of Cockermouth; today, you can visit his former home at Wordsworth House.
For a great family day out, visit attractions like the Lake District Coast Aquarium in Maryport and Muncaster Castle, home to a Medieval weapons hall and hawk & owl centre. Nearby, you can take a scenic trip on a steam train through the Lake District at the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway.
Fancy a trip to the beach? You’ll be spoilt for choice! St Bees, Silecroft, Drigg and Allonby are just a few of the beaches to be found along the Cumbrian coast. As well as being a great place to relax or enjoy a walk, they’re also home to a rich variety of nature and wildlife. Why not try horse riding on the beach with Cumbrian Heavy Horses at Silecroft beach, or puffin spotting amid the towering red sandstone cliffs at St Bees: the only designated Heritage Coast between Wales and Scotland.
Further north, the Solway Coast National Landscape offers much to explore while inland, the Lake District National Park is known for its stunning lakes and waters, including Wastwater, Crummock Water and Buttermere; as well as the Wild Ennerdale National Nature Reserve.
These landscapes were made for adventure, with walking routes to be found in abundance. The King Charles III England Coast Path runs in sections along the coast: challenge yourself to walk the entire route, or pick a section for a shorter stroll. The popular Coast to Coast National Trail begins in St Bees.
There are Wainwright walks aplenty, including Scafell Pike: England’s highest mountain.
For lower level walking, try family-friendly routes like the Eskdale Trail, or Miles Without Stiles: a collection of 50+ walking routes across the Lake District.
The Western Lake District & Coast is home to a rich food and drink scene, with independent makers and producers alongside fantastic places to eat. This is the home of the Cumberland Sausage, while spices once imported into ports like Whitehaven are still used in local delicacies today.
There are farmers markets across the area, as well as Taste Cumbria Food Festivals in Maryport, Wigton, Cockermouth and the nearby city of Carlisle.
Head northwards up the Cumbrian coast to savour ice cream at Allonby and the Victorian seaside town of Silloth, The newly completed cycle route between the two is part of Hadrian’s Cycleway. Why not venture a little further inland to William Wordsworth’s birthplace of Cockermouth and its tasty mix of foodie hotspots, traditional pubs and independent shops.
The Georgian town of Whitehaven has a rich maritime heritage and a few spicy tales of smugglers. It also has an unusual claim to fame: it was reputedly used as the template for the expansion of New York in the mid-18th century! Check out family fun at the Beacon Museum and the nearby Lake District Coast Aquarium in Maryport.
Also in Maryport, the Senhouse Roman Museum is home to the country’s oldest private collection of Roman treasures. The Hadrian’s Wall World Heritage Site runs down the western coast to Ravenglass, where the remains of the bath house at Ravenglass Roman Fort are among Britain’s tallest remaining Roman structures.
If you’re heading for the western lakes, the chances are you’re after somewhere more secluded and perhaps a little more rugged. The remote Eskdale and Ennerdale valleys are true testaments to the beauty of the area.
Funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and is supported by Cumberland Council and Sellafield.
The Newcastle Rugby Foundation and Cumbria Rugby are delighted to announce an exciting touch rugby…
Askambury is a small music festival where our local community can come together to enjoy a day of…
A celebration of live performance across the town; 20+ venues; 70+ acts; almost all are free and…
Visitors to the museum can join one of our knowledgeable volunteers for a guided tour around the…
Local arts charity Signal Film and Media with Photographers Nicholas J.R. White and Dawn Parsonage…
Weekly Friday Market. Good range of Local fresh produce and cakes. Also gifts and household…
This summer, discover a different kind of Lake District experience. Yoga in the Park is your…
We are pleased to announce that our new Shipyard Town gallery is fully open. We are honoured to…
The full Buck Moon in Capricorn celebrates the vibrant energy of the summer, when the young male…
Tuesday 1st July '25 An accurately measured and certified 10k road race. Start/Finish:…
Welcome to Rosehill's first ever West Coast Comedy Festival. An all-day event featuring 4 great…
A 5-hour course with an expert, which includes ID work, tasting wild ingredients and a…
Join us at Ravenglass Railway Museum in 2025, as we celebrate 150 years of the Ravenglass and…
We're excited to be working with talented photographer and teacher, Dave Wilson, to bring you this…
Make a bowl or wall hanging in this glass fusing class with Roxanne Denny of RD Glass. Have fun…
Bowels of Fleetwith Fell Race Experience one of the most unique fell races in the Lake District!…
DIRECT FROM THE WORLD FAMOUS CAVERN CLUB, LIVERPOOL Having now performed over 200 shows at the…
Join photographer Steve Blake in our beautiful woodland environment. Taster sessions are the…
Base Camp Festival is the small and friendly festival for outdoor lovers aged 18 and over. Based in…
Cockermouth Live! brings joyful West African vibe to the Kirkgate! Energetic young master musician…
1980s themed party night with DJ Al-Turnative. Come in fancy dress and enjoy a night of bopping a…
An extraordinary photographic exhibition documenting the stories of 40 Cumbrian farmers comes to…
Weekly Saturday Market. A good range of fresh produce, cakes, gifts and household essentials.
Join photographer Steve Blake in our beautiful woodland environment. Full day workshops are…
the western lakes has a rich history, brilliantly told
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Lamplugh Rd, Cockermouth
Based in Cockermouth, on the edge of the Lake District, Wellington Farm have Six Luxury Glamping pods all with 7ft Hydrotherapy Hot Tubs and an onsite café & Tearooms. Beautiful panoramic views of the Western Lake District fells.
Barrow-in-Furness
Built in a historic nineteenth century dock, the museum is home to a wealth of objects on the social and industrial history of the Furness area. The museum is a great day out for all with a popular playground, attractive Channelside walks, cafe…
Eskdale, Holmrook
Experience the great outdoors at Parkgate Farm, offering a variety of 9 large camping pitches (5 with electric hook-up, and 4 without) and one camping pod. Take advantage of the amenities including family shower rooms, separate toilets, washing-up…
Ravenglass
Set in the beautiful gardens of Muncaster Castle, the Hawk & Owl Centre offers exhilarating bird of prey flying displays from Easter to Christmas.
Braithwaite
Braithwaite House is a newly renovated 18th century house, hosting four private en suite apartments, and an old village shop & tea room on the ground floor. Our aim is to pay homage to village life and keep it alive here in Braithwaite; whilst also…
Keswick
Sally's Cottages is an award-winning, local, family run holiday cottage letting agency in Keswick with 500 self-catering holiday cottages in the Lake District and Cumbria, including over 270 dog-friendly cottages.
Keswick
5* holiday park on the shores of Bassenthwaite.
Great Clifton, Workington
Enjoy delicious meals and afternoon teas in our restaurant, The Conservatory at the Melbreak.
Open between 12pm - 2pm, 5pm – 9pm Monday to Friday, and 12pm – 9pm Saturday and Sunday.
Afternoon Teas served between 2:30pm and 4:30pm daily –…
Seascale
This two bedroom self catering holiday home located in the western Lake District is full of character, making it a perfect holiday home for families, couples and friends alike, with all amenities located on your doorstep.
Eskdale
There is gorge scrambling, there is canyoning, then there is The Esk Gorge. A mega place with massive jumps into crystal clear waters. The pools are deep and big offering lots of swimming and scrambling along the rocky edges too.
Brocklebank, Wigton
Wallace Lane Farm Glamping & Lodge Park offers a range of the latest luxury glamping cabins and lodges, all with parking, hot tubs and wi-fi. Pet and family friendly site.
St Bees
Stone House Farm is a friendly family-run B&B in a large modernised Georgian farmhouse situated in the centre of St. Bees village. Situated near to the railway station and close to the local shops, restaurants and hotels.
Barrow-in-Furness
A Premium Hotel & Wedding Venue based in Barrow in Furness in Cumbria. Set in 14 acres of private woodland and gardens with 59 beautifully decorated rooms with a rosette acclaimed Bar & Restaurant, Oscar's. It's one of the Lake Districts hidden gems…
Whinlatter Pass, Keswick
"Cafe Ambio at Whinlatter Forest is set in the beautiful location of Whinlatter Forest, nestled in the treetops. We offer modern cafe food, and brilliant coffee. We use local suppliers to showcase the best food that Cumbria has to offer. Everything…
Workington
Armidale Cottages B&B is set in half an acre of land with a small orchard. Built in the 16thC the cottages have been lovingly renovated to a very high standard, retaining many of the original features.
Cumbria
Leave the tarmac of urban running far behind and explore incredible landscapes only accessible on foot. With flexible itineraries to suit any pace, reliable daily luggage transfers and comfortable accommodation, our holidays provide complete peace…
Various locations in Cumbria
Tailor made self guided, walking, cycling and touring holidays with luxury and classic accommodation showing you the hidden gems of the area.
Braithwaite, Keswick
We are a relaxed, gourmet getaway nestled in Whinlatter Forest, the only true mountain forest in England, with nine contemporary rooms offering woodland or garden views, it’s a haven of tranquillity and relaxation.
Braithwaite, Keswick
Based at the head of England's best trail centre, the Altura trail in Whinlatter Forest, Keswick. A well stocked trail centre bike shop offering premium bike hire, fast repairs and premium road and mountain bike sales. We also offer guiding and…
Ravenglass
La'aL Ratty, the little Cumbrian railway, is an award-winning heritage visitor attraction and Lake District icon, living up to its “must do” reputation for all ages. There are lots of things to do including shopping facilities, a museum,…
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Cumbria Tourism, Windermere Road, Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 9PL