The Complete Guide to Visiting Cumbria: The UK’s Beautiful Best Kept Secret
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Cumbria is one of the most beautiful places in England and a must-see for any lover of the great outdoors. Set in the rugged, mountainous area known as the Lake District, this region has something for everyone – from long walking trails to waterfalls, plenty of lakes and rivers perfect for fishing, as well as historic sites and castles and churches.
Cumbria’s natural beauty makes it a fantastic destination for those who enjoy spending time outside. You can hike or go on guided walks in the Lake District through one of its many forests or take a stroll along one of its riverbanks.
If you are more adventurous and want to get into nature even more deeply, go canoeing or rafting on one of its many rivers.
Alternatively, if you prefer to stay dry while admiring nature from a distance, there are many beautiful hilltops where you can stop and admire the scenic views with a picnic basket in hand. In this post, you will learn all you need to know about visiting Cumbria.
Table of Contents
- The Basics
- Plan Your Visit
- Things to do in Cumbria
- Where to stay
- Food and Dining Options
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
The Basics
The Lake District, which is the most famous part of Cumbria, is located in the north of England, in the county of Cumbria. The South Cumbria region is located on the southern side of the Lake District and features the towns of Kendal and Barrow-in-Furness.
The North Cumbria region is more rural and features the towns of Penrith, Carlisle, and Cockermouth. Cumbria is the 4th largest county in England and has a population of about half a million people.
It is located in the northwest of the country, along the border with Scotland. The capital city of Cumbria is Carlisle, which is also the largest city in the area.
Plan Your Visit
When to visit
The best time for visiting Cumbria is from April to October. If you visit during the spring months from March to May, you might have to deal with some heavy showers, as it’s the rainy season.
Where to stay
There are a lot of charming bed and breakfasts in Cumbria, as well as many luxury hotels. If you are looking for an authentic (and more affordable) experience, you should stay in a hostel. There are lots of options for places to stay when you are visiting Cumbria.
Scroll down further to see our best recommendations for where to stay when you come on your visit to Cumbria.
What to pack
The weather in Cumbria can be unpredictable, so make sure to pack lots of layers and rain gear in your suitcase.
You might also want to bring a pair of hiking boots, as there are plenty of spots for hiking in this region.
You will want to make sure you are fully prepared for anything when you are visiting Cumbria.
Things to do in Cumbria
Visit the Lake District National Park
The Lake District National Park is the most famous part of Cumbria. It’s the perfect place to hike, go on a boat ride, or even go skiing in the winter months.
You can visit famous lakes like Windermere, Ullswater, and Coniston.
Alternatively, you can visit the mountains (called fells) like Scafell Pike, where you can go on guided walks in the Lake District.
This is one of the must-visit spots when you are visiting Cumbria. The Lake District offers stunning scenic views and is home to wildlife like red squirrels.
It’s also known for its connections to famous figures like Beatrix Potter and Wordsworth.
Check Out The Best Lake District Attractions
Check out Brogan Tate’s amazing vlog exploring the Lake District so you can see some of the more amazing things to do here.
Alternatively, you can check out my guide to things to do in the Lake District.
Visit one of the many castles and stately homes
There are plenty of beautiful castles and stately homes in Cumbria that are worth a visit. The most famous one is probably Dalton Castle.
However, Muncaster Castle and Brougham Castle also make for wonderful visits.
This is a great day out for all the family, and history lovers will greatly enjoy the part these historic sites play in the history of the UK.
Go on a long walk in the Lake District
There are plenty of Lake District walking routes and trails, especially in the Lake District National Park. The most famous one is probably the trail from Keswick to Grasmere, which is about 16 miles long.
Alternatively, you can go on guided walks in the Lake District in the forests near the towns of Grange-over-Sands and Windermere. For extra committed hikers, You can take walks that are nearing 100 miles in length too.
These include the Hadrians Wall Path, the Dales Way, and the Cumbria Way. There are also many circular walks in the Lake District and easy walks in the Lake District for those looking for more accessible routes.
Some popular Lake District hikes include Catbells, Castle Crag, Wansfell Pike, and Stickle Ghyll. You can also find walks near Windermere, Ambleside, Buttermere, Borrowdale, Langdale, Derwent Water, Tarn Hows, Crummock Water, and Gowbarrow.
Many of these Lake District walking routes pass by scenic tarns, waterfalls like Aira Force, and old copper mines.
Go on a day trip to Scotland
If you want to visit another country, but don’t have enough time for a proper vacation, you can travel to Scotland from Cumbria’s northern towns.
The northernmost parts of Cumbria lie right up against the Scottish border. You should definitely take the opportunity to visit while you’re in the area.
This is one of the particularly special things you can take advantage of when visiting Cumbria
Where to stay
Cumbria has a wide range of places to stay, from charming bed and breakfasts to luxe hotels. If you’re looking for a more authentic experience, staying at a B&B is the way to go.
If you want a more luxurious experience, stay at a hotel. You can stay in the city of Carlisle, which is the largest city in Cumbria.
Alternatively, you can stay in the cities of Barrow-in-Furness, Kendal, and Penrith, which are in the south of the county.
Here are our top 5 recommendations for places to stay in Cumbria:
Haweswater Hotel – A stunning character hotel in Bampton, with some of the best views in Cumbira.
Inglenook Cottage – An adorable and homely cottage in Grange-upon-Sands for the authentic Lake District experience.
Crake Trees Manor – A converted barn with modern furnishings – lots of space and only 15 miles from Penrith.
The Rockefeller Apartments – Beautiful and luxurious apartments set in the hiking hills of Bowness-upon-Windermere.
Moss Grove Organic – A luxurious 5-star accommodation in Grasmere, designed to be both environmentally friendly and high-end.
Food and Dining Options
Cumbria is a great place for lovers of traditional British food, especially in the Lake District.
You can visit the pubs in the area for a taste of the famous Cumbrian pie, or you can go to one of the many cafés and restaurants to try some other local dishes.
If you want to try some international food, go to one of the Asian or Indian restaurants in the city of Carlisle.
Alternatively, the city of Kendal has many good Spanish, Italian, and Mexican restaurants.
Here are our top 5 recommendations for places to eat in Cumbria:
The Old Stamp House – Small and welcoming fine dining in Ambleside
The Clickham Inn – A traditional English pub with delicious traditional pub food.
The Fairydust Emporium Cafe – A haven for delicious sweet treats – especially the amazing high tea.
Tacos Del Sol – For Mexican lovers, this takeaway must not be missed.
The Green Housekeeper Cafe – Fresh and hearty food, including homemade cakes in Coniston.
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion
Cumbria is an amazing part of English to visit. Just over the border from Scotland, home to the Lake District and some beautiful northern towns. This is a great spot for hikers, foodies, cyclists and photographers. Not to mention the inspirations the Lake District can provide for artists of various mediums. This county has to be one of my personal favourites in the whole UK.
Thank you so much for reading and I hope to see you back here again soon.
Ta-ta for now! x
