Lake District Tourism

Since the late 16th Century visitors have been enjoying the scenery and diverse landscape of the Lake District, towards the end of the 18th Century the area became very popular which led to the publication of the first Tourism Guide to the Lakes which was written by Father Thomas West, this was the start of an era of tourism.

Scenic spot view points started to popup around the 1790’s to allow visitors perfect panoramic views of Lakeland and its surrounding fells this allowed tourists to appreciate the qualities the area had to offer.

William Wordsworth published his own Guide to the Lakes in 1810, this was very successful in helping tourism grow and gave a real boost in visitor numbers to the Lake District. The book is in it’s fith edition and is called A Guide through the District of the Lakes in the North of England

The arrival of the Railway

In 1847 the town of Windermere was linked to Kendal via rail, Oxenholme Station in Kendal ran through to Windermere Station, in 1948 the line was continued to Coniston, the Northern Lake District were linked to Penrith via Cockermouth and Keswick in 1865 the last line to open was the line to Lakeside at Windermere.

Tourist numbers increased with the arrival of the railway wich direclty contributed to the growth of whats now known as the Lake District Tourism Industry.

Steamers & Boat cruises

Steam cruises were launched on the major Lakes to offer visitors a different view of the landscape which also helped atrract even more visitors, tourism was now well underway.

Lake Windermere | Windermere Lake Cruises

Coniston Water | Coniston Launch

Ullswater | Ullswater steamers

Derwent Water | Keswick Launch

Tourism Stats

Tourist Statistics

Main Tourist Towns

Windermere Bowness on Windermere Ambleside Coniston Hawkshead Keswick

All Towns & Villages

Towns and Villages

Lake District Categories

Northern Lake District Southern Lake District Western Lake District Eastern Lake District

Lake District Lakes and Waters

Lake Windermere Coniston Water Derwent Water Ullswater