The Lake District sits within Cumbria, in the
northwest of England, and is home to a series of expansive lakes
and rocky mountains that together form some of the most strikingly
beautiful vistas in the country.
The landscape is a mix of rolling farmlands, green
valleys and heather-covered moors, interrupted here and there by
bustling towns and villages that have been popular holiday
destinations in England for hundreds of years.
Despite attracting more than 10 million visitors each
year, the Lake District retains its peaceful and pastoral
atmosphere, and hikers can go for miles without seeing any living
creatures but sheep and cows.
The Lake District is the largest national park in
England and stretches some 885 square miles (2,292 sq km), from
Caldbeck in the north to Lindale in the south, and from Ravenglass
in the west to Shap in the east.
Each of the lakes within the area has its own
character: Windermere, Grasmere, and Ullswater are considered the
prettiest, but those wishing to avoid the crowds can head for Wast
Water, Crummock Water, or Buttermere.
Some of Cumbria's famous residents include William
Wordsworth, Robert Southey, Beatrix Potter, and John Ruskin, all
writers and poets who drew inspiration from the land and the lakes.
Today, the rugged beauty of Cumbria and the Lake District continues
to inspire both visitors and locals alike, and it remains one of
the most popular regions in England.