Interesting facts about the Lake District National Park

Interesting facts about the Lake District National Park

The Lake District National Park is situated in north-west England and is famous for its lakes, mountains and forests which attract visitors from all over the world.

Famous former residents of the Lake District were poet William Wordsworth (1770-1850) and children´s author, Beatrix Potter (1866-1943) who were inspired to write many of their poems and stories while living in the region.

Wordsworth´s former houses, Dove Cottage at Ambleside and Rydal Mount can still be visited today, as can the former house of Beatrix Potter, Hill Top at Sawrey.

Historically shared by the counties of Cumberland, Westmorland and Lancashire, the Lake District now lies within the county of Cumbria. All the land higher than 3,000 feet above sea level lies within the National Park, including Scafell Pike, which is the highest mountain in England at 978 metres. The deepest and longest lakes are also situated in the Lake District – Wastwater and Windermere.

The Lake District was designated as a National Park in 1951, and the area covers 885 square miles.

Tourism in the Lake District became popular in Victorian times when wealthy visitors would arrive to breathe in the fresh country air, which they felt was beneficial to their health. Many bought houses overlooking Windermere which still stand today.

Interesting facts about the Lake District National Park

The Kendal and Windermere Railway was the first railway to be built in the Lake District, reaching Kendal in 1846 and Windermere in 1847. The line was then extended to reach Coniston and Penrith, through Keswick and Cockermouth. The line to Lakeside in Windermere was opened in 1869 to cater to a huge influx of visitors.

The annual number of visitors to the Lake District is 15.8 million and 23.1 million day visitors.

Lake District Weather

The weather in the Lake District can change quickly, and visitors should always come prepared if they are planning walks or hikes through the mountains. The weather in Britain mostly comes from the Atlantic and when the clouds hit the Lake District fells they rise. The water vapor then cools within the clouds, condenses and falls as rain or snow. It can still be cool in the summer during the evening, and layers are the best thing to pack, plus a waterproof jacket.

For walkers and climbers, the temperatures drop one degree for every 150 metres climbed and it can get very cold on high ridges.

Windermere spa hotels

Visitors can choose from a vast choice of accommodation in the Lake District including cottages, spa hotels, boutique hotels and guest houses, plus campsites and hostels throughout the region. Windermere is the most popular place to stay in the Lake District, and it boasts a wide range of luxury hotels and quirky cottages for rent. Accommodation to suit all budgets, tastes and requirements is available, and Windermere is particularly popular with couples looking for romantic weekends away or who are looking to plan a wedding or honeymoon.

Interesting facts about the Lake District National Park

Storr´s Hall was built by John Bolton who dealt exclusively in the slave trade. The slaves were said to have been kept in cellars in Storr´s Hall until buyers could be found for them.

Windermere and Bowness were the second part of England to have electric street lighting, which was supplied by a hydro-electric plant at Troutbeck Bridge. The first was Newcastle upon Tyne.

In 1895 Windermere was frozen over for 6 weeks, making it possible to walk from one side to the other. The lake also froze over in 1864, 1946 and 1963.

Amazingly, the only official lake in the Lake District is Bassenthwaite Lake – all the others are either ´waters´ or ´meres.´

If you are looking for somewhere special to stay in the Lake District, why not book into a Windermere spa hotel and enjoy being pampered! along the way.

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