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Visiting? Get all the information you need on our amenities and services

Find details for Lake District National Park Information Centres, car parks, electric vehicle charging, visitor centres, frequently asked questions, and more.

For more information and guidance about visiting the National Park, head to our visitor frequently asked questions page.

 

Use the menu links below to navigate around this page and discover our range of visitor facilities.


Lake District National Park Information Centres

Make the most of your visit to the Lake District.

Our friendly knowledgeable staff are here to help you get the best out of your stay in the Lake District. Whether you need advice on local attractions, walking and cycling routes, or transport options, we’ve got you covered. Enjoy free WiFi, browse our selection of maps, books, and guides, or pick up a special gift or souvenir to remember your trip. Some of our information centres have cafes and bike hire. Visit our information centre pages below.

A couple stood looking into the Ullswater visitor centre

Ullswater Information Centre

Ullswater Information Centre is located at Beckside Car Park, Glenridding. Open seven days a week throughout April to October 9.30am to 5:30pm and open November to March 9:30am to 3.30pm Saturdays and Sundays.

Visit Ullswater IC
a view of the Bowness information centre

Bowness on Windermere Information Centre

This Lake District visitor centre on the shores of Windermere is the ultimate start to your Lake District visit and offers a wealth of activities.

Visit the Windermere IC
Hawkshead information centre. Grey stone two story building by a road on a blue sky day

Hawkshead Information Centre

To make the most of your visit, pop in for leaflets, guides and advice from our friendly advisers about the local area of Hawkshead and the rest of the Lake District National Park. Open 9.30am to 4:30pm, seven days a week and with bike hire and shop available on site.

Visit the Hawkshead IC
Outside the front of Coniston Information Centre. Triangular roof framing large green wooden framed glass windows. Blue centre sign at the top of the door. Yellow and navy triangle bunting strung mid-way across the entrance. Grey tarmac ground surrounding

Coniston Information Centre

Pop in for leaflets, guides and advice from our friendly advisers about the local area of Coniston and the rest of the Lake District National Park. Located at Ruskin Avenue, LA21 8EH. Open 9.30am to 4:30pm, seven days a week and bike hire is available here.

Visit the Coniston IC

Public toilets

We run various toilets across the national park – these are shown on the map and labelled LDNPA on our public toilets page. If they have baby changing facilities, these are labelled. Other toilets run by councils may have changing facilities too. Please contact these councils directly to check.

wooden path signpost next to a stone path winding through green lake district fields, woodland and hills

Explore by map

Plan your Lake District visit using our explore map of the Park. Find nearby facilities, including toilets, car parks and Information Centres, to make your trip easier.

Brockhole on Windermere and Coniston Boating Centre

large white country house behind a grass garden, framed by purple garden flowers

Brockhole

Brockhole house and gardens sits on the shores of Windermere and is the ultimate start to your Lake District visit.

Visit the Brockhole website
two adult females leaning out of glass window smiling

Coniston Boating Centre

At Coniston Boating Centre, we offer a wide range of boats to suit every adventurer, from motorboats and rowing boats to sit-on-top kayaks, open-top Canadian canoes, and paddleboards. Stop by to find out more information on Coniston Water and the surrounding area.

Further information

Accessible for all

adult female wheelchair user on wide gravel path by grasmere lake

Wheelchair and scooter hire

Enjoy the Lake District with ease.

We want everyone to experience the beauty of the Lake District, whatever their needs. We’re here to help make your visit enjoyable and stress-free. Wheelchairs and scooters are available to hire.

Hiring information
Young family, mum pushing pushchair and dad and grandad walking alongside on a gravelled path with Windermere lake and mountains behind

Miles Without Stiles

We have 50 Miles without Stiles routes across the Lake District National Park.

Miles without Stiles are walking routes for everyone. They take you along lake shores and riversides, to tarns and through woods, historic remains, and fell summits with amazing views.

 

See our accessible routes

Learning and conservation

The Lake District National Park is famous for its stunning scenery, abundant wildlife and cultural heritage. The Lake District National Park Authority exists partly to promote opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of the Park by the public.

Two young children and adult female instructor sat amongst orange and green reeds and tall grasses on a wooden platform. The children and adult are wearing outdoor coats, holding a ponds net above a vegetation covered pond

Learning

Learning about the rich history of the Lake District National Park and World Heritage Site. In the learning area you can find information about the area, how it is managed, as well as great attractions for children, whatever the weather.

 

Learning

Archaeology and history

People have changed and shaped the Lake District landscape for thousands of years. The evidence is everywhere! Learn how the Lake District evolved into what you see today, see historical places to visit and find out everything you need for your school project with our Lake District history education resources.

Learn about our past
woodland covering sloping fells with lake below

Tree preservation

Trees are an important part of our towns and villages, as well as the countryside. We conserve our valuable trees and woodlands through Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs). Learn more by visiting our tree preservation pages.

Tree preservation order list
Closeup of butterfly

Conservation areas

Conservation areas are legally defined as areas of ‘special architectural or historic interest, the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance’. The special character relates to the quality and interest of an area as a whole rather than just individual buildings. There are a number of conservation areas across the Lake District, to learn more, visit our conservation area pages linked below.

Our Conservation Areas
Adult woman from behind, wearing a black coat and light blue knit bobble hat, holding a photo taking a photo. Background is blurred, showing glowing green fields and brown trees Adult woman from behind, wearing a black coat and light blue knit bobble hat, holding a photo taking a photo. Background is blurred, showing glowing green fields and brown trees

Webcams, videos and photos

Experience the beauty of the Lake District from wherever you are! Our collection of live webcams, breathtaking photos, and inspiring videos gives you a glimpse into this spectacular landscape. Check out real-time views from across the National Park, explore our free photo gallery, and watch videos showcasing the stunning scenery and the work being done to protect it.

family cycling on a concrete path through green grasses and woodland

Frequently asked questions

For further information about the Lake District National Park, visit our frequently asked questions page.