A World Heritage day out in the Lake District
Celebrate the English Lake District World Heritage Site by exploring the unique features that gave it a UNESCO World Heritage Site status. We suggest places to visit and things to spot on a day out in the Lake District, upcoming anniversary dates for your diary and stories about the work we’re doing to look after this special place.
What is a World Heritage Site?
The purpose of the World Heritage list is to identify properties that have “Outstanding Universal Value”; a “cultural and/or natural significance which is so exceptional as to transcend national boundaries and to be of common importance for present and future generations of all humanity” (Operational Guidelines for the World Heritage Convention 2023, Para 49).
The Lake District was given the inscription in 2017 under the cultural landscape category. The spectacular landscape of the Lake District has been shaped by farming, industry, picturesque landscape design and the conservation movement. It stimulated poets and artists of the romantic movement from the late 18th century and conservationists from the 19th century.
A World Heritage itinerary
Take inspiration from historic poets, authors and artists
Visit the birthplace of William Wordsworth in Grasmere and see where he got his inspiration from for his poems, or visit the shores of Ullswater from his favourite Daffodil poem ‘I wandered lonely as a cloud.’ Explore the home of Peter Rabbit and Jemima Puddle-Duck and catch the ferry from Windermere over to Hawkshead and visit National Trust Hill Top.
Feeling adventurous? Walk the newly opened Wordsworth Way, a 14-mile trail that can be completed in one day or split up into sections. The trail starts at Glenridding, passing through Grasmere and Rydal, finishing in Ambleside – tracing some of Wordsworth and his sister Dorothy’s favourite walks and see the poems come to life.
If you’re hoping to explore more than one Lake District valley and villages, why not hop on the bus and explore further without the hassle of parking - the 555 open-top bus offers fabulous views. Find out more about travel information on our website
Discover how farming has shaped the landscape
When you’re out exploring the Lake District, you’ll likely come across a farm or Herdwicks on the fells. Farming is at the heart of the Lake District, and Herdwicks are a native breed along with Rough Fell, Swaledale and North of England Mule. Our farmers are busy on their farms, please respect this by keeping to paths, closing gates behind you, keeping dogs on leads and parking cars sensibly without blocking access to gates.
If you’re climbing high for panoramic views, look out for field patterns and dry-stone walling, which the combined works of nature and human activity have produced a cultural landscape.
Enjoy Lake District views from the water
There are 16 large lakes, including Windermere, the longest lake, and Wastwater, the deepest, and multiple tarns across the National Park, offering a unique landscape.
Set sail and relax, taking in the views with Windermere Cruises, Ullswater Steamers – The Western Belle, one of their heritage boats listed on National Historic Ships Register, celebrates 90 years. Travel across Derwentwater with the Keswick Launch or on Coniston with Coniston Launch or enjoy a ride on one of the oldest steam yachts. Learn more about cruises in the Lake District.
Feeling more adventurous? There are plenty of places to hire a paddleboard, kayak and motorboat. Remember, if you’re heading out onto the waters, make sure you’re wearing a flotation device and are safety aware. Visit our on the water pages for more information.
Follow the footsteps of Wainwright
Alfred Wainwright is often known as the Lakeland legend, producing pictorial guides to the Lakeland Fells, all handwritten, and considered the definitive guides to the 214 ‘Wainwrights’. Walkers have been following these guides for years as they go ‘Wainwright bagging’.
Wainwright’s love for the Lake District began in 1930. At 23 years old, he took a week's holiday in the Lake District away from home town, Blackburn. He climbed Orrest Head in Windermere, and the panoramic view he was presented with changed his life forever.
Discover this view for yourself and follow our Miles without Stiles route to the summit of Orrest Head, one of our 50 accessible routes across the Lake District.
-
Help us promote the World Heritage status
Are you a business or organisation operating within the Lake District? Take a look at the English Lake District World Heritage tool kit to see how you can help promote awareness with your products and services.
