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Lake District

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The Lake District is a famous mountainous area in Cumbria, North West England.

Lake District Map
Lake District Map

It is also known as the Lakes or Lakeland. This region is part of a large national park. The park is the largest of thirteen national parks in England and Wales. It sits near the coast of the Irish Sea. Many people visit to see the beautiful mountains and water.

Lake District near Torver
Lake District near Torver

Nature shaped this land in a very special way. Long ago, huge sheets of ice called glaciers moved across the area. These glaciers carved out deep, U-shaped valleys.

The Tongue Valley (looking from Dollywaggon Pike), near Troutbeck, Cumbria, at the Lake District National Park, United Kingdom, Europe (November 2008)
The Tongue Valley (looking from Dollywaggon Pike), near Troutbeck, Cumbria, at the Lake District National Park, United Kingdom, Europe (November 2008)

When the ice melted, it left behind long, narrow lakes. Some smaller lakes, called tarns, sit high up in the mountains.

Skiddaw (cropped)
Skiddaw (cropped)

The area also has many plants like heather and bracken. In some lower areas, you can find large forests of trees.

People have loved this place for a long time. Famous writers like Beatrix Potter lived here or wrote about it. Other famous people include John Ruskin and the Lake Poets.

Mountain mist, sun rise (Lake District)
Mountain mist, sun rise (Lake District)

Because it is so special, it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2017. The national park was first set up on 9 May 1951. This was just one month after the Peak District became a park. It was the fourth attempt to get this special title.

There are many impressive numbers in the Lake District.

Scafell massif
Scafell massif

The highest mountain is Scafell Pike, which is 3,208 feet tall. Windermere is the longest and largest lake in England. Wast Water is the deepest lake in the country. In 2022, about 18.14 million tourists visited the park.

STEAMER ON ULLSWATER
STEAMER ON ULLSWATER

The park covers an area of about 2,172 square kilometers. Many people use the many footpaths and bridleways to explore.

Today, the area is a busy place for visitors.

A591 road, Lake District - June 2009 Edit 1
A591 road, Lake District - June 2009 Edit 1

Most towns like Keswick and Ambleside rely on tourism to help their economies. You can travel around by car, bus, or even a steam train.

STEAMER ON ULLSWATER
STEAMER ON ULLSWATER

Some people even enjoy riding bikes up very steep mountain passes. The Lake District National Park Authority works hard to protect the land. They want to keep the landscape beautiful for everyone to enjoy.

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🖼️ Images & Media (22)
File:National Parks in England and Wales.svg
National Parks in England and Wales.svg
File:Lake District Map.PNG
Lake District Map.PNG
File:A591 road, Lake District - June 2009 Edit 1.jpg
A591 road, Lake District - June 2009 Edit 1.jpg
File:Scafell massif.jpg
Scafell massif.jpg
File:Westmorland cairn Great Gable.jpg
Westmorland cairn Great Gable.jpg
File:Glenridding, Cumbria, England - June 2009.jpg
Glenridding, Cumbria, England - June 2009.jpg
File:Haweswater from Harter Fell 3.jpg
Haweswater from Harter Fell 3.jpg
File:Coniston Water from Holme Fell.jpg
Coniston Water from Holme Fell.jpg
File:The Tongue Valley (looking from Dollywaggon Pike), near Troutbeck, Cumbria, at the Lake District National Park, United Kingdom, Europe (November 2008).jpg
The Tongue Valley (looking from...
File:Lake District Geology Map.svg
Lake District Geology Map.svg
File:Skiddaw (cropped).JPG
Skiddaw (cropped).JPG
File:Red squirrels warning signs, Lake District.jpg
Red squirrels warning signs, Lake District.jpg

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