Tourism

Summary

The unrivalled natural beauty of Cumbria and the Lake District attracts visitors from around the world, making it the second most popular British tourism destination after London.

More than 15.5 million people visit the Lake District each year, with the tourism contributing around £1.1 billion to the County’s economy annually. The majority of visitors hail from Britain and Europe, although there are significant numbers travelling from the United States, Japan and India – demonstrating the global appeal of the County’s natural assets and quality of its hospitality and attractions. As visitor numbers continue to increase so does the average length of stay, which currently stands at six days. Meanwhile the County has a loyal and repeat customer base with 83% of people returning.

Cumbria boasts a vast array of hotels, bed and breakfast establishments, camping and caravan facilities designed to suit the requirements and tastes of all visitors, whether they are looking for high-end luxury in search of relaxation, or just a comfortable place to base themselves for a holiday involving more strenuous pursuits. The industry is supported by some of the best food and drink providers in the country, demonstrated by the five Michelin Star restaurants based in the county.

Visitors have no shortage of things to see and do in Cumbria. Its fells, dales, mountains and lakes continue to provide inspiration to visitors, who can pursue both leisurely and hi-octane activities. In recent years Cumbria has emerged as one of the best adventure destinations in Britain, ranging from mountain biking, rock climbing and gorge scrambling to kayaking, abseiling and sailing.

This is in addition to the numerous indoor attractions found throughout the Lake District and outside the national park boundaries, including Tullie House Museum & Art Gallery in the ‘Great Border City’ of Carlisle; the Lake District Coast Aquarium, Maryport; Helena Thompson Museum, Workington; The Beacon in Whitehaven; Barrow’s Dock Museum and the Quaker Tapestry Museum in Kendal, a town which provides a perfect gateway to the Lake District and was voted best place to live in 2008.

For a detailed guide of accommodation and tourism attractions on offer in Cumbria visit www.golakes.co.u

Tourism

Tullie House

Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery is one of Cumbria's finest visitor attraction attracting almost 270,000 visitors annually. It houses considerable collections of fine and decorative art, human history and natural sciences, and boasts a wide range of exhibitions and events, brought together in one impressive location. Set in attractive and well-planted gardens, Old Tullie House dates back to 1689, and still retains its beautiful Jacobean facade. Inside there is an impressive Jacobean staircase and fireplace, while the wood-panelled first floor room shows Pre-Raphaelite art and Arts & Crafts items. Tullie House also boasts an award-winning family-friendly restaurant.

Tourism

Westmorland

Westmorland operates the UK's only family owned and run motorway service area, employing 500 people through four main businesses: Tebay Services, the Rheged Centre, The Westmorland Hotel and J.38 Services. Begun in 1972 when the M6 was built through the family farmland, Westmorland is passionate about home-made food, local sourcing and supporting artisan producers. In 2013, Westmorland, in partnership with a Gloucestershire charity, will open a new service area on the M5. Based on the successful Tebay model, it will be built to the BREEAM environmental standard, create 500 jobs and distribute £10 million over 20 years into community organisations.

Tourism

Mountain Goat

Mountain Goat is the Lake District's unique specialist tour operator taking visitors off the beaten track, offering panoramic tours, while providing a commentary on the area and its attractions from the friendly drivers/guides. Mountain Goat won the 'Minibus Operator of the Year Award' 2010 and works with many UK Tour and Coach operators in addition to international tour companies, particularly those from Japan, America, and Australia. Established in 1972, Mountain Goat also provides exclusive group hire, walking guide services, the 'Cross Lakes Experience' Bus Service, Lake District Short Breaks and touring holidays in most National Park areas of the UK.

Tourism

English Lakes

English Lakes is one of the UK's most dynamic family run hotel groups with six individually styled hotels, four in Cumbria and two in Lancashire. They include 4 star hotels on the shores of Lake Windermere, and the beautifully restored Grade II listed Midland Hotel at Morecambe which reopened in 2008 in all its art-deco glory. Each of the hotels has been created with its own distinctive style to suit the tastes of every guest, whether they want leisure clubs, spas and watersports or delicious food in elegant surroundings. The group also offers a range of excellent conferencing facilities.

Tourism

Windermere Lake Cruises

Windermere is England's largest lake -10.5 miles long - and the best way to see it is on board one of the Windermere Lake Cruises vessels that have transported trippers since the 19th century. In 2010 around 1.3 million passengers travelled on the 14 vessels operated on scheduled services and private hire contracts. The flagship of the service is the NV Tern which dates back to 1891. The service originally connected with the Lancaster to Ulverston Stagecoach service at Newby Bridge, but now gets its passengers via car or coach, the rail link to Windermere or the Lakeside Steam Railway.

Tourism

Grizedale

Internationally renowned for its forest sculptures, Grizedale Forest Park also offers a huge variety of outdoor challenges from some of the most breathtaking mountain biking trails to orienteering, woodland walks, and the Go Ape aerial assault course including a 200m double zip line. It is also the setting for national motor rally events along the woodland tracks. Managed by the Forestry Commission, Grizedale Forest covers 24km² of woodland including hills, tarns and wetland offering superb views of Coniston Water, Windermere and Grizedale Valley, and includes a Visitor Centre offers cafe, shop, car parks, disabled facilities, education service and bike hire.

Tourism

Castle Green Hotel

We have a number of conference rooms at the hotel that can host 2 to 250 delegates for a whole range of events – seminars, conferences, product launches, exhibitions etc. We operate a policy of no hidden extras, all our room hire, day delegate and 24 Hour rates include all equipment, unlimited flipcharts and complimentary wifi so there are no shocks when you receive our invoice!