The Lake District is the home of UK outdoor pursuits with over 100 outdoor centres, offering walks, climbing, water sports and scrambling. The industry generates around £100m a year to the local economy and experts believe Cumbria could become the Adventure Capital of the UK.

In 2008 Lake Windermere, played host to the first ever Great North Swim; a one-mile open swim attracting over 2500 Olympic, elite and amateur swimmers. This year’s event will see competitor numbers doubling.

Based on the shores of picturesque Ambleside, Brathay Hall Trust offers a range of outdoor programmes for groups including children and young people to business leaders. Whilst in Keswick travel company Community Action Treks (CAT) , founded by mountaineer Doug Scott, specialises in trekking and climbing in the Himalaya and other mountain regions.

As the country's biggest adventure playground, the mammoth industry is set to see further expansion, helping create new jobs and extra investment.