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An Introduction to Cumbria

Cumbria & the Lake District is in the extreme North/West of England and borders with Scotland. The county includes the outstandingly beautiful Lake District, one of Britain's National Parks, comprised of a series of volcanic rock and slate mountain peaks and lake-filled valleys. It also includes the Carlisle plain and the Eden and Kent river valleys. Tourism, sheep farming, salmon fishing, and mineral extraction are the primary industries in Cumbria. The area has been shown to have been occupied by humans since the Neolithic Period. Northern Cumbria vacillated between Scottish and English rule until the mid-10th century; it was finally taken back from the Scots in 1157.

Some of Britain’s finest scenery; outstanding access to open country - ideal for outdoor activities, with lots of interesting places to visit too, and excellent places to stay in
For the visitor, the attraction will always be the lush countryside and incredible diversity of the area. Poets have been inspired by it, particularly around The Lake District. This area has been home to poets such as William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, and Robert Southey.

The Lake District National Park is located in Cumbria and is a delight for any visitor. Covering 880 square miles, it is the largest, most spectacular and most visited of Britain's National Parks and a definite 'must-see' for any traveller. Each lake has its own character, and the landscape around them varies greatly too.

Cockermouth to the NW has plenty of attractions to fill a rainy day. The best coastal scenery is around Morecambe Bay. The W coast is untouristy, with miles of unfrequented beaches (as well as some run-down looking places - and the big nuclear power plant at Seascale, which has an excellent visitor centre).

Cumbria is very good territory for children who get a kick out of doing outdoor things. Grizedale Forest Park is great for letting off steam, with sculpture trails, orienteering and great potential for cycling. Worth noting too, are the several historic buildings which provide considerable scope for family fun such as Holker Hall & Gardens, Mirehouse near Bassenthwaite, Dalemain at Dacre and Appleby Castle. Most impressive this year, with its owl centre, beautiful gardens and fun new maze, is Muncaster Castle & Owl Centre – Cumbria's Family Attraction of the Year.

Families who need more in the way of amusements laid on will not be disappointed. Among plenty of farm and wildlife centres, the South Lakes Wild Animal Park at Dalton-in-Furness, Amazonia (with its exotic creatures) in Windermere, and the aquarium at Newby Bridge stand out. The Lowther Leisure Park at Hackthorpe will amuse most younger kids, the Lakeland Sheep & Wool Centre is surprisingly entertaining, and children enjoy the reconstructions at Carlisle’s Tullie House. Take a look at the villages of Hawkshead, Troutbeck and Cartmel, and Hutton-in-the-Forest and Townend at Troutbeck are satisfying places to wander around. The literary trail is heavily trodden in summer, and though very well managed is specially rewarding at quieter times. The main Wordsworth focus is on Grasmere, Rydal and Cockermouth. Beatrix Potter is well served at her home at Near Sawrey, and in Ambleside and Hawkshead, and for young children in Windermere. Admirers of Ruskin may head for the museum at Coniston, but his house Brantwood, across the water, has a more general appeal.

The county has many good craft centres - the Brougham Hall craft centre is perhaps the best, and readers enjoy browsing at the Kirkstone Galleries in Skelwith Bridge, Wetheriggs Pottery has plenty for children to get stuck into. The area’s local history is well represented; the new Rheged centre at Penrith presents the region’s past on a giant scale, and the attractive Abbot Hall in Kendal is good for showing the influence of the Lakes on famous artists