Things to do & places to visit in the North Lakes

Whilst the South Lakes may attract the majority of visitors to the National Park, head a little further north from the Black Bull at Coniston and you’ll be rewarded with equally stunning scenery, picturesque towns and villages, arts, culture and plenty for the energetic and adventurous alike.

Keswick is the largest conurbation in the northern Lake District and is understandably a popular destination for visitors with a wealth of shops, cafés, restaurants and attractions including the Derwent Pencil Museum, the Theatre By The Lake and Alhambra Cinema.

The Keswick Mountain Festival is an annual celebration of all things outdoors with a packed programme of guest speakers, sporting and adventure events plus live music.

Keswick can boast its fair share of fells and mountains right on the doorstep, including Skiddaw and Blencathra, with the Borrowdale Valley also nearby.

The lakes of Crummock Water, Derwentwater, Bassenthwaite and Loweswater can all be found in the northern Lake District, along with Whinlatter Forest with its walking, running and mountain biking trails and Go Ape high ropes course.

Aside from the stunning scenery at just about every turn, much of the Lake District is within a relatively short drive and the central location of the Black Bull in Coniston makes it a perfect base from which to explore – north, south, east or west!

Just beyond the edge of the Lake District’s northern boundary is the colourful market town of Cockermouth which was the birthplace of William Wordsworth and can boast an 800-year history and close connections to Roman settlements in the area.

Should you wish to venture further north again you’ll find Cumbria’s only city, Carlisle, waiting for you close to the border with Scotland.

As you would expect, there is plenty for the visitor to explore and enjoy including Carlisle Castle which dates back to the realm of William II, and Carlisle Cathedral, an Augustinian priory which became a cathedral in 1133.

The North Lakes and north Cumbria are well worth considering as part of your visit to our county and we can happily help with advice on where to go and what to see when you stay with us at the Black Bull – just ask any of our friendly team for their suggestions and recommendations.

We have provided links to other organisation’s websites in good faith and with the intention that these will be of interest to people planning a stay at the Black Bull Inn & Hotel, Coniston. Please note that we are not responsible for the content published on these websites, nor can we be held responsible for the accuracy of information provided. 

Should any organisation wish to have the link to their website or reference to them removed, please contact us and we shall happily oblige.

Things to do
& places to visit
in the North Lakes

Whilst the South Lakes may attract the majority of visitors to the National Park, head a little further north from the Black Bull at Coniston and you’ll be rewarded with equally stunning scenery, picturesque towns and villages, arts, culture and plenty for the energetic and adventurous alike.

Keswick is the largest conurbation in the northern Lake District and is understandably a popular destination for visitors with a wealth of shops, cafés, restaurants and attractions including the Derwent Pencil Museum, the Theatre By The Lake and Alhambra Cinema.

The Keswick Mountain Festival is an annual celebration of all things outdoors with a packed programme of guest speakers, sporting and adventure events plus live music.

Keswick can boast its fair share of fells and mountains right on the doorstep, including Skiddaw and Blencathra, with the Borrowdale Valley also nearby.

The lakes of Crummock Water, Derwentwater, Bassenthwaite and Loweswater can all be found in the northern Lake District, along with Whinlatter Forest with its walking, running and mountain biking trails and Go Ape high ropes course.

Aside from the stunning scenery at just about every turn, much of the Lake District is within a relatively short drive and the central location of the Black Bull in Coniston makes it a perfect base from which to explore – north, south, east or west!

Just beyond the edge of the Lake District’s northern boundary is the colourful market town of Cockermouth which was the birthplace of William Wordsworth and can boast an 800-year history and close connections to Roman settlements in the area.

Should you wish to venture further north again you’ll find Cumbria’s only city, Carlisle, waiting for you close to the border with Scotland.

As you would expect, there is plenty for the visitor to explore and enjoy including Carlisle Castle which dates back to the realm of William II, and Carlisle Cathedral, an Augustinian priory which became a cathedral in 1133.

The North Lakes and north Cumbria are well worth considering as part of your visit to our county and we can happily help with advice on where to go and what to see when you stay with us at the Black Bull – just ask any of our friendly team for their suggestions and recommendations.

We have provided links to other organisation’s websites in good faith and with the intention that these will be of interest to people planning a stay at the Black Bull Inn & Hotel, Coniston. Please note that we are not responsible for the content published on these websites, nor can we be held responsible for the accuracy of information provided. 

Should any organisation wish to have the link to their website or reference to them removed, please contact us and we shall happily oblige.