The Lake District is Britain 's largest National Park. Dramatic landscapes make for an unforgettable experience, whatever the time of year. Here you will find high and craggy fells, wild moorlands, plunging waterfalls and shimmering lakes. The Lake District is walking country par excellence and has many attractions to offer as described below. You can find peace and tranquility or energetic pursuits. There is something for everyone.

The most beautifully situated house in the Lake District is Brantwood, former home of John Ruskin. Today Brantwood preserves Ruskin's legacy, but also strives to promote the relevance of Ruskinian ideas in today's society. The Severn Studio hosts a number of art exhibitions throughout the year.

The Gondola is a re-built coal-fired steam yacht from which to enjoy the picturesque scenery of Coniston Falls whilst relaxing in the comfort of the saloons. The yacht runs from Coniston Pier to Brantwood jetty with round trips of approximately 45 minutes carrying up to 86 passengers on each trip.

Grizedale Forest Park is in the heart of the Lake District and offers a variety of walks from the all access 'Ridding Wood trail' to the demanding 'Silurian Way'.

From April to July, the Spring Gardens are open at Graythwaite Hall. They are situated four miles north of Newby Bridge on the west side of Lake Windermere. The gardens are one of designer Thomas Mawson's earliest large garden designs and feature rhododendrons, azaleas, shrubs and specie trees and a sundial designed by Dan Gibson.

Nibthwaite guests benefit from free admission to -
Holker Hall - Award Winning Gardens & Lakeland Motor Museum

Holker is a Norse word, which can be translated as ‘a rising in marshy land’. Although the origins are lost in the mists of time, the earliest records of a house on the present site date back to the beginning of the sixteenth century. Only a short distance from the sea, Holker Hall is magnificently situated and is set in exceptionally beautiful countryside with gardens merging into parkland, with hills on one side and the expanse of Morecambe Bay. Despite its grand scale, this handsome rose coloured neo-Elizabethan mansion and its Gardens provide a soft and gentle contrast to the ruggedness of the Lakeland countryside to the north. The record reveals that Lord Cavendish’s’ ancestors felt that for them Holker was more desirable, more favoured by Providence and more enhanced with natural beauty than any other place on earth.

One Place to See it All
The Hall, Gardens and Lakeland Motor Museum comprise of three spectacular attractions in one perfect setting. But that is not all. Holker Hall also boasts a delightful Cumbrian Café. At The Courtyard Café linger over morning coffee and read the wide selection of dailies and broadsheets, enjoy tea after a restful and entrancing day or partake of dinner on those special evenings when we are open for events, concerts and evening Garden Tours. The Cavendish and Burlington rooms, within the Café, can be hired for private functions as well as cater for weddings and special events. In addition, there is a marvellous design led and unique Gift Shop with many items personally selected by Lady Cavendish and to open in March 2004 will be Food at Holker Hall, a distinctly Cumbrian entity offering a range of Estate and bespoke produce, sure to tempt all tastes.

In 2003 Holker Hall was awarded the Cumbria Family Attraction of the Year, by the Good Britain Guide as well as the Horticultural Award by JPC Publishing. Visitors and their enjoyment of Holker Hall are very important to us. We strive to provide a well-rounded experience for all visitors. There is a site guide available to all upon entrance.

Award Winning Gardens
The immaculately kept Gardens (25 acres in all) are part woodland, part formal and essentially Victorian in character, though never heavy or oppressive. The 200-acre 'natural' parkland is in fact the result of the late 18th century planting of Lord George Cavendish. In the early 19th century several new features were added: an arboretum, a conservatory, balustraded terraces by the House, and a large walled kitchen garden.

Lord and Lady Cavendish have sought not only to conserve the historic but have made changes and additions to the Gardens that are still being made today, with great liveliness and confidence: the shelter belt of trees, planted in the last 20 years, gives protection between the Park and Gardens; the old croquet lawn planted as a 'garden room' is one of the formal highlights of a visit.

Not to be missed are the spectacular display of Rhodendrons in the spring. The magnificent blooms of all hues grace the arbours and cascade with a riot of colour never able to be captured completely on film. Also not to be omitted from your visit is The Great Holker Lime, labelled as one of the finest and largest common limes (Tilia europaea) in Britain. This awe-inspiring tree measures 7.9 metres in girth. It was probably planted as part of a formal garden in the early 17th century. Today its huge trunk stands in a cavern formed by overhanging branches. In 2002 Holker’s Great Lime was awarded the distinction of being one of Britain’s 50 Great Trees in honour of Her Majesty’s Golden Jubilee.

Lastly, and another must is Lord and Lady Cavendish’s National Collection of Styracaceae. This National Collection is registered with the National Collection for Conservation of Plants and Gardens: NCCPG). The family includes genera such as Halesia, Styrax, Pterostyrax.

Motor Museum
The Lakeland Motor Museum, winner of Cumbria Tourist Board's Attraction of the Year 2000, and the English Tourism Council's Best Small Visitor Attraction, houses an extensive and fascinating collection extending to some 20,000 exhibits, including cars, motorcycles, tractors, bicycles, pedal cars and engines plus perhaps the largest display of automobilia on public display within the UK - mascots, badges, advertising posters, petrol pumps, globes, enamel signs, pottery and models - pure nostalgia, certain to provide a thoroughly enjoyable 'motoring memories' experience.

The Campbell Legend Bluebird Exhibition pays tribute to world land and water speed record breakers, Sir Malcolm and son Donald Campbell. Highlights include full size detailed replicas of the 1935 Bluebird car and the famous Jet Hydroplane, Bluebird K7. The exhibition uses scale models and photographs of the cars and boats used by the Campbell's in their numerous record attempts. There is even a replica of Donald Campbell's lucky mascot, teddy bear, Mr Whoppit, together with continuous video detailing the lives, careers, failures and achievements of these childhood heroes.