Make a day of it in Lakes or Coast

Find tranquillity in the Lakes and at the coast. A short drive from Carlisle lie the Lake District and The Solway Firth, one of Britain's greatest Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Peace and serenity await you in the Lakes with over 3500km of public rights of way, mountain passes, deep valleys and of course the shimmering lakes themselves.The area has inspired artists and poets with its spiritual refreshment and calming atmosphere. Take a cruise on Lake Windermere or Ullswater, visit the 4,000 year old Castlerigg Stone Circle or Rheged Discovery Centre for an in-depth taste of Cumbria.Try climbing Scafell Pike or Great Gable for an exhilarating experience of the mountains.

Make a trail to the West Coast.Travelling along the coast from Carlisle brings you through quaint and historic towns and villages.The Solway Firth is renowned for birdlife and spectacular sunsets and provides a haven of peace for you to enjoy. Whitehaven is famous for its elegant, 18th century streets of merchants' and sea captains' houses as well as links to George Washington and John Paul Jones. Inland lies Cockermouth, the birthplace of William Wordsworth, Fletcher Christian and John Dalton plus you can also visit traditional Cumbrian market towns such as Wigton, home of Melvyn Bragg, with its picturesque sandstone houses.