Cumbria Tourism

Furness PathFix, a volunteer group registered with The Ramblers, is repairing stiles, clearing overgrown paths and installing waymarks along routes in the Furness area ahead of the September launch of the 120-mile Westmorland and Furness Way. Working with Westmorland and Furness Council, farmers and landowners, the group has also helped restore sections of the Cumbria Way and revive the Haematite Trail. The new route will run from Alston to Furness Abbey through the North Pennines, Yorkshire Dales, Lake District and along Morecambe Bay, while Furness PathFix continues to recruit volunteers of all ages and abilities.

The 120-mile Westmorland and Furness Way will launch in September 2026, connecting Alston in the North Pennines with Furness Abbey near Barrow. The route will cross the Eden Valley, Howgill Fells, Yorkshire Dales, Lake District, Grizedale and Morecambe Bay, combining varied landscapes with cultural and industrial attractions. It will be divided into six sections of 16 to 27 miles, with accommodation, food and public transport available along the way. A Walkers Passport, venue stamping points and completion certificates will encourage participation and support local businesses, while additional signage and route information will be added before launch.

Cumbria offers a wide range of family-friendly accommodation, from luxury self-catering properties and renovated pubs to hotels with family rooms and leisure facilities. Highlights include Laik’s cottages in areas such as the Lyth Valley and Windermere, family-focused pubs in Askham and Clifton, The Grange Hotel near the coast, and Mary Mount overlooking Derwentwater. The properties provide amenities including games rooms, cinemas, saunas, swimming pools, children’s menus and access to local attractions and outdoor activities.

Cumbria offers cycling experiences for a wide range of abilities, from family-friendly traffic-free paths near Keswick, Windermere and Lowther Castle to mountain-biking trails in Grizedale and Whinlatter Forests. Longer options include the Bay Cycle Way, the C2C Sea to Sea route and Hadrian’s Wall Cycleway, alongside coastal and countryside routes around the Eden Valley, Sedbergh and Kirkby Lonsdale. The article encourages visitors to explore the county by bike and directs them to Visit Lake District for route and bike-hire information.

Cumbria is promoted as an easy destination to explore without a car, with direct train services, affordable Stagecoach buses and seasonal connections to popular lakes and valleys. Visitors can use the new 2026 Cumbria Travel Pass, lake cruises, heritage railways and bike-hire services, while some attractions offer discounts to car-free arrivals. The range of transport options links major towns, scenic routes and walking destinations across the Lake District.

Cumbria offers a wide range of family attractions, including the heritage Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway, Lakeland Motor Museum, Wordsworth Grasmere and Brantwood House and Gardens. Families can also enjoy high-ropes activities at Zip World Windermere, combine Windermere Lake Cruises with dining at Trenchers, or explore Ullswater by boat, bus and foot along the Ullswater Way.