Outdoor Activities
The Lake District and Cumbria are the country's biggest adventure playground and it's breathtaking.
With England's five tallest mountains and the deepest and largest lakes, Cumbria's rich natural environment is simply unique.
Explore the great outdoors and discover some of the UK's most beautiful scenery, whether you're a seasoned adventurer or wanting to learn the ropes from a qualified guide, there are activities to suit everyone.
Why is it good for me?
Spending time outside has significant and wide-ranging health benefits for both body and mind. It can boost your energy, exercise can feel easier outside, natural sunlight helps to mitigate pain and gives you a dose of vitamin D, and being outdoors boosts your creativity - there's a whole host of scientific reasons why being outdoors is good for you.
How much does it cost?
The cost depends on the activity you choose. It can range from free to upwards of £100, and equipment can cost anywhere from a couple of pounds to a couple of thousand pounds.
If you are on a budget though, there's plenty of free activities - sports clubs often have free 'have a go' days especially in the summer, and places like the National Trust and Lake District National Park have free guided activities.
What equipment do I need?
Again, this depends on the activity, but the best thing you can do is dress comfortably and safely. Safety is key to most outdoor activities.
Useful Websites
Activity Finder - Use our activity finder tool to find outdoor clubs and activities across the county.
Eventbrite - You can find things to do by searching the location 'Cumbria' and the catagories Sports & Fitness and Travel & Outdoor.
Friends of the Lakes - the Lake District offers some of the most spectacular and precious landscapes in England. We take action to protect and conserve the natural beauty of these landscapes for the benefit of visitors, local communities, wildlife and habitats.
Lake District National Park - There are a wide range of activities and things to do in the Lake District, and with more than 3,100 kilometres of rights of way, you can walk, cycle and ride around our countryside.
National Trust - the National Trust looks after a fifth of the land in the Lake District National Park, covering the 13 different valleys. Their activity base at Fell Foot is home to a range of outdoor activities.
Visit Eden - Cycling and guided walks in Eden.
Visit Lake District - The Offical Guide to the region.
Volunteering Outdoors - there's plenty of opportunities to get active outdoors through volunteering too. Organisations offering volunteering opportunities include Hadrian's Wall Trail, North Pennine AONB, Friends of the Lakes, the National Trust, the Lake District National Park and Cumbria Wildlife Trust.
Walk Wheel Cycle Trust - Whether you’re looking for an adventure, a great family day out, or world-class scenery, Cumbria and the Lakes are the perfect destination to ride a bike.
More information about a range of outdoor sports and activities can be found listed on our website, for example:
Other useful information and resources
The Lake District National Park simple water activities guide