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The home of, and inspiration to, numerous authors over the past few hundred years the Lake District in England is a popular destination for book lovers.
In this article I have compiled a selection of books about the Lake District (or books set in the Lake District) for everyone young and old. Included are some favourite children’s classics which have been stood the test of time. Who doesn’t love Mrs Tiggywinkle and Peter Rabbit!
No list would be complete without a selection of Lake District walking guide books and in particular, Wainwright walks books! (Don’t miss my guide to 11 scenic Lake District walks and hikes)
If you are visiting the Lake District you may also enjoy my “Lake District in one-day itinerary” which includes all the best things to do and see in the Lakes or my complete guide to visiting Windermere.
Also why not join my free Facebook UK travel planning group? The group aims to help you plan the perfect trip and make the best of your trip to the UK.
BEST BOOKS ABOUT THE LAKE DISTRICT (OR SET IN THE LAKE DISTRICT)
I Never Knew That About the Lake District
A perfect introduction to the Lake District this book by bestselling author Christopher Winn is a great choice for anyone wanting to find out more before they go. Take a journey through the Lake District and discover the people and places that make it so special.
WILLIAM WORDSWORTH
No selection of books about the Lake District would be complete without the appearance of the poet William Wordsworth. He was born in Cockermouth and spent his life in the Lake District drawing inspiration from the area. If you are a fan of Wordsworth’s poetry a visit to Dove Cottage his home in Grasmere is a must for your Lake District itinerary.
William Wordsworth - The Major Works: including The Prelude
Includes all the poems of Wordsworth in order of composition. It also includes his autobiographical work “The Prelude”
Home at Grasmere: The Journal of Dorothy Wordsworth and the Poems of William Wordsworth
Includes extracts from Dorothy Wordsworth’s Journal and a selection of her brother William’s poems.
Learn more about the Wordsworth’s lives in Grasmere.
The Collected Poems of William Wordsworth (Wordsworth Poetry Library)
A collection of the works of Wordsworth. His timeless tribute to the nature he saw all around him in the Lake District.
A Literary Guide to the Lake District
Wordsworth is not the only literary genius associated with the Lake District. Ths books is an invaluable guide for those with an interest in the writers, poets and novelists who have also been inspired by the beauty of the area.
GENERAL LAKE DISTRICT GUIDE BOOKS
Lake District Marco Polo Pocket Travel Guide - with pull out map
A handy pocket size guide to the Lake District including essential tips to ensure you make the most of your trip. Excellent resource for those on a budget.
DK Eyewitness Top 10 England's Lake District (Pocket Travel Guide)
Eyewitness guides are a great place to start when planning your trip. Includes top 10 lists to help plan your Lake District itinerary.
The Rough Guide to the Lake District (Travel Guide) (Rough Guides
A detailed guide to the Lake District including up-to-date prices and costs for traveling to this beautiful part of England.
Photographing the Lake District: A Guide to the Most Beautiful Places & How to Improve Your Photography
If you enjoy photography this book not only details where to get the best shots but also how to get those stunning shots.
LAKE DISTRICT GUIDEBOOKS FOR WALKERS
Wainwright Pictorial Guides Boxed Set (Pictorial Guides to the Lakeland Fells)
All the walks in this book are five miles or under in length and can easily be completed in less than three hours.
The book details 20 walks with clear maps to show the route and easy to follow walk descriptions.
This boxed set contains all seven of the Pictorial Guides to the Lakeland Fells by A. Wainwright. For this Anniversary edition the pages were freshly reproduced from the original artwork and printed and bound to match the original books as closely as possible.
Great Mountain Days in the Lake District: 50 Great Routes
A larger format guidebook to 50 of the most memorable walks on the high fells of the English Lake District.
From the favourite summits of Scafell, Bowfell, Great Gable, the Crinkle Crags, to lesser-known fells you will find that this guide offers only the best walks to explore in the Lakes.
Short walks in the Lake District (Collins Ramblers)
All the walks in this book are five miles or under in length and can easily be completed in less than three hours.
The book details 20 walks with clear maps to show the route and easy to follow walk descriptions.
Lake District: Low Level and Lake Walks
Suitable for walkers of all abilities this guidebook describes 30 low-level day walks in the valleys, beside the lakes and on the low fells of the Lake District.
CHILDREN'S BOOKS SET IN LAKE DISTRICT
A Beatrix Potter Treasury
Beatrix Potter is synonymous with the Lake District. This beautiful hard backed treasury contains ten of her favourite tales.
A wonderful illustrated introduction provides background on Beatrix Potter and the people and places that inspired her writing including Hill Top and the Lake District.
The Art of Beatrix Potter: Sketches, Paintings, and Illustrations
This magnificent collection celebrates the artist behind some of the world’s most beloved children’s books, including The Tale of Peter Rabbit, The Tailor of Gloucester, and The Tale of Two Bad Mice.
Full of famous images and rarely seen gems—including early sketches of the now famous rabbit family—this monograph explores Beatrix Potter’s artistic process and reveals the places in the British Isles (including the Lake District) that inspired her timeless work. Organised geographically this collection features more than 200 images.
Arthur ransome swallows and amazons collection 12 books set
This collection of 12 books in the Swallows and Amazons series written by Arthur Ransome include Winter Holiday, Peter Duck, Swallows and Amazons, Swallowdale, Coot Club, and Pigeon Post. Fun and games on the Lakes for the Walker children.
Classic tales from a world before social media and iPads!
More travel inspiration (and reading)
I am sure you will have found one or two Lake District books of interest in this selection. If you like reading about places you are planning to visit you will enjoy my guide to travel books for various countries and places around the world.
This includes books about England including best travel guide books, books about Northumberland, and best books about London for children.
Find out more about visiting the UK including beautiful towns and villages and interesting cities in my complete UK travel planning guide.
Don’t forget to read my ultimate UK bucket list and of course my one-day itinerary for the Lake District.