The best towns and villages to visit in the Lake District

The Lake District is home to many lively market towns and quaint villages dotted between rugged fells and dramatic tarns.

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Although there are plenty of well-known spots with great accommodation options for visiting the region's beautiful landscapes, bases away from the most popular-and often crowded - areas are well worth exploring. Along pretty streets that boast artisanal shops and traditional pubs, visitors will find gastronomic wonders in the Lake's 13 Michelin-starred restaurants and can discover where the Lake District's many renowned artists and writers have lived and worked.

With cobbled streets, slate houses and trickling streams, it doesn't take long to understand the unrivalled artistic inspiration.

Each town and village offers a different window to the glorious national park, so we've rounded up a few favourites for you to pick the best suit your trip.

GrasmereNestled among magnificent fells and a tranquil lake, Grasmere village is perfect for an relaxing stay with gentle walks and helpings of culture. It was a favoured spot for William Wordsworth and home to his Dove Cottage, where the poet wrote most of his major works.