Welcome to Cartmel

Dating right back to AD677 Cartmel is an ancient village nestled in the beautiful Cartmel valley, stretching from Lake Windermere in the north, down towards the sea and Morecambe Bay. Just a few minutes drive from Lake Windermere, Cartmel is an excellent base for exploring the wider Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales and picturesque north Lancashire.

Centred around a bustling village square, Cartmel delivers everything you need for a relaxing break. Stop and enjoy the numerous cafes, restaurants and pubs or try some retail therapy in wide range of local shops catering to tourists and locals alike.

Specific highlights include the 3 Michelin Star L’Enclume and 1 Star Rogan & Co restaurants, as well as 1 Michelin Star Heft in nearby Newton-in-Cartmel. Unsworth’s Yard in the heart of the village features a Cheese, Wine and Tea shops as well as the lively Craft Brewery serving fantastic local brews along with live music on a regular basis. Visit the Cartmel Village Shop for all your provisions, including the village’s famous Stick Toffee Pudding dessert. Stop for a tasty espresso in the popular Cartmel Coffee cafe and then wander across the square to buy stylish homeware in Perfect English. In the summer try to catch a race at Cartmel Racecourse, a National Hunt course staging 9 horse races from May through to August in this small but perfectly formed course that sits right at the centre of the village.

Nearby attractions include the beautiful Edwardian seaside resort of Grange-over-Sands and the stunning Holker Hall and Estate with fabulous architecture, gardens, shopping and dining. The UNESCO World Heritage listed Lake District National Park is right next door to Cartmel. Visit lively towns and villages such as Windermere, Ambleside and Hawkshead, take a boat ride on the lakes, or put your walking boots on to explore the fabulous fells, with walking options for all levels of ability.

Parking in Cartmel is easy. There are options for street parking including in the busy village square and the village has a dedicated car park with public toilets located on the racecourse, less than a minute’s walk from the centravillage square.