What’s not to love about Cumbria?

The people are friendly, there is plenty to do and the views are spectacular.

If you don’t believe us, just ask some A-list celebrities.

While these famous faces might not be from our beautiful county, they have been vocal about how much they love it and enjoyed their stay.

Some will treasure their trip to the Lakes forever, while others enjoy the county so much that they bought a holiday home here.

Here are some famous faces that have been vocal about their love for Cumbria:

1. David Hasselhoff

(Instagram/@davidhasselhoff)

This American actor left star-studded Hollywood to visit Cumbria.

He explored Bowness and Windermere back in 2016 and stayed at Holbeck Ghyll in Windermere.

To promote tourism in the area back in 2020, Hasselhoff posted this to the Lake District website:

“The lake, the hotel, Holbeck Ghyll… the time we spent in Cumbria was magical. Almost like being far far away in a calm serene place of beauty - A place to sigh and look into a lover’s eyes”

David Hasselhoff rose to fame in the 1980s when he played the role of Michael Knight in Knight Rider.

He is also most famously remembered for his performance in hit television series, Baywatch , which ran in the 1990s.

The Hoff has also hit the big screen with films such as Click, Dodgeball and The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie, in addition to enjoying a career in the music industry.

2. Jon Richardson

(Instagram/Jonrichardsoncomedian)

Jon has high praise for Bank Tavern and Causey Pike in Keswick.

In a 2012 interview with a national magazine, the comedian even mentioned that he bought a house in the Lake District for his mum.

Richardson had this to say about Cumbria: "There are too many perfect places in Cumbria for me to pick just one.

“If you ever see me reading with a pint in a quiet corner of the Bank Tavern in Keswick having just come down from Causey Pike, then that’s about as good as it gets for me.

“It almost never happens now I’m married with a child, so be aware it’s probably Gino D’Acampo you’re staring at.”

3. Richard Madeley

News and Star: (Dominic Lipinski/PA)(Dominic Lipinski/PA)

Madeley is a notable journalist and television presenter, known for presenting ‘This Morning’ and ‘Richard and Judy’.

He grew up in Romford and began his career as a local news reporter there.

However, he later moved out to Cumbria and bought his first home in Carlisle when he worked at the local BBC radio station.

The house was on the banks of the River Eden and he managed to scoop it for just £12,000.

4. Anna Friel

(Instagram/annafriel)

This British actress is known for her roles in ITV's Marcella and also for starring alongside Will Ferrell in Land of the Lost (2009).

One of her shows, Deep Water (2019), was also filmed across various Cumbrian locations.

Lake Windermere and Consiton were just some of the locations used in the show.

She praised these locations in an 2016 Instagram post, writing:  “I love the #lakedistrict .

“Windermere and coniston water are amongst some of the most beautiful places in the world.”

Speaking about Cumbria back in 2020, Friel said this: “The landscapes and views in the Lake District are unbelievably beautiful. It’s such a special place that feels majestic from the moment you arrive”

5. Barack Obama

News and Star: (Andrew Milligan/PA)(Andrew Milligan/PA)

It’s no secret that the former US president loves Cumbria.

On his first trip in 1896 he cycled from Glasgow to the Lakes and he visited the area four times before he became the president.

6. Taylor Swift

(Instagram/taylorswift)

Do you remember when Harry Styles and Taylor Swift took a min-break in the Lake District?

The couple travelled to Bowness on Windermere back in 2012.

They stopped by several shops in the area, such as the Beatrix Potter nursery shop.

Taylor loves the Lake District so much that she decided to dedicate a song from her album to it.

The track called The Lakes is a bonus song on her new album, Folklore.

Some of the lyrics include: "Take me to the lakes, where all the poets went to die," and, "Those Windermere peaks look like a perfect place to cry."

7. Duncan Bannatyne

(Twitter/@DuncanBannatyne)

This Scottish-born celebrity made his name on the BBC show, Dragon’s Den.

He notably purchased a holiday home in the Lake District which he owned for three years.

It was situated in Fallbarrow Park on the shores of Lake Windermere, an area he first became aware of years ago while sailing and spotting what was then a caravan park.

When the original caravan site was transformed into Fallbarrow Park, Bannatyne snapped up one of the most prestigious homes on the development and spent many happy family holidays there with his children and grandchildren

He may have put it up for sale in 2016- but his love and happy memories of Lake District must surely still exist.

8. Tom Cruise

(Instagram/tomcruise)

This actor is one of Hollywood’s biggest names, starring in Top Gun, Mission: Impossible and Jerry Maguire, to name a few.

Tom visited Lake Windermere and stayed at The Samling hotel.

He was also spotted buying gingerbread at the Grasmere Gingerbread Shop- he loved it so much he actually went back again.

9. Paul McCartney

(Photo: Instagram/@paulmccartney)
McCartney originally hails from Liverpool- but he has a deep-rooted love for Cumbria.

McCartney proposed to Heather Mills in the Lake District back in 2001.

After lunch at the Sharrow Bay Hotel in Ullswater, he pulled out a sapphire ring and popped the question.

Speaking to a national paper at the time, McCartney said: “When I proposed I was a bit nervous but I managed. We've had a good reception from relatives and friends and from the media.”

Sadly, their relationship didn’t last- but we hope their love for Cumbria has.