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Visit Kendal - We can't wait to show you around.

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Visit Kendal - it's no ordinary market town. Alive with arts, events, festivals and culture, packed with intriguing history and great shopping streets.

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Ambleside : Location Windermere lake Ambleside, a small town in the Lake District, has now become a major tourist resort with shops, restaurants, cinema

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Keswick in the Lake District is fantastic, there's no question about it! This gorgeous market town sits on the edge of Derwentwater lake, is surrounded by mountains, and has an incredible amount of things to do both in town and nearby. From wonderful attractions like the scenery and local museums, to fun activities such as axe throwing and kayaking, you'll never be short of things to do.

We simply can't name everything you can do during your stay, buthere are our top pick of the best things to do in Keswick.

1. Outdoor adventure activities

Keswick is the Adventure Capital of the Lake District, so you've got to enjoy some of the adrenaline for yourself! Get your thrills in one of any number of outdoor activities, including water sports like ghyll scrambling and paddle boarding.

Walking is the thing to do in the Lake District, and boy is there plenty of choice around Keswick! Easy mountains like Latrigg or Catbells, flat walks like the Derwentwater circular or Keswick to Threlkeld Railway Trail, and famous giants like Blencathra and Skiddaw are all nearby. There are simply too many to name and you can easily see a different part of the countryside every day!

Take a more relaxing approach to your touring and hop onto the Keswick Launch. You'll serenely sail across Derwentwater, stopping at several sites along the way. Enjoy a full cruise, or return from a linear walk around the lake.

Learn all about the social and natural history of Keswick and the Northern Lake District. The fascinating Keswick Museum and Art Gallery is great fun for adults and children alike, while the Derwent Pencil Museum is an absolute gem in the repertoire of quirky UK museums. And conveniently right next to our Keswick HQ!

Enjoy a cultural evening at the stunning Theatre by the Lake, which hosts theatre, cinema, talks, live music and exhibitions throughout the year. You can be sure of a quality night of the best entertainment here.

One of the quirkier attractions in Keswick, you can hop across to the other side of the lake to Alpacaly Ever After and enjoy a few hours with their friendly rescue llamas and alpacas. You can feed them, walk them to the lake, and learn all about these lovely animals. This is definitely one of the most unusual things to do in Keswick!

7. Mirehouse stately home

Discover the beautiful gardens and literary history at this family owned stately home. The grounds of Mirehouse run down to the shores of nearby Bassenthwaite Lake, juts a 5-minute drive outside of Keswick. This is a warm and welcoming house with extensive grounds, fascinating connections, and a great kids play area.

Do it yourself and hire a rowing boat to get onto Derwentwater. You'll be able to take your time floating across the water and might even want to pack a picnic to enjoy while you're out!

There are plenty of shops in the centre of Keswick, so if you fancy a bit of retail therapy, you're in luck! Independent boutiques sit alongside big high street names, so you have plenty of choice. Try Keswick Cheese Deli for your dairy fix, or The Orchid House for a range of gifts.

There's also a popular twice-weekly market that runs throughout the year on Saturdays and on Thursdays between February and December. Find it in the pedestrianised centre of town around the Moot Hall.

If you adore things that go bump in the night, Keswick ghost tours will be right up your street. Led by a mysterious woman dressed in mourning, you'll hear creepy tales and ghoulish stories as you wander Keswick at dusk.

When it's raining, the Puzzling Place is one of the most popular places in Keswick. It's also great on sunnier days too, and much quieter! Optical illusions, mind-boggling puzzles, and unbelievable sights await you.

Keswick is well stocked with restaurants and cafés where you can sample local delicacies, fill up with fuel for the day's activities, or sit back with a cuppa and watch the world go by.

Keswick is no Ibiza, but if you like a chilled night out at a traditional pub or a modern bar, then we've got you covered. There are loads of pubs in Keswick, each with its own speciality, like the super dog-friendly Dog and Gun and CAMRA award-winner, The Wainwright. Most sell food too, so you can enjoy a meal alongside your pint.

For a laid back evening, the Alhambra has you covered. This family run Art Deco cinema has been in continuous operation for over 100 years. You can now catch lots of different films there, from the biggest blockbusters to smaller independents and world cinema.

15. Castlerigg Stone Circle

High above the town is one of Keswick's best attractions: the amazing Castlerigg Stone Circle. This ancient site has panoramic views of the fells, including Blencathra and Helvellyn. It's the best-situated stone circle in the country.

16. Surprise View and Ashness Bridge

Up a steep and narrow road in Borrowdale is one of the most photographed packhorse bridges in the Lake District. And just beyond that is the well named Surprise View, which suddenly opens out to provide unbelievable open views over Derwentwater and Bassenthwaite Lake in the distance.

Keswick boasts not one, not two, but three excellent parks, all offering something a little bit different. Crow Park is a wide open space that reaches right up to the waters edge on Derwentwater. Hope Park includes a putting green, crazy golf, remote-controlled boats, and formal gardens. On the other side of the town, Fitz Park welcomes you with a BMX track, tennis courts, an arboretum and riverside walks.

Amongst all the shops in Keswick is an excellent choice of art galleries. From quirky and colourful prints and mini sculptures, to panoramic photography and exquisite jewellery, you can stop in for a browse and select a unique piece of art to take home with you.

A short drive from Keswick is England's only true mountain forest: Whinlatter. There's a café, lots of walks, famous BMX tracks, and woodland trails that the kids will love.

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From alpaca walks to outdoor adventure, here are our pick of the best things to do in Keswick in the stunning Lake District.

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It is the Home of Britain's 44th Protected Food

The unique cultural heritage of the Cumberland Sausage was recognised in 2011 when the pork coil-shaped snack was granted protected status.

Known for its distinctive peppery taste thanks to a blend of both white and black pepper, the Cumberland sausage is made from chopped meat which gives it a more chunky texture than its counterparts made from meat that has been minced.

True Cumberland sausages are around 2 feet long and a quarter of an inch thick and must contain at least 80% meat, making them a delicious and authentic treat for anyone visiting the Lake District!

England's Deepest Lake is in The Lake District

Wastwater is situated in the Wasdale Valley in the west of the county of Cumbria and is surrounded by mountains, including England's highest Scafell Pike.

It was voted as Britain's Favourite View in 2007 owing to the dramatic surroundings which include the Screes, millions of fragments of broken rock that protrude from the floor of the lake and reach up to 2000m in height.

Although there are 8 bigger lakes in the Lake District in terms of square kilometres, Wastwater is the deepest lake in England with a staggering depth of 243 feet. That's the equivalent of 121 and a half uncoiled Cumberland sausages!

There is Only One Lake in the Lake District

This is a handy fact to know and will stand you in good stead for a pub quiz, being regularly used as a trick question.

Although there are 16 listed names of bodies of water in the Lake District, only one could be technically classed as a lake. Bassenthwaite Lake, situated in the north of the region near Keswick, is the only one that is actually a lake.

The others all include alternative names for a body of water within their title, such as a 'mere' (Buttermere for example, or even the largest and most well-known, Windermere), or a 'water' (as in Ullswater). The word 'thwaite', by the way, is an old Norse word for 'clearing'.

It is a Haven From Zombies

Yes - this is absolutely true. If you find yourself in the midst of a zombie apocalypse and in need of somewhere to hide, look no further than Ennerdale, location of the most westerly of the lakes.

It was here that the characters from the 2002 Danny Boyle film 28 Days Later took refuge and managed to escape.

With its stunning beauty and sense of remote isolation, Ennerdale provided the perfect backdrop for the 2002 Danny Boyle film and is just an hour and a half's drive from Windermere Marina Village.

It is Home to Britain's Highest War Memorial

It would be too easy to list that the location of England's highest mountain is in the Lake District as one of the interesting facts here. More interesting, is that the summit of England's highest mountain - Scafell Pike at 3210 feet - doubles as Britain's highest war memorial.

Part of the 'Great Gift' in 1919, the peak of Scafell Pike was one of 13 mountains to be donated to the National Trust to commemorate the war dead.

The land was owned by Charles Wyndham, 3rd Baron of Leconfield who, having undertaken active service himself during the First World War, wanted it to be "..in perpetual memory of the men of the Lake District who fell for God and King, for freedom, peace and right in the Great War of 1914-1918".

Rangers from the National Trust have recently been tasked with rebuilding the 7.5 metre-wide landmark to commemorate 100 years since the end of the First World War.

There are Four Michelin-Starred Restaurants in The Lake District

Although the Cumberland Sausage may be synonymous with Cumbria and the Lake District, that's not to say that fine dining doesn't exist here.

On the contrary, in addition to the many wonderful eateries in the area, four of the restaurants have been granted a Michelin star.

Considering that this makes up half of the total number of Michelin stars given out to restaurants in the north-west of England as a whole, this is as impressive as it might be surprising - particularly given the relatively close proximity of more densely-populated areas of the region such as Manchester and Liverpool.

These bastions of fine cuisine in Cumbria are: L'Enclume (in Cartmel), Forest Side (Grasmere), Gilpin Hotel and Lakehouse and The Samling. The last two in this list are in the most popular area of the Lakes, Windermere and, being in easy reach of Windermere Marina Village, are perfect if you're staying in our self-catering accommodation and feel like treating yourself to a meal out.

It is a Haven From Norse Princes

In addition to providing sanctuary from zombies, the Lake District offered similar protection for St Bega who fled to the area from Ireland.

Her father, an Irish chieftain in the seventh century, had promised her hand in marriage to a Norse prince.

She chose instead to come to the Lake District and devote the rest of her life to serving God. A small church, set in beautiful surroundings by Lake Bassenthwaite, has been named after her.

Windermere Holds a Lot of Water

Whilst it is true that Windermere is the biggest body of water in England, it is a more interesting fact that it holds an incredible 300 billion litres of water.

Formed around 13,000 years ago during the last Ice Age when two glaciers melted, the water in Windermere was retained by the rock material that the glaciers deposited, and the southern end of the lake is where the water drains into the River Leven.

Liars Are Celebrated

Cumbrians are well-known for their down-to-earth honesty so there is a caveat to this particular fact in that being economical with the truth will only actually be tolerated for one day in November.

This is when the annual contest to find "The Biggest Liar in the World" takes place at The Bridge Inn at Santon Bridge in the Wasdale Valley.

The contest, whose noteworthy previous winners include TV personality Sue Perkins, celebrates the folklore of a 19th century publican named Will Ritson who was famed for the tall tales he regaled visitors with.

One such fib was that the turnips in his beloved Wasdale were so big that locals could 'quarry' into them for lunch and then use them to shelter Herdwick sheep on the fells, though whether this was a commentary on the size of the sheep or the vegetables produced in the region remains a mystery.

Pencils Were Invented in the Lake District

The graphite mine at Seathwaite, first discovered in the 1550s, provided the natural resource required to make the very first pencil and the history of this humble item of stationery is charted at the Pencil Museum in Keswick.

Visitors there can learn about all things pencils and see special exhibits, including WWII items with concealed maps and the longest colouring pencil in the world.

The yellow pencil was completed in May 2001, weighing 446.36kg and is a practically unusable 7.9 metres long - that's the approximate length of 13 unravelled Cumberland sausages laid end to end!

Sticky Toffee Pudding Was Invented in the Lake District

Inventing new food is not restricted to savoury items. The beautiful vistas at Ullswater inspired Francis Coulson to create the very first sticky toffee pudding in the 1970s.

Made from fig and light sponge smothered in toffee sauce, this dessert has become popular the world over.

The original recipe however is reported to remain subject of a secrecy agreement at Sharrow Bay with the chefs promising never to reveal the full details, so if you want to try the original sticky toffee pudding as initially created while you're on a self-catering break here in the Lakes, Ullswater is the place to head. Cartmel, close to Windermere Marina Village, is also known for its delicious Sticky Toffee Pudding so head on over!

Two Villages Are Buried Under One of the Lakes

With the population growth in the early part of the twentieth century leading to a need for additional infrastructure to support more and more people, the Manchester Corporation was granted permission from Parliament in 1929 to build a reservoir in the Mardale valley to provide drinking water for the inhabitants of north-western towns.

Haweswater was originally a natural lake in a valley and was also home to two villages, Mardale Green and Measand.

Before construction of the dam to create the new reservoir could start, the buildings of the farms and homes of the inhabitants were pulled down with the local church and pub, the Dun Bull Inn suffering the same fate.

Coffins of the deceased buried in the graveyard were moved and reburied elsewhere and the valley was flooded in 1935 to create what is now Haweswater, the most easterly of all the Lakes.

Nowadays, if there is a drought and water levels are low, the remains of the former buildings of the two villages can be seen.

The Lakes Are Home of the Original Mass Protest

It may be common knowledge that a mass protest of 500 ramblers on Kinder Scout in 1932 led to greater access to the Peak District but less well known is that a similar act of rebellion took place in Keswick some 45 years earlier in 1887.

With landowners gradually closing access paths that had been used for generations, the final straw came when the owner of Latrigg, a Miss Spedding, closed the only paths on the fell and barred the way by planting trees.

Incensed by this, Henry Irwin Jenkinson led a 2,000-strong crowd on October 1st 1887 to one of the blocked paths and removed the 'Private' sign before unchaining the gate and marching down the footpath.

A year later the ensuing court case led to one of the paths, Spooney Green Lane, being reopened and prompted other landowners to permit access to footpaths on their property. Henry Irwin Jenkinson received a rapturous welcome to Keswick and the main gate to Fitz Park in the town bears his name by way of tribute to his dedication to the community.

There Are A Lot of Footpaths

Walking has always been a popular activity when visiting the Lake District with many routes famously documented by Alfred Wainwright.

It is thanks to our friend Henry Irwin Jenkinson, mentioned above, that there is a general right to roam in open country and additionally, there are 1,342 miles of footpath within the National Park - equivalent to almost 360,000 unwound Cumberland sausages laid end to end!

It is Increasingly Popular

With all of the attributes mentioned here - and of course many more that aren't - it's of no surprise at all that tourism is a huge player in the economy of the Lake District and there's no sign of this slowing down.

In 2017 there was a 6.6% increase in the numbers of visitors staying in non-serviced accommodation on the previous year.

With so much to see and do, and so much to explore, it's small wonder that over 47 million people visited the Lake District in 2017 contributing an estimated £1.5bn to the local economy.

Why not join us and see what the Lake District has to offer and find out something fascinating for yourself by contacting us to book accommodation with us at Windermere Marina Village. Hope to see you soon!

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15 Facts About The Lake District You Didn't Know | Windermere Marina Village

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Anyone who has ever visited the Lake District and witnessed the sheer majesty and scale of the landscape will be surprised that this beautiful national park in the north west of England has only very recently been granted UNESCO World Heritage status.

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The landscapes of the Lake District have been created over millions and millions of years. Rocks such as , and gradually formed in layers. Next, tectonic plates created and also pushed the rock up to create high .

Two million years ago, icy glaciers covered the mountains and as the glaciers slowly crept down the mountains, they picked up pieces of rock, which eroded the mountains and created . When the ice melted, these valleys filled up with the melted water and created deep lakes. Small crevices made by the ice at the tops of mountains filled with water to create .

The Lake District is home to lots of plants and animals and also people, who live in towns such as Keswick and Windermere. is an important here, with over 12 million visitors every year who come to walk, cycle, run, boat or just to look at the amazing scenery.

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The landscapes of the Lake District have been created over millions and millions of years. Rocks such as , and gradually formed in layers. Next, tectonic plates created and also pushed the rock up to create high .

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The Lake District is a region of spectacular countryside in Cumbria, in the northwest of England. It covers 885 square miles (2,292 square kilometers) and contains many lakes...

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Here are some facts about the Lake District.

The Lake District is the largest National Park in England, and one of the most popular. It is located in the county of Cumbria, in the northwest of England.

England's highest mountain, Scafell Pike, lies within the park. The Lake District is also home to over a dozen lakes, including England's largest, Windermere.

Despite the area's name, only Bassenthwaite Lake is actually named 'lake'; the other bodies of water are named 'water', 'tarn' or 'mere', for example, Windermere.

The Lake District is home to Britain's wettest place, Seathwaite which receives about 140 inches of rain per year.

Only about 41,000 people live in the lake District National Park, although over 15 million tourists visit each year. Between them they annually spend almost 1,000 million pounds.

The Lake District has featured in many of the popular children's books by Beatrix Potter and Arthur Ransome, as well as various mysteries, and a short story by Ernest Hemingway.

During the early 19th century, the area was popular with poets including Coleridge and Wordsworth. Wordsworth lived most of his life in the lakes, which inspired his well known poems.

There are over 6,000 archaeological sites in the park, and more than 1,700 listed and historic buildings.

Cumbria is home to more microbreweries than any other British county, as well as several Michelin starred restaurants.

During the 16th century, graphite was discovered in the hills and used to make pencils, and to mark sheep. Today, the Pencil Museum in Keswick attracts almost 100,000 visitors each year.

The water from Thirlmere is carried almost 100 miles in an aqueduct to Manchester, providing water to a million homes. The aqueduct was built in 1894, following an Act of Parliament.

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The Lake District: Facts and Information - Primary Facts

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Here are some facts about the Lake District. The Lake District is the largest National Park in England, and one of the most popular. It is located in the county of Cumbria, in the northwest of England. England's highest mountain, Scafell Pike, lies within the park.

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Bowness Bay, Windermere
Larger version of Bowness Bay photo (PDF)
This photo is taken at Bowness Bay on the shores of Windermere lake. The fells in the background are the Langdales.

Windermere Lake Cruises (opens in new window) are the 16th most popular tourist attraction in the UK and the most popular attraction in the Lake District, with over 1,000,000 people using them each year. They take visitors up to the head of the lake as far as Waterhead, near Ambleside and down to Lakeside at the southern end.

The 17km length of Windermere make it England's longest lake and it has its own rangers and patrol boats in the busy summer months. There is a 10mph speed limit which came into force in 2005 to enable smaller vessels such as sailing boats and kayaks to enjoy the lake safely, unhampered by the jetskis, water skiers and fast motor boats. However this decision was a controversial one; and many local businesses had to diversify in order to continue trading. Tourists in general bring jobs and money into the area but increase traffic congestion and have a significant environmental impact.

The Lake District National Park was formed in 1951 but the idea of an area for all to enjoy and have access to began long before. William Wordsworth, the poet who wrote 'The Prelude' and 'I wandered lonely as a cloud', along with other famous Lakeland characters such as John Ruskin, the art critic and social reformer, all thought that this area of outstanding beauty should be protected for everyone to enjoy in the future.

The railway from Kendal to Windermere that was completed in 1847 improved access for many, but it was the advent of the motorised vehicle which brought the high visitor numbers, firstly the charabancs of the early 1900s and latterly the private car. Initially it was only the local factory workers who would visit from the surrounding counties on their days off, but now visitors from the southeast of England outnumber those from any other region and many people come from overseas too.

Current surveys show that 15.8 million visitors come to the Lake District each year. Most come to enjoy the scenery, peace and quiet and walking but many others visit specific attractions or take part in an outdoor activity. They stay in a mixture of self-catering and serviced accommodation. The National Park Authority's current challenge is finding ways of encouraging sustainable tourism without further damaging the very landscape which visitors come to enjoy.

Lakeshore erosion is a continuing problem around Windermere. Tourists and locals alike enjoy walking by the lakeshore but it destroys plant life and leads to erosion of the area. Soil gets washed away and then only a stony beach remains rather than a natural area of reeds, and water-loving plants. Some sections of lakeshore have been cordoned off to allow regrowth of natural lakeshore habitats. Many studies have been conducted on the ecology of the lake, and other measures have been taken to reduce pollutant levels in the water to encourage plant and fish life.

Grid reference of Bowness Landing Stages: 402968 (English Lakes SE 1:25,000)

Important vocabulary:

tourist, erosion, access, attraction, environmental impact

Discussion starters/questions:

What season is it likely to be?

What do you think the positive and negative effects of all these people to the area might be?

Are there competing uses for the lake?

What facilities do you think there might be for tourists in nearby Bowness?

What impacts do the ferry boats have on the lake and the other lake users.

What might people be saying to each other?

Use five words to describe the landscape

Imagine what the lake shore would look like if no humans had visited it, what differences would there be?

Useful links

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Bowness Bay photo resource for teaching Key Stage 2. Includes discussion questions such as

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Things to Do with Kids in the Lake District | TheLakeDistrict.org

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Whether your child is 12 or 2 the Lake District will have something to ignite their enthusiasm for adventure. Test balance skills on an adventure play course, burn off energy in a soft play centre, learn about iconic vehicles, or become fully immersed in a magical whimsy-filled land filled with talk…

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Have fun in your National Park!

The Lake District is jam-packed with amazing adventures for tots to teenagers.

Enjoy the famous adventure playground, paddle in the lake, and explore the fabulous Mawson designed gardens with easy pushchair and wheelchair access. Hire a boat on the lake, with motor boats, rowing boats, kayaks and paddleboards for hire.

Challenge yourself with archery, laser clay or mini golf.

Gift shop, cafe, and The Gaddum restaurant on site. Free admission. Pay and display car park.

Take the whole family out onto Coniston Water! Let our electric motor boats take the strain or take the helm of a traditional wooden rowing boat. Both take up to 6 passengers, and well-behaved dogs are welcome on board too.

Try out sit on top kayaks, open Canadian canoes or have fun splashing about on paddleboards. Our friendly team will give you all the help you need.

Boat cruises on Windermere, Coniston, Derwentwater and Ullswater all have covered boats, many with refreshments and toilets on board. And any electric hire boats have covered cabins, to watch the rain splashing on the lake beside you!

Child and buggy-friendly walks

We have more than 40 laidback Miles Without Stiles easy access walking routes, perfect for little legs and buggies. Here are just a few of our family favourites:

4. Scout Scar near Kendal- see for miles and miles from the sea to the mountains!

6. Windermere's Western Shore - Get the ferry from bustling Bowness to this quiet off-road track along the water, perfect for bikes, buggies and woodland exploring!

11. Elterwater to Skelwith Bridge in the Langdales - waterfalls, woods and refreshments at either end of the walk.

13. Tarn Hows near Coniston - a circular walk around a beautiful tarn with views of mountains beyond and lots of woods to play in.

36. Friar's Crag, Keswick - a circular route alongside Derwentwater with amazing views of the central mountains, lake shoreline and woods.

The railway is one of the longest narrow gauge railways in England. The journey is 7 miles long and takes about 40 minutes each way with stunning views of the Lake District.

Location: Ravenglass, Cumbria, CA18 1SW
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Take in the views and explore the Lake District without the hassle of driving or parking. Stagecoach's guide to the Lake District has timetables and maps to help you plot your journey. In the summer an open-top bus ride is a wonderful way to take in views of lakeshores and fells all around the Lakes.

Discover art sculptures throughout the forest, with 10 walking trails and 9 cycle trails to explore, including some challenging off-road mountain bike trails. You can hire bikes on site, and with an adventure play area, picnic areas, covered seating and a cafe, its a great day out for all ages.

Location: Between Windermere and Coniston lakes, southern Lake District.
Grizedale Forest, Hawkshead
Sat Nav Postcode: LA22 0QJ
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Whinlatter has amazing views across Bassenthwaite Lake, Derwentwater and Keswick. There are 9 walking trails and 3 cycling trails to explore, and the longest purpose-built mountain bike trails in the Lake District. The site offers bike hire, picnic areas a play area and a cafe and has an all-terrain accessible tramper to hire as part of Lake District Mobility.

Location: Near Keswick, North Lake District
Whinlatter Pass, Keswick, Sat Nav Postcode: CA12 5TW
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Over 100 species of exotic animals live at this 25-acre park, which participates in six endangered species programmes. There are park keeper talks throughout the day, and an on-site cafe and an indoor soft-play and outdoor adventure playground.

Location: Near Keswick, North Lake District.
Bassenthwaite Lake , Keswick , Cumbria , CA12 4RD
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Meet alpacas, walk with alpacas, go llama trekking! Award-winning Social Enterprise offering unique experiences at four locations on and around the shore of Derwentwater and Bassenthwaite Lake, with alpaca and llamas which have been rehomed from all over the country. Accessible walks for all mobilities including wheelchair users available.

Location: Near Keswick, North Lake District
The Lingholm Estate, Portinscale, Keswick CA12 5TZ
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Best things to do with kids when it rains in the Lake District

Rainy days in the Lake District... they happen quite a lot, but there's still loads of fun things to keep the whole family entertained.

Go on a journey of underwater discovery! Set on Windermere lakeshore, this award-winning attraction has the UK's largest collection of freshwater fish. You can arrive at the aquarium by boat, from Bowness or Ambleside with Windermere Lake Cruises. And you can catch a steam train with the Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway. There are a café and shop on site, and entry for children under three is free.

Location: Lakeside, the southwestern shore of Windermere.
Lakeside, Newby Bridge, Cumbria, LA12 8AS
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Take a short trip on a steam train and travel three and half miles from Haverthwaite to Lakeside pier at the southern end of Windermere lake. When you reach the lake you can visit the Aquarium of the Lakes, or catch a boat to Bowness or Ambleside with Windermere Lake Cruises.

Location: South Lake District, near Ulverston.
Haverthwaite Station , Ulverston , Cumbria, LA12 8AL
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An arts programme including everything from children's theatre and craft to opera, ballet and theatre streamed live on our giant cinema screen, which also shows a range of movies for all the family. A gallery space for five exhibitions every year. Children's activities and an outdoor play area, and a shop and cafe stocked with local produce and crafts.

Location: Near Penrith, North Lakes.
Rheged Centre, Redhills, Penrith, Cumbria, CA11 0DQ
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Wray Castle sits on the west shore of Lake Windermere. With church-like interiors, turrets, towers, informal grounds and miles of lakeshore paths, Wray Castle provides the perfect backdrop for a day exploring outdoors in the Lakes.

There are three way marked trails through the estate woodlands, where you can see some rare and champion trees, and lakeshore bays, which make perfect stone skimming and paddling spots.

The ground floor of the castle is open, but as the castle came to the National Trust without its contents, you will not see a 'typical' historic house full of paintings, furniture and antiques with an accompanying owner-family history through the ages.

You can start the day on the water and arrive at Wray Castle by Windermere Lake Cruise boat, which runs until the end of October. The west shore path with endless lake views is bike and walking friendly.

The team in the cosy café make everything fresh on site, and it's the perfect place for a warming drink and treat after a day's exploring.

Location: West shore of Windermere, near Ambleside.
Low Wray, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 0JA
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Your kids climbing the walls? Let them scale a proper climbing wall! Keswick Climbing Wall and Outdoor Activity Centre is just 5 minutes drive outside Keswick and offers indoor and outdoor activities. Free parking and café on site.

Location: Keswick, North Lake District.
Goosewell Farm, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 4RN
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Meet Peter Rabbit and all his friends, as Beatrix Potter's stories, which were inspired by the Lake District landscape, come to life.

Location: Bowness-on-Windermere
Crag Brow, Bowness-on-Windermere, LA23 3BX
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Toilets and changing facilities

Toilet locations and baby change facilities are listed on our Public toilets page. Many are located near our car parks.

Weather

To find out the current conditions, check out our Webcams page or for a forecast please look at Weatherline

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Ideas for awesome days out for the family.