Top 20 children´s activities in the Lake District
Whatever time of year you decide to visit the Lake District, you will find plenty of things to see and do with the children. Known for its kids activities, the Lake District is home to a wide range of adventure parks, kid-friendly museums, cafés and interactive exhibitions. Some of our favourites include:
1.A World in Miniature Museum, Houghton Hall Garden Centre, Houghton, Carlisle, Cumbria, CA6 4JB. Tel: 01228 400388. This fun museum offers a range of collections of top miniatures from around the world, and detailed copies of miniature antique furniture take pride of place in miniature room settings. Every collection illustrates incredible attention to detail, and this museum offers a great day out for kids of all ages.
2.Brockhole, the Lake District Visitor Centre, Brockhole, Windermere, Cumbria, LA23 1LJ. Tel: 0845 272 0004. Brockhole offers plenty to do for children and adults, and includes an adventure playground, direct access to Windermere lake, an information centre and a playground. With beautiful landscaped gardens and plenty of areas to walk and explore, you can also take a picnic along and make a day of it.
3.The Brewery Arts Centre, Highgate, Kendal, Cumbria, LA9 4HE. Tel: 01539 725133. This is a great venue for theatre, music, art and various events throughout the year. Offering a 450-seater music venue, three cinemas, two art galleries and a drama studio, there are plenty of things to see and do for all the family. If you´re feeling hungry, or you want to stop for a snack, make the most of the delicious Cumbrian dishes served in the café.
4.Cars of the Stars Motor Museum, Standish Street, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 5LS. Tel: 017687 73757. If you marvel at the cars in the James Bond movies, or you have always wanted to get up close and personal with Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, this museum offers great fun for all the family, and provides the perfect day out for all fans of film and cinema.
5.Cumberland Pencil Museum, Southey Works, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 5NG. Tel: 017687 73626. Home to the world´s longest pencil, this unique museum offers kids and adults a fascinating insight into the lead mining industry and pencil making. The entrance is a replica of the famous Seathwaite Mine, and all the family can enjoy quiz trails and a host of fun things to see and do. If you are feeling peckish, try the excellent café on site.
6.Ducky´s Park Farm, Airfrield Farm, Flookburgh, Grange-over-Sands, Cumbria, LA11 7LS. Tel: 015395 59293. This is a fun and educational farm, which offers children the chance to pet the animals, and also learn more about their lives.
7.Greenlands Farm Village, Tewitfield, Carnforth, Lancashire, LA6 1JH. Tel: 01524 784184. If you are looking for a great place to buy local produce, and you enjoy browsing around garden centres, this is a great place to visit. Offering an open farm visitor attraction, a garden centre and café, Greenlands provides plenty to see and do for all the family.
8.Lakeland Motor Museum, Old Blue Mill, Backbarrow, Newby Bridge, Cumbria, LA12 8TA. Tel: 015395 58509. This incredible museum has over 30,000 exhibits, and whether you are a big fan of automobiles or not, you will find plenty to see and do at this incredible museum. The Campbell Bluebird Exhibition is popular, and a gift shop and waterside café offer souvenirs and refreshments throughout the day.
9.The Lakes Aquarium, Lakeside, Newby Bridge, Ulverston, Cumbria, LA12 8AS. Tel: 015395 30153. This award-winning aquarium offers plenty to see and do for all the family. Not only can the kids feed some of the species of fish, but the informative staff will also teach them about the importance of conservation. Plenty of exhibitions and special features, including the
world´s first virtual dive bell.
10.Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway, Haverthwaite Station, Haverthwaite, Ulverston, Cumbria, LA12 8AL. Tel: 015395 31594. This is a great treat for steam train enthusiasts. The trains run daily from Haverthwaite to Lakeside via the Leven Valley, and this provides the perfect way to see some of the most beautiful scenery of the region. Designated picnic areas are situated closeby, plus a gift shop.
11.Mirehouse Historic House and Gardens, Underskiddaw, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 4QE. Tel: 017687 72287. Mirehouse is a historic house with plenty of attractions and a beautiful garden area with child-friendly maze and a designated poetry walk. A tearoom specialises in delicious Cumbrian food, including home made cakes and pastries.
12.Muncaster Castle, Ravenglass, Cumbria, CA18 1RQ. Tel: 01229 717614.
Muncaster Castle has been home to the Pennington family for over 800 years, and its 70 acre garden offers beautiful flower displays. The castle is also said to be haunted, so watch out for any strange goings on. The World Owl Centre is situated in the gardens, and houses over 40 species.
13.Museum of Lakeland Life and Industry, Abbot Hall, Kendal, Cumbria, LA9 5AL. Tel: 01539 722464. The innovative Museum of Lakeland Life and Industry gives visitors a fascinating insight into the lives of Lake District residents over the past two centuries. From mining to tourism and industry, this incredible museum provides information and entertainment for all ages.
14.Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway, Ravenglass, Cumbria, CA18 1SW. Tel: 01229 717171. Enjoy a day out on the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway, and take a trip on the Heritage steam trains, which will take you from the village to the foot of some of the highest mountains in the Lake District.
15.RSPB Leighton Moss Nature Reserve, Myers Farm, Silverdale, Carnforth, Lancashire, LA5 0SW. Tel: 01524 701601. This nature reserve is home to a wide range of wildlife. Visitors can make the most of nature trails, bird watching, a visitor centre and a shop. If you want refreshments, try the excellent tea room.
16.Silverband Falconry, White Acres, Kirkby Thore, Penrith, Cumbria, CA10 1XR. Tel: 017683 61724. Offering a great day out for lovers of the countryside and wildlife, this falconry opens with prior appointment, and allows visitors some hands-on experience of handling the birds. Informative staff answer questions about the falcons.
17.The Bond Museum, Southey Hill Industrial Estate, Behind Cumberland Pencil Museum, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 5NR. Tel: 017687 75007. For your eyes only, this fabulous museum offers visitors a range of information, exhibits and Bond memorabilia. This is a must-see museum for every die-hard Bond fan.
18.The World of Beatrix Potter, The Old Laundry, Crag Brow, Bowness-on-Windermere, Cumbria, LA23 3BX. Tel: 015394 88444. The award-winning World of Beatrix Potter offers a magical journey, and includes the author´s famous characters, including: Jemima Puddleduck and Peter Rabbit. Beatrix Potter wrote most of her children´s tales while living in the Lake District, and this fascinating attraction highlights her life and works.
19.Trotters World of Animals, Coalbeck Farm, Bassenthwaite, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 4RD. Tel: 017687 76239. Trotters World of Animals houses over 100 species of animals, including zebra, bison, and meerkats, and enjoying a stunning location, this is the perfect attraction for a fun day out.
20.Trout Fishing at Hawkshead, The Boathouse, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 0QF. Tel: 015394 36541. If you want to don your waders and cast out into one of the most scenic lakes in the region, take a trip to Esthwaite Water. Tuition is available for novices, and an on-site tackle shop stocks all the essentials.
Whether you are staying in Windermere, Bowness, Grasmere, Ambleside, Keswick or Coniston, you will find plenty to see and do in the Lake District. Whether you visit during spring, summer, autumn or winter, and even in the rain there are plenty of indoor attractions to keep you entertained.
