A family of four stand on the other side of a small lake surrounding by autumn foliage looking around them and into the water — Visitors in the rock garden at Sizergh | © National Trust Images/John Millar

Family-friendly places in the Lake District

Plan your next family day out in the Lake District. From natural outdoor play areas to indoor themed house trails, wildlife spotting to dressing up, there's something for all ages to enjoy.

Family days out in the Lake District

Whether you're here in the Lakes for a day or the full week, there's plenty to entertain the little ones both indoors and out.

Family-friendly things to do at Sizergh

There's plenty for families to do at Sizergh. Let little legs run wild and play on an outdoor trail, take a buggy-friendly stroll through a peaceful garden, or discover a house filled with treasures. Find out what's on and plan your visit.

A family walks through a garden of ferns towards the camera in autumn clothes

A family day out at Allan Bank

Discover a fun-filled family day at Allan Bank. Explore, create, spot wildlife, and make lasting memories, whatever the weather

Stranger Folk promotional graphic featuring folklore-inspired creatures and woodland illustrations, with text inviting visitors to "Adventure into British folklore" at Allan Bank

Aira Force

There’s plenty of space for wild play at Aira Force and Gowbarrow Park and to see the waterfall in full force. Pick up a nature spotter sheet and explore the woodland pathways. Stroll by the lakeshore or venture up Gowbarrow Fell for amazing lake views of Ullswater.

A family of four, two adults and two young children, hold hands as they walk down a path towards the lakeshore, against a mountain backdrop

Wray

Explore the castle's lakeshore grounds, with shingle beach and woodland wanders galore. Challenge yourself to a range of traditional games on the lawn, skim a stone across the lake and tuck into a treat in Joey's café.

Marketing graphic promoting Stranger Folk app

Tarn Hows

The 1 3/4 mile circular route around Tarn Hows offers a pushchair friendly walk with cracking fell views, perfect picnic spots, easy parking, café and toilets. A great Lake District adventure without the altitude.

Fell Foot

Fell Foot’s lakeshore park is a great place to begin your Lake District adventure. There's a friendly welcome team and everything to make your day comfortable – a large car park, toilets, café, lakeshore access, changing rooms and showers. Adventure seekers can get out onto the lake, and there's plenty of space to run around on land too, plus a small playground, nature trail and balance bikes to borrow.

Rainy day activities

Explore the house at Sizergh

Head inside the 800 year old home of the Strickland family, who still live there to this day. Why do you think there are shells hidden in every room, concealed in carvings, stained glass and coats of arms? Follow the children's trail to find out. If you're interested in the world beneath our feet, there's also an exhibition in the Great Barn uncovering why soil is the Earth's superpower.

Father holding a toddler, with a small boy standing next to him. They are looking upwards at the elaborate wooden carvings in the house at Sizergh.

Hill Top and Hawkshead

Step inside the inspiration for many of Beatrix Potter's little white books. Find the mice hidden around the house, explore Beatrix's dolls’ house and spot details from the stories along the way. Nearby, in Hawkshead, you're guaranteed to find a new favourite read in Tabitha Twitchit's secondhand bookshop..

Interior of a room with display cabinets, a dolls' house and projections of mice from 'the Tale of Two Bad Mice' on the walls.

Allan Bank

Try your hand at arts, crafts and print making in the house once lived in by William Wordsworth. Wordsworth loved this landscape, and wrote his definitive Guide to the Lakes here. See what he saw with photos of Ullswater, Derwentwater and Grasmere from the 1800s lit up on display. Once you've had a wander, get cosy with a story in the secondhand bookshop or challenge your family to an old fashioned board game.

Family adventures further afield

Discover more family days out in the North of England with plenty of places to play, explore, and create memories.

Adventure awaits: family fun in the North East

From wild woodland walks to castles and houses full of stories, the North East is bursting with family adventures. Whether you're climbing, exploring, or just enjoying nature, our places offer unforgettable days out for kids of all ages. Come and make memories together.