Discover more in the Lake District
Home of Beatrix Potter, dramatic landscapes and fascinating history.
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.
Ideas for summer holiday days out in the Lake District
Whether you're here in the Lakes for a day or the week, there's plenty to entertain the little ones both indoors and out this July and August.
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Sizergh
Explore Sizergh's past and the lives of the family who lived here - choose a hat and make your way up the steps, just like the guests arriving at Sir Gerald’s garden party, or try your hand at some skipping games like the ones the Strickland children enjoyed.
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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 or catch the boat to Waterhead. Indoors, discover the new exhibition commemorating the 100th anniversary of the 1924 British Mount Everest Expedition.
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Allan Bank
Spend a few hours at Allan Bank enjoying the views over Grasmere. Explore the rugged woodland trail, complete with viewing points and tunnel. Enjoy traditional games on the lawn including croquet and tug of war, or head indoors to get crafty. Have a go at making your own seed bombs for your garden to attract pollinating insects.
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Wordsworth House & Garden
Discover what family-friendly activities are on offer at Wordsworth House and Garden this summer, from animal inspired arts and crafts to Georgian-inspired fun and games in the house, there is something for everyone no matter the weather.
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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.
Summer events
Plan your holiday adventure with us this summer, where we've got something for all ages to enjoy whatever the weather has in store. If it's rainy, try some animal arts and crafts at Wordsworth House & Garden, or follow the scallop trail around the House at Sizergh, or outdoors, head to the play trail on the Whitehaven Coast, or thrill seekers can try a canoe or paddle-board taster session at Crow Park on Derwent Water, Keswick.
Rainy day activities
We all know we get our fair share of rain in the Lake District but don't let it put a dampener on your day out. If you'd prefer to leave the waterproofs at home then here are a few ideas for indoor adventures.
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Scale new heights at Wray
Step inside the castle to discover a new exhibition commemorating the 100th anniversary of the 1924 British Mount Everest Expedition. With unseen photographs from the archive, historic mountaineering equipment and interactive elements, you'll be transported to Nepal a century again.
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Sizergh's children's trail
Head indoors to immerse yourself in history at one of the Lake District's oldest homes. Follow the scallop trail around Sizergh's medieval manor to discover why these seemingly insignificant shells hold so much meaning to the family who have lived here for almost 800 years.
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Arts and crafts at Allan Bank
Budding artists can get their creative fix in the craft room at Allan Bank. Pick up a free craft bag and while away the time with picture-perfect views over Grasmere.
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Wildlife spotting at Sizergh
Bring your binoculars and a picnic and hunker down in a bird hide for a spot of wildlife watching. Oystercatchers, lapwings and a number of duck species make their home at the wetland at Sizergh.
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Watch the watermill at work at Acorn Bank
Watch live demonstrations as the millers make flour every weekend and Bank Holiday over the summer. Take a bag home with you to bake into a treat or walk along the mill's source of water power, the Crowdundle Beck.
More of the Lake District's family friendly places
Find houses, gardens and natural play areas to explore with the whole family.
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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. You can get on the water with rowboats, kayaks or paddleboards to hire, plus there's plenty of space to run around, a small playground, nature trail and balance bikes to borrow.
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Acorn Bank
Discover what family-friendly activities are on offer at Acorn Bank in Cumbria, from geocaching around the parkland to newt spotting in the Sunken Garden. Try a self-guided nature trail and use rubbing plaques to discover the flora and fauna of Acorn Bank's walled garden and woodland.
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Aira Force
There’s plenty of space for wild play at Aira Force and Gowbarrow Park. Pick up a nature spotter sheet and explore the woodland pathways and waterfalls. Aira Green is a perfect spot to while away warm days. Stroll by the lakeshore or venture up Gowbarrow Fell for amazing lake views of Ullswater.
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Hill Top
Home to Beatrix Potter and still filled with her favourite things today, Hill Top and the surrounding countryside were the inspiration behind many of her little white books. Make your way up the garden path to the front door and see for yourself why Beatrix loved this place.
Family adventures further afield
Discover more family days out in the North of England with plenty of places to play, explore, and create memories.
Family-friendly places in the North East
Make new family memories in the North East this summer. From weekend and school holiday adventures, nature-inspired walks, houses to explore and play areas to let off steam, there's something for everyone come rain or shine at the places we care for.
Family-friendly places in Liverpool and Lancashire
Plan your family day out in Liverpool and Lancashire. From the beauty of the great outdoors and amazing histories to play areas, balance bikes and even a maze, there's something for the whole family to enjoy rain or shine.
Family-friendly places in Cheshire and Greater Manchester
Plan your a family day out in Cheshire and Greater Manchester. We've got play areas, activities for kids, wildlife to spot and plenty of things to do when it rains.
Family-friendly places in Yorkshire
Plan an adventure in Yorkshire this summer, with play areas, activities for kids, wildlife to spot and plenty of things to do when it rains. Bring the whole family to make memories during your time together.