A family explores around the Bowderstone on a sunny Autumn day — Exploring around the Bowderstone with the whole family | © National Trust / Arnhel de Serra

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.

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.

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 walks along a path through an autumn forest

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.

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 inside to discover a new exhibition space.

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.

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.

A family walk through the woods with autumn leaves on the ground

October half term activities

Plan your holiday adventures with us this autumn, where we've got something for all ages to enjoy whatever the weather has in store. If it's rainy, carve a pumpkin at Allan Bank, try spooky crafts at Wordsworth House & Garden or take a superstitions guided tour at Townend If you prefer to be outside, join a ranger-led bat walk in the Langdale valley, peruse an outdoor photography exhibition at Wray, or discover Hill Top at night with Stories in Starlight.

Children and adults carve pumpkins at Sizergh, Cumbria

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.

New things to see inside Hill Top house

Step inside the inspiration for some of Beatrix Potter's most famous little white books. Discover the newly renovated doll's house and search for Beatrix's pet mice Hunca Munca and Tom Thumb throughout the house.

Two children looking at the mouse hole in Beatrix Potter's Hill Top, Lake District

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.

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.

Young bird watcher and NT ranger sitting in the bird hide at Park End Moss wetland. They each have a pair of binoculars.

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.

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.

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

Embrace the magic of autumn with unforgettable family adventures across the North East—come rain, shine, or golden leaves. From crisp woodland walks and conker hunts to cosy indoor trails and historic houses steeped in seasonal charm, there’s something for every kind of day. Whether you're crunching through leaves or sheltering from a drizzle, discover playful ways to explore, learn, and make lasting memories together.