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Family-friendly things to do at Fell Foot

A family enjoying a winter walk along the lakeshore at Fell Foot in the Lake District
Fell Foot is a great spot for a family walk in winter | © National Trust Images / Annapurna Mellor

If you’re looking for some open space to play games and run off steam, a top spot for wildlife spotting and stone skimming or a great place for dog walking with a cafe, there’s plenty to keep everyone happy during a visit to Fell Foot.

Planning your family visit

Here is the information you need at a glance to help plan your day out at Fell Foot:

  • You'll find toilets and baby-changing facilities in the main car park, next to the café, and in the Active Base. There's also a Changing Places facility available in the boathouse adjoining the café
  • The cafe offers a range of tasty kids’ lunchboxes containing sandwiches, fruit, a treat and juice or water. Hot lunches are also available and tray bakes, cakes and scones are baked fresh each day
  • If you’d rather bring your own picnic, tables and benches can be found outside the café, or choose your own spot on the lawn, or bench along the lakeshore. Barbeques are not permitted at Fell Foot.

Autumn & winter in the park at Fell Foot

In autumn and winter Fell Foot park is a great place to watch across the water as the woodland colours change alongside Windermere and later, if it’s cold enough, you’re likely to see mist over the lake or even a dusting of snow on the very tops of the fells.

A walk along the water’s edge and into the south meadow provides great views north towards to the Fairfield Horseshoe and brings you down to the southernmost tip of Windermere as it meets the River Leven. Here you’ll find rich reedbeds beginning to turn brown and home to wildlife such as the reed warbler and elusive otters.

It’s a great place to walk the dog on a blustery day with chance to warm up in the Boathouse café with a hot drink, soup or meal afterwards.

Family-friendly activities

Balance bike hire

Balance bikes can be hired free of charge from the visitor welcome point in the car park. Donations are welcome.

Dip your toe in Windermere

If you're feeling brave enough to take a dip in England’s largest lake, the Active Base has hot showers and toasty changing rooms, complete with underfloor heating and secure lockers to make your day out comfortable. Day passes are available from just £2 and can be bought from the café.

Equipment hire with Stoked Watersports

Hire a rowboat, kayak or paddleboard from Fell Foot’s outdoor provider, Stoked Watersports, where there's something to suit all levels from beginner to seasoned pro. Please note that hire is seasonal. Visit the Stoked Watersports website for more details.

If you have your own equipment

Canoe, kayak, inflatable dinghy and paddleboard owners can launch at the south end of the park for free, as long as you can carry the equipment down on foot from the car park.

Three children walking along the lakeshore at Fell Foot in the Lake District
Get the kids out and about at Fell Foot this winter | © National Trust Images / Annapurna Mellor

Visit the play area

Please note: the play area is currently closed for essential maintenance (18/10/2023)

At the south end of the park there’s a small play area, with swings, a playhouse and three pieces of accessible equipment: a titan swing, basket swing and spinning dish for little ones to enjoy.

‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’

Enjoy the great outdoors and get closer to nature with our ‘50 things’ list of activities for young adventurers. There are plenty to tick off here at Fell Foot; make your own list or try a few of our suggestions to ge you started:

Visitors relaxing on the shore of Lake Windermere at Fell Foot, Cumbria in spring

Discover more at Fell Foot

Find out how to get to Fell Foot, where to park, the things to see and do and more.

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