Plan your family day out at Wray

A family enjoying a walk at Wray Castle

Paddle in the lake, picnic on the lawn or stretch your legs on a walk round the estate. There’s plenty of outdoor fun for all the family this summer at Wray.

Handy hints for families

  • The play trail at Wray was significantly damaged in Storm Arwen and will remain closed for the foreseeable future.
  • The inside of the castle is open to view Brought to Light: the photographs of Rupert Potter. Admission prices apply. Free for National Trust members. The Peter Rabbit Adventure rooms are permanently closed.
  • You’ll find toilets inside the castle and next to Joey’s Café. The baby change is located in the toilets next to Joey’s Cafe.
  • Wray’s car park has 71 spaces and can get busy at peak times. We recommend arriving early or late, and arriving by boot, boat or bike wherever possible.

Top Things to do at Wray 

A boy playing badminton
Wray Castle   Cumbria

Come out and play at Wray

From 18 July enjoy summer fun and games at Wray Castle with badminton, skipping races and lawn games for everyone to enjoy.

family splash in the shallows on Windermere's west shore at Wray Castle
Wray Castle   Cumbria

A day by the lake

Set on the shores of Winderemere, Wray has it's own shingle beach. It's a great place for a paddle or to practice skimming a stone whilst enjoying the views down England’s largest lake.

A family enjoying the views at Wray
Wray Castle   Cumbria

Explore the estate

Wray’s informal and grounds offer great scenery and room for the kids to go wild. New waymarked routes take you through Watbarrow Wood, a great place for spotting spring bluebells or through the arboretum with its collection of exotic trees.

A family enjoying a picnic in the grounds of Wray Castle
Wray Castle   Cumbria

Perfect Picnic Spots

Find your favourite picnic spot at Wray Castle. Spread out your blanket on the West Lawn under the shade of the magnificent conifers or head down to the lakeshore for a lazy afternoon lunch. There are plenty of picnic benches dotted around including on on the front terrace- don’t forget your camera, it’s a great spot for a photo. There's a handy tap outside the castle where you can refill water bottles, perfect for stopping off on a cycle ride, or grab cake and coffee from Joey's.

People arrive at Wray Castle by boat

Boat 

Arrive by boat for a unique start to your day at Wray Castle.

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Girls looking in a geocaching box on a log
Wray Castle   Cumbria

Take the geocaching challenge

Geocaching is a kind of treasure hunt for the digital age. Find out how you can give it a go at Wray

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Cloud watching '50 things' activity
Wray Castle   Cumbria

50 Things to do before you're 11 3/4

50 things to do before you’re 11¾Enjoy the great outdoors whilst getting closer to nature with our '50 things' list of self-led activities for young adventurers. There’s something to see and do at Wray all year round, but here are a few of our top suggestions to get you started. Go cloud watching on the lawn (No.33) get to know a tree in the arboretum (No.1) or go for a welly wander on those wet days (No.6)

50 Things to do before you're 11 3/4