Going to the Lake District for a family vacation can be a great idea in the Spring and the Summer; the largest National Park in England, the Lake District is home to some of the best walks in the UK, which primarily centre around the area’s fells and paths that crisscross the lakes.
When visiting the Lake District, it’s possible to enjoy peace and quiet (depending on your family) in a self catered cottage, while also trying everything from adventurous activities to more relaxing pursuits around the area.
Lake District National Park, England, UK
In terms of where you stay, self catered cottages are a good option if you need to house a lot of people – you get large bedrooms, and enough kitchen and living room space to be able to host meals without having to struggle for space.
In addition, many self catering cottages are pet friendly, and allow for car parking – some are located in remote areas, while others are in small villages, or near to larger towns like Windermere and Keswick. Some cottages will also be fitted out with features like free Wi-Fi an games rooms. Alternatively, you may want to try out town apartments, farmhouses, and boathouses on the border of the Park’s lakes.
To get an overall sense of the Lake District, you can go on a Park Authority guided tour, which is typically open to children of 11 years and older due to the difficulty of some of the walks around the fells. You can also take a guided ferry or bus tour, which can include trips to Grizedale Forest Park and the Wildlife Trust. Other recommended sights include Muncaster, which has a castle, mazes, and an owl sanctuary.
Adventure
For more adventurous families, there are options for going on different activities around the Lake District; these include rock climbing, gorge walking, and white water rafting on the Lakes.
Qualified instructors can also be found for playing tennis and other sports in larger towns, with Keswick also featuring a spa and excellent local amenities. Other activities can include heading out to the waterfalls and gorges of Newlands Valley and the Stoneycroft Ghyll.
Families can also explore the Honier Slate Mine, or take an ascent up Fleetwith Pike, one of the highest fells in the Lake District at 648m. Days out can be held at Go Ape Tree Top Adventure, which includes canopy climbing, zip wires, and other rides – restrictions are in place, though, on children being over the age of 10. More sedate activities can include visiting Whinlatter Forest Park and Grizedale for walks and cycling.
Moreover, steam trains can be taken through Ullswater, while the Pencil Museum in Keswick is surprisingly more fun than it sounds; if you want to relax at the end of a day of exploration, the Lake District is home to multiple small pubs and restaurants.
You can try local delicacies like Cumberland sausage and sticky toffee puddings, with some recommended, family friendly restaurants including Casa Romana in Carlisle, the Fish Inn in Buttermere, and the Pheasant Inn in Carnforth.
