Collaborative Post
The Lake District is one of my favourite places to visit for a UK break. Whether you’re looking for a family trip, water sports or even a romantic trip, the Lake District has something for everyone. We visited many times before we had children and now we have the boys we continue to visit at least once a year. From basic wild camping to luxury spa hotels over looking a lake, there is really something for any budget. The Lake District is the perfect spot for a safe, UK stay-cation, particularly if you don’t want to risk the uncertainty of international travel at the moment.
Once you’ve chosen the accommodation that suits you best, then it’s time to look at activities and places to visit.
Lakeland Motor Museum
A must see for any car or vehicle enthusiasts. The Lakeland Motor museum contains a unique collection of 30000 exhibits including cars, motorbikes and scooters. There’s also an area dedicated entirely to Sir Malcolm and Donald Campbell who were land and water speed record holders in ‘Blue Birds’.
Café Ambio is also on site and worth popping in for a bite to eat. You can sit inside or outdoors with a river view.
Take a walk
There are miles and miles of walks with varying levels of difficulty. If you’re advanced walker/climber you may wish to tackle Scarfell Pike or Helvellyn or one of the 214 fells. Or perhaps you’d prefer a more leisurely stroll through one of the main towns whilst hunting out the best tea shop of tea a cake, whatever kind of walk you enjoy, The Lakes has them all. Just ensure you have some good walking boots and some comfort insoles.
If you venture anywhere off the beaten track, make sure to take a printed map though and don’t rely on mobile phones or other forms of technology in case you have a loss of power or signal.
Threlkeld Quarry and Mining Museum
Located a short distance from Keswick, Threlkeld Quarry and Mining Museum is a cheap and interesting day out. It is home to a small indoor museum, a huge range of both modern and vintage quarry machinery and vehicles and a small steam train that you can take a ride on.
There is also the opportunity to pan for gem stones in a stream that is very well social distanced. My two loved this and were so proud of the pretty stones they collected.
Swim in a lake
Some of my greatest childhood memories involve paddling in streams and lakes at the Lake District. You can visit places like Fell Foot park the southern tip of Lake Windermere. Take a ball or a frisbee and make the most of the open grassed area, spend an afternoon paddling in the lake or feeding the ducks. Parking charges apply and it can get quite busy as it’s a popular spot but it’s a lovely location to spend a few hours. Use postcode LA12 8NN to get there but it is very well sign posted along the edge of Lake Windermere.
Lake Coniston is always one of our favourite spots for a paddle. Use postcode LA21 8AA to park up at Monk Coniston car park ( parking charges apply) and walk around 100 metres to the edge of the lake. It’s a beautiful spot with quite private little coves dotted along the edge of the lake. There is a well maintained toilet block and you can also launch small non powered boats at this location.
Holehird Gardens
Holehird Gardens near Windermere is a stunning hidden gem, even on the busiest of days. Holehird Gardens is run entirely by the volunteers of the Lakeland Horticultural Society and is free to visit, although a donation of £5 per adult is suggested. The gardens are beautifully presented and a great spot to go to when the Rhododendrons are in full bloom.
The gardens overlook Lake Windermere and have such a tranquil feel to them. It is free to park in the grounds and there is a relatively large car park which I never seen full during any of our visits over the years.
Hire a boat
Many of the Lakes in The Lake District have boats available for hire. It’s a great way to get out onto the water and check out some of the grand houses and hotels that are situated around the Lakeside. We usually often for private boat hire from Windermere Lake Cruises who have always been helpful and friendly.
If you’d prefer a boat trip where you’re not responsible for the boat yourself, there are also many places that offer boat trips with a range of destinations lengths of trips.
I could go on and on with activity suggestions for the Lakes but this will hopefully give you some ideas to start with.
