Adventures for children
The Lake District is jam-packed with amazing adventures for tots to teenagers.
A great day out on the shores of Windermere
Brockhole - The Lake District Visitor Centre (opens in new window) is perfect for a family day out. There's:
- an adventure playground packed with rope walks, slides, swings, scramble nets and zip wires.
- undercover traversing wall
- indoor soft play area and tables and chairs for colouring-in actiivities
- extensive grounds and gardens to run around in
- cafe and shop
- watersports at weekends and during the summer holidays
- events and family-fun sessions, many free, throughout the year
Boating and biking escapades in Coniston
Hire a canoe, dinghy, rowing boat or electric boat and even bikes, electric bikes, tagalongs and bike trailers at Coniston Boating Centre.
Awesome days out
For gentle ambles or full-on activity days, check out our guided walks and events. Many of them are free!
Buses, trains and boats
Why not ditch the everyday car for a real journey of discovery involving buses, trains and even boats! Our public transport page has more details. Or take a look at the Great Walking and Cycling Made Easy routes which use public transport so you don't have to retrace your steps.
Little legs and buggies
Our Miles Without Stiles section has over 41 laidback routes. Some highlights include:
- 4. Scout Scar - see for miles and miles from the sea to the mountains!
- 11. Elterwater to Skelwith Bridge - waterfalls, woods and refreshments at either end of the walk.
- 13 - Tarn Hows a circular walk round a beautiful tarn with views of mountains beyond and lots of woods to play in.
- 36 - Friar's Crag, Keswick, a circular route alongside Derwentwater with amazing views of the central mountains, lake shoreline and woods.
Rainy days? Not a problem
There's loads going on Brockhole - The Lake District Visitor Centre (opens in new window) including indoor exhibits, an undercover picnic area and an undercover traversing wall.
If you're hardy adventurers, at Coniston Boating Centre the electric boats have covered cabins.
A cruise or a bus ride is a great way to see the scenery without getting wet. Check out our public transport page.
And you can always stock up on some free colouring-in sheets from our Discovery zone.
The journey's half the fun!
Have a great day out by bike, open-air bus or boat. Please take a look at public transport page.
Cumbria County Council bus timetables (opens in new window) have some good suggestions. The #555 and #599 are particularly scenic...
Call of nature
Toilet locations and baby change facilities are listed on our Public toilets page. Many are located near our car parks.
Weather
To find out the current conditions, check out our Webcams page or for a forecast please look at Weatherline (opens in new window)
Heroes and heroines
Beatrix Potter loved the Lake District - Squirrel Nutkin sailed on Derwentwater and Johnny Townmouse lived in Hawkshead. The Greendale of Postman Pat is here and if you time it right, you might be able to meet Thomas the Tank Engine at Ravenglass Railway (opens in new window).
And for Swallows and Amazons fans, the list goes on forever! Hike up Kanchenjunga himself - the Old Man of Coniston, check out Wild Cat Island, also known as Peel Island on Coniston by taking a cruise or hiring a boat from Coniston Boating Centre. You might also want to check out the Islands of Windermere...
Ghosts and ghouls
There are some thrillingly atmospheric walks around. Will you risk a wander around haunted Claife Heights? Find out more in Ghosts and myths.
Useful links
All open in new window.
- Kids section of Ramblers offers ideas, looking at a walk from a child's perspective and useful links
- Lakes Days Out - reviews for children by local schoolchildren
- National Trust - Experience the Lakes
- Public toilets page on this website, including baby change facilities
- Storybook England with locations of favourite children's books
Want even more visitor information?
Visit Golakes (opens in new window), the official website of the tourist board for The Lake District and Cumbria. Browse and book accommodation and attractions online and see what's on in the area.