Looking for family activities in the Lake District? Some days, we’re happy with a walk, a picnic and somewhere for the children to run around. Other days, it’s lovely to have something booked and ready to look forward to.
During the school holidays, I tend to check a few favourite places to see what’s happening. There might be a creative workshop, a family trail or a special railway day that gives us a starting point for our plans.
These are the places I look for family activities in the Lake District and nearby Cumbria. Some are days out in their own right, while others are worth checking for seasonal events.
Whether you’re visiting for half term, Easter or the summer holidays, hopefully there’s something here to suit your family.
1. Windermere Jetty Museum
Windermere Jetty Museum is one of the first places I check when we fancy something creative with the children. Its family programme includes hands-on activities, and being right beside the lake makes it a lovely setting for a few hours out.
You can combine an activity with exploring the museum and finding out about its boats. I like having something for the children to get involved in, with time to look around afterwards. Check the programme to see what suits their ages.
The cafe views are some of the best in the whole Lake District too.
Check upcoming family activities at Windermere Jetty Museum.
Where: Rayrigg Road, between Windermere and Bowness.
2. Sizergh
Sizergh is a great option when we want an activity and some time outdoors in the same visit. Plus there’s something for kids and grownups to like. It’s part of the National Trust so bonus points if you’re a member as you’ll get free parking.
I love the Woodland trail, which you access from the top of the car park. There are things to climb on, through – crawl under, rope swing down, balance on and swing on. Plus things to spot around the whole walk in the beautiful forest.
The gardens are always lovely and at certain points in the year they have great activities on in the grounds too.
Check its family page for current trails and activities, then leave time to explore the gardens or take a walk. You don’t need to fit everything into one day. An activity, a wander and something to eat can be plenty.
See family activities at Sizergh.
Where: Just south of Kendal.
3. The World of Beatrix Potter
If your children know Peter Rabbit and his friends, this is a lovely one to have on the list. The World of Beatrix Potter brings the stories to life, and it’s an indoor option for days when the weather isn’t playing along.
This is the attraction in Bowness, rather than Beatrix Potter’s home at Hill Top – which we do also like on a sunny day. Have a look for any special events alongside the usual visit. We’ve been to tea parties and stage productions there too.
It doesn’t need to fill a whole day, so you can leave time for a wander around Bowness afterwards.
Plan a visit to The World of Beatrix Potter.
Where: Bowness-on-Windermere.
4. Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway
A train journey can be an event in itself when you have children. There’s the excitement of waiting at the station, climbing aboard and watching everything go past the window. Especially with the views this train offers.
Lakeside & Haverthwaite is a family-run heritage railway, and it’s worth checking for special events as well as its regular timetable. You can keep things simple with a railway trip or look at combining it with something at Lakeside, such as the Lakes Aquarium. Just check the connections before booking so you have time to enjoy it all.
Check train times and upcoming events.
Where: Haverthwaite, near Newby Bridge, with trains running to Lakeside.
5. Millerbeck Light Railway
Millerbeck is another lovely option for children who enjoy trains, with a different feel from a full-size railway journey. The miniature railway runs through the private grounds of Millerbeck House, passing through meadows and woodland and crossing the stream.
It opens to the public on selected dates, so this is one to check as soon as you know when you’re visiting – as it does sell out. Have a look at the events diary and booking information before making plans, as it isn’t somewhere you can simply turn up any day.
Where: Staveley-in-Cartmel, near Newby Bridge.
6. Wray Castle and its grounds
Wray is worth checking when you want a family activity with room for some fresh air afterwards. Also part of the Nationak Trust. The castle makes an exciting backdrop, and a trail or activity can give the children something to focus on while you explore. For school holidays they often set up games in the garden for everyone to join in with and the backdrop is absolutely stunning.
Look at the current family programme to see what’s available during your stay.
Find family activities at Wray.
Where: On the western shore of Windermere, near Ambleside.
7. Brockhole on Windermere
Brockhole is another place to look when the children fancy an activity and you’d like a day beside the lake. There’s scope to choose something to do, then leave time to explore the grounds and walk down to the lake.
I like having that flexibility, especially when everyone has slightly different ideas about the day. Have a look at the current activities and events, choose something that suits your children and build your visit around that. There’s no need to squeeze everything into one trip. Go Ape are also there if they want something really fun. We often do the tree tops nets – which suit kids of a younger age too.
Check activities and events at Brockhole.
Where: Between Windermere and Ambleside, on the eastern shore of the lake.
8. Levens Hall
Levens Hall is worth a look if you fancy combining a children’s activity with maybe something more grown up. Not your typical kids activity but it works well for outdoor space and something gorgeous to see. The topiary gives everyone some wonderfully unusual shapes to notice as they walk around and there is a small but cool playground in the gardens.
Check its family information and events calendar for anything happening during your stay. There are often trails or seasonal activities which can give children a starting point for exploring, particularly if a garden visit alone wouldn’t get an enthusiastic response. Opening is seasonal, so check the dates for the house, gardens and any event you’re interested in.
Lastly – DO NOT miss Levens Kitchen, bakery and the ice cream in summer.
See family visitor information at Levens Hall.
Where: Levens, around five miles south of Kendal.
9. The Chocolate Factory in Hawkshead
Making chocolate is an activity I suspect would get a fairly quick yes in our house. The Chocolate Factory offers children’s and family workshops where you make chocolate creations to take home.
Sessions usually last around 30 to 40 minutes, so you can fit one into a visit to Hawkshead without planning the whole day around it. I like the idea of everyone making something of their own, especially something edible. Whether much would make it home is another question.
A little tip – there is a brilliant pizza place on Esthwaite water called the Boathouse. Great if you can combine this into your trip.
Explore family chocolate-making workshops.
Where: Main Street, in the centre of Hawkshead village.
10. Lakeland Maze Farm Park
Lakeland Maze Farm Park is a good one to check when you want a choice of activities in one place. There are farm animals and play activities, with the maize maze adding something extra when it’s in season. There is a wooden maze you’ll be able to access all year though.
It’s worth looking at the events page for seasonal activities during your visit, too. The farm park opens seasonally, and the maize maze has its own shorter season, so check what will be available on your chosen date. For more farm ideas, have a look at our guide to family-friendly farms in Cumbria.
Check opening dates and activities at Lakeland Maze Farm Park.
Where: Sedgwick, just south of Kendal.
Planning your family activities in the Lake District
A little planning helps you make the most of the family activities in the Lake District during your stay.
Before booking, check the age guidance, whether adults need tickets and whether the activity costs extra on top of admission. For outdoor events, it’s also worth knowing what happens if the weather changes.
I’d choose one main thing and leave the rest of the day fairly open. Time for a snack or an unexpected stop usually makes everyone happier than trying to fit in another activity.
And if you wake up and fancy something simpler, our guide to family days out with a little breathing space has ideas for beach picnics, forest walks and exploring together.
A base for family activities in the Lake District
The Pheasant Lodge is our spacious holiday home in Field Broughton, two miles from Cartmel, sleeping up to six.
There’s room to spread out after a day out, a dining table for family meals and games, and gardens for anyone who still has energy to burn. Take a look at our family facilities and check availability for your next Lake District holiday.
Hannah – The host at the Pheasant Lodge x