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AIBU?

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AIBU to plan a day trip to the Lake District? Help!

60 replies

Heyhihobye · 19/05/2026 01:08

Hiya Mumsnet, I am so confused and worried about sounding a bit thick, really.

I want to take my children (1, 6, 9) to the Lake District next week. I was thinking a full day trip - early morning to evening time.

I am basically clueless (trying to research online) and actually have no idea where to begin.

Is a day trip worthwhile and possible?
What do people actually do there?
What are your tips and recommendations?
How can I make the most of it?

Please help me out so I can create an itinerary and give the kids a nice memorable trip!

Thanks Mumsnet x

OP posts:
LocalHobo · 19/05/2026 05:17

Our last day trip I went with my mam and kids, we got there early and did Beatrix Potter Visitor Attraction, then down to the lake and did a lake cruise over to the other side - did the steam train and Aquarium of the Lakes, cruise back over and had fish and chips, then a look round shops on way back to the car.
I second this suggestion. The B Potter attraction is in Bowness, as is the quay to board the lake cruise.

CheshireDing · 19/05/2026 05:14

I presume you are driving there.

for children that age - Grasmere is lovely and easy to walk round, it has the gingerbread shop too. There is Faeryland there as well which you can walk to, hire a boat and get something from the cafe.

Beatrix Potters home near Ambleside is excellent, then you could drive down and poke about Ambleside town, there is a waterfall there too.

TheatreTraveller · 19/05/2026 04:49

I live in the North East of England and often have a day trip to the lakes. With children those ages I'd concentrate on Windermere.
Our last day trip I went with my mam and kids, we got there early and did Beatrix Potter Visitor Attraction, then down to the lake and did a lake cruise over to the other side - did the steam train and Aquarium of the Lakes, cruise back over and had fish and chips, then a look round shops on way back to the car.

Zanatdy · 19/05/2026 04:33

tell chat GPT what you want to do, and how much time you have and it will work our an itinerary for you.

Somnambule · 19/05/2026 04:27

Do you have a car? If so, I recommend Tarn Hows - it's a national trust owned tarn (basically tiny lake) with a fully accessible path round it. The views are beautiful and it will give you the Lake District experience without challenging terrain. Your older children will absolutely love the freedom of being in a wild beautiful landscape. There's a lovely cafe there too. Definitely don't take them to soft play!!

Ambleside is a pretty town and has a nice park but be warned, it will be very busy in half term. The roads are narrow and twisty but don't be put off, just take it steady and use the passing places. You'll have a lovely time, the lake District is mind-blowingly beautiful.

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/lake-district/tarn-hows-and-coniston

Tarn Hows and Coniston | Lake District

Discover Tarn Hows and Coniston, great places to walk and picnic, or to begin your wider Lake District countryside adventure.

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/lake-district/tarn-hows-and-coniston

akkakk · 19/05/2026 04:02

The boat on Windermere (it is a Mere not a lake apparently!) goes to the south of the ‘lake’ where you can get off and get the steam train from the same place going south and back to catch the next boat back…

alternatively if you can carry the 1 yr old and the others can walk - waterfalls like Aira Force by Ullswater are good fun…

Keswick has the pencil museum and a place with lots of optical illusions / a good toy shop / a park with pitch and putt golf / walk to derwent water / feed the ducks there or take large boat trip / hire your own rowing boat or motor boat / walk around a bit of the lake (flat and easy)

BigYellowBus · 19/05/2026 02:15

It would be helpful to know which direction you will be coming from. No point in advising for Windermere if you'll be in Penrith

PlayingDevilsAdvocateisinteresting · 19/05/2026 02:08

I think that as you are under an hour away @Heyhihobye, that it could be worth it, but I'm not sure how much fun the children would find it, especially the 1 year old. If your youngest uses a pushchair you might want to check wherever it is that you intend to visit, as since I had to use a wheelchair, some places - a lot of places - were too difficult for me to negotiate. That was because many curbs, and steps into shops, cafes, and restaurants, are very high, and along with some cobbled roads - in some of the town centres - it was just too difficult for me to manoeuvre. Of course a pushchair is much lighter, as is it's occupant, so they could be lifted into many of the type of places I mentioned.

The only activity that I can think of at the moment, and that you may all enjoy, to a lesser or greater extent, is maybe a passenger boat ride on Lake Windermere. If you want to do that, Ambleside would probably give you the best choice. (Some of the other lakes also have passenger boats)

I think that it would also be a good idea to research beforehand any free childrens play parks, and maybe - if the 9 year old doesn't mind, have a cuppa and a snack at a childrens soft play, for the younger two? If you could find somewhere that had both soft play, and something like a childrens wall climbing activity, then that could make a reasonable place where they could all let of some steam!

Talking of steam, I have a feeling that there is also a pleasant steam train journey, but I think it is nearer to the West Coast, and probably quite south within the LD. But I'm sure that it wouldn't be hard to look it up. However, I found that when we were actually within the National Park, most of the roads are very windy - like a snake, rather than windy like a gale! - and, of course, they also had lots of ups and downs. I always loved that part as you could get some stunning views from the higher parts, but it does mean that if you want to visit several different places in the one day, the roads can make the journeys take quite a bit longer than you may imagine from the distances.

Personally, I would not have even attempted the LD if I didn't have another adult with me to help with three children, and you haven't mentioned whether anyone else is going with you. Of course you might have a much stronger constitution than I do, and a 1 year old, a 6 year old, and a 9 year old, might be a breeze for you, so please don't let any negativity I have shown, put you off if you have no worries about coping. I would just add that it probably wouldn't be a great idea to go if it is forecasted to be a rainy day... 🤭

Whatever you do with them next week, I hope you all have a brilliant time 😁

Heyhihobye · 19/05/2026 01:15

sittingonabeach · 19/05/2026 01:13

How far away are you?

According to Google I am 55 minutes away from Lake District National Park. We are planning to move away in September so I thought I’d make the most out of it before then 😅

OP posts:
sittingonabeach · 19/05/2026 01:13

How far away are you?

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