We buy the instant logs from b and m for about £1 each instead of buying the identical ones from the Park Market, they are about £4/5 each!! It does say on the fire place to only use their logs, but there isn’t a log police force so it’s fine.
We do a big shop before we arrive. I have a special cool bag and some ice packs to keep cold items in until we can get into our lodge.
You do get towels, in certain lodges you also get maid service so they will replace your towels during your stay. We took them to the swimming. If you get maid service they will also replace toilet rolls, if not then remember to bring more with you!
We are also a blanket family so bring your blankets and dvds to watch in the evenings if that’s your thing.
They provide a little bowl of chalk for the blackboard but it’s the thin chalk, my kids prefer the bigger pieces so we bought a tub that we just keep for that. Think it was only £1.
Places like Poundland sells ten packs of dishwashing tablets. They provide you with a few but not enough.
Bring some bird seed to scatter. My kids loved watching the different animals it attracted.
If you are going in dry weather and your kids want to play in the little beach bit then buy your beach toys before you go too. Mind you I don’t know if they will be in any shops now :S
The swimming at whinfell opened at 10 (not sure about everywhere else) and the entire park was there! I personally would never go at that time after going just once then lol. We go every day at 4/5ish and stay for hours and there is hardly anyone else there so less crowded and no queues for slides etc. We bring a light packed lunch in with us and eat it about 6/7 and then back into the pool. There is a cafe where you can buy food and meals from but we prefer to bring our own. My kids can spend hours and hours in there!