Lake District in the rain...

[CQCnamechange]

Hi
I'm a new single mum and I wasn't going to have a holiday this year but my lovely friend has given me her home to stay in for a few days, near Windermere.
My kids are 8 and 5 and I'm at a bit of a loss as to what to do. I've never been.
The weather looks like it's going to rain all week.
Can you help me out with some suggestions please?

It rains a lot in the Lakes so there is quite a bit to do that's indoors. As long as you have a car you should be absolutely fine.

There's the world of Beatrix potter
www.hop-skip-jump.com/

Wray Castle
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/wray-castle/features/family-fun-at-wray-castle

Brewery Arts Centre and other cinemas for films
www.breweryarts.co.uk/

Lakes Aquarium
lakesaquarium.co.uk/?doing_wp_cron=1565447410.1715350151062011718750

The Puzzling Place In Keswick
www.puzzlingplace.mobi/

Brockhole if it dries up a bit but not enough for you to want to be too far from shelter
www.brockhole.co.uk/

The Lakeland Farm Visitor Centre (this is new so I don't know much about it)
www.lakelandfarmvisitorcentre.co.uk/

Allen Bank
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/allan-bank-and-grasmere/features/the-house-at-allan-bank-and-grasmere

Bring decent waterproofs and wellies if you can. Grizedale forest is great for kids, especially the sculpture trail.

What’s that place on th edge of the park...rheged
Shops mainly but I think they do stuff for kids

Castlerigg stone circle is lovely if it dries up
Keswick is a nice town centre with plenty of cafes

The Lake District is wonderful with kids, regardless of the weather. Just bring wellies and waterproofs and you’re good to go.

@TheCumbrian’s list is good. I would add:

Walk up Orrest Head (it’s mostly in the trees do unless it’s hoofing it down the rain won’t affect you too much and the view is worth it)

Sizergh Castle has a nature trail that is also wooded so reasonably sheltered

Allen Bank in Grasmere

Lakeland Maze has a surprising amount to do indoors

There's a chocolate workshop place at Hawkshead too, can't remember the name of it. Definitely think about joining the NT if you aren't a member already, it's about £10 a month family membership so you don't need to fork out a lot now, Wray Castle and Allen Bank are amazing for kids, everything is hands on and you can take your own food.

Boat trip across the lake.

Leisure centre in keswick - good pool for kids (check opening hours, they’re a bit weird).

I enjoyed the windermere jetty museum with my 8 year old. Mainly indoors. Lots for children to do.

Ooh actually some of my best ever holidays have been in a rainy Lake District, and I generally don’t like rain! It’s just a magical place and the rain doesn’t change that - you will still have a brilliant time OP.

Definitely have a look at Allan Bank. Will you have a car with you up there? If so the pencil museum in Keswick is quite fun.. I think there’s a decent swimming baths in Keswick too.

Zeffirelli’s in Ambleside is a lovely cinema and pizza restaurant, could be good for a rainy afternoon.

All excellent suggestions above and then Homeground in Windermere for coffee and cake for you and hot choco for kids

If you go to Keswick, 'the square orange' cafe does the best food, my children insist on returning for their pizza annually - also dog friendly.

When it rains we just go for rainy walks.

Orrest head is another vote from us - literally over the road from the station/Booths supermarket in Windermere town. Takes about an hour round trip, nothing strenuous.

There's a car museum near Newby Bridge which is great for children and also a steam train near there too.

Boat to Grasmere?

The leisure centre in Kendal has a great swimming pool.

We are veterans of the rainy week in Windermere!

Get out hiking and walking ☺️

There are a few National Trust properties within a short drive

Go Ape or cycle hire at Grizedale

Mooching around Keswick/Ambleside

Would def recommended Aira Force too. It's beautiful and has a really magical quality for kids who are into make believe (mine are). You can walk there from Glenridding or Watermillock if you want to tie in a great walk.

If you're new to walking and hiking, check out 'Miles without Stiles' for easy but picturesque routes

Horseriding at Rookin House Farm

Dock museum in Barrow is great and free

Chohclate workshop in hawks head.

Boat train aquarium or Beatrix potter

Wray castle.

Climbing wall in Kendal

Tree top trek and nets at brockhole is one of my favourites.

My suggestions are 20 years old so investigate before setting out but I grew up just outside Windermere and here is how we didn't die of bordedom:
Little cinema at the top of Bowness Hill.
Spinnaker Club for a swim.
Take a ride on the ferries (most are covered)
Posh lunch at a pub somewhere (obvs went as a family and we're sort of made to go but was better than sitting at home all day!)
The arcades on Glebe Rd, then feed the swans
Helens Chocolate bottom of Bowness hill

We went to a great place in Keswick that had indoor caving that the kids really enjoyed and a cafe and play area. There was an ice climb too but we didn't try that. I can't recall its name but it had a huge gorilla statue outside 😂

Boat trip (known in our family as the ‘booze cruise’ because they serve alcohol) - you get a joint ticket to cruise the lake (leaves from Bowness), get a train (couple of miles) and also go round the Aquarium. There’s a lovely pub by the station called The Anglers Arms, just a couple of minutes walk.

The car museum is worth a trip too, loads of old vehicles including the Bluebird.

We used to love Beatrix Potter’s house as kids.

All I can say is get some good waterproofs. Sometimes the weather forecast is wrong in fact a lot of the time it is... but if it says it will rain it normally does just not for the time it states.
Visit a marina and look at all the big boats!
Beatrix Potter world is ok... worth it if they LOVE Peter rabbit.
Kayaking
Hire a boat on Bowness lake
Visit Ullswater and Kirkstone pass
Aira force
Mini golf
Hayes garden world is pretty cool my boys love it there 😂 (I do more)
The aquarium is okay...
walks a lot of people go to fell foot which is a walk
The ferry from Bowness to the lakeside!
x

Visit fell foot park and hire a kayak or paddle board. Great fun

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/fell-foot

Keswick is the king climbing wall and hard play area

Also puzzling places and the pencil museum

Live Peter rabbit show in Bowness-on-Windermere is awesome

I spent most of my childhood holidays in the lakes. Think I remember one hit one. Have lovely memories of it though. Wellies, freedom, games.

Thanks everyone. Just came back to say we have had a lovely time mainly thanks to your suggestions. Even in the rain we have had loads of fun and have planned to come back to do the rest xx

Glad you enjoyed it!