Lake District recommendations

[crankysaurus]

We're off to the Lake District for a week, please throw your top recommendations at me, I really don't know it well and DH only has an eye for climbing mountains.

We'll be near Windermere (with little reception). We like walking, tree climbing, paddling, castles, the sea and are thinking of boating / canoeing.

Kids are 9 and 13. All fairly adventurous though I've got a painful shoulder, and am not as fit as I'd like to be. Also not always keen on crowds, which could be tricky this weekend (didn't think that one through).

Wray Castle, National Trust. Get there early as it gets very busy but you can always walk down the lake path (as far as Sawrey and Claife Heights if you want).
Brockholes visitor centre for the water sport stuff.

Allan Bank (also National Trust) is nice for a wander. Grasmere parking a nightmare, head for White Moss Common on the way by Rydal and walk in to the village along the lakeshore instead. If you’re feeling energetic there’s a whole loop around Rydal and Grasmere that takes you up past old quarry caves and even up as far as Loughrigg if you want. Look for ‘Rydal Caves path’ or ‘Coffin route Rydal’.

Brockhole for tree top climbing and boats

Don't bother with Wray castle. There is nothing there. Sizergh castke In Kendle is much better. If you are NT members. Blackwells arts and crafts house is beautiful.
Chester's by the river at Skelwith bridge does amazing cakes.

I asked a similar question and got lots of suggestions a couple of weeks ago. I don't know how to link to that thread but can you search using my name?

Not an activity but Grasmere Gingerbread shop - mmm lovely gingerbread.

When you're headed for the mountains stop in Keswick, lovely town. Thunder and lightning ice cream is a must! Even better with fresh roasted cashews sprinkled on, still hot from the man in the market!!
I recommend hiring a boat if you don't have any and canoeing etc on a lake. We preferred coniston for that as it was a much quieter lake, lovely and clear for swimming. Beatrix Potter house also worth a trip.

Please make sure you're all appropriately dressed and packed enough food and water for the mountains!! They may be well trodden routes but they are still mountains and dangerous! I cannot believe the families we saw at the top of Scarfel pike a few years ago. Scorching bank holiday, at the summit and a family with 3 kids had less than half a bloody fruit shoot between them!!!!! Luckily we had some extra water to give them. So many people up there in trainers too, turn your ankle and there's no way you're getting down without help and there's limited mountain rescue resources. It's amazing when you get up there though!! We love camping by the tairns.

Thank you all, we are NT members so will look those placed up. And I'd seen Brockholes but it's good to have recommendations for it.

I found your link CQC, will have a look through on the bus.
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/3661674-lake-district-in-the-rain

Thinking of popping out at lunchtime for a map, which means I'm now on holiday mode Will look up that route, Saucery.

And cake recommendations are always week received! Thank you.

Walk up to Easedale Tarn from Grasmere it's not too tiring, my dc have been doing it since aged 3 and managed, take a picnic and mess round by the tarn for a few hours then walk back down the other side of Easdale Valley along a stream which again has lot's of lovely pools to stop by.

Lovely cakes at the Apple Pie shop in Ambleside.

Fell Foot, which is at the bottom of Windermere, is a great place to stop at for a picnic. There’s always stuff going on there: kayak hire, ropes and wooden play climbing stuff and very often a (pay to use) climbing wall with instructor, equipment etc. You also have to pay for the kayaks, but it’s cheaper than Derwent and Coniston, and IMO a little bit safer to let them go off as the area for kayaking is smaller. A couple of nice walks there, and v pretty.

I agree with Coniston for going out onto the Lake. It's beautiful and quieter than Windermere. It also has The Bluebird Cafe which does amazing cakes. Tarn Hows is National Trust and a nice walk.

Great, all helpful, thanks.
Don't worry about us on the hills, LoopyLu, we're prepared with sensible heads on us. And DH is a mountain leader. Know what you mean that though, we've seen people in high hills starting up Snowdon before.

I live in the Lakes, so I can recommend many things. I will say that all around Windermere I get 4G signal on my phone. I also get full 4G signal up Coniston Old Man. Don't assume we're totally unconnected

Kendal is great; loads of cafés, museums, castle. Sizergh Castle and all its walks are good. Windermere and Ambleside will be full of tourists, sometimes to the point you can't move! There's a good train line between Windermere and Oxenholme - recommend Hawkshead Brewery at Staveley. The steam train at Haverthwaite is cool.

After watching Deep Water, I am a little put off.

My sister lives in Grasmere and recommends Matilda's.

Full 4g signal in Grasmere as well.

Quick bit if signal at Windermere before back to our offline cottage. Kayaking on the lake this afternoon, it really is lovely

Ds1 said it's one of the best things he's done. Was sunny and beautifully calm.

Brilliant! You’ve certainly got the weather for it 🌞

Cartmel if you're foodies.