Peaks/Lakes holiday with baby and toddler… any tips?

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We are going to an area near the Peaks/Lakes in autumn and have a relatively mobile 1 year old and a 3 year old. Renting a single story holiday cottage for a week. No family around, it’s just DH and me.

I’d love to know any tips for going on holiday with two small children!

The Peak District and Lake District aren't near each other. Which are you going to?

I know it's not the point-but where exactly are you going? That might get specific things to do with young kids. The peaks is Derbyshire and The Lakes is Cumbria. And you say you are 'near' them? They are about two hours apart

Don’t let them fall in any of the Lakes or rivers

As others have said they are completely different places. Where are you actually going and we can help with recommendations.

Op is going to a hilly area in which most people would do outdoor activities like walking but it’s too outing to say where because only a few hundred thousand people go there each year

there are many short walks you can do with kids -and some guide books that help you make the walk more entertaining for the 3 year old / things to spot and such . maximum distance 3 miles at that age and that would take you half a day

let them know what is happening and when.

google the list of local playgrounds and visit each of them with a picnic . google the nearest swimming pool for when the weather is bad

take plenty of snacks when out and about

at that age it isn’t much of a holiday so think of some nice treats - getting a takeaway one evening / for you

perhaps each have a day to yourself
don’t try to do too much - they will find it unsettling and so be more fragile than normal

Sorry - we are going to the Lakes.

Thanks @backformoreofthesame that’s really helpful advice.

I recommend thelittliesandthelakes on instagram…gives some excellent toddler walks and guides

Buttermere is a lovely walk you can do with a pram. Some of the best scenery in the lakes. Start at the farm end and then walk to the village and you can stop at a walk cafe halfway through. Grizedale forest has gruffalo/room on the broom stuff. Tarn Hows a lovely family walk suitable with a pram. If you have a baby carrier I can reccomend other walks. Where abouts in the Lakes are you staying as that will help to give more specific advice. Ullswater, Coniston and Derwent water have boat rides. Ambleside and Grasmere have lovely playgrounds. I love the Lakes and we have had some of the best holidays when are kids were little there.

We had a short break in the lakes with our 3 year old earlier this year and highly recommend the lakes aquarium at Windermere. We used it for a very hot day but it would also be great as a rainy day activity, lots to look at and a good size for little legs.

And general holiday tips if you’ve got space we’ve taken an extendable stair gate before and used it to block off the kitchen or other tricky rooms. Also download the playground buddy app to find playgrounds close to where you are or for stops whilst you are on the way there/back, it’s a searchable map with playgrounds marked some of which have photos or descriptions and we’ve found it pretty accurate so far even abroad.

Hope you have a great time.

Just bear in mind, that any holiday with tiny children is “same sh*t, different location”. A holiday to the Lake District won’t be like any you had before you had children. They’ll be unsettled from the things and places they know. Having said that, the Lakes is probably the best place we took our dc, where it felt like we’d had a bit of an adult holiday too.

The Lake District is pretty stunning wherever you are. With a baby carrier and a sturdy 3 year old, you could walk up How [[https://www.walklakes.co.uk/walk_206.html www.walklakes.co.uk/walk_206.html and get some big mountain views and feel like you’ve done something special. It’s about a 45 min walk from the car park to the summit, even at 3 year old pace. It’s close to the NT site at Fell Foot Park too, which is good for running around, playground or even a dip in Windermere.

Wray Castle (also NT) is good for kids too.

Lovely (warm) indoor pool in Keswick.
Soft play in (Outside In) in Kendal
Grizedale forest for trails and playground.
Nice Lake walks round Rydal Water, Buttermere & Tarn Hows and there is a bit of a trail around Ullswater (more than a day though). Other little walks include up Loughrigg, Orrest Head, Aira Force.

With a cottage, you can have a semblance of a bedtime routine and then an adult evening with TV and take away or push food from Booth’s!

Keswick to Threlkeld Railway path is pushchair and wheelchair friendly, there is a lovely cafe in Threlkeld.
Make sure you remember to visit Booths for your food shop, they stock a great range of Cook ready meals do you could enjoy a nice meal after the dcs are in bed. Great alcohol and cheese selection too.