Lake District with small child, dog & pram!

[NotPennysBoat]

We're off to the Lakes for a few days in September and I'm after some ideas for things to do with my 3yo (will also be with my DH and 2mo baby but they are more easily pleased!).

We are staying in Bowness, and will also have our dog with us (although we don't mind leaving him at the cottage for a few hours if there's somewhere great to go which isn't so dog-friendly). Can't leave the baby behind though so needs to be pram friendly!

Ideally looking for recommendations of wet-weather activities, outdoor play areas, any other things that might keep our 3yo occupied and happy.

Keswick has a great pool for little ones with a slide and a small wave machine. There is a fab playground right next to it. And a cafe at the entrance.
There is Brockhole at Windermere too which is very family orientated.
Lakeland shop at Windermere has. Great cafe and a very small soft play area.
Beatrix potter museum at Bowness also great and lots on.
On a nice day go over to the coast. Either Silloth or allonby have fab beaches.

Oh also Rheged at penrith. Huge underground place. Cinema. Shops. Soft play And various kids activities.

Can you just put baby into a sling? Then you don't have the pram to worry about

Wray castle is very good for little kids but I don't know about dogs I'm afraid. Fell foot park is nice too. Dogs allowed and pushchair friendly footpaths.

Some great ideas, thank you all. Also for reminding me about the sling (I blame baby brain)!

Boat trips on Windermere, Ullswater or Coniston Water. There are lots of new footpaths/cyclepaths in the area which are great for pushchairs. We use the one between Skelwith Bridge and Elterwater which goes down the Langdale Valley.

Fell foot has nice park & access to boats, Haverthwaite railway has park & good cafe.
Will come back to this later

Have a look at miles without stiles for lots of (all terrain) pushchair walks - the wheelchair suitable ones would be fine for any pushchair/stroller. We love whinlatter forest - particularly the wild play - fantastic play area for toddlers with water play and loads of other ideas - they've also got interesting walks - when I was last there it was on the 'super worm' theme and they've also got a gruffalo! Just make sure you've got decent waterproofs etc!

I live here with a three year old and a baby. There's plenty to do

The walk round Tarn Hows can be done with a buggy and is probably just about manageable length wise for a three year old.

Boats at Windermere, Derwent and Ulswater.

Brockhole has lots to do and often extra events.

Check if wray castle is open (it's quite seasonal). You can also combine a day out there with a boat trip and Brockhole.

If driving further isn't an issue, the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway is excellent, as is the South Lakes Animal Park.

If it's wet, Bowness and Ambleside both have soft play.

There are cinemas in bowness, kendal and ambleside.

The climbing centre at Keswick has 'hard play' (much more fun than soft play in my son's opinion)

Enjoy it! It's a lovely part of the world.

Dry weather ideas :Grizedale Forest (ferry trip over from Bowness) used to have a good sculpture trail suitable for buggies - it's a while since we've visited but I remember the 'hands on' sculptures which certainly appealed to my two when they were toddlers.
Park at Elterwater or Skelwith and walk along the river.
Many of the places suggested and car parks are National Trust - it may be worth joining if you're not a member.
I can think of two playgrounds in Bowness - one by the rugby club and the other behind the shops.
Orrest Head in Windermere is worth a walk - short climb for fantastic views also Biskey How/Brant fell in Bowness.

Wet weather - we always went to the World of Beatrix Potter in Bowness when it was too wet to go out.

Unless it's tipping down, you'll find that most of the walks suggested will be fine with waterproofs (an all in one or poncho for the 3yo) and wellies.

A long time ago I went to grizedale forest which I'm sure had accessibility trails... Worth looking at nowadays...

Yes Grizedale has trails for buggies/wheelchairs.