Things to do in Lake District

[Roliepolieolie]

Staying for a week on the Southern edge of the Lake District soon with a 3 year old. Never been before. Any recommendations for things to do in the area? Places to visit? Thanks

Zoo activity trail in Grizedale www.forestryengland.uk/grizedale/zog-activity-trail-grizedale
World of Beatrix Potter
Brockhole www.brockhole.co.uk/activities/
Windermere Lake Cruise
Wray Castle www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/lake-district/wray-castle/visiting-wray-castle-with-family

We had a weekend in the Lakes in March and enjoyed the boat on Lake Windermere from Bowness to Ambleside. It also stops at Brockholes, where there is a large adventure playground. Or there is a boat trip you can do which includes a ticket to the Lakes Aquarium. In Bowness, there is also the Beatrix Potter House (Hill Top). I haven’t been but a friend took her then 3yo and recommended it. They enjoyed Wray Castle too. A bit further south, there is Sizergh Castle near Kendal and Williamson Park in Lancaster has a good playground and a butterfly house which was popular with my girls. There is also the South Lakes Safari Zoo. Just be prepared that all the towns and villages will probably be very busy. I was surprised how busy everywhere was in March (term time, slightly dodgy weather) so I imagine the summer will be packed. It’s very beautiful though!

Wray castle is quite child friendly and you can combine it with a boat trip (quite limited parking). I've never visited but I've heard good things about Fell Foot park and Grizedale has some child friendly trails and a good playground.

If you are in South lakes Grange over sands is lovely and not as touristy as the rest of the lakes. Theres a lovely park in the centre with a huge lake full of swans, ducks, geese ect. Theres a lovely walk along the prominade where lots of kids take skates/bikes/scooters. Theres little parks and further along the prom is pitch and put, basketball courts ect. Theres a trainstation there if you want to go a bit further and the scenery is lovely.

Wow, thank you for all these suggestions. They look great! Really looking forward to going now and trying them out

Heres a nice day out in the south lakes
http://www.donthibernate.co.uk/route-9-the-lakes/

Coniston has a lovely little vintage market over the summer with some real gems in it. Also Coniston Water is nice for a paddle or boat trip. There's a lovely easy walk around Tarn Hows which is just about buggy friendly, and they have a car park and toilets which are convenient when you have a little one.

Oh and there's Grasmere too - Wordsworth's grave plus some nice gift shops and the famous gingerbread shop.

Haverthwaite railway
Brockhole
Wray Castle
Holkham Hall

Lakes Aquarium is great!

Like the look of that museum. Hawkshead looks beautiful too, thank you

Sounds fab, will check it all out thank you

Didn't know there was castles up that way, will definitely visit, thank you

My little one will love that, thank you

Pencil museum is surprisingly brilliant

The National Trust’s Allan Bank house is a short pram-friendly walk from the centre of Grasmere and has lovely gardens to explore with young dc. You can spend time inside too, an Art Room, a Play Room etc.

Ooh sounds interesting thanks

Sounds perfect thank you

The Car Museum if you don't fancy it the cafe is excellent and has lovely riverside seating, I believe there is a steam train place just down the road

Lakeland Maize Maze https://www.lakelandmaze.co.uk/

Greenlands Farm Village https://www.greenlandsfarmvillage.co.uk/

Sizergh Castle https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/lake-district/sizergh

Wildlife Oasis https://wildlifeoasis.co.uk/

Where are you actually staying?

Lowther Castle near Penrith has a brilliant play area!

Bassenthwaite Lake Station. Best afternoon tea I've ever had and you eat it in a train carriage (from the film set of Murder on the Orient Express no less) on a platform of a disused train station. Great kids' menu and there's a great shop there too packed with delicious chutneys, jams and other random stuff you don't realise you want until you get in there.

I was about to say that!

Thank you for these ideas, we are staying at Grange over sands

Sounds so good, thank you

Grizedale Forest and the Zog activity trail is probably a good shout as well then https://www.forestryengland.uk/grizedale/zog-activity-trail-grizedale

The trail is just about right in difficulty/length to keep a 3 year old entertained.

There is also a play area at Grizedale forest as well