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

Wray Castle isn't a true castle - it was built by rich Victorians with more money than sense - but it's a fabulous place for a three year old, especially if it's raining.

Grasmere is a lovely village - there's the famous gingerbread, the lake is good for paddling, there is lots of nice ice cream to be had too. And a nice little playground next to a river walk. All of which is surrounded by stunning scenery that grownups will appreciate.

Muncaster Castle is great!

Love Coniston. Ruskin's museum is good too.

There's a lovely cafe called Chester's by the River at Skelwith Bridge, not far from Ambleside. Unfortunately it's all vegetarian, but fabulous food and cakes. There is a beautiful walk along the river to Elterwater from here with a waterfall, it's pretty flat and pushchair friendly.

Ambleside has Rothay Park with a great playground and boulders for clambering on. The Rock Shop has dinosaur stuff, and a 'gem pit' little ones can get in and choose their own stones. There are lots of nice shops and places to eat too.

If you want to try going up some easy hills there's Gummer's How near Fell Foot park, which is great for kiddies, and Orrest Head not farm from Windermere Station. I think there's Gruffalo stuff to spot at Orrest Head too.

@MassiveWordSalad

All changed at Chesters now , just takeaway now ( cardboard cups , plates , wooden cutlery ) you can sit indoors or outside but have to clear away and put waste in recycling bins.
Food is mainly pasties , bakes & pizza, cakes etc .

@GoldMoon I wonder if this was done to speed things up - we certainly didn't have to wait long last time I was there. They still do salads, chips, Mac and cheese, pancakes and so on. And the cakes! So I'm happy.

She would love that, thank you

😊 I know what you mean, imitation fairy castles in a sense but we'll worth a visit. It sounds fantastic, thank you

Fantastic suggestions thank you everyone

And I agree Allan House is a nice gentle place to visit - quite kid friendly and as pp says a nice gentle walk from Grasmere. Remember to take lots of change for car parks as phone signal can let you down if you try to pay by phone and I don't think all take card payments or you can't bank on it. There's public car parks in Coniston around the lake which is a 10 minute walk back into the village and another public car park in the centre of Grasmere.

I was also going to say the Rock Shop in Ambleside - I used to love it myself when I was little. It will appeal more to children than adults now but it's a good bet for a short while. There is also a bakery specialising in apple pie in Ambleside and the pies are indeed very tasty.

Ooh yes the Apple Pie Bakery! You can sit in, or just queue up Greggs style. Much nicer than Greggs though!

That's a good tip about change for the car park, thank you

Haha I'm not a big fan of greggs but this sounds delicious

Another vote for the Apple Pie cafe.

Elterwater has a pram friendly walk along the river and the Brittainia Inn pub is a must for a cheeky pint and chips.

Holkham Hall is in Norfolk

Holker probably was the one meant? In Cark. Quite a few big days/ dog shows etc there, so check before going if you like the sound of it.
I love Blackwell, on Windermere, at Bowness. Love it. The views of the lake are just lovely, as if the crazier parts of the lake were a long way away. There's a couple of conker trees that were the highlight for my DD - the house itself probably not the most child-suitable thing though (although welcoming, not off-putting, and there will be some things that they will be intrigued by).

Lovely thank you

Sounds great thank you

If you’re staying at grange

Wraysholme for an ice cream
train across the viaduct to Arnside for fish and chips on the pier be sure to preorder your fish and chips
dinner in the Pheasant at Allithwaite
pies from Higginsons
pizza and a pint in Unsworth’s yard at cartmel
lakeland maze farm park at Sedgwick
coffee and a cake at Levens hall
of it’s wet go to the dock museum ar Barrow
rails, sails and tails get a combed ticket for the lakeside and Haverthwaite railway, Windermere lake cruises and the world of beatrix potter
chocolate workshop at Hawkshead
one for mum - gin making class at shed one in Ulverston.
cumbria zoo.

don’t waste time going to keswick and the north

Was massively underwhelmed with the apple pie cafe. Plus it’s in ambleside which will be a 40 minute drive away.

much better option is the hazelmere in grange.

Ooh thank you, sounds so good

I disagree with ‘don’t go to the North’.

Fine, not to Keswick specifically, but IMO it is a shame to go to the Lake District and only see the Southern half. The big fells are concentrated in the North, the most spectacular scenery. Though going into Langdale is spectacular too.

And do find some time to have a picnic by a beck and do some messing about on the shore of a lake.

Why waste so much time travelling around. If you want the best views go west. Black comb and Millom. Head to the Howgills. So many people head to the honey pots and don’t see the best bits. If you’re staying north then fair enough but the lakes and cumbira is so much more.

Keswick. ambleside, Bowness all over rated and busy there’s so much more it this county and during the holidays you can waste so much tIme in a car when you don’t need to.

and yes I live and work in tourism in cumbria.

@somewhereovertherain I agree, thats why I posted the Link showing an alternative, people seem to be drawn to certain areas not always the best ones