Another Windermere/Lakes Thread

[Wanderdust]

I know folk ask all the time but hoping those in the know can answer my particular questions :) We want to take our DS (4) before baby number 2 arrives in August. He adores Peter Rabbit!

1. If we go start of June, before school hols, will it still be horrendously busy that we'll be unable to park?! Heard some horror stories so wondering if we should ditch car either completely or leave it at our accomodation. This will depend on location of course.

2. Where would you stay with a young child? Is it best to avoid Windermere? Had been recommended Keswick but it seems further out from attractions like World of Beatrix Potter. But again, guess it depends if you're driving or not! Again, wondering if it's best to stay very central but just rely on public transport. Can't make my mind up!

My son isn't great at walking far and I'll be pretty far along myself! But he is a fairly easy going kid aside from moaning about walking :) We just want to mooch around, have lunch and go to the park! And of course, go to the Beatrix Potter attraction. My son loves trains/boats too.

Thank you!

If you stay fairly close to Windermere or between Windermere and Newby Bridge, you could easily do the following: World of Beatrix Potter, get the ferry across the lake to Hill Top (Beatrix Potter's house), visit Windermere Jetty boat museum, go on one of the Windermere Lake Cruises boats and go on the Haverthwaite steam railway. I don't think I'd ditch the car. I'm not aware that parking is that bad.

You could stay in Kendal or Staveley, there’s a train from Kendal to Windermere so that’s a bonus if he likes trains 😊 Staveley park is lovely and there’s a mill yard with a gorgeous cafe and an ice cream place a bit further up. Parking is not that terrible in Windermere but if it’s a hot weekend that goes out of the window and it will be heaving. Otherwise it’s fine.

Thank you so much both! We will be going Tuesday, leaving on Saturday, so that's ideal :)

Here are a few different things your son and you may well like
Did you know about the Motor Museum? good acfe with nice riverside seating too, its also Dog friendly
https://www.lakelandmotormuseum.co.uk

Steam train place just down the road
https://www.lakesiderailway.co.uk
The area they are in is usually quieter as everyone heads to Windermere / Bowness/ Ambleside.
You can drive from these two attractions up the left hand side of Windemere and get the ferry across to the busy side near Bowness
https://www.westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk/parking-streets-and-transport/windermere-ferry

We stay at Fallbarrow regularly, it's an ideal location. You could easily leave the car on the park all week and walk or use the buses. You're in the centre of Bowness so walking distance of the world of Beatrix Potter/windermere.

There is a lovely walk at Orest Head if staying in Windermere, grufflo statues on the way up, benches and views at the top.
second the Windermere jetty museum as has lovely cafe and usually quiet enough to feel lovely and low key

Parking is also fine…esp if you are awake early with a toddler

You could even stay out as far as Ulverston and either use your car, it's 30 minutes drive to Windermere or there are regular buses. Also you can get the steam train at Haverthwaite to Lakeside, then the steamer boats from Lakeside to Bowness/Windermere. The beauty of staying in Ulverston is it is a pretty market town surrounded by lovely beaches, nice country side and a visit to Cumbrian Cow Ice Cream is definitely worth a visit.