In a couple of weeks family FD are going up to the Keswick area for the week.

The bikes will be going. We are staying very close to Whinlatter so I assume that would be the best place for a 6yr old to ride?

Also thinking of walking up Catbells.

We would also like to hire a Canadian Canoe – any recommendations where is best?

What other stuff should we be doing whilst up that way?

Secondary – what nice natural routes are up there for me to get out on?

Ta

We hired a rowing boat and Canadian canoe from Nichol End, just outside the town (a few minutes in the car), they were decent folk. We took a picnic and ate it on one of the little islands, kids loved it.

The leisure pool might be fun for a six year old, they have regular happy hours. Dull for grown ups though. There’s a also a forest adventure trail / obstacle course at Whinlatter which is good for kids.

There’s the http://www.lakedistrictwildlifepark.co.uk/ not far from Keswick. Cheap and reasonable entertainment.
The playpark at Whinlatter is good. Not sure I’d take a 6yr old round the reds, maybe the blue or you could just cycle up the hill on fireroads, will be quite scenic but steep in places.
There’s a cinema and swimming pool in keswick for when it rains.
for mtbing there’s the borrowdale bash of course or any of the skiddaw routes. The bash is much improved with the Walla Crag cheeky start.

There is a Pencil Museum, not that I’ve ever been…..

We went to the high ropes course at Brockhole (30 mins from Keswick) with our two 7 year olds last week and they loved it. Their 6 year old cousin also did it (we just lied and said she was 7 as that is the age limit for the harder / higher course).

They also have a nets area and a (free) adventure playgound.

If you can climb there is King Kong Climbing Wall nr the centre of Keswick. Ropes and bouldering walls.

If you dont mind driving, come to carlisle and try Eden Rock. Its brilliant for all abilities (Better if daddy can climb)

illusion museum in Keswick but 1/2 day tops but very interesting and you will get some good pics

There’s a nice little spot for family canoeing near Glencoyne Bridge with a small island to paddle out to and explore. Plus could get in a walk up Aira Force and back which a six year old should cope with fine.

There’s a nice little hill NE of the Whinlatter forest called Barf. It’s great for kids cos it’s got a very silly name, has amazing views and gives them a mountain day out for not much effort at all.
Route clicky

Secondary – what nice natural routes are up there for me to get out on?

Theres no doubt people who know the area better but the loop around Skiddaw is a pretty nice ride from Keswick, especially the return half past the waterfall and along lonscale fell on the back of Skiddaw.

That’s for the ideas so far, all good stuff, especially the tips on places to canoe / go to.

You could easily kill half a day just playing in the Derwent near Rosthwaite – it has safe swimming and picnic spots.

If you go to Brockhole the trampoline nets are a must for any child.
South Lakes animal Park is a cracker if you haven`t had much access to zoos, probably 1hr 15 mins away.

Having a fab week so far, weather has been brilliant. Jnr FD didn’t take to the blue at Whinlatter. It was no harder than the local BMX track but to be fair quite a lot of climbing.

Had a great day canoeing on Derwent earlier in the week

And last night out running I found this lovely cheeky track leading up a desolate valley with amazing views, and to top it off two military jets flew right over us at very low level

Laal ratty

For similar ride to the one pictured, park at littletown farm , Newlands (great cake/ice cream) and ride up the good track south past the Carlisle mc hut towards Dale head tarn. The track follows the river and is quite flat until the valley end. Leave bikes and walk up the path alongside the waterfalls to dale head tarn for picnic, or stay at the bottom and play in the river. Retrace route back to littletown. For a trip out, riding on the south side of loweswater is lovely, could combine with walk/water fun on shores of crummock water or Buttermere.