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Off to the Lakes next week, staying near to Windermere and looking for suggestions for some decent days out.
Probably be visiting the zoo at some stage, pencil museum has been suggested but reading the reviews it sounds a bit meh. Would like to hire a boat whilst we're there too. Don't mind travelling a bit but would prefer reasonably close by.
Kids are between 3 and 10 and enjoy getting wet/dirty/being outdoors, any suggestions welcome!
Go Ape at Grizedale forest? I'm not sure if there are height/age restrictions though.
Pencil museum for a wet day, it's actually very good, honest!
The zoo is worth a visit - lots of lemurs running wild with an emu or 2 and you can feed the giraffes.
There is the Ratty railway from Ravenglass - miniature steam railway. There are some big sandy beaches / rock pools etc on the west coast if that's you thing.
edit: there's a mini go ape type place on the edge of windermere (Treetop Trek)
There's a 'nets through the trees thing' at Brockhole, it's supposed to be good...I've been meaning to take my sister's kids.
What kind of boat were you looking to hire? There's a small place just outside of Glenridding that has small motorboats for hire - you can't miss it, it's just off the road, beside a cafe/car park.
If you're after lake swimming spots then I'd generally stay away from Windermere. There's some nice spots along the east side of Coniston Water, along the road around Nibthwaite.
Gummer's How is a great little family friendly hill with a fantastic view over Windermere. If you're lucky there should be lots of bilberries left to eat on the way up!
Go to Mason's Arms on Strawberry Bank afterwards for a drink/meal etc.
Edit: Ravenglass - Eskdale steam train is popular with big and little kids
Deffoe do the Laal Ratty.(ravenglass railway).
You could combine that with a trip to Muncaster Castle.
Honister Slatemine for the 10 y/o , not so sure about the wee one tho.
Take them to the Bowder stone - I loved it when I was laal.
Go up castle Cragg.... & paddle in the beck at the bottom.
There's a Go-Ape kind of place with a version for younger kids but I can't remember the name of it - I found it on the internet. You have to book in advance. The South Lakeland zoo is good, especially the lemur enclosure where you can walk amongst the lemurs and other things like marmots.
haverthwaite railway and the aquarium
lakelamdmaozaze has other kid frindly stuff
emergency pissing down soft play action at ambleside and crooklands dalton (opposite the zoo sprt of)
check out whats on at the yan grizedale
coniston gondola and boat hire good park there too
Thanks, some great suggestions there.
Like the look of the steam train as the two youngest love going on trains. Is it just a case of jumping on and finding something to do at Dalegarth before heading back?
Did consider go ape but it would mean leaving my lad out who's three as they have to be over 1m tall. As mentioned I have read somewhere there is another closer to windermere which is smaller person friendly.
Any ideas which beach would be best to head for?
Thanks again.
There's a beach at Ravenglass, which is as nice as any in that area. It would also be the handiest if you're going on the Ratty too.
As already mentioned, Muncaster castle is down that way and is popular for kids.
Brockhole tree tops is the smaller go-ape
Looks like Ravenglass beach, steam train and Muncaster castle are on the cards then!
Might be a case of Mum goes with the girls to the tree tops and me and the boy have some man time somewhere.
Cheers 🙂