10 Best Family Things to Do in the Lake District

The Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway offers the chance to see 3½ miles of landscape on an authentic steam or diesel train. It’s a wonderfully romantic and old-world way to see the countryside. You’ll feel like you’ve stepped back into the 1800s as you witness the lush wilderness. When you reach your destination, you can visit many Lakeside attractions, even catching a boat to several other destinations.

The route also connects to several National Trust Sites, where you can enjoy water sports, swimming, hiking and a whole world of outdoor adventures. It’s a serene, vibrant and elegant way to visit the country, reconnect with the family and escape the crowds.

The World of Beatrix Potter in Bowness-on-Windermere lets you visit the settings and characters of some of the most beloved English children’s storybooks of all time. You can walk through living villages populated by iconic characters like Peter Rabbit, Mr Todd, Jemima Puddle-Duck, Jeremy Fisher and others. Beatrix Potter was deeply inspired by the Lake District when she wrote her books, so you’ll see the region where these stories were set.

On special occasions, the park holds special events like Peter Rabbit Tea Parties. They also host kid-friendly live performances in the Old Laundry Theatre. It’s an enchanting, wondrous opportunity for the little ones to meet their favourite characters and for grown-ups to travel back to childhood.

Wray Castle in Ambleside on the banks of Lake Windermere is a National Trust historic site filled with child-friendly attractions with hands-on activities and kid-centric adventures. The castle was built in the Victorian Era using neo-Gothic design but isn’t filled with historic furniture and valuable rare artwork. Instead, it’s full of theme park-style play activities like giant games, period dress-up opportunities, soft play areas, table tennis, and arts and crafts. Kids can even run and play with Peter Rabbit in themed adventure rooms.

Since many activities are indoors, the castle is an excellent choice for rainy day family activities. On sunny days, the family will also enjoy the outdoor options.

Brockhole on Windermere is a fun, active and exciting day out for adults and kids of all ages, offering many opportunities in a nature-oriented theme park. It begins on the grounds of a Victorian-era summer home where kids can run, jump, swing and play in a full adventure setting. Options for exploration include archery, mini-golf, go-kart racing, spelunking, nature trails, tree-top climbing and plenty of other activities. Families can hire kayaks, boats, and paddle boards to get on the lake.

Inside, you’ll find a museum, visitor centre, gardens, cafes and restaurants, and a gift shop. It’s an all-in-one indoor-outdoor fun park for a day of adventure.

Lakes Aquarium on the shores of Lake Windermere is among the largest collections of freshwater fish and aquatic creatures in the United Kingdom, with up-close, family-friendly experiences. The aquarium features such fish and creatures as koi carp, perch, crayfish, pike and many other species, and you can walk through an underwater tunnel to see what the bottom of Lake Windermere looks like.

Besides native freshwater fish, the aquarium also features many other species of aquatic animals from all over the world. You’ll have the opportunity to see colourful clownfish to intimidating piranhas, from sea turtles to adorable otters playing and swimming. Special events like talks and workshops are held throughout the year.

Lake District Wildlife Park in Keswick offers wildlife fun with more than 100 species of exotic animals on display over a 9-hectare park. Here you can see fierce and noble birds of prey, stunning reptiles, playful primates and friendly farm creatures. Along with these, you’ll find rare species like the red panda and lynx, some of which you may have the chance to pet. On your visit, you’ll learn about endangered species and the importance of conservation efforts.

When the kids want a break from visiting animals, the park offers outdoor and indoor play areas, including a ball pit and soft play. An onsite cafe offers snacks and full meals.

Go Ape Grizedale offers an adventure play area and high ropes course for the kids and plenty of exhibits and relaxed fun for adults in a lush Cumbrian forest. Kids can enjoy running, climbing, swinging and bouncing through the treetops on the rope course. The entire family will love seeing the sculptures that dot the forest paths and the regular art exhibits. When it’s time to grab a bite, the onsite cafe offers full meals to give you a break and a rest between exhibitions.

Family orienteering and exploration courses are also part of the park. It’s a fun and exciting few hours out for families with children aged 6 and above.

Lake District Coast Aquarium is a fun rainy-day attraction where you can get lost in the aquatic life native to the Irish Sea, viewing hundreds of native fish. This colourful underwater world will come to life as you explore the alien landscape of undersea ecology that comprises most of our planet. A petting pool allows you to touch and feel creatures like starfish. A primary attraction recreates the Solway Estuary to showcase local ecology in action.

Outside, the aquarium offers an adventure playground for kids to work out all their excess energy. One of the nice things about this attraction is that you can leave and re-enter as often as you like for the cost of a one-day ticket.

The Rookin House Equestrian & Activity Centre in Penrith allows every child to engage their fantasy of getting on a horse and exploring the beautiful, peaceful countryside. You can explore a vast national park at this park, riding through trails that provide plaques detailing its links to literary history and adventuring among ghylls, crags and fells of the wilderness. The park offers a wide range of outdoor activities, including self-guided and planned packages and onsite accommodation if you want to stay longer.

Planned activities include clay pigeon shooting, archery, air rifles, 4x4 riding, tree climbing and assault courses and even human bowling. Most need to be booked in advance, so check in before you go.

Grizedale Forest has 10 full walking trails and 9 cycling trails to explore, with several challenging mountain bike trails offering a range of challenges and onsite art installations. As you explore the forests, you will see many sculptures scattered through the trails that add a touch of art to the natural wonders around you. The park includes an adventure play area and a treetop rope course for the kids.

You can hire bikes to explore the trails, which range from easy to difficult for visitors of all experience levels. Dining is available at the park’s cafe, with light snacks or full meals as you take a break from the forests.