20th February 2017

Fun Things to do in the Lake District

Getting out and about and enjoying some fun things to do on your self-catering holiday in the Lake District is a great way of ensuring your trip is truly memorable.

Activities include everything from thrill seeking adventures to trips down memory lane and opportunities to explore unusual sites and attractions which exist nowhere else in the world.

Here, we’ve picked out some of our favourite fun things to see and do in the Lake District for all kinds of travellers.

Lake Windermere

Visiting Lake Windermere is always a breath-taking experience. But this corner of the country comes into its own by water. With more than 10 miles to travel between Ambleside and Newby Bridge, you can while away a leisurely morning or afternoon on cruise boat – with the opportunity to jump off wherever takes your fancy – or simply swan up and down enjoying the views.

Derwent Pencil Museum

A quirky place to spend and hour or so is the Derwent Pencil Museum in Keswick. Not only it is home to the world’s longest writing instrument, it also tells a fascinating and interesting tale about the history of the pencil – the most used stationery in the world. Graphite was also first discovered nearby in the 1500s and Derwent pencils are still made locally.

Kong Adventure

Kong Adventure offers something for adventurers of all experiences. Based in Keswick, it combines challenges hard enough for toughened climbers with activities for younger children and features an indoor ice wall and everything from guided taster sessions to unsupervised access for those with more experience.

South Lakes Safari Zoo

With the chance to hand feed many of the inhabitants, from giraffes to kangaroos and spot some from a distance like tigers, leopards and jaguars, South Lakes Zoo is a must-visit attraction for safari lovers of all ages. Huge free roaming enclosures makes it easy to get closer than usual to these wild critters and there’s also a dedicated condor and vulture enclosure, giving you the chance to see these giant birds in their near-natural environment.

Beatrix Potter’s Hill Top

Many people head to the Lake District to visit the renowned Beatrix Potter attraction. But only her biggest fans make sure to visit her home, too. The farmhouse near Sawrey is where she created some of her most famous and best-loved stories and was bequeathed to the National Trust after her death. As you explore the halls you’ll spot many features from illustrations, such as Mrs Tiggywinkle’s kitchen, which is perfectly replicated alongside Mr MacGregor’s cottage garden.

Predator Experience

Cartmel’s Predator Experience is much more than your average falconry centre. You can get up close and personal with some of nature’s most formidable birds of prey and take a stroll to spot wolfs and foxes.  Many experiences are for over 16’s only and there are occasionally more exotic experiences available.

Alpacaly Ever After

Alpacaly Ever After work with some of the most amazing businesses in The Lake District, including the Lingholm Estate along the beautiful shores of Derwent Water, where they provide alpaca and llama walking experiences through the private grounds where Beatrix Potter spent many summers. Walkers get to know the animals up close, paddle in the lake, meet the herd and take part in feeding time (there really is nothing quite so delightful as watching an alpaca take a bath, it should be recommend as a cure for all cases of melancholy and world weariness). They also offer Meet The Alpaca experiences every Saturday and Sunday afternoon at The Lakes Distillery near Bassenthwaite, where guests are welcomed on the field for a half hour mini session of shenanigans, and if that wasn’t enough to be getting on with, the team work alongside the Forestry Commission England to offer alpaca walks through Whinlatter Forest Park and are planning to start three day llama camping treks over the Lakeland fells in partnership with The Lake District Foundation.

If you’re thinking about booking a Cumbrian getaway, look no further than our collection of holiday cottages in the Lake District.