Enjoy Mother’s Day in the Lake District
Mother’s Day falls on Sunday 10th March this year, so if you’re looking for the perfect way to celebrate,...
With glistening waters, towering fells and a whole host of family-friendly sights and attractions, a trip to the Lake District in Summer promises a staycation like no other.
Here are our favourite things to do in the Lake District this Summer …
Be sure not to miss out on one of the best attractions in the county: Lowther Castle and Gardens. With its fascinating history and picture-perfect scenery, Lowther Castle & Gardens is one the whole family will surely enjoy.
Explore the castle ruins or stroll through the 130-acre landscaped gardens. The grounds are home to one of the largest adventure playgrounds in the UK, so the kids can run off some steam while you enjoy a takeaway snack from the café.
If you time it right, you can even catch a live-action performance at the outdoor theatre!
How better to make the most of the warmer weather than with sand between your toes? The Lake District might not be well known for its beaches but with stunning sandy shores like St Beed and Haverigg, just a short drive from Windermere and Coniston, a trip to the beach is a must this summer.
Pack your bucket and spade and head to the coast to spend a fun-filled day at the beach. Check out our guide to the top 3 beaches in the Lake District for some inspiration!
Positioned on the banks of Derwentwater, a visit to the Theatre By The Lake is a must.
Comprising of two indoor venues, one more intimate than the other, avid theatregoers will be in their element. The nearby Lakeside Restaurant serves delicious meals, and the Spotlight Bar serves drinks late into the evening.
Upcoming shows include Brassed Off and The Hound of the Baskervilles.
Jump aboard the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway and take a trip through the beautiful landscape of the Lake District National Park. This narrow gauge steam train runs the 7 miles between Ravenglass and Dalegarth, framing breathtaking scenery en route.
The Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway has a range of events planned for summer, including Fish & Chip trains and Pie and Mash experiences.
An enduring family favourite, this attraction captures the heart and the imagination of all those who visit. People of all ages are sure to love this interactive exhibition.
Head to The World of Beatrix Potter and delve into the literary mind of the world-renowned writer! If you’re visiting the Lake District this Summer, you can even catch a special birthday theatre production for Peter Rabbit!
For motor enthusiasts, the Lakeland Motor Museum is a must-see. Crammed with classic cars, motorbikes and memorabilia it is one of the more unique places to visit in the Lake District.
Kendal hosts this spectacular music and art festival on the beautiful grounds of Lowther Deer Park. Kendal Calling takes place between 1st – 4th August 2024.
This year’s events include Oktoberfest, The Magic Teapot and Lost Eden. The star-stunned line-up includes Paolo Nutini, The Streets and Sugababes.
Cool off in the warmer weather with a dip in the beautiful waters of the Lake District. Browse the most popular river swimming spots and outdoor pools in the Lakes in this handy and informative blog post. Pick your perfect spot and create some memories that you’ll remember for a lifetime!
Watersports opportunities are rife in the Lake District in Summer, and Windermere is in the centre of it all. Choose from activities such as water skiing, stand-up paddle boarding and canoeing.
For a quieter lake experience, Coniston is the place to head to. Jump aboard the lake cruise and soak in the sights of the Old Man of Coniston towering over the blue water.
An organised event with a range of distances to choose from and fantastic views to take in as you swim, the Aquasphere Epic Lakes Swim Windermere is taking place this summer on the 11th of August.
Skin Swimming (swimming without a wetsuit) is available for avid swimmers with previous experience. This event is suitable for children aged 11 or above, so put your cap on with your little ones in tow and take to the water!
For those who would prefer to stay on land, this is a great spectator sport! Pack a picnic and cheer on the competitors!
Many of the region’s best restaurants have bespoke summer menus not to be missed. Take a look at our guide on the best Lake District Michelin-star Restaurants and get inspired! With something to suit all tastes and budgets, you’re sure to be impressed.
Hidden deep amongst the towering woodland of the Lake District is the award-winning Whinlatter Forest Wild Play.
Here you’ll find a 900-m long trail of adventure zones, including water play, gravel play, slides, climbing and more! This one is sure to tire the little ones out!
What better way to soak in the sights of the iconic lake than aboard a cruise? Jump aboard a Ullswater Steamer and take in the natural beauty of the Lake District in Summer for yourself.
For couples, we’d highly recommend their Gin Cruise, running over the summer months. For families, jump aboard the spectator cruise for a front-row seat to the Ullswater Yacht Club’s annual race.
Lose yourself amongst the treetops with an action-packed afternoon at GoApe Grizedale Forest. With Segway experiences, treetop adventure courses and a sculpture trail, there’s something for the whole family to enjoy here.
If you’re up for the challenge, join the GoApe Tribe and experience the exhilarating zip wire! This exhilarating course saw a Guinness World Record recently bagged by 106-year-old Jack!
Located in Ambleside, Hayes Garden Centre is more than just your average Garden Centre.
Voted in the top 10% of attractions worldwide by Tripadvisor, there’s plenty to see and do, including regular fun-filled events.
If cooking is your thing, indulge in the Taste of America with a barbeque masterclass, held on the 7th and 8th of September.
While away the hours over an indulgent Afternoon Tea at this popular Lake District restaurant, The Gaddum.
The Gaddum brings a touch of luxury to your day with its stunning views of Lake Windermere and the Lakeland fells beyond. The Michelin-starred chefs here prepare delectable dishes as memorable as the scenery.
For newcomers to the North Lakes, Cat Bells is the most popular family fell climb. A relatively short climb gives some of the best views across the Lake District, giving little ones a birds-eye view of their holiday. A fantastic summer activity in the Lake District.
For a truly unique experience, spend a fun-filled day visiting the Rock Shop in Ambleside.
More than just a shop, this popular attraction hosts family-friendly experiences. Choose from the famous life-size gem pit, hunt for ancient fossils, or create your own beaded bracelet to take home.
Mind your head as you travel back in time through a 15th-century replica graphite mine at the Derwent Pencil Museum.
Home to the world’s first pencil, this fascinating museum is a must-see if you’re in the area. There are plenty more artefacts on show here, including the Queen’s diamond Jubilee pencil and pencils dating back to the Second World War.
Saturday 17th August is International Geocaching Day, so why not download the Geocaching App, discover some of the Lake District’s geocache locations and go hunting?
Not only will you have the fun of the hunt, but you’ll also discover fascinating places in the Lake District along the way.
Tale Trails are free-to-download Story Walks designed for families to engage young people in the great outdoors. Ranging between 1-10km, choose a walk from popular locations such as Ullswater, the Eden Valley, Coniston and Keswick, and enjoy the story that guides little legs along.
How better to cool off during your visit to the Lake District in Summer than with a scoop or two?
The Lake District is home to several locally-made ice cream brands, so be sure to look one up during your visit.
For families, we’d recommend a trip to Old Hall Farm in the Rusland Valley for a delicious Ice Cream Sundae. You can even meet and feed the farm animals, try your hand at butter making or drive a tractor!
This is a magical water experience that older kids with lots of imagination will love.
Positioned on the shores of Lake Grasmere, Faeryland is a world-renowned tearoom offering enchanting waterfront views along with rowing boat hire.
Indulge in a spot of cream tea before setting sail aboard a pretty rowboat. Will you spot a fairy hidden amongst the tranquillity?
Turn out the lights and feel a chill in the air as you head to Cathedral Caverns in Langdale or Rydal Cave in Grasmere. These natural caves are great adventures for kids of all ages.
If your little ones are up to the challenge, take on the indoor caving tunnel experience, Brave the Cave, at Brockhole on Windermere.
For something a little different, take a journey beneath the waters of Lake Windermere at the Lakes Aquarium, where you’ll see mirror carp and tufted ducks.
Has our hand-picked list of sights and attractions tempted you into a trip to the Lake District this Summer? Browse our collection of cottages in the Lake District and secure your break today!
For more inspiration on how best to spend your time away, why not read our guide to things to do in Ullswater or top things to do in Langdale?
Book your holiday today with Lakelovers and learn to love the lakes for yourself.
Images courtesy of: Oliver Dixon – (cc-by-sa/2.0)
This blog has been adapted from original Lakelovers content.
Hello, I'm Lizi, and I joined the team in May 2021. My favourite staycation destinations include Cornwall, Northumberland, and as ...
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