Family friendly May half-term holiday cottages & things to do

The best family friendly Lake District holiday cottages for this May half-term

Fresh air for all the family, special attractions with lots of holiday events on to keep little ones occupied and a much-needed break from a busy term so far.  This is why you need to get away to a Lake District holiday cottage for May half-term. We have some great offers and fabulous cottages available from 13th – 20th May and look forward to welcoming you.

Pudding Cottage, Ambleside

There’s always so much going on in Ambleside so why not visit this May half-term.  Pudding Cottage is multi-award winning, not least picking up ‘The Times Top 50 cottages for families 2013’.  It has superb secure communal gardens with furnished patio for keeping an eye on little ones as they enjoy the fresh air. For wet days the cottage has lots of DVDs, games console, board games, craft box and leisure pool access.  Sleeping is made easy at Pudding Cottage, which is like a home-from-home; three bedroom, one king with en-suite and two twin bedrooms and family bathroom. Cooking and dining is a doddle, with well-equipped kitchen dining room, including high chair.

• Booking Pudding Cottage for 7 nights from 13th May, £890 from £1035.

Pudding Cottage twin bedroom

Pudding Cottage, Ambleside

Wykefield House, Hawkshead

Wakefield House is an elegant country property giving you complete privacy and your very own slice of Beatrix Potter country.  The views from the private gardens of this detached property are enough to make you want to book this property before you even look inside! The privacy and generous space of this property makes it perfect for socialising and spending quality time away from the jobs of home!  Inside; there are two relaxing rooms, more formal lounge on the first floor and relaxed, games or socialising room on the second, perfect for a holiday with older children who might enjoy this room as ‘the kids lounge’. A separate dining room downstairs is ideal for ‘grown up’ entertaining and the kitchen with large breakfast table makes for a perfect family space in the mornings. There’s bike storage with table tennis table, luxury bathroom, en-suite and downstairs WC so there won’t be any fighting for the loo! Hawkshead and Ambleside are on your doorstep and as this home was twice the holiday home of Beatrix Potter herself, you’ll no doubt want to explore more about the life of the famous children’s author at her former home of Hill Top, in Near Sawrey. Grizedale Forest is nearby if you head west and is a very popular day out for families who can let their adventurous sides go at Go Ape.

We wonder which room Beatrix Potter slept in?

Wykefield House, Hawkshead

 

Wykefield, Hawkshead, was twice the holiday home to Miss Potter and her family and from where she painted some of her earliest Lake District scenes.

Things to do in the Lakes this May half-term

North Lakes: 

• The Jennings Keswick Jazz Festival, 12th-15th May  – Theatre by the Lake
• Keswick Mountain Festival, 19th-22nd May
• Appleby Horse Fair, 2nd – 8th June
• Blencathra: An after dark outdoor cinema experience, Threlkeld Cricket Club, 20th May

Jennings Keswick Jazz Festival, the UK’s largest jazz festival is not to be missed this May as it celebrates its 25th anniversary!

Central Lakes:

• Brathay Windermere Marathon, 22nd May
• Go Herdwick Public Art Trail, until 3rd September
• Blencathra: An after dark outdoor cinema experience, Brockhole Visitor Centre, Windermere, 21st and 22nd May
• ‘Have a go rafting’ aged 7+, Brockhole Visitor Centre, Windermere
• Den building, bush craft and survival skills for kids, Brockhole Visitor Centre, Windermere, 14th May
• Museum of Water (Lakes Ignite 2016) Wray Castle, Windermere, 6th-8th May
• Comedy Festival, Brewery Arts Centre, Kendal, 16th-22nd May
• Try the epic Tree Top Adventure at Go Ape, Grizedale Forest, Hawkshead

Terry Abraham’s ‘Life of a Mountain Blencathra’ premieres at Rheged this May. Seats still available for additional viewings across the Lakes in May, including the fabulous ‘after dark outdoor cinema experience at Brockhole Visitor Centre.

South Lakes: 

• Simply Red Concert, Cartmel Racecourse, 28th May
• Holker Hall and Gardens Festival, 3rd – 5th June

West Lakes:

• Sausage Festival at Muncaster Castle, 30th April – 2nd May
• Family Fun Weekend, Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway, 30th April – 2nd May

Zip trekking adventure at Go Ape, Grizedale Forest

Julia Bradbury ‘Best Walks with a View’, Borrowdale

Enjoy the beautiful valley of Borrowdale this May and follow in the footsteps of Julia Bradbury’s ‘Best Walks with a View’ in Borrowdale route.  It’s a very family friendly route with lots of interesting features along the way to keep little legs going.

A591 to be opened ahead of schedule on May 13th !

Ready for the Spring bank holiday, the main road joining the North and South Lakes, between Keswick and Grasmere, is to open eight days early on May 13th, the Department of Transport confirm.  We are certainly very excited!

So much to look forward to this May and the Lakes looks as stunning as ever!

In the words of Alfred Wainwright;

Time is intended to be spent, not saved!

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