Lake District – the Ultimate Half Term Escape

The average 150 pound person burns approximately 63 calories/hour whilst sleeping. Get a good 8 hours kip from the little ones and burn 504 calories without stepping on a treadmill or touching a dumbbell. This is the same calorie burn as a ‘fast day’ for anyone familiar with the 5:2 eating plan, popular with celebs like Benedict Cumberbatch and Beyoncé!

Why are we telling you this? Use our guide below for keeping the kids busy on a break in the Lake District this February half term so you can rest easy and soak up the benefits!

For Hungry Hippos

The Lake District is famed for our great eateries. And alas! Foodie folk travelling with little folk don’t be put off trying out something special this February half term. The following are famed for their excellent food as well as laid-back welcome, so you and all the family can enjoy a relaxed lunch or easy supper out:

• The Jumble Room, Grasmere
• Ambleside Pizza (15% off with Lakelovers)
• LB’s Pizza House, Keswick (lovely open kitchen to keep kids entertained)
• The Brown Horse, Winster (yummy milkshakes & discounts with Lakelovers)
• Chesters by the River (for simply delicious cakes and hot chocolate)
• The Lakes Distillery, Bassenthwaite (often run kids eat free offers over half term)

We also quite like the idea of messing up someone else’s kitchen whilst away on a February half term break, so why not try some recipes from your favourite storybooks whilst staying in one of our holiday cottages.

We like ‘Ginger Beer and squashed fly biscuits’ from the Swallows and Amazons adventures and can easily be replicated – shortbread biscuits with currants.

Pizza dough making is also lots of fun and we’re fans of taking inspiration right from our doorstep – how about a Fungi Forest for our funniest of Dads and a heart-shaped creation for Mum!

Adventure in the Trees

Brockhole Visitor Centre, Grizedale Forest and Whinlatter are home to tree top trek adventures. You’ll also find cycle hire at these somewhat weather-dependant attractions too, with routes for all abilities. These are also perfect agility testing grounds for your four-legged family members too, who will love chasing the new scents of the forest.

Be glad that their childhood is mud and trees and not smart phones and social media

Water Babies 

For indoor swimming, Keswick Leisure Pool is extremely good for families and has a soft play offering too. When booking a cottage for half term ask about Lakelovers inclusive leisure pass availability to make sure you choose a cottage where you can enjoy a swim or sauna as part as your family getaway.

Of course, the Lake District’s 16 lakes are where so many childhood memories are made.

From skimming stones, swinging from a rope swing, playing fetch with pooch or a bracing paddle – hours can be spent on the tranquil and relaxing pebbly shore of Windermere, Coniston, Derwent Water, Ullswater, Rydal Water, Crummock Water . . . the list goes on. Come and find which of the Lake District’s waters will be your family’s favourite.

Animal Lovers 

There’s space aplenty at the Lake District Wildlife Park on Bassenthwaite for burning lots of energy, plus lots of interest for an ideal day trip. The area is also one of the most natural havens for wildlife in the region and for burgeoning twitchers, we’d recommend a visit to the Osprey watch too.

On Windermere, there’s the popular Lakes Aquarium and the Owl and Hawk Centre at Muncaster Castle on the western coast is superb.

For older kids and something that bit more special, a predator experience makes for an experience to take back to school after the half term holidays. Look our for Walking with Wolves and Hawk Walks, which are particularly awe-inspiring.

The World of Beatrix Potter in Bowness is a unique indoor themed attraction where the magical make-believe animals and the wondrous little homes of the Peter Rabbit Tales are brought to life in life-size models and re-creations. This wonderful attraction brings to life a washerwoman hedgehog, uppity duck, smartly dressed frog and dashing fox as young imaginations are encouraged to run free.

Dance and Music Performers

Head to Theatre by the Lake, Keswick, for a sublime theatrical experience for your amateur performers this February half term. Sing-a-long Beauty and the Beast, A Tiger’s Tale, Mary Poppins and Don’t Dribble on the Dragon are some of the wonderful family entertainment awaiting you this half term.

The line-up at The Old Laundry in Bowness is also one to keep an eye on.

Bushcraft

Many of the National Trust attractions across the Lake District host daily craft sessions, where kids get hands-on with nature. Some top places to take the family in the Lake District this February half-term include Wray Castle on Windermere, Brockhole Visitor Centre and The Puzzling Place.

Rheged, off Ullswater in the northern Lakes, has a lively events calendar where school holidays are filled with unique experiences that you’ll only find here in the Lakes. Bushcraft and wood crafting are firm favourites!

Piston Heads 

‘Switch’ your games console (of which many of our family friends cottages have for when down time is needed) for Cumbria Cart Racing Club, 30 minutes away from Keswick. Just outside of Kendal there’s Homescapes for a muddier motor experience such as quad biking, tank or 4×4 driving and they also offer paint balling.

Movie Fans 

February 9th 2018 is the release of Sony Picture’s hotly anticipated Peter Rabbit feature film and seen as the Lake District was the inspiration for this mischievous little blue-jacketed character, what better place to see this premier! Head to one of the following beautiful arthouse cinema’s for a nostalgic movie viewing experience: Brewery Arts Centre, Kendal, the Alhambra in Keswick or Zeffirellis in Ambleside.

Hill Bagging

A short route (2 or 3 miles), with gentle ascent and decent, pit stop close by, interesting features to break up the trail, such as woods and crags for hide and seek games, tarn, rivers and wildlife spotting, all make for a superb first-time mountain climb experience for your avid mountaineers. Here are some great ones to go for:

• Loughrigg
• Catbells
• Castle Cragg
• Helm Crag (with a name like The Lion and the Lamb you’ll quickly have kids on board!)

Exclusive Discounts & Offers 

We hope you found these ideas for things to do with kids this February half term useful.

And please don’t forget our Lakelovers Recommends for discounts and offers on the region’s top day trips including shopping and eating out vouchers.

The Lake District is an enormous playground for families, so come and burn energy and not tethers this February half term. Call us on 015394 88855 for more information.