Most of the holiday guides for the Lake District revolve around the area’s excellent walking trails. From hilltop treks to lakeside trails, it’s tough to find a ‘things to do’ list for the Lake District without at least a couple of walks prominently featured.
Despite the publicity that the great walks attract, however, there’s far more to the Lake District than just hillwalking. These eight ideas from South Lakeland Lodges are the perfect choice for Lake District visitors seeking something other than the typical hilltop, lakeside, and valley treks.
1. Visit the Cumberland Pencil Museum
This cute and charming museum might sound a little bizarre, but its cool collection of pencils makes it a great place to bring the kids. Let your children create amazing modern art, see the world’s longest colour pencil, and learn the secrets of modern animation.
2. Ride the Ullswater Steamer
While most people combine a ride on the Ullswater Steamer with a shore walk, it’s perfectly fine to enjoy this historical boat ride by itself. Board one of the Ullswater Steamers and travel across this charming lake, taking in some of the region’s most incredible countryside in the process.
3. Explore the Lakes Aquarium
The Lakes Aquarium is the perfect place to get up close and personal with the life beneath the surface of the lakes. Learn about local flora and fauna from the Lake District to the shores of Africa in this great aquarium, which is complete with its own underwater section that takes visitors under Lake Windermere.
4. Visit the World of Beatrix Potter
Visit Europe’s only official Beatrix Potter attraction. The World of Beatrix Potter is located in Windermere and is one of the best attractions in the Lake District for any travellers with young children. Give the kids – or any grown-up Beatrix Potter fans – a once-in-a-lifetime experience in the world of Peter Rabbit and friends.
5. Ride the Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway
Travel through the Lake District on a historical steam train. This 3-½ mile railway takes you from the town of Haverthwaite to the edge of Lake Windermere. Perfect for history gurus and young children alike, this charming train is one of the best ways to experience the Lake District like previous generations.
6. Conquer your fear of heights at TreeTop Trek
Take part in 35 exciting, challenging, and confidence-building treetop challenges on one of England’s most thrilling obstacle courses. TreeTop Trek puts visitors up to 17 metres above the ground on a thrilling obstacle course, complete with a 250-metre zipline.
The course is split into two sections – a low course for young children, and a more demanding high ropes course for adults – making it the perfect choice for families with toddlers and grown-up kids.
7. Fish on the Lake District’s best rivers
The Lake District is a great destination for fishing experts, and many of the region’s rivers are rich with salmon and trout. In May, the region hosts the Cumbria Fishing Festival, in which anglers from around the country congregate in the Lake District.
Whether you’re visiting for the festival or an independent trip, it’s important to get permission from the local authorities to fish in the Lake District. Consult the local Angling Associations for more information on fishing in the Lake District.
8. Embark on a scenic road trip
Who says you need to enjoy the Lake District’s great scenery on foot? Pack your car and embark on a scenic road trip between some of the Lake District’s most charming local towns.
The road from Ambleside to Keswick, and then further to Ullswater is regarded as one of the region’s best. Likewise, the drive from Keswick to Borrowdale and then onwards to Buttermere offers 33 miles of stunning Lake District views.