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Family Days Out
A haven for families ....
From chasing hens to feeding otters, canoeing to swinging through the trees, finding sculptures to making chocolate there is a huge range of things to do in and around Lands End Cottage.
Fell Walking
The youngest person to complete all 214 Wainwrights was 4 years and 10 months when he finished them all!
Whether young or old, there is nothing quite like a walk in the fells. Even those with little legs can manage some of the shorter routes and their feeling of achievement at the end can start a life times enjoyment. Lands End is wonderfully situated to reach some of the well known routes and there are numerous less well travelled walks such as a walk up to High Dam from the back of the cottage. If you are unsure of any route, Rob has many years experience in the area and can advise you as to the level of difficulty of many routes.
I want to ride my bicycle...
Did you know that Roger Talyor was a dental student when he met Brian May and their first band was called "Smile"?
Cycling can be a popular activity for many children who may find a walk a little slow. There are numerous routes through Grizedale and further afield which Rob can,again, advise you on. Should you wish to hire bikes Grizedale Mountain Bikes are at the visitor centre and we could arrange to have these ready for you before you arrive. For those who would enjoy a more leisurely trip, there are electric bikes which can also be hired from Grizedale.
Wander in the Forest
No Gruffalos spotted recently though ...
Whilst we are talking about Grizedale there is far more to do there than just ride a bike. There is a children's play area, over 10 miles of forest trails with sculptures to find as you go along, segway experiences for older teenagers and the Zog Activity Trail for younger visitors.
Brockhole on the shores of Windermere
30 acres of gardens, playgrounds, activities and things to do
The Lake District Visitor Centre at Brockhole is just across the lake on the ferry. If the children are feeling adventurous they can swing or bounce through ancient woodland on Treetop Trek and Treetop Nets. Down by the lakeshore, you can hire kayaks and rowing boats, or catch the cruise boat across the lake, depending on the season. There is also indoor caving and much more...
Monkeying about
There are over 3 km of Zip Wires at Go Ape in Grizedale
Whether you want to climb a tree, swing through them or soar through the air there are a variety of tree top adventures for you. Fell Foot Park has some excellent trees to climb, or just sit in for a while, whilst Treetops at Brockhole and Go Ape at Grizedale can offer more sophisticated aerial adventures.
​Go for a Dip
There might only be one lake in the Lake District, but there are hundreds of places to go for a cooling dip
Don't forget to bring your swimmers with you. There is nothing quite like a dip in a cool pool on a hot summers day. High Dam, just up the fell at the back of the cottage, is our local swimming hole, loved by visitors and locals alike. Or why not just let your little ones get their feet wet in one of the many streams in Grizedale Forest or on the edge of Windermere or Coniston Water..
Swallows and Amazons
Arthur Ransome lived in Rusland and he and his wife are buried in Rusland Church
Being based between Coniston and Windermere, there is a huge variety of watersports, from canoeing and sailing to windsurfing and diving, to choose from. Maybe you fancy learning to water-ski or sail. Or if you want a fun based team activity why not try dragon boat racing or raft building. And if you are a Swallows and Amazon fan, maybe you could visit the Secret Harbour at Peel Island on Coniston, but don't forget to pay your respects at the church just a short walk from Lands End.
Feed the otters ..
Or tickle a ray...
The Lakes Aquarium allows you to visit creatures from the lakes of the world along with those a little closer to home too. From otters and diving ducks to Piranhas and British sharks and rays.
Set off from a Lake District mountain top and follow the tranquil water flow to find jumping trout and river bank creatures. Walk through our incredible underwater tunnel, home to the breath taking diving ducks!
Don't miss the worlds first virtual dive bell where you can discover just how fast a crocodile can swim!
A walk on the wild side
Doo doo doo doo doo doo doo doo doo Doo doo doo doo doo doo doo doo
Voted No. 1 as the nations favourite magic moment of BBC Countryfiles 30th Anniversary, Predator Experience provides innovative bird of prey falconry days, reptile and mammal experiences. Motivated by the need to protect bio-diversity within the natural world, they won’t just show you how these birds live, they will we’ll take you there!
“The most amazing falconry days and wolf experiences you can imagine…”
Planes, trains and ..
From fastest to slowest and a lot in between..
Why not enjoy a trip on a full-size steam train – the Haverthwaite Railway runs between Haverthwaite and Lakeside at the southern edge of Windermere. It’s a short but sweet journey, taking you back to the wonderful steam age, nice and slow to enjoy the scenery.
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Cruising down the ..
On just about any afternoon...
Fancy a day on the lake? Both Coniston and Windermere offer a variety of cruises, from short trips to day long tickets allowing you to explore the whole area, or even try out the Steam Yacht Gondola for a taste of Victorian travel.
Miss Potter is at home..
"What heaven can be more real than to retain the spirit-world of childhood?"
So if you have a Beatrix Potter fan in the family then you are in the right place. Hill Top,Sawrey. is the house that made Beatrix Potter famous and you even get to have a peek into Mr McGregor’s garden. In Hawkshead there is the Beatrix Potter Gallery where you can step into the pages of your favourite Beatrix Potter tales. Or you could head over on the ferry to Bowness to visit The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction.
Trouble 't Mill?
Not just Bobbins - without these mills Paddington would have had to wear a different coat, which just wouldn't have been, well, Paddington...
Just over the fell to the east, there is Stott Park Bobbin Mill. This is a working example of the many Lakeland mills built to manufacture bobbins for the Lancashire textile industry during the Industrial Revolution. The mill used timber coppiced from the surrounding woodlands, and was powered first by water, then steam and finally electricity - it's worth visiting on a steam weekend, when you can see the steam engine in action. Entry includes a guided tour and demonstrations of the bobbin-making process.
A day at the farm
The largest Shire horse in history stood at 2.18m and weighed 1524 kg
Old Hall Farm just 5 miles away in Bouth is a small working farm that runs on 19th-century-style horse and steam power. Friendly staff welcome helpers to hand-feed lambs and piglets, collect eggs, fill water troughs and groom donkeys and ponies. Have a go at hand-milking or butter churning to earn yourself a cone of fresh ice-cream mad on site. There are also toy tractors to ride and a play barn with hay bales and rope swings.
Chocolate Heaven
A sticky beginning, middle and end!
Based in Hawkshead, The Chocolate Factory offers a unique and interactive experience for children that is truly unforgettable. They make delicious chocolate creations and best of all, everything they make is theirs to take home including their apron and hair net.
I'm the King of the Castle
but I suspect the "Dirty Rascals" might have had more fun....
Take a step back in time to Wray Castle. At this fairy tale castle located near Ambleside, you can explore the many turrets and towers, search for hidden treasure and even play dress-up in some period costumes – the historical fun on offer is endless. You can even have a go at building your own castle, while toddlers in particular will love the Peter Rabbit Adventure rooms, which feature Peter’s burrow and Mr McGregor’s garden. Nearby is a fantastic outdoor play area complete with family trails, a rope swing and a den building area.