If we didn't have rain ...
..we wouldn't have lakes
Weather in the Lake District certainly isn’t boring. The phrase ‘all four seasons in one day’ applies here much of the time.
Rain can blow through in 24 hours, leaving clear, gorgeous light shows, gushing waterfalls and rainbows with amazing skies. But sometimes they do stay a while longer!
Trouble 't mill
But it is mainly inside!
Just "over the fell", this extensive working mill produced literally millions of wooden bobbins vital to the Lancashire spinning and weaving industries. It is the only working bobbin mill left in the Lake District today.
The story of the Bobbin Mill is brought to life with tours and an exhibition. Visitors can also see the journey from tree to bobbin first hand during production on the original belt driven machinery. A hands-on family trail with dressing up for children helps visitors to imagine what it was like to work at the mill.
Visit a castle or two
There are over a dozen national trust properties within a few minutes drive
Wray Castle, Ambleside; A real family friendly big turreted castle, with great views out to the Lake; space to run around and explore; and a small café. There are also beautiful lakeside walks from here should the weather brighten up. Holker Hall is just a few miles away towards the coast, or you could visit Brantwood, John Ruskin's home, ahistoric house, museum and vibrant centre for the arts, Ruskin’s former home has a wealth of things to see and do for the whole family with regular special events including workshops, lectures and exhibitions.
And another fine mess..
Well a fine old town anyway
For a less visited destination, Ulverston is a fine market town in the centre of the Furness peninsula, with old buildings and a labyrinth of cobbled streets. It is the birthplace of Stan Laurel, and home to the world’s only Laurel and Hardy Museum. There is also the new Lakes Glass Centre, which is home to Heron Glass, where you can watch the transformation of molten glass into spectacular works of art, and Cumbria Crystal, where you can watch the intricate hand crafted process of crystal making and engraving.
Take in a Show
And maybe stroke a cat whilst you are at it....
Zeffirellis in Ambleside is an independent cinema that supports new and emerging talents within the world of cinema and the arts while there is a Studio Cinema that shows the latest arthouse and niche film productions with live satellite links to world class events of Opera, Ballet and Theatre in the neighbouring Fellinis.