Lake District summer activities
With all the festivities of the long Bank Holiday weekend over, it’s time to turn your mind to the summer holidays which have once again crept up on us. If you haven’t already made your plans, or even if you have, and are considering staying in the UK, the Lake District makes a great summer holiday destination.
Here are just some of the summer activities you may like to consider during your stay. Remember, there are plenty of great Lake District Hotels that will make a good base for your summer holiday.
Walking
Is it really a holiday to the Lake District if walking isn’t one of the activities that you try, for many people I suspect not! Whether you are a seasoned walker or just like an occasional potter the joy of the Lakes is that there really is something for everyone. Walking with a group is a great option if you are a beginner and the Cumbria Tourist site has some great links to help you.
Watersports
The summer is a great time to try out a few water sports and the Lake District has plenty of locations for giving this a try in fact Windemere is the perfect location and offers a range of options like sailing, stand-up paddle boarding and even canoeing. If you want a quieter lake, then Coniston is another great lake for watersports.
Go Ape!
If you are looking for an adrenaline-filled activity, then why not head to Grizedale or Whinlatter for the Go Ape! experience that will have you taking part in a tree-top rope course with some incredible views.
Whinlatter Forest Wild Play
For those who prefer to keep their feet firmly on the ground, Whinlatter Forest also has a fantastic wild forest play experience. This award-winning attraction offers 900m of adventure zones, with gravel and water play, climbing, slides and plenty to keep the whole family busy.
Derwent Pencil Museum
The Derwent Pencil Museum might be on the small side, but it is packed full of interesting things to see, and with a quiz to answer as you walk around it makes a great rainy day activity. No visit is complete without a trip to the shop to purchase some art supplies.
Eat Out
The Lake District is not short of incredible places to eat. In fact, you may find yourself spoilt for choice. From eat-in bakeries like the Apple Pie in Ambleside (which has been around since 1975) to the vegan delights on offer in Kats Kitchen, Keswick there are plenty of lunchtime alternatives. In the evening why not treat yourself to a perfectly cooked steak at the Brossen Steakhouse in Kendal or indulge your senses at one of the seven Michelin-starred restaurants Cumbria has to offer.
Heritage Railway
If you love steam trains, then you will be pleased to find not one but two narrow gauge steam railways in the Lake District. The Ravenglass and Eskdale train runs from Ravenglass on the coast to Boot in the Eskdale Valley and the Lakeside and Haverthwaite train runs from Haverthwaite to Lakeside at the far end of Windemere and can be combined with a lake cruise.
With all this on offer, you might find you can return to the Lake District year on year for a completely different experience each time.
