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It rains from time to time in the Lake District, but how else did you think we got our fabulous landscapes and those lakes? Still, we’re more than prepared for the occasional downpour, and there’s plenty to do while taking shelter from the elements.
The county’s collection of museums alone could keep you busy for a year, whether it’s visiting the homes of William Wordsworth or Beatrix Potter, learning about life on the lake at the spectacular new boat museum on Windermere, or uncovering the fascinating history of the humble pencil, which we-bet-you-didn’t-know was invented in Keswick back in the 16th century. Don’t knock it until you try it!
You can watch Beatrix Potter’s most memorable creations come to life in Bowness or explore the miner’s life deep in a mountain at Honister. The county’s waterfalls are best visited when there’s been a downpour – Aira Force and Stock Ghyll are powerful examples of nature’s extraordinary force and beauty.
Lake cruises depart in all weathers, as do Cumbria’s railroads – what better way of whiling away a wet day than aboard a 19th century steam train? And if you want to work up a proper sweat, there are indoor climbing walls in Ambleside, Kendal `and Keswick.
Cumbria’s towns are well worth a mooch in their own right: Windermere, Bowness, Ambleside and Kendal are beautiful places lined with independent shops and cafes, but you can go farther afield and while away a few hours in the shopping havens of Rheged, near Penrith (where there’s also an IMAX cinema); and Carlisle, whose busy centre is full of distractions (and there’s a pretty impressive castle and cathedral too).
Inspiration
You may leave the Lake District, but once you’ve been, it’ll never leave you.
Number of results: 80
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Crag Brow, Bowness-on-Windermere
A magical indoor attraction that brings to life all 23 Beatrix Potter's Peter Rabbit tales. Meet all your favourite characters and find out more about Beatrix Potter herself.
Penrith
There’s nowhere quite like Rheged, where the arts meet good food, family and fun under a green grass roof. It’s where we share every aspect of what we love about our place.
Ambleside
Art gallery and art shop run by the Heaton Cooper family, selling original paintings and prints from 4 generations of the family.
Windermere
Blackwell – the Arts & Crafts house is a rare architectural gem in the heart of the Lake District and offers a perfectly preserved snapshot of early 20th-century living.
Windermere
Windermere Jetty Museum is a vibrant, family-friendly visitor attraction dedicated to the boats, people and the rich history of Windermere, England’s largest natural lake.
Backbarrow, ULVERSTON
The Lake Districts adventurous, interactive escape rooms. A fun indoor activity similar to the Crystal Maze TV show but without the physical effort!
Nr Kendal
Full Day Adventure Days for Families and Groups. Two course Home cooked lunches available
Lakeside
Steam from the lake shore of Windermere along the heritage track to Haverthwaite Station, where you can visit the station tea room, gift shop, woodland playground, picnic area and engine shed.Steam trains running a seasonal daily service from…
Ulverston
We, Andy and Zoe, look forward to hosting you at our award-winning Gin Distillery here in Ulverston. Enjoy a distillery tour, followed by tastings of at least 6 gins in our stylish bar with views of Ulverston’s iconic Pepperpot atop Hoad.
Coniston
Meet Coniston's heroes, John Ruskin, artist, radical and seer and Donald Campbell, speed ace, and discover the mineral wealth of the fells, all at 'the most thought provoking museum in the Lakes', Rough Guide - all editions.
Bassenthwaite
Armathwaite Hall has created a timeless, yet contemporary countryside spa within a stunning rural setting, offering a relaxed, high comfort, luxurious spa facility.
Keswick
Located in Keswick, the home of the first pencil, visitors enter this museum through a replica graphite mine which would have served as the source of the pencil industry over three centuries ago.
Nr Kendal
Clay Shooting 12yrs+ and Air Rifle 8yrs+ couples or groups of 24 and 50 shots options and one hour Air rifle sessions. Book as single activities or Package deals of two of more activities available
Grasmere
A visit to Dove Cottage today transports you back to this remarkable period of ‘plain living and high thinking’. The sights, sounds and smells bring to life the bustling family home the Wordsworths would have known over 200 years ago.
ULVERSTON
The Coro is an historic arts, culture and entertainment venue presenting Theatre, Music, Comedy, Community, Talks and Dance all year round in Ulverston, Cumbria at the edge of the Lake District.
Carlisle
Discover 900 years of history and explore the tumultuous life of Carlisle Castle and its characters, in a new exhibition.
Windermere
Relax in luxury in our Lakeview Spa, unique in that whether you are in the indoor pool, the vitality spa pools on our spa terrace or any of our treatment rooms, you have unrivalled views of Windermere and mountains beyond. The design includes three…
Newby Bridge
Discover a wide array of local freshwater and marine species including menacing pike, carp and rays. Plus discover creatures from around the world including piranha, otters and clownfish.
Cumbria
Welcome to Lakeland's oldest, longest and most scenic railway!
La'aL Ratty, the little Cumbrian Railway is an award winning heritage visitor attraction and Lake District icon, living up to its “must do” reputation for all ages. Excellent facilities…
Near Kendal
Join Henry Strickland in a new film for 2022 as he delves into the family archives and explains how he feels about his role as archivist at Sizergh Castle.
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