Lake District help

Rooter

Rooter

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Hi guys, looking for help, insider knowledge, advice.

Covid has forced many I assume to look more locally for their holidays, so in August we have 4 full days in and around the lakes. will be based just south of Windemere.

Looking on some ideas on the less well known places to go, things to see, where to eat etc. Family of 4 kids and a dog! Kids aged between 6 and 12... I can look on trip advisor and see the most popular, however wanting to find some gems if possible!

All ideas and advice welcomed!! Thanks guys.
 
Wainwright's Inn at Elterwater is very family and dog friendly, good food as well. You can walk along the river first of all, pick up some nice slate, and then fill your face ?

Perhaps not a hidden gem but Muncaster Castle is a good place to visit. Your dog can't go everywhere there but it should be worth it still. For the owl bit, one of you will have to wait for the others to go around.
 
Northern and western lakes much quieter so head that way.

How active are you wanting?
 
Really hard to find any hidden gems there, it's all been discovered on the whole.

Ambleside has a good park, I'm thinking of the kids. Grassmere is very nice to wander around.

The madness is all around Bowness. Outside of there you will be okay.
 
Whinlatter forest has mountain biking, go ape, play park, walks and cafe etc

Honister slate mine, via ferrata play be too gnarly but mine tours etc and stunning drive up Honister pass and access to Buttermere valley which is probably the best part of the Lakes in my opinion.

Laal Ratty AKA Ravenglass and Eskdale railway opens next week which is good for the younger ones.

Plenty of easy walking (cloud and wet weather can make getting into trouble very easy), I had my then 5 year old up Catbells last summer altough there is a tiny bit of scrambling towards the top.

Don't stray far from Buttermere and Keswick area personally as southern lakes can get gridlocked but there is plenty to do, just don't expect dry, warm weather as you won't get it.

Alternatively ditch the family and head up the coast and have a round at Silloth ;)
 
Rooter said:
...
Looking on some ideas on the less well known places to go, things to see, where to eat etc. Family of 4 kids and a dog! Kids aged between 6 and 12... I can look on trip advisor and see the most popular, however wanting to find some gems if possible!

All ideas and advice welcomed!! Thanks guys.
Click to expand...
How about a plea....A long way away from me!? ;)
 
Lord Tyrion said:
Wainwright's Inn at Elterwater is very family and dog friendly, good food as well. You can walk along the river first of all, pick up some nice slate, and then fill your face ?

Perhaps not a hidden gem but Muncaster Castle is a good place to visit. Your dog can't go everywhere there but it should be worth it still. For the owl bit, one of you will have to wait for the others to go around.
Click to expand...

If doing that then call into Chesters for some cake - it's the law!

We had a timeshare next to the pub with our own private entrance into the inn!
 
I only really know the south Lakes area well as have visited relatives who live outside Coniston for nearly 50yrs. Tarns Hows is a lovely and easy walk - and not always jam packed. Another nice and slightly adventurous walk (the quarries are exciting for kids :) ) is from Coniston to Goat's Water - at the foot of Dow Crag and Coniston Old Man. The Duddon valley is quieter than Eskdale and has lovely valley floor and riverside walks - and Stickle Pike from the Duddon is a great climb as not too high for short legs.
 
Langdale Valley is a real taste of Lakeland, the drive in looking towards the Britannia inn at Elterwater is absolutely stunning with Chapelstile a little further down the valley also worth a trip.
As others have mentioned.. One of the most popular walks in the lakes is Catbells. It’s quite a drive from Windermere but combine it with a day in Keswick.. its worth the drive. There’s a bit of Scrambling at the top of Catbells but nothing overly testing. The views across Derwentwater are well worth it..?
 
I have a love of Keswick and surrounding area. Buttermere is a lovely walk and quite level, a boat trip around Derwent Water is lovely, you can get on and off and take a walk between drop off points. Catsbells is a medium climb but still a little demanding, The pencil factory in Keswick is worth a visit and the town has some lovely pubs and eateries.
 
SocketRocket said:
I have a love of Keswick and surrounding area. Buttermere is a lovely walk and quite level, a boat trip around Derwent Water is lovely, you can get on and off and take a walk between drop off points. Catsbells is a medium climb but still a little demanding, The pencil factory in Keswick is worth a visit and the town has some lovely pubs and eateries.
Click to expand...

Dog and Gun is my favourite pub in the whole world, the goulash is tremendous.

Cat Bells is a great introduction to Hill walking for young kids.
 
Another vote for Whinlatter park, lovely walks etc.. round there, been a few times now. If the weather is nice then swing past Aria Force waterfall as well. Also Coniston is nice, walk up the Old Man which isn’t too strenuous.
 
BrianM said:
Get yourself to Center Parcs, remember to re-mortgage the house before you go ??
Click to expand...
My neighbour is booked up there for 4 days.
Big list of restrictions eg only 2x2 hour sessions in the pool.
Last I heard he was thinking of cancelling.

BTW ....There is a good Bird of Prey centre just south of Penrith. means crossing the M6 though.
 
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