The Station Inn

Kendal (known as the southern gateway to the Lake District) is your best bet for activities when the weather isn’t up to much – the town has two castles, a handful of museums, a brewery offering tours, and a leisure centre with a pool. If the outdoors is where you want to be, go waterskiing, windsurfing, sailing or fishing on Lake Windermere with the help of Low Wood Bay Watersports (half an hour's drive), or stay closer by with family-friendly forays around Lakeland Maze Farm Park (five minutes). Craving the coast? Meander across Morecambe Bay beach (30 minutes) in the Arnside and Silverdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, stopping off enroute at Lakeland Wildlife Oasis (20 minutes) to see the snow leopards as well as more than 100 species of mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds and undersea creatures. Rather admire architecture? Stroll around the stately Sizergh Castle (10 minutes), then check out the lush gardens and mansion of Levens Hall (15 minutes). To top off the trip, a ride on the Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway (half an hour) lets you see some stunning scenery without having to give the legs too much of a workout.