Family-Friendly Lake District

With its stunning scenery, child-friendly atmosphere and rich history, the Lake District is an excellent place for family holidays. The national park has an impressive array of activities for young and old, so you and your family can look forward to an entertaining and memorable break. Whether you want to embrace the fresh air, get up close to wildlife or scout out activities for rainy days, this page covers our favourite of the Lake District's many family-friendly highlights.

Outdoor adventures with the kids

If you’ve decided to come to the Lake District, chances are you’re a fan of the great outdoors. Below is a small selection of the activities you can get up to as a family in the open air.

Get out on the water

With 16 large lakes, dozens of tarns and lots of other waterways, the Lake District is a haven for watersports and boating. The youngest kids in your group may want to spend an afternoon paddling and feeding the ducks at Fell Foot, while slightly older kids can get a bit more adventurous and try out pedalos, standup paddleboarding or kayaking at Low Wood Bay. Both are located along the shores of Lake Windermere. Rowing boat and motorboat hire is available elsewhere around Windermere and on Ullswater, while sailing and windsurfing taster sessions and lessons are available at Derwentwater and Coniston Water.  

Brockhole Activity Centre

If you’re looking for dozens of outdoor activities in one place, head to Brockhole on Windermere, an activity centre that caters to all tastes. Mini golf, laser tag and an adventure playground are likely to be of interest to kids of all ages, while teens have additional high-adrenaline options including axe throwing and high ropes. The majority of the centre is accessible to pushchairs, and dogs on leads are allowed too. It’s worth booking online if you’re coming here in the high season, as many activities sell out fast (make sure you check the date and time of your activity to avoid missing out). 

Family-friendly indoor activities

The Lake District is one of the rainiest parts of England, so it’s important to plan at least a couple of options in case of wet weather – luckily, these are in plentiful supply. 

Beatrix Potter attractions

The World of Beatrix Potter in Bowness-on-Windermere brings Beatrix Potter's stories and characters to life and is a must-see for fans of any age. Highlights here include scenes from all 23 Beatrix Potter stories, fun interactive puzzles and games, an exhibition on the life of the author and a well-stocked gift shop. Visitors of all ages enjoy the attraction, but many parents report that The World of Beatrix Potter is best suited to kids under the age of 10. 

Sticking with the Beatrix Potter theme, you can also visit Hill Top, the 17th-century house near Hawkshead where the author once lived. Managed by the National Trust, the house is home to lots of historic curiosities, Beatrix Potter memorabilia, a cosy café and a second-hand bookshop with a great selection of kids’ books. 

The Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway

A lot of kids love trains, but there's something extra special about a steam train. The Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway has a fleet of lovingly restored locomotives, including the world's oldest working steam engine, and runs frequent services through the pretty southern Lake District down to the coast at Ravenglass. While the railway is a great pick for rainy days, in sunny summer weather you can also choose to ride in an open-top carriage. A journey will typically take about 45 minutes each way, and well-behaved dogs are allowed on board for a small extra charge. Family tickets are available to help you save money, and the railway runs several themed special events throughout the year.

The Lakes Aquarium 

Find out about what lurks within Cumbria's lakes, rivers and seas at the Lakes Aquarium near Newby Bridge. This family-friendly attraction is open all year round and showcases local aquatic creatures, including sharks that can be found around the British Isles. Creatures from further afield are also on show, including Asian short-clawed otters, piranhas, seahorses and exotic reptiles. Booking online in advance is cheaper than turning up on the day, especially if you're travelling as a large family group. 

Child-friendly walks

The Lake District is renowned for its walking. These family-friendly strolls are sure to capture your little ones’ imaginations.

Rydal Caves

These man-made caves will bring a bit of adventure to your walks with the kids. Carved out of the side of Loughrigg Fell, the cave walk was created by miners in days gone by. Kids will love hopping between the stepping stones and discovering the dark caves by torchlight. The walk is short and relatively easy and will only take about half an hour to 45 minutes for most. It’s worth noting that there are some steps involved and there aren't any facilities in the immediate vicinity of the car park at Pelter Bridge.

Aira Force waterfall

Stroll through attractive 18th-century grounds and admire the 65-foot-tall Aira Force waterfall in the northern Lake District near Penrith. After you’ve done the woodland trails and watched the water roaring down, you can head to the café, where well-maintained toilet facilities are also available.

Lake District forest parks

If you’re visiting the southern Lakes, Grizedale Forest Park makes a great day out. This place is as family friendly as they come – there’s a giant adventure playground right next to the visitor centre, as well as a Go Ape adventure park (with both gentle and more challenging treetop routes), a fun sculpture trail and miles of buggy-friendly paths. 

An hour’s drive to the north, Whinlatter Forest is another possibility, with its own (smaller) playground plus a Go Ape park, Segway hire and rental bikes. As England’s only mountain forest, some of the walking routes are on the steep side, but several are less difficult and suitable for pushchairs and little legs.  

Discover more walks, including accessible options, in our guide to walks in the Lake District.

Lake District Wildlife Park

The only zoo in the Lake District National Park is Lake District Wildlife Park, an entertaining and good-value day out where one ticket gives you access to loads of animals, keeper talks, bird of prey flight demonstrations and a kid-friendly play barn. This park, which is located a short distance from Bassenthwaite in the north of the Lake District, is open all year and is home to many creatures that your kids will be keen to meet. Highlights include the cute red pandas, lemurs, otters, tapirs and zebras. An on-site café serves up a variety of homemade treats and meals, but there are also plenty of places to have a picnic. 

Practical tips for the Lake District with kids

As you finalise your Lake District itinerary, it’s time to start thinking about next steps.

• Packing for an outdoor family holiday is no mean feat – but if you do end up forgetting any essentials (like suncream, waterproofs, refillable bottles and high-energy snacks) there are plenty of clothes shops and supermarkets where you can restock or pick up souvenirs.

• Buy a blank scrapbook before you set off – your kids will be kept busy throughout the trip looking for the best leaves, feathers, maps and tickets to add to their collection.

• Consider which accommodation options best suit your family’s needs. Are your kids happy to make their own fun, or will they do better with a playground, swimming pool or on-site activities to keep them entertained?