Harbour Lights Campsite

Haverigg’s wide sandy beach is fab for walks, castle building and kite-based antics, from flying them to being hauled along the sands in buggies at high speed. If you’re after activities on the water, Port Haverigg Wakepark five minutes’ drive away has something wet and wild for everyone. Without straying too far, you can also go horse trekking through the countryside and galloping on the beach from Murthwaite Green trekking centre, or get your kicks with wheels and mud included at Haverigg Motocross Track (both 10 minutes). For walks with wildlife, it’s five minutes to RSPB Hodbarrow, where hosts of rare birds and plants thrive in the distinctive wetland environment. If you want to get higher, Black Combe is officially England’s biggest hill, 30 feet short of being a mountain and accessible by trails starting about 15 minutes' drive away in Wicham. Walks up the famed Old Man and surrounding fells start in Coniston, 40 minutes away. For lakes, well, take your pick… Windermere is 45 minutes away, for boat cruises, steamer trips and watersports as well as lakeside walks and cycling. Families make for Muncaster Castle (half an hour), on account of its Harry Potter-like appearance, resident ghost, adventure trails and playground and its Hawk and Owl centre with regular feeding and flying shows. For even wilder wildlife, the South Lakes Safari Zoo is 40 minutes away or you can Go Ape yourselves at Grizedale, zipping through the forest treetops on wires and ropeways (50 minutes).