Lake District Attractions

Lake District Visitor Centre Brockhole - Ambleside

Lake District Visitor Centre

Have a great day out overlooking Windermere. Enjoy the gardens, treat yourself in the café, try a Treetop Trek, bounce around on our fantastic new Treetop Nets, let the children play. With events, lots of fun attractions and school visits, we've something for everyone come rain or shin. Free entry to gardens, adventure playground and Visitor Centre. Pay to park. Telephone: 01228 548151.

Hill Top - The Home of Beatrix Potter - Far Sawrey

National Trust

The lovely cottage garden is a haphazard mix of flowers, herbs, fruit and vegetables. Make your way up the garden path to the front door and see for yourself why Beatrix loved this place. Bought in 1905 with proceeds from her first book, the Tale of Peter Rabbit, she used Hill Top itself and the surrounding countryside as inspiration for many of her subsequent books. Telephone: 015394 36269.

Ullswater Steamers - Glenridding

Ullswater Steamers

Ullswater ‘Steamers’ is an award winning environmental accredited Lake District attraction celebrating over 150 years of operating lake cruises on England’s most beautiful lake, Ullswater. Ullswater ‘Steamers’ create the perfect opportunity to combine a lake cruise with some of the most famous and spectacular walks in the Lake District. Telephone: 01768 482229.

Windermere Lake Cruises - Bowness

Windermere Lake Cruises

Cruises up and down Windermere. Windermere is England’s largest lake, in the heart of the Lake District. Cruises from 45 minutes to 3 hours - or you can spend all day on and around the lake with the Freedom of the Lake ticket. Telephone: 015394 43360.

Muncaster Castle - Ravenglass

Muncaster Castle

An historic haunted castle set in stunning gardens. 70 acres of stunning gardens set against the back drop of the Lake District fells, and home to the World Owl Centre with over 200 of these amazing birds. Telephone: 01229 717614.

The Dock Museum - Barrow

Barrow Museum

Set into an original Victorian dry dock it tells the fascinating story of Barrow: Victorian boom town and twentieth century centre of innovation. There is so much to do. See the stunning ship models, WWII shelter, temporary exhibitions and film show. Top off the day with a visit to the cafe, brand new gift shop, children’s playground or walk along our coastal paths. Vibrant exhibition and events programme so there is always something new to see and do. Telephone: 01229 876400.

Cumberland Pencil Museum - Allerdale

Cumberland Pencil Museum

Art adventures and the world’s longest colour pencil. A great all-weather attraction. Find out exactly how they get colour into a pencil today and let the kids imaginations run free in the Kids Art Studio. Relax and have a cuppa and a sticky bun at the riverside location with views of Catbells. Telephone: 017687 73626.

The Rheged Centre - Penrith

The Rheged Centre Penrith

Featuring a giant 3D cinema, The Peter Sidwell Cafe, Outdoor & Indoor Play areas, Art Gallery, and 10 lovely shops. For families, there are indoor and outdoor play areas and pottery painting workshops, and if you are feeling hungry, a selection of cafes offering fresh food with a distinct Cumbrian flavour. An all weather, day out with free entry and ample free parking. Telephone: 01768 868000.

Low Sizergh Barn Farm Shop - Kendal

Farm Shop Kendal

Discover every day staples and foodie finds in the 17th century barn farm shop, explore the craft and gift galleries, watch their cows being milked while sampling treats from the tearoom menu, or join them for a farm trail through beautiful countryside. Telephone: 015395 60426.

Whinlatter Forest Park - Keswick

Forest Park

England's only true mountain forest. Mountains of trails for foot and bike, great views and more. Visitor Attraction of the Year 2012 in the Cumbria Tourism awards. Stunning views, fantastic walks, exhilarating mountain biking, rare wildlife and adventure play. Telephone: 01768 778469.

Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery - Carlisle

Museum and Art Gallery Carlisle

Tullie House Museum & Art Gallery, Carlisle, is one of the North West's premier attractions and houses collections of fine and decorative art, human history and natural sciences. Set in attractive and well-planted gardens, Old Tullie House (1689) still retains its beautiful Jacobean facade. Inside there is an impressive Jacobean staircase and fireplace. The two galleries display Tullie House's nationally important collection of Pre-Raphaelite art. Telephone: 01228 618718.

Theatre By The Lake - Keswick

Theatre Keswick

A beautifully located theatre. Situated on the shores of Derwentwater in the Lake District. It opened in 1999. From May to November a resident company of up to 14 actors perform a Summer Season of six plays in repertory. The theatre also produces a Christmas show and two Spring shows (one in the Main House and one in the Studio). Telephone: 017687 74411.

Carlisle Cathedral

Carlisle Cathedral

One of the jewels of North West England and, after standing on the border with Scotland for almost 900 years, it has a lively story to tell. Dating back to 1122 this catehedral has had a turbulent history. Telephone: 01228 548151.

World of Beatrix Potter - Bowness

World of Beatrix Potter Bowness

Explore The World of Beatrix Potter, where all 23 magical Tales are brought to life, recreating sights, sounds and aromas. Meet your favourite characters including Squirrel Nutkin and Mrs Tiggy-winkle, Jemima Puddle-duck and the mischievous Peter Rabbit and many other delightful characters. Telephone: 0844 504 1233 .

Grizedale Forest Park - Hawkshead

Forest Park

In the heart of the world famous Lake District National Park. Beautiful walking trails and challenging trails for mountain bikes From the all access Ridding Wood trail to the demanding Silurian Way, from Go Ape to The North Face Trail, amazing sculpture in the forest to great food, Grizedale offers an unrivalled day out for everyone. Discover an outdoor experience. Telephone: 01229 860010.

Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway - Ravenglass

Ravenglass Railway

Ravenglass, the only coastal village in the Lake District National Park. Travel for 7 miles through spectacular countryside on a steam locomotive. Journey across the estuary, through the hills, past seven request stops with a 1:40 gradient at times, en route to the final destination some seven miles up the line to Dalegarth for Boot Station. The journey itself was one of Wainwright’s favourites, crossing seven miles of spectacular scenery to the foot of England’s highest mountains, the Scafell Range (3,209ft) at their peak. Telephone: 017687 74411.

Heaton Cooper Studio - Grasmere

Grasmere Cooper Studio

The studio exhibits paintings, prints, sculpture and books as well as a wider range of artists' materials. At the children's table, young artists can create their own masterpiece. Four generations of artists are represented, the sculptor Ophelia Gordon Bell (herself the daughter of a famous animal painter, Winifred Gordon Bell), Julian Cooper and his wife Linda. However, the most loved works are by Alfred and William Heaton Cooper, Father and son. Both distinctively capture the beauty of the lake district. Telephone: 015394 35280.

Cartmel Racecourse - Grange Over Sands

Grange Over Sands

A small racecourse in the village of Cartmel. Seven racedays are held each year, starting on the Whit Holiday weekend at the end of May and ending on the August Bank Holiday weekend in August Bank Holidays. The surrounding parkland is regularly used by Clubs and Associations for camping rallies. Telephone: 01539 536340.

Honister Slate Mine - Allerdale

Allerdale Mine

Honister offers a unique day out for visitors of all ages. Entry to the visitor centre is free with ample parking. There is a charge for mine tours and other activities. Telephone: 017687 77714.

Sizergh Castle - Kendal

National Trust

Imposing house with beautiful garden includes a pond, lake, a national collection of hardy ferns and a superb limestone rock garden. The estate includes limestone pasture, orchards and semi-natural woodland. Telephone: 015395 60951.