Belle’s Family-friendly Guide to the Lake District.
Some call it the UK’s answer to Lake Como, while others simply call it ‘The Lakes’. But whatever name you know it by, there is no denying that The Lake District is breathtakingly beautiful. Nestled in the heart of Cumbria, the region is known for its stunning lakes, picturesque mountains, and charming towns. I recently visited Lake Windermere with my young family and we enjoyed walks, boat trips, a train ride as well as a beach trip. Everything was planned with kids in mind so that meant buggy-friendly paths, close access to toilets, and restaurants serving kid-friendly food. Here is Belle About Town’s family-friendly guide to exploring the beauty and wilderness of the Lake District.
Location, Location, Location
The Lake District is made up of 16 lakes. The most famous include Windermere, Ullswater, Buttermere and Derwentwater. Although Lake Windermere is the most touristy, it is probably the best option if you’re visiting with kids as it has access to the most facilities.
There are many quaint towns and villages to explore or to stay in including Grasmere, Bowness, Ulverston and Keswick. But Ambleside is probably the best place to stay if you want easy access to a variety of different locations in The Lakes. This charming town boosts chocolate box cottages, independent shops and restaurants serving yummy treats. If you’re in the mood for shopping, then pop by the Herdy Shop for unique gifts and souvenirs. It rained heavily when I visited despite it being the height of summer. Thankfully, there are plenty of stores selling coats and jackets to ensure you can stay warm whatever the weather. Once you have worked up an appetite, then check out Dodds Restaurant, which serves pizza and pasta on Rydal Road. Staff are super friendly, and a two-corse meal with drink will cost around £30 per head. Be sure to check out the dessert menu and try out the mango cheesecake with steam ginger and crystallised pineapples. It is delicious! The restaurant also has a kids menu so is perfect for families. Also, don’t miss the stunning Stock Ghyll Force waterfall or the informative Armitt Museum. And be sure to take a selfie outside Bridge House in Ambleside, which is a charming building located on Rydal Road. If you’re coming by car, then the best place to park is the Rydal Road Car Park or the Kelsick Road Car Park, which gives you easy access to the town center.
There is a wide variety of accommodation avaliable in the Lake District. This includes posh hotels, such as Rothay Manor Hotel in Ambleside, and unique clamping experiences. If you want to stay in the heart of your chosen town, then there are many charming B&Bs, and cozy cottages on airBnB. For those who want comfort but are on a budget then it may be worth considering Premier Inn, which has hotels dotted across region and even offers free breakfast for children when they are accompanied by a paying adult.
Family walks in the Lake District
The Lake District is a perfect destination for nature lovers. There are many treks that have even surfaces and are short which make them perfect for families. I’d recommend visiting Ford Park in Ulverston, which is a lovely public park that offers beautiful views of Morecambe Bay and the surrounding area. It’s a great spot for a leisurely stroll to the lighthouse, which is officially known as Sir John Barrow Monument, on Hoad Hill. It takes about 20-minutes to go up. If you have a baby, then make sure you leave the pushchair in the car and use a baby carrier instead as the path is very slim up the hill. If you’re lucky you’ll even spot sheep grazing on the hill, which will delight any child. Be sure to take a picnic and enjoy the scenery. The park also has a playgrounds for kids.
Tarn Hows circular walk is a great trek if you have a pushchair in tow. All the family can enjoy spectacular views of the high Lake District fells in every season, on this easy, accessible walk around a tree-lined tarn. The route takes around an hour and has a firm gravel path with some ascent and descent around tarn. With Tramper all-terrain scooters available to borrow, visitors who are less mobile can keep pace with their walking companions.
Fell Foot is a great place to visit if you’re looking for some open space to run off steam, but also want to spot wildlife, and skim stones. If you fancy a relaxing walk, then the most accessible route is the Lakeside Walk, which is highlighted in orange on its visitor map. It’s a short circular walk around 875 yards along the shoreline offering far-reaching views north, with plenty of photographic opportunities, especially of the Fairfield Horseshoe. Best of all, the paths are pushchair friendly. Children can also clamber, swing, spin and slide in the spacious outdoor play area that is located near the south car park. Be sure to bring your own picnic, as there are tables and benches outside the café, or you can choose your own spot on the lawn, or even perch on bench along the lakeshore. You’ll also find toilets and baby-changing facilities in the main car park, next to the café.
Lake Windermere By Boat
Although there are many ways to explore Lake Windermere, the best way is by boat. There are various companies around the waterfront that offer trips to suit every budget. But the most famous is Windermere Lake Cruises. It actually offers various types of cruises, from leisurely sightseeing cruises to themed cruises and even private charters. I was invited to experience the The Freedom of the Lake pass, which allows passengers to enjoy unlimited boat trips on the lake for 24 hours. With this pass, you can hop on and off at various piers along the lake, explore different areas and enjoy the scenic beauty at your own pace. This is perfect for families on holidays where your routine can be unpredictable. It gave me access to three of its most popular routes, which include travelling between Bowness and Ambleside, Bowness and Lakeside, and going on the Islands Cruise. If you only have time for one, then opt for the Bowness to Ambleside route, which is the most picturesque and takes about 75 minutes. Windermere Lake Cruises operates a fleet of 17 vessels that sail throughout the year. My family enjoyed travelling on the M.V Tern, which was built in 1891 and is older than the Titanic. It oozes old school charm and is definitely a great option if the weather is good as there is a quaint Promenade outside deck with lots of seating. However, if you like your creature comforts, then go on M.V Swift, which was built in 2020 and boast an upper deck with glazing that can be lowered or raised for different weather conditions. The ship’s inner cabin and lower outer cabin are accessible for wheelchairs and buggies . All the ships we travelled on also had toilets and sold refreshments – making them very family-friendly.
Train Rides
For a unique way to enjoy the countryside, head to the Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway. You will travel back in time when you climb aboard a steam train, which boasts traditional 1950’s carriages, that take you through the countryside scenery of the Leven Valley. You can start your journey at either Lakeside or Haverthwaite Railway Station. Once you get off the train, you can explore the area or relax inside the the Victorian stations, which boast a tea room and gift shop. The station in Haverthwaite also has an engine shed and a woodland playground. The stations welcome dogs and they can even ride the train for free! A return journey takes around 50-minutes.
Cumbrian Beaches
When you think of Lake District, you don’t usually think of building sandcastles, but you can do just that at National Trust Sandscale Haws National Nature Reserve. It also boasts magnificent views across the Duddon Estuary onto the Lakeland Fells. The sand dunes support a wealth of wildlife – including a quarter of the rare natterjack toads found in the UK. We were lucky enough to see crabs without their shells, which are known as peeler crabs. The crabs have to crawl out of their shells and then try to stay hidden until they can grow a new shell. You’ll see piles of empty crab shells on the beach at different times of the year which when it’s the season for the crabs to lose their shells. Despite the wilderness, there is a toilet block before entrance to the car park and a visitor information and café, that has a board informing people when the tide is expected to come in. Sadly, it was closed when we visited, so be sure to pack a picnic with you. After all, playing on the beach is hungry work!
