Family enjoying a picnic on the lawn at Allan Bank, Grasmere | © National Trust Images/Rob Grange

Family-friendly places in the Lake District

Plan your next family day out in the Lake District. From natural outdoor play areas to indoor themed house trails, wildlife spotting to dressing up, there's something for all ages to enjoy.

Whether you're here in the Lakes for a day or the week, there's plenty to entertain the little ones both indoors and out this July and August.

Two girls sitting on the lawn at Sizergh on a sunny day. They are laughing, and wearing 1920s-style hats, rummaging through a basket full of dressing up clothes.

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Sizergh

Explore Sizergh's past and the lives of the family who lived here - choose a hat and make your way up the steps, just like the guests arriving at Sir Gerald’s garden party, or try your hand at some skipping games like the ones the Strickland children enjoyed.

Child playing in grounds at Wray Castle Cumbria

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Wray

Explore the castle's lakeshore grounds, with shingle beach and woodland wanders galore. Challenge yourself to a range of traditional games on the lawn, skim a stone across the lake or catch the boat to Waterhead.

Visitors enjoying art activities in the art room at Allan Bank, Grasmere, Cumbria

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Allan Bank

Spend a few hours at Allan Bank enjoying the views over Grasmere. Explore the rugged woodland trail, complete with viewing points and tunnel. Enjoy traditional games on the lawn including croquet and tug of war, or head indoors to get crafty. Have a go at making your own seed bombs for your garden to attract pollinating insects.

Children running through the garden on a sunny day dressed up in Georgian clothing

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Wordsworth House & Garden

Discover what family-friendly activities are on offer at Wordsworth House and Garden this summer, from animal inspired arts and crafts to Georgian-inspired fun and games in the house, there is something for everyone no matter the weather.

Two visitors with two dogs sit having a picnic with Tarn Hows in the background on a sunny day in Cumbria

Trail

Tarn Hows

The 1 3/4 mile circular route around Tarn Hows offers a pushchair friendly walk with cracking fell views, perfect picnic spots, easy parking, café and toilets. A great Lake District adventure without the altitude.

Summer events

Plan your holiday adventure with us this July and August, where we've got something for all ages to enjoy whatever the weather has in store. If it's rainy, try some animal arts and crafts at Wordsworth House & Garden, or follow the scallop trail around the House at Sizergh, or outdoors, head to the play trail on the Whitehaven Coast, or thrill seekers can try a canoe or paddle-board taster session at Crow Park on Derwent Water, Keswick.

Find houses, gardens and natural play areas to explore with the whole family.

Two girls leaning over the wall which looks over the Mirror Pond at Sizergh. They are wearing brightly coloured clothing. The pond is covered in lily pads, and it's a sunny day.

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Sizergh

Whether you want to let little legs run off some steam, wander through a peaceful garden for a buggy-friendly walk, or discover a children’s trail through a house filled with treasures, there’s something for all ages here at Sizergh.

Visitors and their dog relaxing by the shore of Lake Windermere in spring at Fell Foot, Cumbria

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Fell Foot

Fell Foot’s lakeshore park is a great place to begin your Lake District adventure. There's a friendly welcome team and everything to make your day comfortable – a large car park, toilets, café, lakeshore access, changing rooms and showers. You can get on the water with rowboats, kayaks or paddleboards to hire, plus there's plenty of space to run around, a small playground, nature trail and balance bikes to borrow.

Two children are kneeling on the wall beside a lily pond and looking into the water at Acorn Bank, Cumbria.

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Acorn Bank

Discover what family-friendly activities are on offer at Acorn Bank in Cumbria, from geocaching around the parkland to newt spotting in the Sunken Garden. Try the new self-guided nature trail and use the rubbing plaques to discover the flora and fauna of Acorn Bank's walled garden and woodland.

Two boys running up steps at Aira Force in the Lake District

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Aira Force

There’s plenty of space for wild play at Aira Force and Gowbarrow Park. Pick up a nature spotter sheet and explore the woodland pathways and waterfalls. Aira Green is a perfect spot to while away warm days. Stroll by the lakeshore or venture up Gowbarrow Fell for amazing lake views of Ullswater.

A young child in yellow dungarees surrounded by pink flowers at Hill Top, Lake District

Place

Hill Top

Home to Beatrix Potter and still filled with her favourite things today, Hill Top and the surrounding countryside were the inspiration behind many of her little white books. Make your way up the garden path to the front door and see for yourself why Beatrix loved this place.

Discover more family days out in the North of England with plenty of places to play, explore, and create memories.