A woman with two children and two small dogs on a small stone bridge in Borrowdale and Derwent Water, Cumbria — Visitors at Borrowdale and Derwent Water, Cumbria | © National Trust Images/Arnhel de Serra

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 full week, there's plenty to entertain the little ones both indoors and out this autumn.

Visitors in the house at Sizergh. A young girl and her parents looking up at an intricate tapestry on the wall.

Article

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.

Young boy and father sat together at table doing Christmas craft activities.

Activity

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 cooking at Wordsworth House, Cumbria

Article

Wordsworth House & Garden

Discover what family-friendly activities are on offer at Wordsworth House and Garden in 2025, from nature trails to Georgian-inspired fun and games, there is something for everyone no matter the weather.

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.

A family in winter coats look out between autumn leaves to pond, with blue sky reflected in its water

Autumn events

Plan your holiday adventure with us this autumn, where we've got something for all ages to enjoy whatever the weather has in store. If it's rainy, try some spooky crafts at Wordsworth House & Garden, follow the scallop trail around the House at Sizergh, or outdoors, join a ranger-led bat walk in the Langdale valley, or help out with some bulb planting at Wray.

Multicoloured lights projected along a stone wall, with a projection of a stag at its centre. There are two people standing off to the right, admiring the lights.

Christmas in the Lake District

Plan your festive day out around places in the Lake District and find lots of things to see and do with all the family.

We all know we get our fair share of rain in the Lake District but don't let it put a dampener on your day out. If you'd prefer to leave the waterproofs at home then here are a few ideas for indoor adventures.

Father holding a toddler, with a small boy standing next to him. They are looking upwards at the elaborate wooden carvings in the house at Sizergh.

Article

Sizergh's children's trail

Head indoors to immerse yourself in history at one of the Lake District's oldest homes. Follow the scallop trail around Sizergh's medieval manor to discover why these seemingly insignificant shells hold so much meaning to the family who have lived here for almost 800 years.

Activity

Arts and crafts at Allan Bank

Budding artists can get their creative fix in the craft room at Allan Bank. Pick up a free craft bag and while away the time with picture-perfect views over Grasmere.

Young bird watcher and NT ranger sitting in the bird hide at Park End Moss wetland. They each have a pair of binoculars.

Trail

Wildlife spotting at Sizergh

Bring your binoculars and a picnic and hunker down in a bird hide for a spot of wildlife watching. Oystercatchers, lapwings and a number of duck species make their home at the wetland at Sizergh.

Family exploring the working watermill at Acorn Bank, Cumbria

Article

Watch the watermill at work at Acorn Bank

Watch live demonstrations as the millers make flour every weekend and Bank Holiday over the summer. Take a bag home with you to bake into a treat or walk along the mill's source of water power, the Crowdundle Beck.

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

Family walking at Fell Foot in winter, Cumbria

Article

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.

Visitors on a woodland walk family trail at Acorn Bank, Cumbria

Article

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 a self-guided nature trail and use rubbing plaques to discover the flora and fauna of Acorn Bank's walled garden and woodland.

A family walks along a path through an autumn forest

Activity

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.

Family looking at a willow reindeer at Christmas time in the gardens at Wallington, Northumberland.

Family-friendly places in the North East

Enjoy loads of great days out with the kids in the North East this autumn with events, activities and lots of fun to be had indoors and outdoors. Discover nature-inspired walks, houses to explore and play areas to let off steam. There's something for younger and older kids, and great ways for the whole family to play together near you.