Meet otters, sharks, rays, diving ducks and marmoset monkeys at the Lakeside Aquarium on Lake Windermere. See fine art by Goya and Canaletto in the Bowes Museum. Or head to other museums at Penrith and Eden for local artefacts or others showcasing Beatrix Potter and Wordsworth.
Walking? There’s plenty of that around here. Take the circular path around Talkin Tarn Country Park, climb to the falls at Aira Force and continue the path to find Long Meg and Her Daughters (neolithic stones). Or ride the Ullswater steamer with one eye open for red deer and red squirrels on the banks.
Make the most of the summer in the heated pools at Askham or Lazonby. Head to Walby Farm Park for the goat-racing and say hi to the donkeys, lambs and ponies. Meet hawks and eagles and explore the countryside as part of a wolf pack with Predator Experience. Or tackle 35 daring challenges at Treetop Trek Windermere.
See a magnificent ruin at Lowther Castle but be more excited about the children’s playground. Catch blockbusters at a cinema straight out of yesteryear at the Lonsdale Alhambra. Get stuck into indoor play and more movies under a grass roof at the Rheged Centre. Or get mucky and messy at Crafty Monkeys painting your own pots.
Stick around on site to enjoy fishing rights along 400 metres of the Eden, a mecca for trout fishing. Stay in shape at leisure centres in Appleby and Penrith. Walk the North-Pennine trails with Happy Hooves Riding Centre. Shoot arrows at Eagle Bowmen Archery Club. Or Go Ape at Whinlatter.
Stock up on Premium Pilsner and Ullswater Blonde at Tirrill Brewery. Say bottoms up to a glass of Fuggles at the Eden River Brew Co. Try the artisan gins at the Black Cat Distillery at Brougham Hall. Or head towards the mountains for more home-produced booze at The Lakes Distillery, Shed One or Hawkshead.
Bring your irons for Appleby Golf Club, voted Cumbria’s third best. Climb the Lakeland peaks and the gritstone outcrops of the Yorkshire Dales. See raging waterfalls at High Force in Teesdale and Aira Force (dogs on lead – big drops) with its Gowbarrow Trail. Or cruise, sail or kayak on Ullswater.
Check out museums devoted to Beatrix Potter, Wordsworth and Laurel and Hardy. Discover period charm at Dalemain country house, Hutton-in-the-Forest country house and gardens, Acorn Bank, Shap Abbey, Brougham Hall and Brougham Castle. Or visit idyllic villages such as Melmerby, Wath, Little Salkeld and Lazonby.
