Join the famous 72-mile Settle to Carlisle railway line at Kirkby Stephen and enjoy 20 viaducts, 14 tunnels, mountains and waterfalls. Visit the Stainmore Railway Company in Kirkby Stephen and experience train travel in a bygone age. Or explore local sites of historic interest, including castles such as Brough, Pendragon and Lammerside.
Experience the joys of Teesdale: book a trek with Teesdale Alpacas, hear music and watch shows at Mickleton Community Centre, or meet falcons and owls at Walworth Birds of Prey. Or head to Beamish for a huge outdoor museum that recreates life through the ages.
Swim outdoors at Shap Lido or Askham, explore the dark skies of the Durham Dales geopark on a cosmic voyage at Grassholme Observatory, or hit the CrazyClimb at Lakeland Climbing Centre in Keswick. Paint your own pots at Pandemonium. Or enjoy interactive games and activities at The Bowes Museum.
Get over to Lakeland Maze Farm Park to find out why it’s twice won Maize Maze of the Year, meet ponies, donkeys and ferrets, jump on the trampolines, race your mates in the go-karts and ride the tractors. Or take a scenic cruise in the northern Lakes on the heritage boats of Ullswater Steamers.
Trek the beautiful Northern Lakes by pony with Park Foot Pony Trekking and stick around to Go Ape in the trees at Ambleside. Walk just five minutes for nine-hole golf at the Riverside club or play 18 scenic holes in nearby Appleby. Or explore the Eden Valley on two wheels with bikes from Arragon Cycle Hire.
Ravenstonedale is perfect for walks long and short: explore the Howgill Fells from the back of the house or walk Wild Boar Fell from the house, with lovely views. Join the Coast to Coast walking route nearby, with a well-marked footpath. Or fish Bessy Becks in neighbouring village Newbiggin-on-Lune.
Swim wild on the River Eden at Catgill Scar, just downstream from the Pendragon Castle ruins, at Stenkrith Bridge near Kirkby Stephen, and Hell Gill at Garsdale Head, with its stream, waterfall and plunge pool. Or head up to Teesdale to admire more great waterfalls at Low Force, High Force and Cauldron Snout.
Catch some history at Lowther Castle with its restored gardens, or see the oldest topiary garden in the UK at Levenshall. Shop quirky independents in Kirkby Stephen, Sedbergh, Kirkby Lonsdale, Penrith and Kendal or pop over to the M6 for fresh farm produce from England’s finest services at Tebay.
