Spending too much time in your own home can leave you itching for a holiday, but a change of scenery will help you to make memories and destress. It’s possible that a family break in one of our luxury holiday cottages in the Lake District is precisely what you need right now.
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Without further ado, let’s consider some of the best activities for families who are taking a break in the Lake District.
There are so many fantastic hiking and walking opportunities for families throughout the Lake District. It doesn’t matter where in the Lakes you are, there’s always an official walking route somewhere nearby.
We have guides for a number of walks around the Lakes that you might be interested in:
You can find more on our blog.
Going on a walk is a great way to show your family how beautiful the outdoors can be and is an important experience for children who are primarily raised in the city. A great hike will also help you to better understand how fit you are.
Here are a few scientifically proven reasons why you should go outside more often:
(Sourced from Businessinsider.com)
A change of pace will help you to make memories, but a better way to make a moment last forever is to take pictures. This is especially important for young families as children grow so quickly, and you’ll want to have an arsenal of cute baby photos to embarrass them with at future celebrations.
Full family pictures are important for your children, too. They might be the cutest, most photo-worthy members of your family, but they want to remember their time with you as much as you do. Make sure to get lots of photos with all of you together for them to look back on and enjoy when they’re older.
Of course, the Lake District has plenty of truly stunning photo opportunities. Many of the local walks will provide you with breathtaking landscapes, but if you’re not a fan of walking there are also plenty of opportunities to take a boat out on one of the many lakes. There are also a number of pretty English cafés where you can take pictures out of the weather.
The primary method for getting around the lake District will be in your car, but there are plenty of ways to take a break and let someone else steer for a while. Throughout Cumbria, there are plenty of traditional steam trains, lake cruises, and open top buses for you to try.
This railway is especially useful if you are already thinking of doing a cruise because you can combine your tickets to enjoy a round trip on both train and boat. You can start your journey in either Haverthwaite or Bowness car park, and from there, you can enjoy trains and cruises to and around Ambleside and Bowness. It’s a great way to get a real measure of the Lake District’s beauty, especially when you have a lot that you want to do in a short space of time.
Windermere Lake Cruises are utterly stunning. Unlike the steam trains, a day out boating will allow you and your family to enjoy an excursion in the fresh air – if that’s your thing. You’ll be able to enjoy sightseeing the shores of Lake Windermere away from the hubbub, out on the glorious waters.
Alternatively, if you’d like a break from driving to be able to appreciate the views yourself, the Lake District’s bus system is well functioning and reasonably priced. Some of the bus routes even offer open topped buses for a more exhilarating ride through the valleys, and many of the journeys come with a pre-recorded tour guide that can teach you and your children about the local history and geography.
The Lake District is a wonderful place to visit with plenty of tours, walks, cafés and high streets. Beautiful and unique at all times of year, we are certain that you can make some truly happy memories here.
You might also be able to bring the four-legged members of your family if you opt for one of our dog friendly cottages in the south Lakes – contact us for more information about our prices and availability.
There’s nothing better than an amble through the Lake District or a luxury holiday cottage in the Lake District. Whether you’re taking a light stroll around the Aira Force Waterfall or tackling the behemoth that is Scafell Pike, the Lake District is full of fantastic walks for people of all abilities and skill level.
But regardless of what kind of walk you’re doing; you need to make sure you’re prepared. So, here are our top tips for fell walking in the Lakes.
Fortunately, you don’t need to be an expert navigator to find a great walk in the Lakes. There are maps, apps and guidebooks, both physical and online, to help you pick the right kind of Lake District walk. You will be able to find hikes for beginners, walks for experts and walks with fantastic views, all with estimated times of completion so you can accurately plan your trip.
So before you set off, spend some time with a map and pick out the right kind of route for you and your group. Some walks will intersect each other, and you may be able to adjust your walk if you find it’s taking too long or you're getting through it too quickly. Have a contingency plan ready if you need to change your walk on the day.
Check the weather forecast before you set off for your walk. Conditions can change throughout the day, and you may not get the weather you expected. You should avoid steep and exposed ground if there are storms or high winds forecast. Heavy rainfall can make rivers impassable and cause the rocky ground to become dangerously slippery. So always be prepared to turn back if the weather takes a turn.
Some basic knowledge of navigation is essential when hiking in the hills. You should have a map and compass with you as a GPS might not always work out in the wilderness. But thanks to your map reading skills, you’ll still know where you’re going even if your phone runs out of battery or can’t get a signal.
How you dress for your walk is very important. The weather on the flat ground is not necessarily an accurate picture of what temperatures and winds will be like up mountains and hills, so you need to dress for all aspects of the walk.
Make sure you layer up in warm clothing or take extra layers with you if the weather is hot. A waterproof jacket and trousers are essential for when the weather turns. While shorts can feel like the ideal choice in hot weather, long trousers will better protect your legs.
On your feet, make sure you have good walking boots that provide adequate ankle support. This will be essential for protecting your ankle from twisting when climbing and causing injury.
As well as your extra layers, a map and compass, other things are essential to bring on a walking trip around the Lakes. A torch and spare batteries are a good idea in case you get stuck and it goes dark. A whistle is a good idea to help alert others to your presence if you need assistance.
Take plenty of water and food with you for the day to provide you with the energy you need for the walk. A mobile phone with a full charge is essential to use to call someone in an emergency situation. Many people visit the Lake District with their dog, but not all fell walks are suitable for all four legged friends. If you are staying in one of our dog friendly holiday cottages in the Lake District, make sure the routes you are planning to take are suitable.
There are a few hazards that can occur while walking in the Lakes that you should be aware of. Firstly, it’s a good idea to understand what kind of terrain you will be dealing with. In the Lakes, there are plenty of steep and sharp ridges, including deep and long lakes. So be prepared for rugged mountain terrain and dress appropriately for this kind of walk. Also, make sure that everyone in your party is comfortable with the level of difficulty you will be encountering and is physically capable of handling it, so you don’t run into trouble.
Avoid drinking from natural water sources as this is not advisable, so take enough bottled water with you to drink. Wild swimming is a popular activity in the Lakes, but beware that the lakes and rivers can be very cold, even in the summer months. So make sure you have towels and a change of clothes so you can get dry and warm after your swim.
Keep an eye out for livestock and be aware of what kind of animals you might encounter and avoid approaching any – especially adders, Britain’s only poisonous snake. Ticks are also likely in the vegetation around the Lakes; they can cause Lyme disease. Make sure you thoroughly check your entire body for ticks at the end of a Lake District walk.
Accidents happen; a member of your party might take a tumble, or you could get so lost that you have no idea how to get back. In these situations, you should call Mountain Rescue, where they will ask you for your location. Give them the names of your party and outline any injuries. Then stay where you are until you are contacted, and a team sent out to meet you.
But the most important thing about a Lake District walk is to have fun. The Lakes is full of fantastic routes where you can see some truly stunning views of the Fells. Just make sure you stay safe and plan ahead, so you know what to expect. If you’re planning a getaway to the Lake District, take a look at our luxury holiday cottages in the Lake District. We offer five-star cottages which can provide you with a tranquil stay in the Lakes, and luxury group accommodation perfect for catching up with friends, contact us today to find out more.
