20 things to do in Cumbria if it rains

No holiday in Britain comes with a rain free guarantee but that doesn't mean the day is wasted - here are 20 fab things you can do in Cumbria if the day turns out a little soggy.  (Please click on links to visit the websites and check opening times, charges etc.)

1.  The Rheged Centre - Penrith

Very easy to find, just off the M6/ A66 near Penrith.  There's loads of parking, lots of shops, exhibitions, films and lovely cafes serving local food.  Plus there's an adventure playground outside for kids when the rain eases off.

2.  Boat tours

You can take a boat tour along Coniston, Windermere and Ullswater - there'll be an interesting commentary along the way and many of the boats even have a bar on board so you can sip a G&T while admiring the beautiful views.

3.  The Lakeland Motor Museum - Backbarrow

The main museum has plenty to keep you busy for hours, then there's the separate Donald Campbell museum to explore.  When you're done with all that, or if you just need a rest, there's an excellent cafe serving freshly cooked local food.  (Check out special combined deals with Windermere Steamers)

4.  Honsiter Slate Mines

Set in the most breathtaking location there's stuff to keep you entertained here whatever the weather - cave tours and a cafe when it's soggy plus high adrenaline action on the Via Ferrata if you're feeling brave!

5.  Zeffirellis - Ambleside

Zeffirellis (or Zeffs as we usually call it) is a local legend.  The perfect place for pizza and a movie - or music, or whatever else takes your fancy.  There's a number of cinemas in Ambleside all under the same umbrella so check the webistes to see which one is perfect for you.

6.  Go and see a waterfall

Colwith Force

Who cares if it's raining?  Grab your waterproofs and go and splash in some puddles!  Waterfalls are definitely at their best when it's been raining and many of them don't involve a big hike - check out Skelwith Force, Colwith Force or Lodore Falls.  If you don't mind more of a walk then Stickle Ghyll and Dungeon Ghyll are well worth a visit, PLUS they come with the bonus of an excellent pub (The Sticklebarn)  to dry off in afterwards.


7.  Take a train around the coast

Did you know you can take a train the whole way around the Cumbrian coast?  Hop on at Grange-over-Sands (or Arnside) and stay on the whole way around to Carlisle.  Be sure to ask for the Round Robin ticket when you book then grab a window seat for one of the best train rides in Britain - fells on one side, stunning sea views on the other.

8.  Check out our towns & cities

From Carlisle in the north to Kendal in the south (or keep going to Lancaster - yeah, I know it's not in Cumbria but it's a great city) we have loads of towns to keep even the most enthusiastic shopaholic entertained.  Most folks find Ambleside and Bowness, but how about exploring Grange-over-Sands, Barrow or Whitehaven?  There's tons more there than you think, plus loads of local shops selling locally sourced goodies you won't find anywhere else.

9.  Climb the walls!

Let the kids climb the walls instead of you for a change - take them along to one of the indoor climbing walls at Ambleside or Kendal where you can wear them out, give them an early night and pour yourself a large glass of wine.

10.  The Puzzling Place - Keswick

It's mostly free here - there's a shop packed full of every kind puzzle you can imagine and a Puzzle Area where the whole family can try solving puzzles.  You only need to pay if you want to visit the World of Illusion and truly melt your brain....

11.  Beatrix Potter

If you're into Beatrix Potter then there's 2 places you need to visit - Beatrix Potter World in Bowness and Hill Top in Near Sawry.   The latter has the added benefit of being right next door to one of my favourite pubs in Cumbria - the Tower Bank Arms where you can enjoy home cooked food and a drink while you plan your next adventure.

12.  Museums at Keswick and Kendal

There is SO much to do at both of these museums - loads to get your hands on, plenty to explore and fun tunes to play!

13.  Chocolate Factory at Orton

Really - is there anyone who doesn't want to visit a chocolate factory?  Divine home made, melt in the mouth, chocolates and great big steaming mugs of chocolate plus a menu that has more chocolate on it than a toddler with a king sized Mars bar.  AND, did you know, that all chocolate consumed on holiday is calorie free?  Honest it is...

14.  The Beacon  - Whitehaven

Whitehaven is a much underrated place.  It's one of only 52 Gem Towns in Britain, has breathtaking views across the Solway to Scotland and has The Beacon where, amongst other things, you can ride a Raleigh Chopper, play Space Invaders, read the weather forecast and run your hands over exhibits with big PLEASE TOUCH signs next to them.  There's a cafe when you're done plus a fab chippy nearby and a great little town to explore too.

15.  The Lakes Aquarium - Newby Bridge

Where you can see fish, walk through underwater tunnels and watch diving ducks dive, learn about otters and handle snakes and giant snails.  Your kids will LOVE it.  You may not...

16.  The Pencil Museum - Keswick

I have to be honest, I absolutely LOVE the pencil museum.  Sadly the main museum was closed for a over a year due to the flooding from Storm Desmon BUT they are now OPEN FOR BUSINESS again!   Pencils, and graphite in particular, were hugely important to this region and gave several words and phrases to the English language that we use today - things like the "black market" - plus they have a fab cafe too - what's not to love?

17.  The Brewery Arts Centre - Kendal

There's ALWAYS something going on here - films, live music, comedy, exhibitions - if I'm not up a mountain you can often find me here.  There's a great bar and restaurant and it you fancy something different, check out their Warehouse films where they show classic and independent films which you can watch while sitting in big squishy sofas and enjoying a drink,

18.  The Dock Museum - Barrow

Another much underrated place - this is a superb gem of a museum, especially for anyone even remotely interested in ships.  The small museum near the entrance traces the local history, but once in the large museum you can check out scale replicas of many of the boats built in Barrow, get involved in hands on activities and watch wonderful short films telling you all about the local natural and industrial history - and it's all FREE!

19.  Carlisle Castle - Carlisle

A castle with a properly colourful history - sitting right on the Scottish border this castle has changed hands more times than you've had hot dinners - as well as the usual exhibits there's plenty of interactive stuff and loads of family activities during the school hols.

20.  Curl up in front of the fire with a good book

Clearly the very best thing to do if it's raining is to buy one of our books and curl up in front of the fire!  You can buy them directly from us here or they're available in all the local branches of  Waterstones, plus Keswick Museum, Kendal Museum, Yew Tree Barn, Catstycam, Low Sizergh Barn and lots of other places.

And if you REALLY don't want to leave the house then you can download my book of short stories direct from Amazon right here, right NOW!  10 short stories, all set in real Lake District locations and all with photos and a guide at the end so you can plan your visit.  Oh, and 5 star reviews.  Yay!

#LakeDistrictBid Advent Calendar Day 16 - Because of famous folk...

There are lots of famous names associated with the Lake District – from poets to painters and writers to world record holding legends.  They were drawn here by the beautiful and varied landscape and they, in turn, drew others here with their writings, pictures and adventures.

Turner

I don’t know a lot about painting but I do know Turner painted one of the most famous views in Cumbria – Ruskin’s view (I’m sure there’s a reason it’s not called Turner’s view isn’t there?).  The painting itself is in private hands but you can pop along to Kirkby Lonsdale to see the view “in person” anytime you fancy. (Look out for the multicoloured barn in the middle of the view too – the result of a difference of opinion between the farmer and the local council.)

Ruskin's / Turner's View

Wordsworth

One of our most famous poets and this was one of his favourite haunts.  When we were researching our book I read a few of his poems and was particularly enjoyed TheWaggoner which paints a wonderful picture of life along Dunmail Raise – though it does also read like the saga of a rather good pub crawl....

Thirlmere - where Benjamin The Waggoner travelled

Ruskin

I’m pretty sure that if Ruskin were around now he’d be a blogger.  He was an art critic and writer and had something to say on pretty much any given subject.  He wrote a bit about Turner – “Ruskin’s View of Turner” perhaps – and he lived in Brantwood at the top end of Coniston Water on the opposite side to the town (large apricot building – you can’t miss it.)

Brantwood - photobombed!  :-D

Wainwright

Never credited with being a “people person”, Wainwright has arguably left more of a mark on the region than most.  His iconic books with their immaculate hand drawn illustrations can be found on the bookshelves of pretty much everyone who loves The Lakes.  Each year thousands of people continue on their quest to “bag” all 214 of the summits he describes.  Most of them don’t try to do it in one year.  Or 214 days.  Steve did.  Steve is bonkers.

Steve on Castle Crag - his final "Wainwright"

Ransome

I never read Swallows and Amazons when I was younger but I’ve read it now – inspired by a mix of Coniston and Windermere and sure to instantly instil a desire to go sailing...  The books are definitely “of their time” and describe a wonderfully idealistic childhood of nannies, friendly farmers dishing out fresh milk and fabulous adventures with a bunch of friends.

"Wild Cat Island"

Campbell

If you’re interested in Donald Campbell then there are 2 places you need to visit – Coniston water to see the site of his ill fated attempt on the world water speed record, and the Lakeland Motor Museum at Backbarrow where there’s a wonderful exhibition of his vehicles and his life.

Campbell Memorial & another photobomb!

Potter

Hilltop is the National Trust property where she lived and is well worth a visit, if only for the rather wonderful Tower Bank Arms pub next door which does wonderful food and even better cider.  She loved the Lake District, helped to save Herdwick sheep from oblivion and protected vast tracts of land which are now in the safe care of the National Trust.

Herdy

Herdy

Gaining World Heritage Site Status would enable to Lake District National Park Authority to better highlight the contribution these, and others, made to the evolution of the landscape.  You can learn more about the bid and register your support by clicking here.

To go back to day 1 of the blog, please click here. (Where have you been??!!)http://www.lakelandmotormuseum.co.uk/

A bunny, a plane, a hike and a pint.

When we lived "darn sarf" we lived very near to Farnborough and every other year would pack a picnic, find a spot on the nearby heathland and enjoy the free spectacle of the airshow.  We thought we'd left all that behind when we moved up here but turns out Windermere has an airshow too, or rather, had an airshow as last year appears to have been their last, at least for now.  In our quest to be cheapskates and find a free viewing spot we also found a wonderful walk and a sublime little pub whose chips rank my top 5 "best pub chips ever", and let me tell you, I'm very fussy about my chips.

But first the walk.  We started off from a layby just south of Near Sawrey and the Beatrix Potter fans amongst you will immediately know why there's a bunny involved.  Near Sawrey is the site of Hill Top farm where the amazing Beatrix Potter lived.  I confess I didn't know an awful lot about her before our move here, but she really was a remarkable woman and if it weren't for her we probably wouldn't have much of a Lake District, a National Trust or many Herdwick Sheep.  I'm a big fan of strong minded women who don't do as they're told and the more I find out about her, the more I like her.  Hill Top is now owned by the National Trust and their car park is usually chocca but further down the road are a few laybys where you should find a space.

The footpath out of Near Sawrey is clearly signposted and heads gently up towards Moss Eccles Tarn, Wise Een Tarn and on into the woods.  Once up there you're spoilt for choice as there are many criss crossing routes through the woods.  It's certainly worth taking a detour out to Latterbarrow to enjoy the spectacular 360 degree views as you pop up out of the woods and onto the summit.  When you're done admiring the views my suggestion is to head back into the woods and aim for The Heald; a lovely wooded footpath which on hot days will keep you cool and on wet days will keep you dry.  Well, drier than you'd be on an exposed fell anyway.

As you wander along The Heald fabulous views will bob in and out of sight as the trees part and then regroup.  The trig point is almost hidden amongst enormous ferns, but there are loads of perfect picnic spots nearby for a very picturesque lunch.  The last of the top viewing points is at Scale Ivy Intakes and if you climb to the top of the small hills there you'll find the remains of an old farmbuilding - just so you know, I have first dibs if it's ever up for sale.  We watched most of the airshow from Scale Ivy Intakes and I'm not about to diss Farnborough airshow, but there is something quite spectacular about watching the Red Arrows group and swoop over the fells.

Once the excitement of the walk/ airshow is over it's time to head back to Near Sawry for a well earned pie and pint.  Now I don't think I've recommended any eating or drinking establishments thus far on my blog so this one must be really special, and it is.  Perched on a corner of the road you'll find Tower Bank Arms, and it is every bit as fabulous as it looks.  Be warned, you'll probably need to book ahead if you want dinner as it's a very popular spot.  The food is stunning and well priced and they have real proper cider on tap - the sort they have to disappear off into the basement to get.  And the chips, well, don't get me started on the chips; they are by FAR the very best chips within at least a 20 mile radius, if not further.

As I'd cunningly arranged for Steve to drive home I availed myself of a couple of pints of their local brew to wash down my huge and delightful dinner and then settled into the car for my chauffeur driven drive home.  A perfect end to a lovely day.