On a bitterly cold and grey December afternoon, William and Merryn braved the outside carriages on the Santa Special. They very much enjoyed sitting behind Ian the engine driver and his collie dog Jip, who howled with excitement when the tooting engine horn signalled the start of the ride! Mince pies and mulled wine kept the adults happy whilst there was a trip to see Father Christmas in his decorated portacabin grotto (!) for the children.
The Quarry and Museum is normally open seven days a week between Easter and October with plenty on offer for families and adult visitors alike. The location is well within reach of several Keswick cottages in the area.
Set in dramatic scenery on the edge of Keswick the Threlkeld Quarry & Mining Museum is run by enthusiastic staff and volunteers. The site offers an underground tour, a geology and mining museum and a shop. There is free parking should you be travelling from further afield.
Sir Tom is a jewel in the crown for the Quarry, having undergone a complete restoration after its arrival in 2001. The narrow gauge locomotive hauls passenger trains on a daily basis during the summer months and at Christmas operates the Santa Special! The train ride travels up hill past the engine sheds and vintage machinery, right into the heart of the blasted out fell side. It's a great treat for children.
Another highlight is the guided tour through a reconstructed lead/copper mine, which takes around forty-five minutes and is led by highly knowledgeable guides. Within the extensive site there is also a rather unique collection of vintage quarry machinery.
The Quarry Room is quite absorbing, explaining the geology of the Lake District and displaying samples of rock from important Cumbrian locations. Threlkeld Quarry was opened around 1870 and mined continuously until 1937. Operations carried on from 1949 until 1982 when the quarry closed and was mostly dismantled. It was saved by volunteers and built back up to the interesting resource that it is today.
The museum sits in the disused microgranite quarry in an area of the Lake District where copper, iron, lead, zinc, tungsten, graphite, barites and fluorite were mined. It contains a fascinating array of artefacts, plans and photographic records of explorations of many local mines. Walkers may find particular interest in the photographs featuring well-known fells and their changing faces after years of mining activity.
There are several Lake District cottages in the area making an ideal base from which to explore this dramatic mining landscape.
Friday, 23 December 2011
Wednesday, 21 December 2011
Keswick – A Few Ideas
Keswick is awash with activities you can do straight from your front door. Come rain or shine there are an abundance of things to keep you occupied whether it be indoor or outdoor. The choice is yours but here are just a few ideas.
George Fishers
Although not the cheapest outdoor shop in Keswick, it certainly prides itself on knowledgeable staff and excellent customer service. It’s an experience just browsing the floors of clothing and equipment. Up in the rafters you will find the lovely Abraham’s Tea Room named after the famous Abraham brothers who originally owned the entire premises as their photographic shop. Around the shop you can see memorabilia and photographs from their era. Fishers offer an expert boot fitting service and you may also hire boots for fell walking.
Keswick Launch
A short walk from the town centre takes you to the lakeshore where you can sit on the newly installed benches and admire the view across the lake. This is also the main landing point for the Keswick Launch, a 50 minute boat trip around the lake. Choose to stay on for the full 50 minutes and admire the beautiful views or hop on and off as many times as you like at any of the 7 landing stages around the lake. There are several Keswick cottages in the area which will only enhance your visit should you choose to stay at one.
Walking!
Keswick Rambles offer a selection of walks to suit different abilities every day during the summer. Outside peak season times of March till October it is best to check their website or ring ahead first. Setting off from the Moot Hall each morning, you are in safe hands with expert leaders who know every inch of the fells.
Fun on the Lake
There are four islands on Derwentwater one of which has a house and private boat landing. Enter into the spirit of Swallows and Amazons and take a boat and picnic out to any of the three smaller islands and make your own adventure. The islands are wooded, with sandy bays, ideal for den building or just admiring the view from a different perspective.
Java
A great spot for coffee. In the summer you can sit outside in the market square and people watch. Or bag the sofas inside to enjoy something from the chocolate fountain!
Ye Olde Friars Sweet Shop
Covering two floors and nearly a thousand different confectionary products, Friars has been in the same family since 1927. There is a floor to ceiling selection of Jelly Beans of offer, Lake District specialty fudge, handcrafted chocolates and various quirky edible gifts and sets.
Fitz Park Play Area
The play area opened in 2010 designed and cleverly divided up for a variety of ages. There are picnic benches inside and out of the perimeter fence and the play area is gated for peace of mind.
Keswick Leisure Pool
The swimming pool is well set up for family fun with its giant slide and plunge pool. There is a wide shallow end ideal for smaller ones and non swimmers, tapering into a deep but not too deep end complete with wave machine.
Bike Hire
Mountain biking in the Lake District has grown as an adventure sport
The leisure pool is one of several places in Keswick where you can hire a bike and the ride along the old railway line is ideal for beginners and families. For the more adventurous try Keswick Mountain Bikes or the Cyclewise centre in Whinlatter Forest. KMB offer a multi day hire service and can recommend route and provide laminated route cards. Cyclewise is an award-winning centre for all things mountain biking situated almost on the start of the Red and Blue graded trails.
Climbing Wall
A rainy day need not prevent you from getting out on the fells to walk or climb.
The newly situated climbing wall has climbs for all abilities, offers lessons to master the basics and a large bouldering area with crash pads. The climbing wall is only a few minutes from Castlerigg Stone Circle and the two can easily be combined. The climbing centre has over 40 top rope climbs. Popular lessons start from £10 including tuition for parents on how to hold ropes whilst children climb.
Castlerigg Stone Circle
The megalithic circle at Castlerigg is thought to be one of the earliest examples in Europe. As a popular tourist attraction, you could visit any day of the summer holidays and share it with countless others. But my recommendation is to come back later and catch the last rays of the setting sun. Not only will you take some really spectacular photos but also the circle will be deserted and you can fully appreciate what a magical place it is.
With Keswick being such a hub of activity staying in one of the many Lake District cottages in the area seems like a no brainer. It makes it much easier to get out and about.
George Fishers
Although not the cheapest outdoor shop in Keswick, it certainly prides itself on knowledgeable staff and excellent customer service. It’s an experience just browsing the floors of clothing and equipment. Up in the rafters you will find the lovely Abraham’s Tea Room named after the famous Abraham brothers who originally owned the entire premises as their photographic shop. Around the shop you can see memorabilia and photographs from their era. Fishers offer an expert boot fitting service and you may also hire boots for fell walking.
Keswick Launch
A short walk from the town centre takes you to the lakeshore where you can sit on the newly installed benches and admire the view across the lake. This is also the main landing point for the Keswick Launch, a 50 minute boat trip around the lake. Choose to stay on for the full 50 minutes and admire the beautiful views or hop on and off as many times as you like at any of the 7 landing stages around the lake. There are several Keswick cottages in the area which will only enhance your visit should you choose to stay at one.
Walking!
Keswick Rambles offer a selection of walks to suit different abilities every day during the summer. Outside peak season times of March till October it is best to check their website or ring ahead first. Setting off from the Moot Hall each morning, you are in safe hands with expert leaders who know every inch of the fells.
Fun on the Lake
There are four islands on Derwentwater one of which has a house and private boat landing. Enter into the spirit of Swallows and Amazons and take a boat and picnic out to any of the three smaller islands and make your own adventure. The islands are wooded, with sandy bays, ideal for den building or just admiring the view from a different perspective.
Java
A great spot for coffee. In the summer you can sit outside in the market square and people watch. Or bag the sofas inside to enjoy something from the chocolate fountain!
Ye Olde Friars Sweet Shop
Covering two floors and nearly a thousand different confectionary products, Friars has been in the same family since 1927. There is a floor to ceiling selection of Jelly Beans of offer, Lake District specialty fudge, handcrafted chocolates and various quirky edible gifts and sets.
Fitz Park Play Area
The play area opened in 2010 designed and cleverly divided up for a variety of ages. There are picnic benches inside and out of the perimeter fence and the play area is gated for peace of mind.
Keswick Leisure Pool
The swimming pool is well set up for family fun with its giant slide and plunge pool. There is a wide shallow end ideal for smaller ones and non swimmers, tapering into a deep but not too deep end complete with wave machine.
Bike Hire
Mountain biking in the Lake District has grown as an adventure sport
The leisure pool is one of several places in Keswick where you can hire a bike and the ride along the old railway line is ideal for beginners and families. For the more adventurous try Keswick Mountain Bikes or the Cyclewise centre in Whinlatter Forest. KMB offer a multi day hire service and can recommend route and provide laminated route cards. Cyclewise is an award-winning centre for all things mountain biking situated almost on the start of the Red and Blue graded trails.
Climbing Wall
A rainy day need not prevent you from getting out on the fells to walk or climb.
The newly situated climbing wall has climbs for all abilities, offers lessons to master the basics and a large bouldering area with crash pads. The climbing wall is only a few minutes from Castlerigg Stone Circle and the two can easily be combined. The climbing centre has over 40 top rope climbs. Popular lessons start from £10 including tuition for parents on how to hold ropes whilst children climb.
Castlerigg Stone Circle
The megalithic circle at Castlerigg is thought to be one of the earliest examples in Europe. As a popular tourist attraction, you could visit any day of the summer holidays and share it with countless others. But my recommendation is to come back later and catch the last rays of the setting sun. Not only will you take some really spectacular photos but also the circle will be deserted and you can fully appreciate what a magical place it is.
With Keswick being such a hub of activity staying in one of the many Lake District cottages in the area seems like a no brainer. It makes it much easier to get out and about.
Saturday, 17 December 2011
Wasdale – The Crucible Of Rock Climbing In The Lake District
The Lake District is one of the most important climbing areas in the UK. Climbers were attracted by the scale and majesty of the Lakeland crags and it was natural that the Valley of Wasdale beneath the greatest of the Lake District Mountains - Scafell Pike, Scafell and Great Gable - was the original hub for Lakeland climbing.
The ascent of Napes Needle on the flanks of Great Gable by William Haskett Smith in 1886 was a landmark in British climbing and is considered to be one of the first proper rock climbs in the country.
Although the summit of Scafell Pike is famed as the highest of the Lakeland Fells and therefore the highest point in England, it is Scafell along side, which has the more craggy features and which has always been the forcing ground for Lakeland Climbing.
It was on these crags that Bottrill made his ground-breaking ascent of the great unclimbed slab on Scafell Crag in 1903. Incredibly, in total extremis and seemingly climbing for his life, he was still able to raise his hat to a passing lady – history records that he was a true gentleman rather than a serial womanizer. In those days these hardened climbers used to ‘bivvy’ on the fells so they could get an early rise at the foot of the crags, how they must have longed for Lake District holiday cottages to come back to in the evenings for a bit warmth and a home cooked meal. If only they had been thought of back then!
There was another enormous step forward in 1914 when Siegfried Herford made the first ascent of the Central Buttress of Scafell Crag – This was by far the hardest climb in the UK at the time and it wasn’t superceded for many years.
Since then, three generations of Birkett’s have left their mark on climbing in the Lake District. Jim Birkett brought the extreme grade to the Lakes with his ascents on Castle Rock and the East Buttress of Scafell.
Don Whillans was at the forefront of Lakes Climbing in the fifties and early sixties and with ascents such as Extol in the Ullswater Valley, there was a short period where Scafell was usurped by the Eastern Crags.
Climbing standards in the Lake District were pushed through the extremes in the seventies and eighties by such brilliant climbers as Pete Bottrell, Pete Whillance and Pete Livesy. Then in the nineties Dave Birkett took up where his grandfather left off, pushing standards through the roof and putting the Lake District back in it’s rightful place at the top of the British Climbing. He set new standards throughout the Lake District - from Borrowdale to Langdale but his greatest contribution was naturally in Wasdale!
Rock Climbing can be great fun for all the family and if you are planning your own trip rock climbing, there are plenty of perfect Lake District cottages which make an ideal base camp!
The ascent of Napes Needle on the flanks of Great Gable by William Haskett Smith in 1886 was a landmark in British climbing and is considered to be one of the first proper rock climbs in the country.
Although the summit of Scafell Pike is famed as the highest of the Lakeland Fells and therefore the highest point in England, it is Scafell along side, which has the more craggy features and which has always been the forcing ground for Lakeland Climbing.
It was on these crags that Bottrill made his ground-breaking ascent of the great unclimbed slab on Scafell Crag in 1903. Incredibly, in total extremis and seemingly climbing for his life, he was still able to raise his hat to a passing lady – history records that he was a true gentleman rather than a serial womanizer. In those days these hardened climbers used to ‘bivvy’ on the fells so they could get an early rise at the foot of the crags, how they must have longed for Lake District holiday cottages to come back to in the evenings for a bit warmth and a home cooked meal. If only they had been thought of back then!
There was another enormous step forward in 1914 when Siegfried Herford made the first ascent of the Central Buttress of Scafell Crag – This was by far the hardest climb in the UK at the time and it wasn’t superceded for many years.
Since then, three generations of Birkett’s have left their mark on climbing in the Lake District. Jim Birkett brought the extreme grade to the Lakes with his ascents on Castle Rock and the East Buttress of Scafell.
Don Whillans was at the forefront of Lakes Climbing in the fifties and early sixties and with ascents such as Extol in the Ullswater Valley, there was a short period where Scafell was usurped by the Eastern Crags.
Climbing standards in the Lake District were pushed through the extremes in the seventies and eighties by such brilliant climbers as Pete Bottrell, Pete Whillance and Pete Livesy. Then in the nineties Dave Birkett took up where his grandfather left off, pushing standards through the roof and putting the Lake District back in it’s rightful place at the top of the British Climbing. He set new standards throughout the Lake District - from Borrowdale to Langdale but his greatest contribution was naturally in Wasdale!
Rock Climbing can be great fun for all the family and if you are planning your own trip rock climbing, there are plenty of perfect Lake District cottages which make an ideal base camp!
Saturday, 10 December 2011
Dodd Wood – A Different View of the Lake District
Dodd Wood is a hidden gem in the Lake District and well worth a visit. A modest subsidiary peak of the giant Skiddaw range, its height belies the stunning panorama from the summit. The forest itself is part of the Mirehouse Estate featuring many different conifers and character tearoom.
The Old Sawmill tearoom is situated in what was a working sawmill until 1970. The original saw blade is on display along with various forestry tools, old photographs and local history. Enjoy the wood burning stove through the colder months or if it’s warmer sit outside at the picnic tables and enjoy the sounds of the forest in the summer. There are several Lake District holiday cottages in the area which make a great base to explore this beautiful area.
Particular favourites include the Old Sawmill Special – a large Cumberland sausage in a roll, Welsh Rarebit muffins and yummy gingerbread cake. Here you can also purchase Forestry Commission trail maps to guide you around the forest.
Home to the Lake District Osprey Project, there are two viewpoints in Dodd Wood both of which are staffed with knowledgeable volunteers. High powered fixed telescopes and binoculars are provided by the project so you can watch the Ospreys nesting across the lake, fishing, feeding and flying. Since 2001 Ospreys have nested at Bassenthwaite and raised at least one chick successfully each year. You can normally see them between April and September.
As well as Ospreys, Dodd Wood is a natural habitat for roe deer, buzzards and red squirrels. Look out for the different types of spruce, larch, pine and fir as you make your way through the wood. The circular walk from the tearoom to the summit is just over 4 miles following a mixture of paths and forestry tracks. Using the Forestry Commission guide you can chose from four routes ranging from gentle strolls to the rewarding climb to the summit, all of which are way marked with different colour wooden posts.
The walk through the forest to the summit is rewarding as any of the larger fells in the area and involves much less effort. If you have a dog it is great evening or morning walk, there are plenty of Lake District cottages in the area that are pet friendly. A variety of paths and forest tracks weave their way through the woods, eventually clearing the tree line to the summit to give an unrivalled panorama. From left to right, a clear day will give beautiful views of Latrigg and the Helvellyn range beyond, Derwentwater and the Borrowdale Fells, Great Gable, Scafell Pike, Catbells and the Newlands group with the High Stile Group beyond, Coledale Fells, Whinlatter and beyond Bassenthwaite Lake you can see the Solway Firth, Galloway Hills and the Southern Uplands.
Make sure you pay it a visit next time you are in the area.
The Old Sawmill tearoom is situated in what was a working sawmill until 1970. The original saw blade is on display along with various forestry tools, old photographs and local history. Enjoy the wood burning stove through the colder months or if it’s warmer sit outside at the picnic tables and enjoy the sounds of the forest in the summer. There are several Lake District holiday cottages in the area which make a great base to explore this beautiful area.
Particular favourites include the Old Sawmill Special – a large Cumberland sausage in a roll, Welsh Rarebit muffins and yummy gingerbread cake. Here you can also purchase Forestry Commission trail maps to guide you around the forest.
Home to the Lake District Osprey Project, there are two viewpoints in Dodd Wood both of which are staffed with knowledgeable volunteers. High powered fixed telescopes and binoculars are provided by the project so you can watch the Ospreys nesting across the lake, fishing, feeding and flying. Since 2001 Ospreys have nested at Bassenthwaite and raised at least one chick successfully each year. You can normally see them between April and September.
As well as Ospreys, Dodd Wood is a natural habitat for roe deer, buzzards and red squirrels. Look out for the different types of spruce, larch, pine and fir as you make your way through the wood. The circular walk from the tearoom to the summit is just over 4 miles following a mixture of paths and forestry tracks. Using the Forestry Commission guide you can chose from four routes ranging from gentle strolls to the rewarding climb to the summit, all of which are way marked with different colour wooden posts.
The walk through the forest to the summit is rewarding as any of the larger fells in the area and involves much less effort. If you have a dog it is great evening or morning walk, there are plenty of Lake District cottages in the area that are pet friendly. A variety of paths and forest tracks weave their way through the woods, eventually clearing the tree line to the summit to give an unrivalled panorama. From left to right, a clear day will give beautiful views of Latrigg and the Helvellyn range beyond, Derwentwater and the Borrowdale Fells, Great Gable, Scafell Pike, Catbells and the Newlands group with the High Stile Group beyond, Coledale Fells, Whinlatter and beyond Bassenthwaite Lake you can see the Solway Firth, Galloway Hills and the Southern Uplands.
Make sure you pay it a visit next time you are in the area.
Wednesday, 7 December 2011
Greenlands Farm – Fun For All
This is a great place to stop off on your way up to the Lake District if you have a young family. We’ve just come back from a brilliant day at Greenlands Farm. Situated about 5 minutes from Junction 35 on the M6 motorway, just before you reach the Kendal and Windermere turnoff at Junction 36.
The farm itself is small and it was easy to keep an eye on nine children (we were four adults though to be fair). There were pigs, several varieties of sheep (with their lambs), horses, chickens, dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs, mice …Bruno was so pleased to be given a bottle to feed the lambs with and Daisy got to hold a chick that was only a few days old. Later on the guinea pigs and rabbits came out to be held and stroked. There is also a big barn that has straw bales to sit on, a playground to play on and plenty of toy tractors to brum on. It reminded me of the good old days growing up on a farm in Eskdale (in the Lake District). We spent a long time here just sitting at the picnic benches and watching the children play, before setting out on a short walk through the fields to the duck pond to feed the ducks. There are also pony and trap rides and while we didn’t manage to fit this in, the kids still loved sitting on the trap without pony in the barn!
There is more to Greenlands Farm Village than just the farm. Wellies café serves good food and I was especially pleased with my pizza cooked in the wood burning pizza oven. We sat upstairs which meant that we didn’t need to worry about annoying other café guests with nine children all talking ten to the dozen (well those that can talk that is – what will we do when they can all speak?).
There is also a farm shop, a dangerous shop selling all sorts of brilliant toys for kids, a wine shop, a plant centre, The Loft (selling a range of products from different local businesses), Macmillan-Clare Designer Goldsmiths jewellery and a pottery shop (with workshops and drop in sessions). Add to that a soft play area and you may find that it takes you a lot longer to get to one of the many Lake District cottages in the area than you originally intended!
Greenlands Farm Village is just outside the Lake District and is about an hour’s drive from Eskdale or Keswick, To get to Wasdale from Greenlands Farm Village it is about an hour and a half. For Satnav users, use Burton Road, Carnforth to find Greenlands Farm.
The farm itself is small and it was easy to keep an eye on nine children (we were four adults though to be fair). There were pigs, several varieties of sheep (with their lambs), horses, chickens, dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs, mice …Bruno was so pleased to be given a bottle to feed the lambs with and Daisy got to hold a chick that was only a few days old. Later on the guinea pigs and rabbits came out to be held and stroked. There is also a big barn that has straw bales to sit on, a playground to play on and plenty of toy tractors to brum on. It reminded me of the good old days growing up on a farm in Eskdale (in the Lake District). We spent a long time here just sitting at the picnic benches and watching the children play, before setting out on a short walk through the fields to the duck pond to feed the ducks. There are also pony and trap rides and while we didn’t manage to fit this in, the kids still loved sitting on the trap without pony in the barn!
There is more to Greenlands Farm Village than just the farm. Wellies café serves good food and I was especially pleased with my pizza cooked in the wood burning pizza oven. We sat upstairs which meant that we didn’t need to worry about annoying other café guests with nine children all talking ten to the dozen (well those that can talk that is – what will we do when they can all speak?).
There is also a farm shop, a dangerous shop selling all sorts of brilliant toys for kids, a wine shop, a plant centre, The Loft (selling a range of products from different local businesses), Macmillan-Clare Designer Goldsmiths jewellery and a pottery shop (with workshops and drop in sessions). Add to that a soft play area and you may find that it takes you a lot longer to get to one of the many Lake District cottages in the area than you originally intended!
Greenlands Farm Village is just outside the Lake District and is about an hour’s drive from Eskdale or Keswick, To get to Wasdale from Greenlands Farm Village it is about an hour and a half. For Satnav users, use Burton Road, Carnforth to find Greenlands Farm.
Saturday, 3 December 2011
Whinlatter Forest (near Keswick)
Kids Keswick is a superb guide of 50 things to do with children in and near to Keswick (and the Borrowdale valley). One such extract leads families to Whinlatter Forest, just above the village of Braithwaite (5 mins from Keswick). I took the children there while Grandad and Uncle Simon went on the Go Ape high ropes course – we could follow them around while having a fabulous time playing on the absolutely fantastic (free) playground that they have there. This opened in May 2011 and should be included on any visit to the Northern Lake District. The following text is an extract from the Kids Keswick guide – you can buy the guide in a number of shops in Keswick town, and also from Keswick Tourist Information Centre, priced £3.99. Well worth it if you’re a family coming to stay in one of the Keswick cottages in and around the area.
KIDS KESWICK EXTRACT
Whinlatter Forest is a wonderful multi-activity, multi-age group, all-weather attraction and has a real alpine feel. This, the only mountain forest in England (due to the fact it rises to 790m above sea level), is managed by the Forestry Commission with a visitor centre located four miles out of Keswick. This centre is the main hub of activity and is at the top of the Whinlatter Pass.
There are nature trails, orienteering trails, graded walks suitable for all terrain-buggies and adventurous wheelchair users, wonderful viewpoints, red squirrels, huge birdfeeders outside the café to fascinate children, ample warm toilets and good baby changing facilities.
The inviting café, called Siskins, produces delicious homemade food and has an enticing woodland-themed shop (also selling the trail maps) with a large screen relaying live video of the Bassenthwaite osprey nest from April to August.
To the side of the café is a bike shop offering courses, bikes to buy or hire and some excellent single track trails start from here, graded to cater for all abilities. Up behind the shop is a free adventure playground (0-11 yrs) and above this Go Ape (10yrs+) dominates the trees.
If it’s wet but you don’t want to be indoors, the shelter of the densely planted conifers means Whinlatter is always an option with children! There is plenty of pay and display parking here.
There really is something for everyone at Whinlatter Forest no matter what age you are, after all we’re all kids at heart!
There are several Lake District cottages in the area which make a great base from which to explore this wonderful part of the world.
Getting There: 10 minutes drive from Keswick – A66, west then turn onto the B5292/ Grid Ref: NY209245
KIDS KESWICK EXTRACT
Whinlatter Forest is a wonderful multi-activity, multi-age group, all-weather attraction and has a real alpine feel. This, the only mountain forest in England (due to the fact it rises to 790m above sea level), is managed by the Forestry Commission with a visitor centre located four miles out of Keswick. This centre is the main hub of activity and is at the top of the Whinlatter Pass.
There are nature trails, orienteering trails, graded walks suitable for all terrain-buggies and adventurous wheelchair users, wonderful viewpoints, red squirrels, huge birdfeeders outside the café to fascinate children, ample warm toilets and good baby changing facilities.
The inviting café, called Siskins, produces delicious homemade food and has an enticing woodland-themed shop (also selling the trail maps) with a large screen relaying live video of the Bassenthwaite osprey nest from April to August.
To the side of the café is a bike shop offering courses, bikes to buy or hire and some excellent single track trails start from here, graded to cater for all abilities. Up behind the shop is a free adventure playground (0-11 yrs) and above this Go Ape (10yrs+) dominates the trees.
If it’s wet but you don’t want to be indoors, the shelter of the densely planted conifers means Whinlatter is always an option with children! There is plenty of pay and display parking here.
There really is something for everyone at Whinlatter Forest no matter what age you are, after all we’re all kids at heart!
There are several Lake District cottages in the area which make a great base from which to explore this wonderful part of the world.
Getting There: 10 minutes drive from Keswick – A66, west then turn onto the B5292/ Grid Ref: NY209245
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