The Lake District, Lakeland or just The Lakes, England’s largest national park is a fantastic playground for family holidays all year round.
Over 2,000km² of fells, mountains, lakes, rivers and forest invite you to explore as easily in winter as summer.
Cute little villages and pretty towns are packed with museums, galleries, theatres, award-winning restaurants and delightful places to stay.
And from mighty Lake Windermere and huge Scafell Pike to the stunning Falls of Lodore and 40km of coastline, nowhere else is better for biggest, highest, tallest and loveliest natural excitement.
England’s biggest national park contains 12 of the country’s largest lakes, over 200 fell summits and almost 5000ha of archaeological sites and monuments.
The park has over 3000km of rights of way for walking, hiking and climbing.
The Lake District is just over an hour’s drive from Manchester and four hours 30 minutes by road from London.
Keswick was named Britain’s Most Dog Friendly Town in 2012. Many places to stay in the park welcome pets and several Miles without Stiles walking routes are perfect for dogs too.
Some of the loveliest and most historic holiday accommodation in the Lake District is family-friendly and good value: YHA Hawkshead Youth Hostel in Ambleside is a beautifully restored Grade II Regency Mansion set in gorgeous grounds with private family rooms for 3 – 5 guests from £25 per night.
From certified organic eco-hotels to grand waterfront Victorian resorts, the Lake District also has a wide range of luxury family holiday accommodation.
This wild and wonderful area is amazingly accessible for families and children. The Lake District Beginner’s Guide is fun and great for a first-time visit.
16 million people visit the Lake District every year and a lot of them are families with kids. So you’ll find everything from 5-star spas and country house hotels to heritage self-catering, forest lodges and chalets, high-quality campsites, family friendly youth hostels and charming guesthouses and B&B here.
A cruise on Lake Windermere is a classic holiday experience and safer than going it alone with kids on this immense stretch of water.
The home of William Wordsworth has literary events all year round and an excellent kid’s activity programme during school holidays.
Ravenglass is the Lake District’s only coastal town and where to catch the steam train for Eskdale. Visit at Christmas for Santa’s Express and the Ghost Train on Halloween.
Almost 50 well-marked walking trails across the Lake District designed for families, young children and buggies.
35 treetop challenges including a 250m zip line and giant suspended trampolines – age 5 and over.
Lake District experts in everything from kayaking and power boating to raft building, paddle boarding and canoeing.
Hill Top is where Beatrix Potter lived from 1905 until 1943. Some of her best known works were written here. The house and garden are magical for kids. Can be very busy in summer so go early in the day.
One of England’s oldest museums is big on involving kid’s in the prehistory and history of the fascinating Lake District.
Swallows and Amazons’ author, Arthur Ransome, learned to sail on Lake Coniston, hire a boat for your own adventure or stay on dry land and bike the lake cycle routes instead.
This amazing sanctuary is home to over 150 birds of prey and has flying exhibitions and children’s events all year round.
Families should get about the Lake District on foot as much as possible. The entire area is wonderfully well-mapped with walks and trails and many are easy enough for young kids. Cycling is another great way to travel around and there are dedicated paths and routes round most of the Lakes. Local buses and trains cover some of the park. But to see everything, visit more remote areas and enjoy some of the most beautiful scenic journeys in England, a car is essential.