9 must-see Lake District attractions

The Lake District National Park is a place of superior natural beauty and an ideal getaway for a family holiday. Lake District attractions are fun, interesting and varied though, and you can be sure to find something for everyone!

These 9 highlights should be on everyone's list.

1. Lake Windermere

Lake Windermere is England’s largest lake at 10.5 miles long and 219 feet deep! It's a spectacularly beauty place and hugely popular with tourists.

You can enjoy a boat cruise with Windermere Lake Cruises lasting from around 45 minutes to a whole day and ranging in price from around £10 to £50 for a family, depending on the length and destination of your boat trip.

Not far from Windermere is the pretty town of Ambleside, which is home to plenty of excellent shops, cafés and restaurants. Getting here by car is easy via Junction 36 off the M6.

2. World of Beatrix Potter

Located in the centre of Bowness-on-Windermere, the World of Beatrix Potter is a wonderful gem of a day out.

You can explore the centre’s gardens, have a virtual walk through some of the best-loved scenes from the Peter Rabbit stories and visit the gift shop and nursery where you’ll find a fantastic range of gifts and souvenirs. There is also a tea room serving produce grown in the nearby greenhouse.

This is a delightful tour that children and adults alike will love. Open every day from 10am, tickets are £6.97 for adults and £3.95 for children.

3. Wordsworth’s Residences

The Lake District is known for being the birthplace and home of the famous romantic poet William Wordsworth. Wordsworth lived at Rydal Mount near Ambleside from 1813 until his death in 1850. Here visitors can see Wordsworth’s attic study and many other personal possessions, including first edition books of his work, as well as stunning gardens.

Rydal Mount is open daily and is around £16 for a family ticket.

4. Ullswater Steamers

The Ullswater Steamers provide tours of the beautiful Lake in the Ullswater Valley. Surrounded by stunning scenery, this area is also suitable for walking and other outdoor activities. Tickets for the lake tours range from £26 to £32 for a family ticket depending on the length of travel. The tours are open most days of the year.

There are also shops and picnic areas at the Glenridding Pier House where the Steamers set off from.

5. Lake District Wildlife Park

Open from 10am to 5pm every day, enjoy a wander around this park’s 24-acre land. Home to over 100 species of animal, you can see zebras, lemurs, meerkats, eagles and many more.

Don’t miss out on seeing the spectacular Bird of Prey displays too!

For older children, there are opportunities to meet the animals up close and have the chance to feed them. This is a fun and educational experience that the whole family will enjoy at around £9 for adults and £6 for children.

6. Muncaster Castle

Often overlooked, Muncaster Castle is a great day out in the picturesque heart of the Western Lake District.

On arrival, you are given headsets to listen to a quirky audio tour commentary on the inside of the castle by the family who live there. With stunning gardens, an owl sanctuary and historical battle re-enactments, there is plenty to keep everyone entertained.

The castle is full of history and hosts various special events throughout the year, including Christmas ‘Fayres’ and spooky tours during Halloween Week. Tickets are around £13 for adults and £7.50 for kids.

7. Threlkeld Quarry and Mining Museum

This interesting museum is located 3 miles east of Keswick in Cumbria and is home to an underground mine. You can book a 45 minute guided tour into the fascinating world of mining. There’s a quarry site full of unique machinery, a museum where you can learn about the geology of the Lake District and a railway that is home to a collection of old-fashioned locomotives where you can enjoy a short ride.

The underground mine is priced at £5 for adults and £2.50 for children with an additional charge for the quarry and museum.

8. Lakes Aquarium

Near to Lake Windermere is Lakes Aquarium, a fun filled attraction with an underwater tunnel where you can see ducks diving for their food! There are rock pools home to star fish and mussels as well as sting rays, otters and even piranhas to be seen!

Visiting the aquarium is a great option especially when paired with a cruise on the lake. Adult tickets are £8.95 and children are £6.95, but if you book online you can get a £2 deduction on each ticket.

9. Whinlatter Forest

Whinlatter Forest is the only true mountain forest in England. The woods provide all sorts of outdoor activities for people of all ages to enjoy, including walking and biking. You can even take courses in bushcraft or have a go at canoeing throughout the summer months.

In the forest, you can catch rare glimpses of red squirrels and birds. For the children, don’t miss the WildPlay trail, which is made up of 9 different play zones. With stunning views all around, this is the place for some brilliant outdoor fun!

The Lake District has lots to see and do to occupy the whole family and camping and caravanning facilities are never far away.