UK Lake District Tourism

A Short Break in the Lake District for our Family  

We have had the pleasure of living in England for the past eight years, and we continue to be amazed by the incredible variety of sights to see and activities to experience in our host country. One particularly memorable and enjoyable trip was to England’s beautiful Lake District National Park and UNESCO World Heritage Site, an area of outstanding natural beauty, known for its rolling, steep hills, numerous lakes and storybook scenery. As if the scenery wasn’t already magical enough, the Lake District is also famously connected to Beatrix Potter, which meant one very important thing in our house: 

Peter Rabbit territory.  

At the time, our two kids, Bennett and Bridget, were five and four, the perfect ages for fairy tale places to feel real. Suddenly, the world wasn’t just pleasing to the eye; it was a living magical storybook page! Every trail felt like it might have been trodden down by a beloved character, perhaps leading to a famous vegetable garden. We watched the vegetable patches closely, hoping to spot a pair of long, fuzzy ears, or catch a glimpse of a worn blue jacket. Watching our children wander into that watercolour world made the whole trip that we will remember for years to come. 

In this post, I’ll share the stops we made and the activities we loved, so you can borrow our best ideas and feel inspired to explore this corner of England for yourself. 

Our Favourite Tourist Spots & Activities in the Lake District        

The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction (Bowness-on-Windermere) 

This was an absolute must for our family (mainly me). Designed especially with young children in mind, The World of Beatrix Potter brings Peter Rabbit and his friends to life in the most delightful way. Walking through the interactive displays with life size still characters, felt like stepping straight into the pages of the books. Bennett and Bridget were completely enchanted and fully immersed in Beatrix Potter’s world.  

An additional experience offered at The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction was the highly enjoyable VIP Afternoon Tea with Peter Rabbit. You can purchase tickets in the summer months to Peter Rabbit’s Birthday Party featuring the typical fare of afternoon tea including a tiered tray of savory bites, sweet pastries, cake and warm scones with clotted cream and jam.  

The celebration ends with everyone joining in to sing ‘Happy Birthday’ to the beloved long-eared bunny, followed by having your family picture with Peter Rabbit himself. Also included in this experience are tickets to the Happy Birthday Peter Rabbit Theatre Show, a charming live action puppet performance featuring Peter and his friends.  

Hill Top Farmhouse –Beatrix Potter’s Home (National Trust Site) 

Beatrix Potter’s former farmhouse home has been beautifully preserved and still looks much as it did when she lived there, according to the National Trust.  Seeing the quaint location, you can visualize how the author was inspired by her surroundings, both indoors and out, making everyday life extraordinary. My children had a grand time running through the garden and asking numerous questions about the pretend feast that was displayed that particular weekend (not items we would normally dine on today). There are a few interesting National Trust sites in this area, so I recommend getting an annual membership before visiting. 

Wray Castle (National Trust Site) 

We first spotted Wray Castle while we were enjoying our self-driving boat tour on Lake Windermere. Its dramatic towers and jagged-edged roof line fit any imagined castle appearance. After our boat cruise we drove around the lake so we could see this spectacular castle up close; while the building itself was impressive, the views of the Lake District from this vantage point were just as stunning, if not more so. We enjoyed a windy picnic at the foot of the castle, admiring the picturesque view. 

Windermere Lake Cruises –Self Drive Boat Hire 

The highlight of our trip was renting a self-drive electric motorboat. We woke early to be the first to rent one of these quiet boats for two reasons: first, it was calmer early in the morning, so we didn’t have to dodge as many tour boats, ferries, and other rental boats; and second, the first rental time slot of the day came with a hefty discount, which my family always appreciates.  

The boating company did not require any previous boating experience, and we found it quite intuitive to operate. We all took turns driving the boat on the quiet lake, which absolutely thrilled my kids! They still talk about how they were captains and drove a real, moving boat. It should be noted that, as parents, we closely monitored this activity.  

Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway 

Ever since my son Bennett was a toddler, he has been drawn to steam trains, actually, any type of train. This meant we had to make a stop at the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway for a wander around their small museum and a ride on the miniature steam engine train. The journey took us on a pleasant ride through the countryside, where we could see rolling hills and fluffy white sheep. When the train came to a stop at one end of the line, we had a short break to play at the small playground, and I took the opportunity to check out the gift shop to see if I could find my beloved collectible item: a tourist tea towel (yes, I have too many, and yes, I will keep collecting more). 

Villages, Towns and Nature 

There are other activities, such as exploring the quaint village and town of Grasmere and Windermere for local shops, cafes and best ice cream stops, as well as taking the numerous gentle nature walks to see hidden waterfalls or opting for a more adventurous hike. All offering breath taking views of the surrounding area. My lungs felt cleaner here, and I enjoyed the gentle pace of exploring and appreciating nature's beauty. 

Our Accommodation 

Since we are in a stage of life with a young family, staying at an accommodation where access to a pool, playground, and nightly children’s entertainment is something we really value. With that in mind, we made a great choice for ourselves and stayed at Parkdean’s White Cross Bay Holiday Park. As I usually find these types of caravan parks visually unappealing with long rows of identical metal caravans, this place pleasantly surprised me. The grounds were leafy and nature focused, and our modern caravan had a wood log facade, which elevated the overall look and feel for me.  

The resort was also on the lake, so we could walk down to the water's edge to take in the view before we headed to the entertainment building. There, we watched the kids dance and enjoyed different entertainment acts each night. One night, my daughter Bridget was chosen to be a magician’s helper, which I believe was the moment that sowed the idea that she enjoys being on stage, an interest that has carried over to her current hobbies.  

While I recognize that this type of accommodation may not appeal to everyone, the aesthetics, cleanliness, pool, playground, entertainment, and location made it a win for our family. 

We Hope You Visit Too! 

All in all, we had an amazing time in the Lake District, which we highly recommend others go and experience for themselves. From charming storybook attractions, family friendly experiences, scenic boat rides, relaxing steam train rides, picturesque villages and gorgeous natural beauty, there seems to be something for everyone. If you do visit, I hope you create your own core memories of this unforgettable place; it is truly magical.