Penrith / Pooley Bridge
Ullswater Steamers · Photo: Alexander P Kapp
A morning on the turrets, tunnels and slides of one of the biggest adventure playgrounds in the country, set among castle ruins and gardens. In the afternoon, step aboard a heritage boat on Ullswater for fell views from the water.
Castle · 10:00–13:00 (3h)
Let the children loose on The Lost Castle playground (toddler zone included), then lunch at the café.
An indoor and outdoor castle in Penrith.
Photo: lowthercastle.org
Water Activities · 14:15–15:45 (1h30m)
Sail from Pooley Bridge towards Howtown and back; sit on the open upper deck if it's dry.
An outdoor boat trip in Glenridding.
Photo: Alexander P Kapp
North WestKeswick
Begin high up in Whinlatter Forest with play areas and a family trail above Bassenthwaite Lake. Then drop down into Keswick for a museum of optical illusions and the town museum's rocks, mining and Lakeland stories.
Whinlatter Forest → The Puzzling Place → Keswick Museum
North WestBowness-on-Windermere
A compact day in Bowness that works in any weather: storybook scenes for younger children, a museum full of historic boats, and a 45-minute cruise around Windermere's islands.
The World of Beatrix Potter → Windermere Jetty Museum → Windermere Lake Cruises
North WestManchester city centre
Three free museums and galleries that keep everyone dry and busy, from steam engines and science in Castlefield to dinosaurs and live animals on Oxford Road. Finish with a calm hour among the art and trees at the Whitworth.
Science and Industry Museum → The Manchester Museum → The Whitworth
