Things to do...

There are a multitude of small villages, all with their own special character; historic houses and gardens such as Holker Hall and Levens Hall; working museums at nearby Finsthwaite; and many other attractions for the visitor like the World of Beatrix Potter, the National Park Centre, and the Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway to enjoy. The Lake Steamers sail daily through magnificent scenery from Lakeside to Bowness and Ambleside.

Museums and art galleries are in plentiful supply, with the Lakeland Motor Museum, Abbot Hall Art Gallery in Kendal, Wordsworths Dove Cottage in nearby Grasmere all well worth a visit.

The small seaside resort of Grange-over-Sands is only 4½ miles to the South. The towns of Ulverston and Bowness are within 15 minutes of the Park, offering shopping, cinemas and indoor swimming pools. Tennis courts and Bowling Greens are also available.

Eating out locally is a delight, with a host of Inns and restaurants close to the Park offering a wide selection of local specialities together with more traditional dishes. Local Cumberland sausage from many small independent butchers, and the famous Sticky Toffee Pudding from the Cartmel Village Shop are two delicacies which should both be sampled.

Walking, climbing, water sports, golf, fishing... Just a few of the many activities to enjoy in the local area.

One of the major sports in the area is orienteering - where you can enjoy some of the best orienteering terrain in the country at all times of year. During the summer months there are many local evening events to take part in, and help and advice is available at any time from park manager Iain Smith-Ward. The local club has a large (and growing!) web-site which details all the forthcoming events in the area, along with more information on the sport. Please feel free to visit it, and take part in an event soon! You don't know what you are missing...