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Live Like a Local: The Lake District
19 June 2017
If you’re paying a visit to the Lake District, there are many great local attractions and things to see and do. But with so much choice, it can be hard to pick out the best bits to experience during your stay.
With that in mind, we’ve compiled this post to showcase some of our absolute favourites, to help you enjoy the area like a true local!
Try local foods
Food such as Cumberland Sausage, Grasmere Gingerbread, Cartmel Sticky Toffee Pudding and Kendal Mint Cake are all traditional Lake District delicacies, so if you’re visiting the area, you really must give them a try for a truly authentic experience.
And it doesn’t end there. There are many incredible cafes and restaurants in the area, making it a real foodie paradise. Check out our roundups of the best eateries and independent cafes for inspiration.
Visit local attractions
Whether you’re looking for a family day out or an adrenaline-fuelled day of adventure, here are just some of the many incredible attractions the Lake District has to offer.
If you are staying with us at one of our Lake District parks, do enquire about our holiday passports, as discounts are available at some of the venues mentioned!
Visit the impressive ruins of this old castle, and bring along the whole family because there is plenty to enjoy!
There is a huge adventure playground for the children to enjoy, with zip wires, slides, and walkways, as well as a cafe and the vast gardens.
The castle and grounds also host regular events.
For animal lovers, a trip to the Lakeland Wildlife Oasis is a must. There are lots of exhibits and interactive displays so you can really learn about life on earth during your visit.
And then, of course, there are the animals themselves, with meerkats, lemurs, and big cats, as well as reptiles and birds, and a butterfly hall!
Another paradise for nature and wildlife lovers is the Leighton Moss Nature Reserve, where you can enjoy a relaxing day out amongst the wildlife.
Watch red deer grazing, enjoy the butterflies and dragonflies as they fly around you, and spot different kinds of birds as you walk the trails through this wildlife haven.
Enjoy a great day out on Lake Windermere and take a lake cruise! There are cruises as short as 45 minutes, or you could spend the whole day on the lake if you wanted to.
With several different choices for where to start your trip and plenty of opportunities to break up your trip to visit the local attractions, you can be sure you’ll really enjoy your day.
For a spot of culture, why not head to the Theatre by the Lake by the shores of Derwentwater. There are always fantastic shows to see, and the beautiful setting makes it a must-visit.
Enjoy a relaxing day out at Beetham Nurseries while you’re in the area, and browse their range of plants, as well as home and garden ware. Unwind with some delicious locally sourced fresh food in the garden cafe, and pick up some local food and drink to take away with you from the garden food shop.
Climb through the treetops, fly beneath the canopies, or Segway your way around the forest trails at Go Ape in Grizedale.
With zip wires, platforms, and bridges through the trees, both adults and children can enjoy this adventurous day out.
Bring the kids along to Greenlands Farm Village for a fun day out where they can enjoy feeding and petting the animals, donkey rides, go karting, and much more.
Adults will love the Loft Tearoom and the Artisan Village, where you will find a range of local businesses from hairdressers, jewellers, cheesecake makers and dog groomers alike.
Petrol heads can enjoy paying a visit to the Lakeland Motor Museum, where you can explore the exhibits which trace the development cars, motorbikes and other automobiles.
There are fantastic classic cars, as well as recreations of period shops and garages, and plenty of motoring memorabilia.
Head out for a wander
Whether you choose to go for a hike up one of the fells, or simply a potter around one of the many picturesque villages, you simply must head out and explore the area.
For those less experienced walkers, we recommend the Ingleton Waterfalls Trail, or you can check out our post on the 10 best walks if you’re a first-time hiker here!
Those who are a little more seasoned may wish to tackle Fairfield Horseshoe or Scafell Pike.
Of course, we are only just scratching the surface of everything that the Lake District has to offer, but we hope this has given you plenty of inspiration for your next visit!