Your plans whilst you’re in the Lake District don’t always have to involve lakes. There are so many great things that you can do in this National Park.
Of course the Lake District National Park is predominately known for its many mountains and lakes. But you will also find plenty of alternative things to do that you can add into your day. Whether you are staying at our Thanet Well Lodge Retreat or our Keswick Reach Lodge Retreat or somewhere else, this list of alternative ideas will be perfect for you. Have a read below and see which ones you are going to add to your next trip to the Lake District.
The Lakes Distillery
Setmurthy, Near Bassenthwaite Lake, Cumbria, CA13 9SJ
At The Lakes Distillery you can enjoy going on a range of different tours. From the distillery tour & tasting to the Lakes whisky tour and even a whisky & chocolate pairing tour. Each will take you behind the scenes where you can learn all about the distillery and the science behind creating the alcohol that is made here. There is also a bistro at the distillery that you could book into either before or after your tour to explore another area of the venue.
Alpacaly Ever After
The Lingholm Kitchen & Walled Garden, The Lingholm Estate, Portinscale, Keswick, CA12 5TZ
In The Lingholm Estate you will find Alpacaly Ever After, an Alpaca farm where people can come and meet the alpacas, feed them, take photos, ask questions and even walk them around the grounds. It’s a great experience if you are an animal lover and want to learn more about alpacas! The activity itself lasts around half an hour and prices start at £7 for children and £15 for visitors 12 and over.
The Puzzling Place
Museum Square, Keswick, CA12 5DZ
Known for being the world of illusion, The Puzzling Place is an optical illusion paradise. Here you will find the perfect picture opportunities and you’ll not believe your eyes with some of the illusions around this puzzling place. There are a range of different rooms that are fascinatingly fun and will leave you questioning what was and wasn’t real in each room. It’s the perfect place to go with families, couples and friends.
Afternoon Tea in Cockermouth
3 Crown St, Cockermouth, CA13 0EJ
Sit back, relax and enjoy an afternoon tea experience in The Trout Hotel in Cockermouth. Whether you are celebrating an occasion or you just want a luxurious experience to add into your day this will be perfect. And there are so many different ones to choose from, a classic afternoon tea, a gin and tonic afternoon tea or an afternoon tea with either Laurent Perrier Brut or Laurent Perrier Rose. The selection of sandwiches, pastries, cakes and sweet treats are also included.
Honister
Honister Pass, Borrowdale, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 5XN
At Honister you will find a range of different outdoor and indoor adventures to suit all types of adventurers. From canyoning to mine tours, climbing the mine to going across an infinity bridge. There are so many fun, adrenaline fuelled experiences that will be perfect for the thrill seekers out there. The location was also the last working slate mine in England and they have a shop where they have used the slate to hand-craft various products.
Tree Top Trek
Brockhole, Windermere, Lake District, LA23 1LJ
Take to the tree tops and enjoy an adventure like no other with various activities. You could complete a tree top obstacle course, bounce around in treetop nets with slides, tunnels and ball zones, or climb a 10m high wall and make your way down on a 250m zip line! There are so many fun adventure opportunities that you can get involved in here. And there is something for everyone to try out too which makes it the perfect day out.
Shed 1 Distillery
The Old Calf Shed, North Lonsdale Road, Ulverston, Cumbria, LA12 9AU
Shed 1 Distillery is ran buy husband and wife, Andy and Zoe Arnold-Bennett. They started their distillery in there garden shed in 2016 but have since relocated to a bigger location where they can provide visitors with a visitor centre, a tour of the gin distillery with gin tasting and the opportunity to make your own gin. There is also a gin afternoon tea that you could book and enjoy with friends. Once you’ve finished with your time at Shed 1 Distillery don’t forget to pick up some gin to take home from their shop onsite.
Path to Adventure
Keepers Cottage, Ashlack, Grizebeck, Kirkby in Furness, LA17 7XN
The perfect addition to your day would be Path to Adventure, they have a huge variety of outdoor activities that you can do in the Lake District. There are things like ghyll scrambling, canoeing, abseiling, bushcraft, rock climbing, guided walks, scrambling and archery. So why not be at one with nature, take in all the breath taking sights around the Lake District and create some memories in an unforgettable adventure. Like the other things to do above, there are so many choices which make it perfect for groups of all ages to come and enjoy.
Lakes Escapes
Stanley St, Workington, CA14 2JD
Test your skills and see how well your group work together under pressure at Lakes Escapes. It’s an escape room centre where groups of up to 8 people have to solve puzzles, riddles and tasks to provide them with information to escape. The hard part of this escape room challenge is that you only have 60 minutes to escape. There are 7 different rooms available for you to try all with different themes from Christmas, pirates, detectives and more!
Keswick Brewing Co.
Brewery Ln, Keswick, CA12 5BY
Keswick Brewing Co. is a craft brewery which has an onsite bar called the Fox Tap along with brewery tours available. And a beer shop where you can purchase some of the beer that has been brewed onsite! They have won over 15 different awards for all of the beer they have brewed. In the bar you will find 6 cask and 4 keg beers and plenty of canned and bottled beer too. Along with wines, ciders, spirits and soft drinks so there is something for everyone.
Both of our resorts in the Lake District will make the perfect base to head out and explore. And there are so many alternative things to do in different areas of the national park. Find out more about each resort and see which would be perfect for you.