With such a wide viriety of ways to spend your time in the Lake District, how do you decide what to do, and where to do it? If your in need of some inspiration, have a look at some of the web sites we've collected for you here. Need to know more? Get in touch with Bridged and Charlie.
While the Lake District can be a huge playground, it can also be a very demanding environment and deserves a great deal of respect. The Mountain rescue, a voluntary service, do an absolutely sterling job keeping people on the fells safe. Make their lives easier and be prepared for the conditions and terrain you intend to tackle, follow the Country code, and respect others using the environment.
The famous Lake District weather can change very quickly. Check the conditions before you set out and be ready for the worst. Have a look on the Lakeland web cam and see for yourself what the condition have been like recently.
Armitt - "The museum, gallery and reference library opens 7 days a week from 10.00am to 5.00pm except at Christmas. Enjoy changing exhibitions, interactive displays for families, activities and specialist talks to groups. The museum shop sells a diverse range of Made in Cumbria gifts as well as our own speciality gifts."
Galava - "The Roman Fort of GALAVA, built as one of a series of fortified structures to protect the vital trade routes through Cumbria, was built around AD79, and made use of a strategic position, protected on two sides by water."
Honister Slate Mine - "Welcome to Honister, a unique award winning experience and Englands last remaining working slate mine."
The Cumberland Pencil Museum - "Enter the museum through a replica of the Seathwaite Mine, where graphite was first discovered, journey through the history of pencil making, marvel at the world's longest pencil and finally relax in our coffee shop while the kids follow the quiz trail and express their creativity in the Drawing Zone. Open all year we are an ideal all weather attraction for all the family."
Castlerigg Stone Circle - "Castlerigg is perhaps the most atmospheric and dramatically sited of all British stone circles, with panoramic views and the mountains of Helvellyn and High Seat as a backdrop. It is also among the earliest British circles, raised in about 3000 BC during the Neolithic period."
Kendal Museum - "Founded in 1796, Kendal Museum's fascinating collections include local archaeology, history, geology and a natural history collection from around the globe. We also have a changing programme of temporary exhibitions and displays , events, walks and talks"
Zeffirellis Cinema and Restaurant - "For the latest movies and selected Art House films (voted best independent cinema 2007 RAAM)."
Lakeland Motor Museum - "Over 30,000 motoring related exhibits including many reminiscent rarities, tastefully presented in a rather quaint former Shire Horse Stables and courtyard setting."
Puzzling Place - "Where seeing is not believing"
Lakeland Maze Farm Park - "Lakeland Maze Farm Park ...just the place to visit for a great day out! If you're staying in the Lake District, Kendal, Windermere or the surrounding area, why not spend a fun-filled day with us?"
Wordsworth - "Dove Cottage (the home of William Wordsworth's from 1799 to 1808), Rydal Mount (between Ambleside and Grasmere. Rydal Mount commands glorious views of Lake Windermere, Rydal Water and the surrounding fells.) and Wordsworth House (Experience a living, working Georgian Townhouse with working 18th Century kitchen.)"
Ambleside gallery listings - "'Galleries' in this listing means shops selling artworks exclusively, or nearly so."
The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction - "A visit to the World of Beatrix Potter Attraction, takes you on a journey through the life and work of Beatrix Potter."
Ambleside Events Calendar - "Community Message Board and Events Calendar""
Abbot Hall - "Abbot Hall is an exquisite gallery in the north west of England on the edge of the Lake District. Works of art can be enjoyed in this beautiful Georgian villa, drawn both from its important collections and the changing series of exhibitions."
Brewery Arts Centre - "The Brewery is known nationally as a centre for world-class theatre, music, art and events, which, for a rural market town, is a true asset. It also hosts international festivals such as the Kendal Mountain Festival, the Women’s Art International Festival and Gateway International Roots Music Festival."
The Quaker Tapestry - "A modern tapestry, this international community project explores three centuries of social history within 77 fascinating panels."
Rheged - "Discover: Giant Movies, exhibitions and our Tourist Information Centre. Shop: Rheged's shops reflect the region, its activities, crafts people and producers. Eat: Fresh food with a distinct Cumbrian emphasis. Play: Let off steam with indoor soft play and creative workshops."
Theatre by the lake - "Theatre by the Lake is a year-round professional producing and presenting theatre which provides a service through the performing arts to communities of, and visitors to, Cumbria. The core programme is home-produced professional drama productions, including a six month summer season of six plays in repertoire, a major Christmas production and at least one other production in the Spring of each year."
Heaton Cooper - "The Heaton Cooper Studio is located in the village of Grasmere, which is surrounded by beautiful scenery in the heart of the English Lake District. The gallery and art shop is a family business first established by artist Alfred Heaton Cooper in 1905. His artist son William Heaton Cooper built the present gallery in Grasmere in 1938. For generations their paintings and books have influenced the way the landscape of the Lake District has been viewed."
Brockhole Visitor centre - "Enjoy our famous adventure playground, lakeside setting, exhibitions, fabulous gardens, information centre, gift shop and cafe, with good pushchair and wheelchair access. Free admission. Pay and display car park."
Lakes Aquarium - "The Lakes Aquarium is top of the list of where to go and what to do in the Lake District. Visit us on the tranquil shore of Windermere for a great family day out."
Scrambling - "Scrambling is not an easy concept to define: It is best described as a component element of mountaineering along with hill walking, snow and ice climbing and rock climbing."
Bouldering - "There is no better place to boulder then the lake district. Some may consider it a bit of a back water in terms of bouldering and of little interest, but the venues are second to none."
Climbing - "There are few climbing locations in the UK that can match the Lake District. The sheer variety of crags, the beauty of the surroundings, and the sense of history mixing with the present day."
Cycling - "Road cyclists and mountain bikers are spoilt for choice in the Lake District National Park. There are country lanes, permitted cycleways and bridleways with some fantastic views!"
Canoe/Kayak - "If you are looking to hire top quality open canoes or sea kayaks for use in the Lake District, Scotland or Wales, then speak to us. Our superb fleet of 14 sea kayaks and 16 open canoes are available for hire throughout the year."
Trail Running - "Running on off-road paths and bridleways – is a hugely enjoyable, high-energy sport that lies somewhere in between road-running and fell-running. Participants are able to savour the full outdoor, mountain experience while staying on tracks and paths. Popular in the USA, organised trail running events are relatively new in the UK but taking off in a big way in the Lake District. "
Walking - "The Lake District National Park has walks for every ability from ambles around lakes to high ridge walks, with a bit of scrambling."
Sailing - "Want to learn to sail or brush up your skills? We are a Royal Yachting Association Training Centre and offer a range of courses to qualify for internationally recognised RYA certificates."
Popular walks from Ambleside - "There was a time when visitors to the Lake District read Baddeley's guide book, bought a 1 inch map and set off into the hills wearing whatever clothes they had, a pair of wellies perhaps, an old mac, a tweed cap and jacket and an umbrella. Nearly all of them survived and enjoyed their adventures. They only came in summer."
Low Wood Leisure Centre - "Has plenty to offer any English Lakes Hotels guests with an unsurpassed range of facilities on offer. Our friendly professionally trained staff are available to help you improve your fitness and offer personal tuition in swimming and squash as well as aerobics, callenetics and many other group activities."
Hot air balloon rides - "We are a small, personable and enthusiastic, independent local family business providing Champagne hot air balloon rides over Cumbria - The Lake District in the North West of England since 1989."
Trout Fishing - "Esthwaite Water is the largest stocked lake in the North West of England, offering renowned top of the water action in true loch style, set amidst breathtaking scenery."
Go Ape - "Our Grizedale course (the jewel in our crown) has always proved popular. Built on a side of a hill, it feels seriously high. And that's because it is. Fly 200 metres across the top of the Grizedale Beck and marvel at the forest canopy 18 metres up a magnificent Douglas Fir."
Altura Mountain Bike Trail - "Whinlatter Forest Park is home to the longest purpose-built mountain bike trail in the Lake District. The Altura Trail puts the mountain back into biking and has been built for experienced riders with good off road skills and a higher level of fitness and stamina."
North Face Mountain Bike Trail - "The North Face Trail offers a rush of curves, berms and north shore, uphill and downhill which takes riders on an adventure trail through Grizedale Forest."
Oxley's Day Spa - "Inspired by the natural surroundings, this purpose built spa - voted 'Best Day Spa' by Spa World Magazine, has five distinctive treatment rooms including a Vichy hydrotherapy suite and couples' room, a beautifully appointed relaxation area with views towards the Langdales and beyond, a dedicated manicure and pedicure lounge and a large retail area stocking a fine selection of natural and organic products and gifts."
Low Wood Beauty Spa - "The Beauty Salon exists to anticipate your own individual beauty desires, so leave yourself in the highly trained hands of our beauty therapists who will soothe away stresses and strains using the finest products by Repechage. "
Zeffirellis Cinema and Restaurant - "For the latest movies and selected Art House films (voted best independent cinema 2007 RAAM)."
Fellinis Cinema and Restaurant - "The sister of 'Zeffs', Fellinis takes a more cultured approach with art house films and cinema 'Theatre' nights"
