There are many, MANY, areas of interest and we would suggest that you research your interests online prior to/during your visit to ensure you have the best experience, however, here are some thing we think you may enjoy! (there are also leaflets available in the rack for you to peruse!).
We would also suggest you use local information sites such as ‘Visit Cumbria’ to give you some inspiration! We have included some local ideas and also some that you could travel to within an hour or so.
Obviously, Cumbria is famous for its Lakes and Fells and we have provided some paper copies of maps for walks for you. Please do make use of these, but we would ask that you return then to the property for others to use and enjoy.
Whitehaven
Our local town
The maritime port of Whitehaven was once the third-largest in the UK with trade links all over the world. The town’s prosperity was built on coal, developed by the wealthy Lowther family who also laid out the elegant Georgian town. The wealth of Georgian architecture led to Whitehaven being listed as a ‘gem town’.
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The historic 17th century harbour, enhanced by nautical sculptures, dramatic lighting effects and a brand new marina, is the focus for spectacular maritime events and activities including the occasional visit of tall sailing ships.
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In the mid 18th century, Whitehaven was used as a template for the expansion of New York. improvements to the harbour area and a careful restoration of the town’s Georgian buildings are part of an ongoing regeneration programme, the latest phase of which is to upgrade footpaths, cycleways and signage along the coast to St Bees and improve access to Haig Colliery Mining Museum, Saltom Pit and the RSPB reserve at St Bees.
Muncaster Castle
A history of the castle.
The Castle, nestled in Cumbria, believed to be standing on Roman remains, is a key part of the region’s history. Whilst the Pennington family have recorded evidence of this historic house as being their home since 1208 when lands were granted to Alan de Penitone, some records go back further suggesting that the family have been here since at least 1026. Muncaster Castle is a fine example of one of the Lake District and Cumbria’s favourite historic houses – go and see for yourself just how impressive the building and historic gardens are.
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The bluebell woods are a highlight of springtime offering an enchanted walk through the high woodlands above the Castle when they are in flower. The haze of blue-purple beneath the new leaves emerging in the spring is a delight that has to be experienced if you are visiting in the Lake District. From mid April until mid May Muncaster’s Bluebell Heaven will lighten the soul and refresh the human spirit. If they are in season and you are in Cumbria, it’s the perfect place to experience a visual treat.Please note that the pathways to and through the bluebell woods are both steep and rough.
The Hawk & Owl Centre within the gardens of Muncaster Castle is open daily Easter to early November and at weekends Nov-Dec & Feb-Easter. The Centre and the inspiring flying displays are included in your ticket.
The Centre comprises the lawned Owl Garden with aviaries and mews, plus the adjacent Old Rose Garden where there is a flying arena. The Centre is home to a diverse range of birds for you to wonder at and enjoy, from massive to minute and bizarre to familiar but all rarely seen up-close.
Entry to the Centre is through the Owl Garden Tearoom where you can pick up drinks and snacks, and a range of bird-and wildlife-oriented giftware.
PLEASE NOTE that no dogs are allowed in the Hawk & Owl Centre which includes the Old Rose Garden arena (assistance dog handlers – please contact us for advice) but are welcome in the Owl Garden Tearoom, at the entrance to the Centre. The second flying display is on the flying meadow – there is a doggy seating area for your dog and you to enjoy at this display.
Ennerdale Lake
Approximately 15 mins drive
A walk round Ennerdale Water is probably the most satisfying lakeside walk within the Lake District. Ennerdale is an ideal size for a full circuit (7.5 miles) and there is excellent, paths/tracks that stick close to the shoreline throughout. It is easy to walk along and clear to follow.
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The views are superb looking up the valley of Ennerdale whilst the return journey along the north banks is blocked off by trees. Ennerdale is a reservoir for some of the West Cumbrian towns, however this has not affected its beauty and appearance. A visit to Ennerdale Water is certainly worth it.
Loweswater
This is a beautiful walk with views of the mountains, woodlands, the lake and a pub to finish of your walk in the best way!
Buttermere
The Buttermere Valley is a picture postcard of two blue ribbon lakes (Buttermere and Crummock Water) joined together by the small village of Buttermere at the centre.
Buttermere is one of the smallest of the lakes, so it’s quite easy to walk around the whole of it within half a day. On the 4 km low-level walk, it’s a good walk for all of the family.
Bassenthwaite Lake
The attractive village of Bassenthwaite, a mile and a half from the shores of the lake of the same name, is situated six miles north of Keswick and a similar distance from Cockermouth.
There are lots of walks in the area including the mighty Skiddaw, Lord's Seat, Ullock Pike and Binsey Fell, described by Wainwright as 'a simple walk for a big view'. A gentle climb of three miles from Bassenthwaite brings you to the Cumbria Way and Dash Falls. Why not potter through the fields and take a look atthe ancient church of St Bega in an idyllic location and the scene of many weddings.
Dodd Wood, on the slopes of Skiddaw, offers a variety of way marked trails and a viewing platform for the Osprey. Excellent views reward those who make it to Dodd Summit.
Alpacas
Yeathouse Farm is a local farm which offers Alpaca experiences.
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‘A small family run farm in Frizington. We have owned Yeathouse farm for over 3 years and we decided to introduce alpaca walking in 2019 so we could share our amazing (and slightly crazy) alpaca family with you!
Walking with alpacas is great fun and we hope to make it both enjoyable and informative. All of our alpacas are halter trained and whilst walking with us will meet them all. All of our alpacas have their own personalities, just like me and you.
We will also educate you all about alpacas, where they came from, and their daily routines. There are plenty of photo opportunities too and if you would like, we can take a photo of you with the alpacas as a momento of your time with us’.
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Alpacaly Ever After
‘Our mission is to rehome alpacas and llamas from all over the country and give them a wonderful new home with the very best of care, while bringing people in touch with the landscape and the natural world through outstanding alpaca and llama experiences, accessible to all and surrounded by the beauty of the Lake District World Heritage Site.’.
Walby Farm Park
Farmer Neil Milbourn and his wife Katie, run Walby Farm Park on their working, family farm, together with their 3 daughters, Holly, Izzie & Liv, all part of the brilliant ‘Team Walby’.
The Milbourn family first came to the farm here in 1928; the fields then were ploughed with Clydesdale horses just like Lady Alice who you can meet in our Animal Barn!
The family farm is built on top of the line of Hadrian’s Wall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, just outside Carlisle in north Cumbria. It lies in the Solway Basin, a 1 mile from the River Eden.
Wasdale
Wastwater, England's deepest lake, lies in Wasdale to the west of the National Park. The view from the south-western end of the lake near the youth hostel was voted Britain’s Favourite View in 2007 by television viewers. The view takes in the lake with the mountains of Yewbarrow, Great Gable and Lingmell behind. It forms the basis for the National Park's logo. Scafell Pike, England’s highest mountain, lies at the top of Lingmell.
The Laal Ratty
The Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway is one of the oldest and longest narrow gauge railways in England, known affectionately as La’al Ratty meaning “little railway“ in olde Cumbrian dialect. It was 105 years ago in April 1913 that the original 3ft line closed and in 1915 the new 15in La’al Ratty was born. Our heritage steam engines transport passengers from Ravenglass, the only coastal village located in two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the Lake District National Park and Frontiers of the Roman Empire Hadrians Wall, to Dalegarth for Boot some 210ft above sea level.
The line is seven miles long with a journey time of 40 minutes each way offering spectacular views over the estuaries and countryside with England’s highest mountains in the distance. There are great walks between and from the seven intermediate request stops Our cosy covered , half open and open top carriages provide the best of comfort and views as you travel up the line. Our main season runs from March until October however we operate trains during November and December for Christmas through to New Year.
St Bees Beach
There is a café by the beach selling drinks and food and delicious homemade ice-cream! Probably best to check tide times if you would like to walk along the beach. There are a number of hotels and pubs in the village itself (a couple of minutes’ drive or 15 minute walk).
England Coastal Path (EPC)
Now open at St Bees!
The new section of the England Coast Path (ECP) from Whitehaven to Silecroft, which runs along the coast at St Bees, was opened on 31st March 2021. This is a new National Trail and the coast south of the village has been opened up to the public for the first time, with extensive footpath engineering and waymarking. The village of St Bees sits next to St Bees Head, the most westerly point of Northern England, between the Lakeland fells and the Irish Sea. It has a history going back over 1,000 years and has been a popular holiday destination for over 150 years.
There is a large sandy beach with a promenade and visitor facilities, and to the north are the towering red sandstone cliffs of St Bees Head; which is the only Heritage Coast between Scotland and Wales and an important RSPB seabird reserve. St Bees is only a few miles from the English Lake District National Park, now a UNESCO World Heritage site, and it’s an ideal base to explore both the Western Lakes and the Cumbrian Coast. It is the start of the Wainwright Coast to Coast walk to Robin Hood’s Bay and is on the England Coast Path which is a National Trail.
Egremont Castle
The extensive ruins of a 12th-century castle stand on a hill above Egremont town, overlooking the River Ehen. The castle was built by William le Meschin, or Meschines, around 1130. The gatehouse and curtain wall show signs of even earlier Norman herringbone stonework, so it seems likely that Meschin merely rebuilt or extended an earlier Norman fortress. Meschin was the first lord of Egremont, a barony created by William Rufus after he wrested control of this area from Scotland in 1092.
The Beacon
The newly refurbished Beacon in Whitehaven offers an interactive experience for all the family. Absorb yourself in the amazing views through the powerful telescopes in the Viewing Gallery, present your very own weather forecast in the Weather Zone and explore the lighthouse style building to discover local history through the ages using interactive touchscreens, sights, sounds, and smells. Dig up your very own Roman artefact or join the crew and jump aboard the Maria Lowther Ship! From pirates, police, and the lives of the rich and poor – to games, ghosts, disease and death!
The Laal Ratty
The Keswick to Threlkeld trail re-opened on Saturday 5 December 2020, on the fifth anniversary of Storm Desmond. The trail has now been strengthened and made more resilient to future flooding. Two bridges have been replaced and Rawsome's bridge has been repaired. There are panels along the length of the trail with information about local nature and wildlife, the history of the railway and the bobbin mill and the impact of Storm Desmond to the trail and local area. The former board walk has been replaced by a tunnel. The trail starts from just beyond Keswick Leisure Pool close to Fitz Park and runs for 5km to Threlkeld making a 10km out and back route. The trail is a multi user trail suitable for walkers, runners, wheelchairs, mobility scooters, wheelchairs and cyclists. The trail can be very popular at times so please be courteous towards other users. The trail is part of the 137 mile C2C cycle route which runs from the west to the east coast.
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The entire trail is smooth-surfaced with tarmac for the entire length and gradients are very low. At the Threlkeld end there is now a zigzag path to lessen the gradient.
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There is level access at the Keswick Leisure Centre end. There is a pay and display car park at Keswick Leisure Centre at the start of the trail with two disabled spaces.
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There are regular seats along the route with a picnic area close to the entrance of the tunnel.
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There are temporary toilets at the former Keswick railway station, including an accessible toilet.
Go Ape
The dramatic views from the top of Whinlatter Pass are in keeping with the sheer drama of our highest Go Ape location in Whinlatter Forest, over 1000 feet above sea level. This unique landscape inspires many artists, writers and thinkers – could it inspire you to push your physical boundaries on our Treetop Challenge course?
Hit our exclusive trails on an all-terrain Segway. These beasts of the forest floor will take you to vantage points previously inaccessible to all but hardened hikers.
Via Ferrata
Via Ferrata Classic is the original award winning product suitable for most ages and abilities. Using the original Miner’s track up the steep outer incline of Fleetwith Pike, the addition of a continuous cable made climbing this magnificent Lake District mountain achievable and safe for everyone. Via Ferrata Classic is not as challenging as the Via Ferrata Xtreme (https://honister.com/product/via-ferrata-xtreme/) . You will follow the historic miner’s path high onto Fleetwith Pike in a thrilling, stunning and safe outdoors activity. It’s an adrenaline rush with an essence of natural beauty. No experience is necessary for any activities at Honister.
Wildlife Park
With the backdrop of the Skiddaw, journey on foot around the 24 acres of parkland visiting over 100 species of wild and domestic animals cared for in this beautiful setting by their qualified and highly motivated keepers. A range of engaging presentations take place daily bringing you closer to many of the park’s favourites. With conservation at the heart of our ethos we actively support three charities and as BIAZA members we participate in six endangered species programmes. Please see section on conservation. We also jointly manage two SSSI sites on the shores of Bassenthwaite Lake.