Cumbria with Kids: Better Than You Think
Family holidays are a negotiation. The adults want scenery and decent pubs. The teenagers want wifi and something that isn’t a walk. The little ones want animals, ice cream, and puddles. Cumbria — specifically the bit around Penrith and the northern Lake District — manages to deliver on all counts.
We’ve been hosting families at our cottages near Penrith for years, so here’s what actually works.
The Best Family Days Out near Penrith
Lowther Castle and Gardens
The ruined castle is dramatic enough to impress even a bored 14-year-old, and the gardens have been brilliantly restored. The real draw for families is the adventure playground — it’s large, imaginative, and set in the castle grounds. There’s also a bird of prey centre with flying displays. Five minutes from our Great Strickland cottages.
Rookin House Farm Activities
Rookin House is an activity centre just outside Penrith offering horse riding, quad biking, archery, segway tours, and more. It’s especially good for older children and teenagers who need a bit of adrenaline. Sessions can be booked in advance.
Abbott Lodge Ice Cream Farm
Farm ice cream made on site, with a small farm animal area where toddlers can meet the residents. The ice cream is genuinely excellent — salted caramel and honeycomb are particular favourites. You can walk here from Fern Cottage in about 30 minutes, which makes it a perfect mid-morning mission.
Ullswater Steamers
Children love boats. The Ullswater Steamers run the length of the lake, and you can hop on and off at Pooley Bridge, Howtown, or Glenridding. The full cruise takes about an hour each way. Pushchairs can get on, though the Howtown pier involves a bit of a wobble.
Aira Force Waterfall
A 20-metre waterfall in a woodland gorge, reached by a well-maintained path. It’s an easy walk for most children (about 20 minutes each way from the car park), and the stone bridges over the gorge are exciting without being dangerous. Wellies recommended after rain.
Family Walks That Actually Work
The quickest way to ruin a family walk is to make it too long. Here are some that keep everyone happy:
- Village circular from Great Strickland (3 miles) — flat lanes and footpaths, suitable for sturdy pushchairs. Finishes at the Strickland Arms for chips.
- Pooley Bridge lakeside (1-2 miles) — flat path along Ullswater’s northern shore. Turn back whenever you’ve had enough.
- Hallin Fell (45 mins up and down) — a short, steep fell walk with stunning views. Suitable for children aged about seven and up. They’ll feel like proper mountaineers at the top.
- Abbott Lodge walk (30 mins from Fern/Maple) — ice cream at the end is powerful motivation.
Rainy Day Options
This is Cumbria. It will rain at some point. Be prepared:
- Penrith has a cinema, indoor swimming pool, and the Penrith Museum (small but free).
- Rheged Centre (just off the M6) has a large cinema, shops, and often hosts exhibitions.
- Keswick (30 min drive) has the Pencil Museum (children love it more than adults expect) and the Puzzling Place.
Where to Stay with the Family
Maple Cottage is our largest property, sleeping six across three bedrooms. It’s a 17th-century barn conversion with oak beams, open fireplaces, and a conservatory where children can play on wet afternoons. Dogs are welcome too, because family holidays shouldn’t mean leaving anyone behind.
Fern Cottage sleeps five across three bedrooms and shares the same Great Strickland location — village walks from the door and the pub 200 yards away.
Both cottages are self-catering, so you can eat when it suits you rather than wrestling a toddler into a restaurant at 7pm.
Book a Family Break
A Cumbria family holiday doesn’t have to mean expensive lakeside hotels or overbooked holiday parks. Our cottages near Penrith give you space, freedom, and the Lake District on your doorstep. Book direct with Cottage Collection for the best rates — no booking fees, no fuss.