Food
Days Out
Beach
Bike & Hike
Sports
Nature
Gardens
Activities
Historical
Eating & Drinking
With a proven track record of excellent food based on both resident and non-resident comments and now also AA recognition.
Experience warm Scottish hospitality with morning coffee, light lunches and afternoon teas baked and cooked on the premises. At weekends there are two additional hot dishes. Visitors can enjoy browsing in the gift shop which stock crafts from the region.
Casa Mia - 23 Miles (36.8 KM)
Enjoy the authentic flavours of Italy at this friendly and relaxing restaurant. The food is freshly prepared and delicious with a range of options to cater for all tastes.
A fresh little place where superb food, cooked to perfection, is served in warm and friendly surroundings. Small and busy, so booking is essential.
A cosy informal restaurant whose name aptly reflects the impressive castle views which it enjoys. The food is imaginative and personally prepared by the chef proprietor, and served by friendly staff in an unobtrusive manner.
Lovingly restored 16th century Kelsick Hall is the location of the Priest Hole restaurant, serving a Mediterranean and English menu, all freshly prepared in their own kitchen.
Rothay Manor is an elegant country house hotel, with a well known restaurant, situated in the heart of the Lake District.
Fun Days Out
45 carefully themed and informative aquatic displays as well as an adventure playground, radio controlled boats and mini golf.
Wonderful fun for kids — the soft play area includes ball pools, climbing walls, giant ball arena and aerial runways. There are themed party rooms, a café and much much more.
Dino Park - 17.7 Miles (28.3 KM)
Dino Park is a brilliant dinosaur adventure where you can discover all about these giants who roamed the earth 150 million years ago, in lovely landscaped surroundings. Get to meet some of these colossal monsters here at the park, they are pretty realistic with noises too. All dinosaurs have information about them, find out who was the biggest or most ferocious! Take a trip through the Dino Mine, a great underground adventure and watch out for the dinosaurs lurking about. At the Dino Den you will hear lots of facts and stories and a song or two. How about digging for fossils or bones at the Dino Dig and don't miss out on having a go on the bouncy dinosaur. The staff are lovely, warm and friendly and interact really well the children. Dino Park is open everyday from April through to October and offers a great family fun day out, and is great value. The cafe is a great offering a lovely choice of home cooked food and drinks and all at reasonable prices too. Dino Park offers an atmospheric and fun day out for both children and adults alike, you can't help but have a great time here. If in the area take the time to come and experience Dino Park yourself you won't be disappointed.
Here at the Mossburn centre they rescue and shelter misused, abused, unwanted and neglected animals, and provide therapeutic work placements for children and adults.
Mabie Farm Park is a former dairy farm set in 77 hectares that now serves as a Farm Park that offers its visitors hours of fun and enjoyment, with the usual sights, sounds and smells of the countryside. Located under the stunning Mabie Forest, it is an ideal setting with large flat areas for play, fields for the animals, a pretty stream flows through the land and a large pond that is brimming with wildlife. There is loads for children of all ages to do here and it is suited to all weathers with both indoor and outdoor play areas. The Playbarn has softplay equipment, bouncy castles, trampolines and a traversing wall. The Straw Barn is a great place to hang out with rope swings and straw bales to clamber over. Outside there is an astroslide, paddle boats, bouncy castle and jumping pillows, grass slide, pedal go karts, play park with the usual favourite play equipment, quad bikes, a ball park and the much loved choo choo express. You can get close to the farm animals here and can buy animal feed in the shop to feed them, a selection of the animals to be found here are cattle, cows, horses, llamas, alpaca, pigs, goats, donkey, sheep, lots of birds as well as mice, rabbits, ferrets and much more. Donkey rides are very popular here, and you will be given a hat before you ride, the staff then lead you around the grounds. The staff are so friendly and helpful and are always at hand if you need them, they are very patient with the smaller children, and have lots of knowledge on the animals. The cafe is lovely, plenty of space and seating and a good selection of food and drinks that are reasonably priced and excellent. The entrance price is very good and reasonable for all that you get, there is a small additional charge for the donkey ride, peddle boats, quad bikes and train. The facilities are clean and well maintained as is the overall farm. Mabie Farm Park is a fantastic family fun day out can't recommend enough, definitely must visit if you are in the area.
Rheged - 24.7 Miles (39.5 KM)
An award winning family day out, Rheged attractions include a giant cinema with a screen the size of six double decker buses, a kids play centre and an international mountaineering exhibition as well as superb shops and great food.
The Lake District Walker offers the most exciting way to savour this lush region. Take a navigation course or traverse Scafell Pike. Go Ghyll Scrambling and slide down waterfalls, jump into refreshing pools and prepare to get wet! A wide range of instructional courses are available ranging from one to five days in length.
Ambleside (Central Cumbria) has a population of 2600, and is ideally situated in the Rothay Valley just north of the head of Lake Windermere. Another favourite for hikers and walkers.
Beach
St Bee's Beach - 22.6 Miles (36.2 KM)
This is a magical beach — if you have young children, they will love searching the rock pools for starfish, crabs and small fish. Relax and soak up the dramatic scenery or take a walk along the coastline.
Biking & Hiking
Easedale Skyline Walk - 25.6 Miles (41 KM)
The stunning views from the top of Helm Crag make the steep climb from Grasmere all the more worthwhile. The whole walk will talk approximately 7 hours to complete at about 9 miles long.
Fairfield Horseshoe Walk - 28.8 Miles (46.1 KM)
A circular walk starting in Ambleside and following the skyline reaches Faitfield summit. A walk of about 10 miles, giving you roughly 7 hours to enjoy the glorious scenery.
Loughrigg & Grasmere Walk - 29 Miles (46.4 KM)
A guided walk with superb views of Windermere. You walk along Grasmere and the onto the famous 'Coffin Road' passing Rydal Mount and Rydal Hall.
7 Stanes Ae - 29.7 Miles (47.5 KM)
The Forest of Ae is a popular venue for mountain bikers, and there's a great range of trails here to suit all abilities. There's also a well-established downhill scene and the 'Ae Up' uplift service for those with the skill to tackle a competition downhill course.
Golf & Sports
Cumbria's premier karting arena for all ages and fun for all the family. Training provided as well as all safety gear needed to get you off to a flying start.
A huge indoor climbing wall in the Lake District catering for all ages. Always ring to check times and availabilities.
7-Stanes is located in the stunning location of Mabie Forest, a real cyclists paradise, it was the first venue of its kind in the south west of Scotland. What is so attractive about here is that there are trails to cater for beginners right up to the most experienced riders. The forest has lots to offer to its visitors from a skills area, bike hire and a cafe on site that sells a selection of drinks and snacks, you have everything you require here for a fantastic day riding. The areas are graded to colour to indicate difficulty, it allows those new to the forest to see where they should be or those who want to increase in difficulty the opportunity to do so. You will also find here a great 300m freeride line and with lots of zones for practising your jumping techniques and skills in the mini-x area. The routes are clearly marked out and all trails are picturesque. The green route is mostly suited to beginners offering an introduction to mountain biking, the purple trail offers some challenges, with a mix of forest and roads, the red route is a classic mountain bike route extending 17km and the orange route is definitely for experienced riders and is not for the faint hearted, it covers a range of 3.8km. If you are seeking an adrenalin rush then 7-Stances is the place to come plenty of challenges for all riders, in stunning surroundings.
Beautifully designed golf course by the sea for great views while you are playing a relaxing round. Established in 1906 by the school, the current course was built in 1929 and has gone from strength to strength ever since.
Dumfries and Galloway is Scotland's most heavily forested region and these forests are perfect for the sport of sled dog racing. See website for details of events.
Nature Reserves
See flocks of Barnacle Geese who fly here in vast numbers and find their homes here. Over the last 70 years the bird population has increased from 500 birds to over 25,000. Admire these beautiful creatures and go for a stroll on one of the numerous nature trails.
A fascinating wildlife park in a lovely setting of mixed woodland. Conservation of threatened and endangered species is the principle focus of this impressive park, protecting as they do nearly 150 animals. Spend some time in the remarkable enclosures and learn about their habitats.
Gardens & Woodlands
These large grounds include access to Bassenthwaite lake, a wildflower meadow, walled garden and path maze. For children, there are also four woodland adventure playgrounds. It is also a great place for a spot of bird watching and due to the importance placed on the sight, it will hopefully remain unspoilt for a long time to come.
The Lowther Parklands consist of 150 acres of grounds with play activities for children, including rides, boating, adventure playgrounds, miniature railway and a putting green.
Skelwith Force is a beautiful waterfall located in the Lake District. Recognised as one of the smaller of its kind, this captivating land feature is very easy to access. The area includes lush growth and dark rocks that create the perfect backdrop for this tumbling performance. Water cascades over the edge, forming sprays that fill a churning pool. While the drop isn't enormous, the volume of water is very impressive.
Located at the centre of Ambleside, White Platts is a gorgeous recreation area that offers some of the most popular miniature golf along the lakes. The 9 hole course offers a variety of challenge levels for players. The grounds also include three full size tennis courts and a bowling green.
Local Attractions
Cockermouth is a market town of some 7,000 inhabitants, which lies at the north western corner of the English Lake District, and holds lots of historic interest.
Keswick - 15.4 Miles (24.6 KM)
Keswick is a market town of about 5,000 inhabitants. It is in a fantastic setting between Derwent Water, Blencathra and Skiddaw. A favourite for Lakeland climbers and walkers.
The Theatre by the Lake runs all year round, producing and presenting professional shows. Famous for its views across Derwent Water, the theatre has 400 seats in the main house and a newly extended 100 seat studio.
You'll find favourite high street stores at The Loreburne Shopping Centre — quality shopping in a modern air conditioned environment.
Built in 1792, it is the oldest working theatre in Scotland, run on a voluntary basis by the Guild of Players. A varied programme of events including Guild of Players' own productions and performances from visiting companies.
The Robert Burns Centre is an intimate and welcoming arthouse cinema in Dumfries with a dedication to bring great films to the theatre. They aim to enhance the communities cultural experiences by bringing a diverse and interesting mix of films, to include big budget films, blockbusters, foreign language films, low-budget independent films, documentaries, short films, archive and animation films. It is not uncommon to have a speaker here to introduce the films and they also run a programme of film related and workshops and courses, in addition to a film club. The cinema has all modern features, and the seating is very comfortable. There is a shop in the foyer that sells a range of drinks and snacks. The staff are jovial and helpful. The cinema operates Tuesday to Saturday evenings with some special daytime showings and the ticket prices are very reasonable. All seats are unreserved so best to arrive early if you want to sit together, with only 60 seats, space is limited. The Robert Burns Centre is a real cultural gem in the heart of Dumfries.
Pamper yourself with a visit to the Langdale Spa! This luxurious facility is part of the award-winning Langdale Estate. Found right at the centre of the Lake District, this venue provides access to a UV-treated swimming pool, whirlpool spa bath, massage seat, deluge shower, lounger chairs, steam room and much more!
Sam Read Bookseller is the place for avid readers. Explore a unique collection of books that come with excellent service. The shop was originally established in 1887 by Sam Read. It passed hands five more times throughout its 123 years in operation. Sam Read's is open almost every day so you can always find time to stop by during your stay!
The Herdy Shop has been offering responsibly-produced merchandise since it was established in 2007. This unique retail experience carries a diverse catalogue of high quality items, ranging from mugs, kitchen wares and foot to clothing, accessories and crafting tools. A percentage of profits are donated to the Herdy Fund each year.
The Grasmere Chocolate Studio bills itself as the "little chocolate shop with a big heart." This unique retailer sells a rich collection of delicious confections that are guaranteed to tempt your sweet tooth. Explore handmade products or look for the perfect gift for a loved one. The studio also hosts workshops so patrons can learn more about the chocolate making process.
The Scottish Showcase Gallery is in a picturesque spot by the harbour in Kirkcudbright, or "Artist's Town" as it is also known owing to its position on Scotland's breathtaking south west coast. This characteristic building offers an exciting and stylish gallery you will find a find collection of works from artists from all over the country. They focus mainly on the four art schools, colourist artists, atmospheric artists, stylised artists and traditional artists. Throughout the year the gallery focuses on solo artists work and these change on the last Friday of each month, so there is always something new on display here. The atmosphere is relaxed and serene providing the perfect place to view and appreciate the art on display. A lovely gallery with some lovely works, well worth a visit, if just to see the high quality of work on show here.
The Cocoabean Company is a fun day for all, everyone is assured a fantastic time and will leave wanting to return again and again. At this interactive factory tour you will be given a guided tour and shown how chocolate is made, as well as getting to make your own chocolate and then eating it, you get to taste lots of yummy chocolate as you walk around, and keep your apron. The guides are friendly and informative and are very good at keeping the smaller ones entertained. You can easily pass a day here with the tour and other amenities There is a great outside area with fort and pirate ship that is complete with slides and a play area, or you can pan for gold. In addition there is an indoor soft play area which, is quite large covering many levels and with tunnels and slides for lots of enjoyment. The Cafe is lovely with a great selection of food and drink and all at reasonable prices and the service is very good. The facilities are very clean here and well maintained. You are also able to take a picnic here. There is a factory gift shop where you can buy some delicious treats before leaving. A visit to the Cocoabean Company will assure everyone a great time and you will be very popular with the all the children. A great attraction for all ages, there is something for everyone here. Prices are very reasonable and if visiting with children you only pay for them.
The Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway runs for 7 miles from the coastal village of Ravenglass in the Western Lake District through two of Lakeland's loveliest valleys to Dalegarth.
Historical & Heritage Sites
At Wordsworth House you can meet the servants, help them with their daily jobs and cook historic goodies in the working Georgian kitchen, getting a real sense of life in the childhood home of the poet.
Carlisle Castle is still a sight to behold. Founded in 1092, it's housed a few famous guests in its time, including Mary Queen of Scots who was imprisoned here.
A fully guided tour into the mine itself is available several times a day, detailing the history and spectacular features of the mine. The tour also shows the current mine workings.
Morton Castle is probably in the most stunning setting of any castle in Scotland, it proudly stands at the head of a triangular bluff, on both sides there are steep declines into Morton Loch and has fabulous views of the lovely Lowther Hills. It is not the easiest place to find, it is not until you are almost there that the signs begin, and there is not much remaining of this castle except the exterior walls and parts of two towers, it was constructed in the mid 1400's by the Earls of Morton. It is more the views that you come for when visiting Morton Castle, its remote location allows you to experience the beauty of the countryside and Morton Loch as well as feel the Scottish winds. In addition there are two lovely walking trails here, one will take you to on to other ruins further along or the other trail takes you in a circle back to Morton Castle. Although not much to explore of the castle, the views and beauty of the surrounding countryside more than make up, if you like travelling to places a bit off the beaten track than Morton Castle is for you.
Dumfries Museum is incorporated in an old windmill at the top of a hill, and has an abundance of things to see, it predominately tells the story of the land and people of the region. In addition there is the Camera Obscura and there are great views of the town from here on a clear day. The museum covers a range of subjects from geology and natural history to local social and cultural history and much more, there are permanent and temporary exhibits so items on display do change here. The exhibits are well displayed and engaging. The staff are welcoming and friendly and will happily answer any questions you might have on the museum and local area. Entry to the museum is free and there is a small charge for the Camera Obscura but, this includes a guided tour. Being at the top there is a climb to the Obscura so might not be suitable for everyone. Overall Dumfries Museum is an interesting and informative venue and will entertain all age groups, there is something to appeal to everyone here, and special activities to keep smaller visitors entertained. They do run a range of events so worth checking to see what is taking place. Dumfries Museum is a splendid museum, informative and interesting with a great range of exhibits, it is definitely worth visiting and should not be missed if you are in the region.
Robert Burns House is where the revered national poet Robert Burns spent the remaining few years of his life, dying here in 1796 at the age of only 37. Whether you are a fan or not you will be interested to see the house, it has been carefully restored and furnished to give an indication to how it would have been when he lived here. The house is very interesting with some nice artefacts and features, like the window where he engraved his name, or his desk and chair in the study where he penned many of his famous poems, as well as lots of exhibits on his life and work. The staff are friendly and knowledgeable and happy to answer your questions. The house has steps and stairs that are narrow so access isn't that easy but certainly worth the effort. The churchyard where he is interred is not far from the house and worth a visit also. The house is open throughout the year and there is no charge. If in Dumfries then would recommend that you take the time to see this small but informative museum.
The Old Bridge House Museum is accessed by the crossing the 15th century Devorgilla Bridge, where constructed into the sandstone of the bridge itself in 1660, is Dumfries oldest house, where the museum is now located. Step across the threshold and into another era, in this historic house, witness a 19th century family kitchen, nursery and bedroom of a typical Victorian home. In addition you can pay a visit to an early dentist's surgery, see all the old equipment and even the replacement teeth! In the 18th century the house was used as an inn and it is likely that Robert Burns would have visited here. Each room tells the social story of a bygone era, there are also lots of exhibits relating to past times, including antique toys, a stove from the 1800's and much more. The staff are welcoming and friendly with a wealth of knowledge on the house and local area, so do ask questions. Entrance to the house is free making it a must see attraction. The Old Bridge House Museum will transport you back in time allowing you to experience first hand this bygone era, a delightful and interesting museum and most definitely worth visiting.
The Wordsworth Museum can be found right next door to the famous Dove Cottage. Travellers can round out their visit by touring both landmarks. This fascinating attraction shares information on the beloved poet with handwritten pieces, paintings, maps, artefacts and interactive displays. Visitors should check with the museum for open hours and admission rates prior to stopping by.
The Grasmere Gingerbread Shop is more than a store, it's a part of local history. The business dates back to the life of Sarah Kemp, who was born in 1815. After relocating, Sarah began producing and selling gingerbread. Her popularity grew and eventually the recipe was passed on to her great niece who sold it. Today travellers can stop by for a bite of some of the best gingerbread in the United Kingdom.
William Wordsworth is recognised as the most beloved poet in Britain. Dove Cottage is the first family home the he lived in along with his sister in 1799.This quaint little cottage contains beautiful furnishings and decor. Outside, travellers can enjoy a peaceful stroll through the nearby garden which is home to many graceful butterflies, birds and plant life.
The Stewartry Museum was first established in 1879 but as it grew it was necessary to move it to new premises in 1893, to hold the growing collections, a special building was constructed for this purpose and it is here that the museum remains to this day. It has undergone improvements and enhancements over the years but still contains its genuine Victorian charm. It is an intimate museum and within you will find a collection that predominantly relates to the social and natural history of the Stewartry or Kirkcudbrightshire as it is also referred to, you will get to learn about the growth and development of the town during your time here. In the permanent collection there is the "Siller Gun", Britain earliest surviving sporting trophy. Also on display are works by local artists. Other items on display include, weapons and tools, rocks and fossils, preserved animals as well as a video relating to the local area. The cases are well laid out and have lots of information relating to the displays and exhibits. It is an interesting and varied museum with lots to see that will entertain all ages. There are activity sheets to occupy the children. The Stewartry Museum is free of charge and open throughout the year, it is located on the first floor and can be accessed by stairs so may not be suitable for all visitors. The Stewartry Museum has an eclectic and varied collection and is certainly worth a visit, has lots to see but won't take a full day, so if in the area stop by and see what is on show.
Broughton House is a lovely 18th century Georgian house that can be found in the centre of Kirkcudbright, it is a true cultural treasure. It was the former home of Scottish painter E A Hornel and the property has been lovingly restored and recreated to how it would have been during his time here. It is a living museum dedicated to the life and works of this talented painter, it shows the alterations he made to the property, and is full of his paintings and those of his colleagues. In addition there is his extensive library that houses one of the world's largest compilations of works by Robert Burns. The house is very interesting from the displays, furniture and art. Downstairs is his studio as well as the heart of the house where the cook and servants ran the house from. However, the big surprise in this house is outside, the stunning gardens back on to the River Dee and are largely inspired by Hornel's fondness of Japan, the garden is full of colour and is a delightful blend of Eastern and Western horticulture, and provide a lovely haven to explore and pretty views of the sea estuary. The guides are friendly and informative and will let you know all about the property and its past owner. Broughton House is highly recommended and you should certainly take the time to see this stunning living museum if visiting the area.
The Pennington family home since at least 1208, this impressive castle is now open for all to see. Built on Roman foundations, modifications and enhancements have been made over time as the family became more entwined in Royalty and politics. The castle itself has played an extremely important role in shaping the course of British history. Visitors can now enjoy Sino-Himalayan gardens, a meadowole maze, the world owl centre, Muncaster Interactive, numerous walks and trails, a playground, a café and a plant centre — a wonderful day out for all.
