Activities in the Lake District
The Lake District offers activities for all level of fitness, from gentle strolls around the shoreline of a lake to conquering the summit of England’s highest mountain, Scafell.
Lake District activities are endless, today you could be canoeing in the morning, rock climbing in the afternoon, wild swimming in the evening. Tomorrows adventures are different again, pony trekking, jeep safari, followed by archery.
Your Lake District holiday can be as action packed, perfect for the adrenaline junkie, or relaxed as you choose to make it.
For many visitors, the experience is just as much about where you stay as what you do. Waking up to the dramatic scenery of the national park can make every adventure even more memorable. If you’re looking to immerse yourself in the landscape, our collection of cottages with scenic lake views offers the perfect base for exploring the lakes, fells and surrounding countryside.
After a full day of hiking, kayaking or cycling, there’s nothing better than returning to somewhere comfortable to unwind. Many guests choose one of our Lake District cottages with hot tubs, allowing you to relax under the stars while soaking tired muscles after a day exploring the fells.
The Lake District is also a fantastic destination for holidays with loved ones. Families will find plenty of activities to enjoy together, from boat trips on Windermere to family-friendly walking trails and outdoor adventure parks. Our family friendly cottages provide spacious accommodation and convenient locations close to some of the region’s most popular attractions.
And of course, the Lake District wouldn’t feel complete without your four-legged companion joining the adventure. With miles of walking routes, lakeside trails and dog-friendly pubs to discover, it’s the perfect place for a break with your pet. Our pet friendly cottages in the Lake District make it easy to bring your dog along so no one misses out on the fun.
Below are some of the activities in the Lake District you could be enjoying and where to find them.
Abseiling
Are you brave enough to step over the edge?
This adrenaline pumping activity is not for the feint hearted. Traverse down slate rock faces, don’t forget to look over your shoulder at the Lake District vistas opening up before you.
All of the activity centres below have trained staff ready to support and motivate you ‘over the edge’ and provide full safety equipment.
Activities in Lakeland
Adventure Vertical
Climb365
Lake District Activities
Path to Adventure
Activity Centres
A full days adventure awaits.
We all have different interests and ideas of an adventurous day out. Our Lake District activity centres are a one stop shop to ensure every member of the family or group get to experience an activity they enjoy, from horse riding, canoeing, karting and more.
Check out the Lake District Activity Centres below and start planning your full day of activities.
Brockhole
Newlands Adventure Centre
Rookin House
Bushcraft
Can you survive in the wild?
Learning to build a shelter is one of the first steps in ensuring you will survive in the harshest of the elements. Most of the organisers offer shelter building and some also show you how to safely forage for food and water.
Activities in Lakeland
Path to Adventure
Canyoning
This is the ultimate adrenaline thrill. Canyoning usually involves getting wet as you scramble across rugged terrain and ascend into deep gorges via a roped ascent, swim through rapids and jump down waterfalls.
Activities in Lakeland
Adventure Vertical
Climb 365
Honister Slate Mine
Lake District Activities
Path to Adventure
Driving – Off road and karting
Do you feel the need for speed?
Whiz around the karting track or go off road, the four wheel adventure awaits. Head off the beaten track and face terrains such as steep banks, forest tracks and make waves through the rivers.
Activities in Lakeland
Graythwaite Adventures
Kankku
West Coast go Karting
Fishing
This is the perfect activity for relaxing on a river or lake bank, and we do have a number of those in the Lake District, but also bordered by the Irish Sea on the Solway Coast, sea fishing is within a short drive.
With a wide array of fish you could be angling for brown trout, salmon, sea trout, carp, tench and more. Remember to bring your rod, or hire one locally and don’t forget that all important licence.
Visitors can fish for free on Windermere, Ullswater and Coniston Water with an Environment Agency Rod Licence.
Bassenthwaite Fishing Permits
Derwentwater Fishing Permits
Ennerdale Fishing Permits
Grasmere Fishing Permits
New Mills Trout Fishing Park
Rydal Fishing Permits
Talkin Tarn Fishing Permits
Mountain Biking
With mountain tracks leading through forests the Lake District has one of the best mountain biking terrains in England.
Get geared up and tackle the tracks of the following mountain biking hot spots in the Lake District. Whilst the forests below have tracks designed especially for the mountain bike adrenaline junkie, there are numerous routes around the Lake District waiting to be explored, so helmet on and head off on 2 wheels you will not be disappointed!
Grizedale Mountain Bike Trails
Whinlatter Mountain Bike Trails
On the Water – Canoeing, Kayaking, Paddleboarding, Wind Surfing, Sailing & Boat Hire
Cumbria is known for its rainy days, but what others call ‘typical British weather’ we call it ‘toppin up yan lake’ (topping up the lake).
Water adventures are always popular in the Lake District, with every lake offering water sport activities for all ages and abilities, from sedate sailing, to hiring a rowing boat, learning to paddleboard or bringing your own canoe, there is something for everyone “On the Water”.
Activities in Lakeland
Adventure Vertical
Brockhole
Go Wild Boat Hire
Path to Adventure
Talkin Adventures
Wake and Surf, Ullswater
Pony Trekking
Who doesn’t enjoy exploring on horse back?
With a number of activity centres and riding centres offering pony trekking in the Lake District, it is time to saddle up and head off on hoof to enjoy the breathtaking lakeland vistas.
Activities in Lakeland
Rookin House
Relax – Spa days & Sauna
Pamper days are the perfect way to leave the stresses of day to day life behind and set you up for a relaxing break away. With spas throughout Cumbria and treatments available for every budget you are sure to be left feeling relaxed and invigorated. We even have a fellside sauna on the banks of lake Ullswater as featured in the picture above.
Fellside Sauna – Surrounded by countryside and Lake Ullswater, guests can relax and unwind in their own private sauna, all of our holidaymakers receive a discount.
Appleby Manor Hotel & Spa – All guests staying at Garden Suite Apartment receive a 20% discount off any Spa treatments when booked and paid in advance.
Armathwaite Hall & Spa
Daffodil Hotel & Spa
Lakes Hotel & Spa
Lodore Falls Hotel & Spa
Low Wood Hotel & Spa
North Lakes Hotel & Spa
The Falls Spa
The Swan Hotel & Spa
Rock Climbing – Including Indoor centres
Test the strength of fingers and toes in this activity.
Learn to rock climb with one of the activity lead centres below before taking your new skills into the Lake District. There are lots of places throughout the Lakes to practice your climbing ability from the easier rock faces to those that challenge even the most experience climber.
Activities in Lakeland
Adventure Vertical
Ambleside Climbing Wall
Climb365
Clip & Climb Maryport
Eden Rock
Kendal Wall
Keswick Climbing Wall
Kong Adventure
Lake District Activities
Path to Adventure
Segway
Explore the landscape on a segway, the sedate way to get around, take a forest adventure or follow well worn paths, the choice is yours.
Lakeland Segway
Whinlatter Forest
Sky High – Gyrocopter & Paragliding
Is your head in the clouds?
Get a birds eye view of the Lake District with these thrill seeking activities, whether you are co piloting a Gyrocopter or paragliding solo, you are sure to feel the wind in your hair.
Air Adventures
Chris Jones Gyroplanes
Escape Paragliding
Helicopter tour
Lake District Gyroplanes
Skydive North West
Target Sports – Archery, Air Rifles, Axe Throwing, Clay Pigeon Shooting & Paintballing
Can you keep a steady hand and hit a bullseye every time?
With a variety of target sports available from Archery, Axe Throwing, Clay Pigeon Shooting and Paintballing there is plenty of fun to be had for all the family.
Activities in Lakeland
Adventure 21
Brockhole
Paintball at Rookin House
Talkin Adventures
Tree Top Adventure
Have you a head for heights?
The tree top adventure is great for families or team building as you tackle rope bridges, tarzan swings and zip wires, will you complete the course
Grizedale Forest
Whinlatter Forest
Zip World
