Activities

Fishing is available for free on Ullswater, other than the purchase of an Environment Agency Fishing License. The Lake is full of Trout and Perch amongst other things.
Purchase of Day Tickets for Salmon and Trout fishing can also be arranged on the River Derwent and the River Eden.
T: Woodhall Beat (River Derwent) – 017684 83822
T: Eden Lacy Beat (River Eden) – 01768 898316

Your own sailing boats and dinghies can be launched from our private Lake frontage. Sailing boat hire and tuition is available from Glenridding Sailing Centre which is at the South end of the Lake (6 miles) Our children have done various sailing courses there and we can highly recommend them. (Speak to Steve).
W: www.glenriddingsailingcentre.co.uk
T: 017684 82541

Use your own canoes for free on the Lake or canoes can be hired from Glenridding Sailing Centre.
W: www.glenriddingsailingcentre.co.uk
T: 017684 82541

Rowing boats can be hired from St Patrick’s Boat Landing at Glenridding (6 miles).
W: www.stpatricksboatlandings.co.uk
T: 01768 482393

Motor boats can be hired from St Patrick’s Boat Landing at Glenridding (6 miles).
W: www.stpatricksboatlandings.co.uk
T: 01768 482393

Plenty of flat or up and down. All within amazing scenery. We have several books at Low House with suggested cycling tracks/routes. Whinlatter forest near Keswick has the longest purpose built mountain bike trail in the Lake District. Mountain bikes can be hired from St Patrick’s Boat Landing at Glenridding .
W: www.stpatricksboatlandings.co.uk
T: 01768 482393

For bike parts and repairs try in Penrith (7 miles
W: www.arragons.com
T: 01768 890344

or Keswick (14 miles)
W: www.keswickbikes.co.uk
E 017687 75202

Make use of the large free swimming pool at the bottom of the field! Our children swim in the Lake from April to September (in wetsuits). However most people wait until it warms up a bit (June, July & August).
There is an indoor pool at Penrith Leisure Centre: –
T: 01768 863450and at Keswick Leisure Pool: –
T: 017687 72760

All Heart of the Lakes clients also get free use of LOW WOOD LEISURE CENTRE

The single most popular activity in the Lakes.
This is a fabulous area for walks, both serious (Striding Edge/Sharp Edge)
Or more family friendly walks (Brotherswater/EamontValley). Another very popular walk is Aira Force, particularly after it has rained. We have numerous books at Low House with hundreds of different suggested walks, for all abilities.

There are now 4 different ‘Steamer’ boats operating on Ullswater from Glenridding, Howtown and Pooley Bridge.
Why not combine the Steamer with a walk. Our favourite is to take the Steamer from Glenridding to Howtown, have a drink/sandwich at the Howtown Hotel then walk back along the Lake (7 miles)
W: www.ullswater-steamers.co.uk
T: 017684 82229

There is a new Go Ape site at Whinlatter Forest (16 miles) Fantastic fun for the adventurous aged 10+ (minimum height restriction).
W: www.goape.co.uk/sites/whinlatter
T: 0845 6439215

Rookin House (5 miles) provide an amazing variety of activities for small groups and individuals. Try horse riding, quad bikes, go karts, assault course, archery, clay shooting, paintball etc. They are very friendly (speak to Deborah). Early booking is recommended.
W: www.rookinhouse.co.uk
T: 017684 83561

As well as Rookin House Farm above try Sockbridge Pony Trekking Centre (6 miles).
W: www.sockbridgeponytrekkingcentre.co.uk
T: 01768 863468

This is not something we know a lot about other than the fact that the Lake District is full of exciting rock faces/climbs. For info try the Lake District Fell & Rock Climbing Club.
W: www.frcc.co.uk

Escape XC operate around Keswick and do courses or taster courses.
W: www.escapexc.com
T: 017687 71442

This is the last working slate mine in England and is situated at the very top of Borrowdale (22 miles). They offer underground tours (must be booked). They also have the VIA FERRATA which is an adventure climbing activity, for age 10+.
W: www.honister-slate-mine.co.uk
T: 017687 77230

Ideal for young children. It has ostriches and other animals, indoor and outdoor play areas and riverside walks.
W: www.ostrich-world.com
T: 01768 881771

This is a working dairy farm which welcolms visitors. (9 miles) 40 flavours of ‘delicious’ home made ice cream from their famous own jersey herd. Excellent tea room, indoor and outdoor play areas.
W: www.abbottlodgejerseyicecream.co.uk
T: 01931 712720

Why not try a walk or cycle along a section of the Roman Wall or take a trip to one of the very good visitor centres. Birdoswald or Vindolanda are two we recommend.
W: www.hadrians-wall.org

This is just the other side of Keswick (16 miles) and is owned by the Forestry Commission. As well as GoApe (see above) it has mountain biketrails with bike hire, walking trails for all abilities and great childrens woodland play areas.
W: www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/INFD-5GZLNY

The two closest courses are Penrith Golf Club (8 miles)
W: www.penrithgolfclub.co.uk
T: 01768 891919

Keswick Golf Club (10 miles)
W: www.keswickgolfclub.com
T: 017687 79324

Or there is a driving range and small 9 hole course, ideal for juniors near the M6 (J40) Penrith Golf Centre (6 miles)
W: www.penrithgolfclub.co.uk
T: 01768 892167

A farm visit with three mazes cut into the maize. The taller it gets, the harder it gets! Also tea room and various other attractions. Calthwaite (11 miles).
W: www.hayclose.com
T: 01768 885488

National farm attraction of the year 2010. Near Carlisle (22 miles) Lots of indoor and outdoor fun for all age children.
W: www.walbyfarmpark.co.uk
T: 01228 573056

Carlisle Racecourse (20 miles).
W: www.carlisle-races.co.uk
T: 0844 5793002

Keswick (14 miles).
W: www.keswickclimbingwall.co.uk
T: 017687 72000

Penrith Leisure Centre (7 miles).
T: 01768 863450

The closest open to the public are Dalemain House, Ullswater (5 miles).
W: www.dalemain.com

Hutton Hall, Skelton (12 miles)
W: www.hutton-in-the-forest.co.uk

Carlisle Castle, Carlisle (20 miles)
W: www.visitcumbria.com/car/carlisle-castle.htm

Upfront Gallery (Puppet Theatre and cafe).
W: www.up-front.com

Beckstones Gallery
W: www.beckstonesartgallery.co.uk

Thornthwaite Galleries
W: www.thornthwaitegallaries.co.uk

North Lakes Hotel and Spa (6 miles). There is a luxury Spa at the hotel offering a full range of treatments.
W: www.northlakeshotel.com/spa-and-wellbeing
T: 01768 867141

A selection of the most popular are Tullie House Roman Museum. Carlisle (20 miles).
W: www.tulliehouse.co.uk
T: 01228 618718

Cumberland Pencil Museum. Keswick (14 miles)
W: www.pencilmuseum.co.uk
T: 017687 73626

Threlkeld Quarry and Mining Museum (11 miles)
W: www.threlkeldminingmuseum.co.uk
T: 01768 779747

The Wordsworth Museum. Grasmere (20 miles). Wordsworth immortalised Ullswater with his poem about the daffodils on the shores of the Lake ‘I wandered lonely as a cloud’. Visit his house Dove Cottage and museum.
W: www.wordsworth.org.uk
T: 015394 35544

Cumbria’s Military Museum at Carlisle Castle (20 miles)
W: www.kingsownbordermuseum.btik.com
T: 01228 532774

The world of Beatrix Potter. Bowness (20 miles). The award winning attraction is always popular with young children.
W: www.hop-skip-jump.com
T: 0844 504 1233

Penrith (5 miles).
This is Britain’s largest grass covered underground building. It has a six storey high cinema screen, regular exhibitions, shops, cafes and play areas.
W: www.rheged.com
T: 01768 868000

The Theatre by the Lake. Keswick (14 miles).
This Theatre has a fabulous setting on the shores of Derwentwater and has year round productions of drama, opera, comedy and music.
W: www.theatrebythelake.co.uk
T: 017687 74411

Rheged Centre. Penrith (5 miles).
W: www.rheged.com
T: 01768 86800

Penrith Alhambra (7 miles).
W: www.penrith-alhambra.co.uk
T: 01768 862400

Keswick Alhambra (14 miles).
W: www.keswick-alhambra.co.uk
T: 017687 72195

Keswick (14 miles) Great fun for children and adults.
W: www.puzzlingplace.co.uk
T: 017687 75102