Local Information & Things to Do

Cumbria and the Lake district National Park is full of stunning scenery and interesting places to visit and things to see and do. There are hundreds of pubs, restaurants and tea shops selling food that caters to all tastes. This list is just a few of the more unusual places and things which we hope you might find useful and interesting.

Swimming

There are large indoor swimming pools in Penrith & Appleby and a well heated outdoor pool in the nearby village of Hunsonby.

Fishing

Blencarn Lake offers 15 acres of fly fishing, located just 10 minutes walk from the cottages.
http://www.lakedistrictfishing.net

The Ultimate Horse riding experience

Ride a Shire or a Clydesdale horse on the stunning Lakeland fells.
http://www.www.cumbrianheavyhorses.com

Tennis

There are two public courts in Langwathby and several in Penrith

Specialist Food Shops

Abbott Lodge Jersey Ice Cream. A working dairy farm that produces 30 flavours of delicious ice cream from Jersey cows. http://www.abbottlodgejerseyicecream.co.uk

Greystone House Farm Shop & Tea Room. A wide range of Cumbrian produce including their own beef and lamb. http://www.greystonehousefarm.co.uk

Little Salkeld Watermill. A fully operational Watermill producing and selling stoneground organic flours and a wide range of organic foods. http://www.organicmill.co.uk

The Village Bakery Melmerby. Organic bakery & Restaurant.
http://www.village-bakery.com

Houses, Gardens & Nurseries

Acorn Bank Garden In Temple Sowerby. A National Trust Garden with an outstanding herb garden of 250 species of culinary and medicinal herbs and a tea shop that does good lunches. http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Beatrix Potter's House. Hill Top farm and many other fascinating properties. http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Dalemain Historic House & Gardens. A much loved family home set against the picturesque splendour of the Lakeland Fells. Tea shop & lunches. http://www.dalemain.com

Hutton-in-the-Forrest. The romantic & historic home of Lord & Lady Inglewood. The house, gardens, woodland walks and tea shop are all open.
http://www.hutton-in-the-forest.co.uk

Larch Cottage Nursery Melkinthorpe. A specialist nursery growing one of the largest range of plants in the north. Coffee shop & lunches. http://www.larchcottage.co.uk

Open Farms with a difference

The Alpaca Centre. A working farm breeding & rearing alpacas + a craft gallery with garments made from alpaca fibre. http://www.thealpacacentre.co.uk

Eden Ostrich World. A working farm with a difference. http://www.ostrich-world.com

Trotters World of Animals. Hundreds of animals from around the world and Birds of prey flying displays. http://www.trottersworld.com

Museums & Heritage Centres

Bowes Museum. A wonderful collection of fine art & decorative arts including Turner, Goya & Cannaletto. http://www.thebowesmuseum.org.uk

Cumberland Pencil Museum. Sounds dull, it's not. http://www.pencils.co.uk

Rheged Centre. Discover Cumbria - Exhibitions, giant screen cinema, shops etc. - good for a wet day. http://www.rheged.com

Killhope Mining Museum. The history of lead mining in the North including a guided underground trip. http://www.durham.gov.uk/killhope

Nenthead Mines. Go underground on a tour of the extensive mine workings within England’s highest & largest lead mining complex. http://www.npht.com

Tullie House Museum & Art Gallery Carlislehttp://www.tulliehouse.co.uk

Walking

Crossfell from Kirkland. Here is a link to a site with a local walk from straight outside your door! Walks in the Lakes - Andrew Leaney

Cycling

Eden Cycle Centre. Rentals for all the family including trailers & tag-a-longs, plus ride guides for all levels. eden cyclecentre

Flying

Fly yourself over the Lake District on a trial lesson. http://www.borderairtraining.com

Gliding

If you are a qualified glider pilot there is a winch nearby! http://www.edensoaring.co.uk

Paint Balling

Spend a day in the woods trying to shoot your friends & family with a paint filled bullet (very strange). http://www.bravo4zero.co.uk

Transport

Settle-Carlisle Railway. They also do guided walks.
http://www.settle-carlisle.co.uk/walks

South Tynedale Railway. England’s highest narrow-gauge railway. http://www.strps.org.uk

The Mountain Goat. Mini coach tours through the wilder parts of the lake district. http://www.mountain-goat.co.uk

Keswick Launch. On Derwentwater http://www.keswick-launch.co.uk

Ullswater Steamers. One of the best ways to enjoy England’s most beautiful lake. http://www.ullswater-steamers.co.uk

The Gondola Coniston. Cruise on Lake Coniston on a steam powered yacht. http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/gondola

Art Galleries & Studios

Alan Stones & Rebecca Payn: Open Studio. Two internationally renowned artists working in Blencarn. http://www.alanstones.co.uk & http://www.rebeccapayn.co.uk

Beckstones Art Gallery. One of the UK’s leading Fine Art galleries specialising in the highest quality originals from artists throughout the UK. http://www.beckstonesartgallery.co.uk

Up-front Gallery & Marionette Theatre. This gallery has an exciting programme of exhibitions and events + a good vegetarian restaurant. http://www.up-front.com

Holiday Accommodation in Cumbria