1. Holker Hall & Gardens

A premier stately home just 6 minutes’ drive from Cartmel, Holker Hall is a privately owned, Neo-Elizabethan masterpiece, set in 23 acres of immaculately kept gardens

Holker Hall was voted by the public as ‘Cumbria’s Best Tourist Attraction for 2025’ in the Cumbria Life Awards. It’s easy to see why when you visit.

The highlights include the 23 acres of formal gardens, including the world-renowned “Holker Great Lime” and a meticulously crafted Labyrinth. The gardens are absolutely magnificent and stunningly beautiful. Regular events all year-round make Holker Hall the quintessential South Lakes day out for all the family. For more information, visit their website.

2. The Steam Yacht Gondola, Coniston Water

For an amazing view of the fells and a step back into Victorian times, take a cruise on the National Trust’s Steam Yacht Gondola. This painstakingly restored Victorian steam-powered yacht glides almost silently across Coniston Water, offering the same opulent experience once enjoyed by wealthy 19th-century travellers. For more information and to see the nearest stopping point to our Coniston Water Cottages, visit their website.

3. Brantwood

Located on the eastern shore of Coniston Water, Brantwood was the home of philosopher and art critic John Ruskin. Explore the historic house filled with his treasures, but leave time for the 250-acre estate, featuring mountainside gardens that offer some of the most dramatic and beautiful views in the district. I also thoroughly recommend The Terrace cafe, a unique and great place to relax while you enjoy the breathtaking views of Coniston Water. Visit their website.

4. Grizedale Forest & Observatory

Located in the fells between Windermere and Coniston Water, Grizedale is the UK’s best forest for forest sculpture. Wander through 8 ‘canopy-covered’ walking trails that range in distance from 0.6 miles to 10 miles. Discover over 80 unique artworks dotted around this beautiful forest. By night, the Grizedale Observatory offers expert-led stargazing under some of the darkest skies in England.

Explore the forest by foot, by mountain bike or on horse back, but do keep your eyes peeled along the way for the 80 sculptures which are dotted throughout the forest.

In addition to the 8 walking trails, there are also 7 mountain biking trails around Grizedale Forest. These trails have had a recent revamp and include ‘The Black MTB Trail’, which is a ‘Black Severe’ grade trail. This is an awesome blast of jumps and berms, with steep descents. It is not for the faint-hearted!

Mountain bike hire at Grizedale Forrest is provided by Biketreks

Last, but not least, Grizedale is also home to an excellent Go Ape rope and zipline course.

5. Tarn Hows

Arguably one of the most photographed and beautiful tarns in the Lake District, Tarn Hows offers an accessible, circular walk through a landscape of stunning views and woodland. The 1.5 mile path is flat and well-maintained, making it perfect for wheelchairs and buggies. It offers “big” mountain views of the Langdale Pikes and the Coniston Fells without you having to do any actual climbing.

6. Cartmel Priory & Village Square

The 12th-century Cartmel Priory is the historic heart of Cartmel Village, one of the few priory churches to have survived Henry the 8th’s ‘Dissolution of the Monasteries’ almost completely intact. The 800 year-old Priory contains many unique architectural and historical features.

After admiring the Priory, head to Cartmel Square to experience the village’s world-famous, original Sticky Toffee Pudding. Enjoy a drink or two outside 3 of the pubs in the village square, great for people watching and star spotting the customers of 1 of the world’s best restaurants as they walk to and from the 3 Michelin-starred L’Enclume restaurant. Cartmel village is the favourite UK village of so many people for so many different reasons. Read more Cartmel.

7. The Old Man of Coniston

For those seeking a more challenging adventure, the hike up The Old Man of Coniston is a must. The summit provides a panoramic vista stretching from Scafell Pike, England’s highest mountain, to Morecambe Bay. The ‘Old Man’ is the highest, most southerly mountain in the UK.

8. Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway

Take a slow journey through time on a vintage steam train through the lush landscape of the Leven Valley. Travel in the comfort of a beautifully restored 1950s railway carriage to Lakeside Station, where the trains connect with Windermere Lake Cruises.

Your journey doesn’t have to end when you reach Lake Windermere. Here you can borad 1 of the regular ‘Windermere Lake Steamers’ and cruise the full length of England’s longest lake in style. Your Windermere cruise will treat you to magnificent views of mountain scenery, secluded bays and many wooded islands. Dogs are welcome on the steam train and ‘steamers’ too. For timetables and more info, visit Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway

9. The Ruskin Museum, Coniston Village

The Ruskin Museum is a great local museum that covers the history of the area, from copper mining to famous residents. It is curently most famous for being the home of Donald Campbell’s record-breaking speedboat – Bluebird K7. The museum has a dedicated wing for the fully restored Bluebird K7 jet hydroplane, which, after many years, was returned to Coniston in 2024 and is now on permanent display.

As well as Bluebird K7, you can see personal items, film footage, and technical displays about the Campbell family’s water and land speed record attempts.

The museum also houses a large collection dedicated to John Ruskin, the famous Victorian artist and critic who lived nearby at Brantwood.

There is also an interesting section on the writer Arthur Ransome, who wrote Swallows and Amazons. For more information, visit the The Ruskin Museum website.

10. Fell Foot Park

Situated at the southern tip of Windermere, Fell Foot is a beautifully restored National Trust garden. With its sweeping lawns, gothic boathouses, and easy lake access, it is the perfect spot for a relaxed afternoon of paddleboarding or a sunset picnic by the water. Please note that Fell Foot can get busy at peak times. You’ll understand why when you see how beautiful it is. For more information, visit the Fell Foot Park website.

Footnote

I hope you’ve enjoyed the information I’ve provided here, but moreso, I hope my recommendations help you to thoroughly enjoy your days out in the wonderful English Lake District – Simon