Coming to the Lake District with children this May half term? There is plenty to see and do that the whole family will enjoy, and we have picked out some of the highlights. For a full list of what’s on in May, check out our article here.
1. Taste Cumbria Food Festival: 25th – 26th May 2019, Ulverston
The popular food festival organised by Taste Cumbria returns this May half term to the historic market town of Ulverston on the edge of the southern Lake District. With around 50 traders in attendance, supplying a range of delicious goods, there will be fun for the whole family at this two day event that takes place on Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th May.
Not only will you be able to buy some fantastic local produce to take away, but there will be an array of hot food available on the day. For children, there is plenty to see and do, including a walkabout theatre and craft sessions, whilst grown ups will love the beer festival organised by a local brewery, and there’s a dedicated arts and crafts market. Visit tastecumbria.com/taste-cumbria-ulverston for more information.
2. Half Term Fun at the Rheged Centre, Penrith
Sadly, Rheged’s live show, The Greatest Show for Families that is being performed on the May bank holiday Monday has now sold out, but if you missed out on tickets there is still plenty of fun for the family taking place during the holiday week. On Tuesday 27th May, Zoolab, a leading animal handling experience company, will be hosting three hands-on workshops with a selection of exotic species, including snakes and spiders. On Wednesday 28th May, there are three craft workshops where children can create wings and wands for a magical creature of their choice.
On Thursday 29th May, there’s a fantastic opportunity for your child to develop their archery skills with Reach Beyond Adventure, an activity company based near Ullswater. On Friday 31st May, there are two performances of Mad Science – Mission to Mars, an informative and explosive show exploring the science behind space travel, aimed at children between 4 and 11 years old. Plus, throughout the week, there will be family films screening at various times, and there is the indoor soft play and the free outdoor play area. Booking online for workshops, films, and shows is recommended. Visit rheged.com for more information.
3. Gardening & Gumboots – A Garden Story Trail at Lowther Castle, Penrith
Launching on 4th May and continuing throughout the month and beyond until mid July, Gardening & Gumboots is the newest activity trail around Lowther Castle and its magnificent gardens. Gumboots was allegedly a young gardener who worked in the castle grounds during the 1930s. It is said that one day his tools went missing, and the trail recreates his hunt for the missing tools.
Each clue will tell you where to head to next, and there are 11 clues to follow in total, with a prize awarded to everyone who completes the trail. Of course, along with the trail, a visit to the giant adventure playground within the castle’s grounds is a must for children, plus the café will be open as usual stocking delicious baked goods. Find out more at here.
4. Country Fest, Westmorland County Showground, Crooklands: 1st & 2nd June, 2019
Taking place during the second weekend of the half term holiday, Country Fest is a family friendly agricultural festival with something to keep everyone amused. The festival celebrates the rich agricultural heritage of Cumbria and the Lake District, with local producers selling various edible goods and gifts, sheepdog trials, a dog show, a shepherd show, and various craft workshops and demonstrations.
There’s a baking competition that is open to anyone, trail running races including a 1K race for children, a farming discovery zone where you can learn how to milk a cow, a vintage fashion fair, and much, much more. There’s even a kite festival, and plenty of activities for children, including archery, crafts, and a pet corner. Visit westmorlandshow.co.uk/country-fest to find out more information and to buy your tickets online.
5. Half Term Bug & Beastie Bonanza at the Lake District Wildlife Park, Near Keswick
This half term, pop over to the Lake District Wildlife Park at Bassenthwaite near Keswick to get some encounters of the creepy-crawly kind. Visitors will be able to get up close to the park’s collection of stick insects, cockroaches, and land snails, as well as learn some fascinating facts about the world of bugs.
The park features an array of animals you might not expect to see in the Lake District, including zebra and meerkats, and in addition the outdoor play area has recently had a full refurbishment, making it better than ever. More information is available on their Facebook event.
6. Take a Cruise, Visit a Castle, & Check Out Brockhole in One Day, Lake Windermere
If you want to cram as much in as possible during your Lake District break this half term, then head over to the Waterhead Pier at Ambleside. From there, purchase a ticket for the Green Cruise, and take a steamer across the lake to Wray Castle. The castle has a natural adventure playground in the grounds, and inside there are various craft and play activities for children, plus an exhibition. This half term, the castle will have a series of challenges for families to complete around the grounds. There’s a café here, or you can bring your own picnic.
Once you have finished at the castle, take the green cruise back across the lake and hop off at the Brockhole Visitor CentreVisitor Centre (your ticket permits you to do this). There is a huge adventure playground here that is free to use, plus a host of other (paid) activities to try, including canoe hire, high ropes and aerial trampolines, archery, and more. There is a café here and garden trails to follow. You can then return by boat to Ambleside at the end of your visit. To find out more, visit windermere-lakecruises.co.uk/cruises-fares/green-cruise.
7. Half Term Woodland Explorer Two Night Residential, Footprint, Near Windermere
Footprint is an education resource centre owned by the National Trust, located in woodland close to Windermere. This half term, the Trust has teamed up with Woodmatters to offer a woodland residential experience for children aged between 8 and 14 years. During this three-day, two-night event, children will build their own woodland shelters for sleeping using sticks and tarps. They will spend their days learning a host of survival skills, including fire lighting, campfire cooking, wood carving, and nature identification.
There will also be games, story telling sessions, and craft activities. Throughout the event, food will be provided but a packed lunch is required for day one. There are two sessions available: Saturday 25th to Monday 27th May, and Tuesday 28th to Thursday 30th May. For more information, visit woodmatters.org.uk/course/detail/woodland-explorer-week.
8. Learn About Poisonous Plants at Low Sizergh Castle This Half Term
For a fabulous day out for the whole family, head over to Sizergh Castle near Kendal. This stunning medieval home has vast grounds to explore, including a large natural play trail that is guaranteed to wear your children out. Inside the castle, you can learn more about the lives of its past inhabitants, and there is a delightful café and gift shop. This half term, visitors to the castle can follow a trail that will explore the medicines used in days gone by, and how some of these medicines actually did more harm than good.
During half term week, the castle also has a number of guided walks that can be booked onto. Before you leave the area, do pop in to the nearby Low Sizergh Barn. Not only is there a fabulous gift shop here stocked with local goods, but the café overlooks the farm’s milking parlour, and at 3.30pm every day you can watch the cows being milked whilst enjoying a cup of tea and a slice of cake. For more information, visit nationaltrust.org.uk/sizergh.
9. Ingo’s War – Family Theatre at Sticklebarn: Saturday 25th May, 2019
Looking for an excuse to visit a pub with the kids in tow this half term? On Saturday 25th May, head over to Sticklebarn in Langdale, the only pub that is directly operated by the National Trust. The pub is hosting the Ditto Theatre Company who will be using puppetry and movement to tell the story of Ingo’s War.
Ingo is a nervous dog living in London during the blitz. He and his owner, a young girl, are due to be evacuated, but they become separated on the train and Ingo is forced to find courage as he moves from owner to owner around the country, whilst the war rages around him. This bittersweet tale of a courageous canine has sad moments, so do bear this in mind if you are considering taking very young children. For more information visit nationaltrust.org.uk.
10. Push the Boat out at Bassenthwaite Sailing Club: Saturday 25th May, 2019
Fancy a free go at sailing this half term? On Saturday 25th May, the Bassenthwaite Sailing Club is hosting an open day for families. Experienced members of the club will be taking visitors out on the lake to have a go at sailing. In addition, within the club’s grounds on the lake shore, there will be various children’s activities, including a mini Olympic style tournament, cake decorating, and crafts.
Picnics are welcome and there will be a communal BBQ available from 5pm that visitors can use to cook their own food. In the evening, there will be live music and the club house bar will be open throughout. The event starts at 10am. You can find further information on the sailing club’s Facebook page.