Lake District attractions - Hill Top - Beatrix Potter's 17th-century farmhouse

If you want to enjoy a well organised family day out in the Lake District, why not choose the Cross Lakes Experience. You buy one ticket and you can travel by bus, boat or boots.
A popular route is getting the foot passenger boat from Bowness (pier 3), cross the lake and get off at the Ferry Landing, then get the minibus to Hill Top - Beatrix Potter's farmhouse. You can walk downhill back to the boat and enjoy the magnificent Lake District scenery. More details about the Cross Lakes Experience including timetables can be found here. Another attraction which has been recently included in the Cross Lakes Experience route is the gorgeous Wray Castle.

Places to visit near Ambleside - Lakes Aquarium

Booking a nice family accommodation in Ambleside is easy, there are plenty of guest houses, hotels and B&Bs. Walking is undoubtedly one of the best things you can enjoy in the Lake District. However, when the weather is not that good, organising family activities is not so easy anymore. However nice your accommodation is, children need entertainment. Here is one of our suggestions for a perfectly entertaining family day out near Ambleside - Lakes Aquarium.

 

The aquarium is open seven days a week from 9am to 6pm (last admission at 5pm) and if you buy your tickets on line you save 30%. You can also make the trip an adventure booking a combined ticket for the Lakes Aquarium and a cruise on lake Windermere (the yellow cruise). Once at Lakeside, you can enjoy a wide diversity of species, there are regular talks, interactive activities, kids corner, a gift shop and a really nice cafe. Further details are available from Lakes Aquarium website or the brochures in Ambleside Central.

Family activities - Ambleside climbing wall

Spring finally arrived in our beautiful Ambleside and everyone is out and about. Visitors come here mainly to enjoy the gorgeous landscape and are usually setting off to the hills from early morning. Nothing can replace the walking experience, but even though we are blessed with loads of sunshine (especially lately) you may appreciate a back up plan when the weather is not so good.

Just across the road from Ambleside Central you will find The Ambleside Climbing wall.
The Ambleside Climbing is 35 ft and is a replica of a real crag taken from a direct mold of natural limestone. It offers 45+ routes in the Main Wall and 30+ routes in the Bouldering Room.

Family activities - Ambleside pier and Borrans park

If you want to enjoy a gentle walk under the sun and the amazing views of Windermere Lake, visit Borrans park in Ambleside. The park is situated at the end of the town and has plenty of wooden benches facing the lake. The park is a home of the 2nd century Roman Fort of Galava, build to protect the trade routs of Cumbria. 

Borrans park is just next to Ambleside pier where you can choose one of Windermere Lake Cruises and spend a magnificent day on the lake...don't forget your camera! 

Prefer staying on shore? Why not take the kids to feed the ducks and swans, that is always a memorable experience for them, plus it's a family fun activity which is absolutely free of charge...if we don't count the bread of course...you would need a few loafs ;)

Family holidays in Ambleside

Situated in the center of Ambleside, just next to St. Merry's Church is another great place to spend a few hours with your family on a beautiful day.

White Platt Recreation Area has something to offer to everyone in the family. There are three tennis courts and you can hire rackets. Play crazy golf or mini golf, French balls, or have some lunch on the wooden tables and relax under the sun while the kids are running around. There is also a small playground with a slide and an area where you can have a picnic. Staff is friendly and helpful too. Another big advantage is that the recreation area is located near all B&B s, hotels and restaurants in Ambleside so is ever so easy to go out for a short walk, especially if you are with young children.

Family days out - Rothay park Ambleside

Holidays can be exhausting if you can't entertain your precious ones, therefore we wholeheartedly recommend going to one of Ambleside's parks - Rothay park. Rothay park is a favourite place to locals and tourists. It is located next to St. Mary's Church and the Parish Centre, in the centre of Ambleside, just 2 minutes walk from the cinema (Zefferellis).The park is also a starting point for the famous Loughrigg Fell walks.
Rothay park is a large park with natural landscapes, a good size playground for toddlers and older children, two large fields where you can play ball, football or just enjoy the sun,  plenty of trees if you
want to sit on a bench under the shade and read,