Cumbria Attractions

Aquarium of the Lakes

Award-winning freshwater aquarium cleverly recreates the journey of a river from mountain top to Morecambe Bay. Meet pike, perch, rays and British sharks. See playful otters and enjoy an underwater walk along the recreated lakebed surrounded by carp and diving ducks.

Lakeside, Newby Bridge  LA12 8AS Tel: 015395 30153   Email

The Beacon

Discover the heritage of this Georgian town and harbour. Meet many characters including John Paul Jones, George Washington, Sal Madge and Sir James Lowther. Interactive displays bring the history of Whitehaven alive! Plus Met. Office Gallery to broadcast, forecast and monitor the weather. Exhibition Gallery.

West Strand, Whitehaven,  CA28 7LY Tel: 01946 592302   Email

Conishead Priory & Buddhist Temple

The priory is a superb example of an early Victorian gothic mansion. It is now home to a major Buddhist centre and unique temple. On offer is a fascinating one hour guided house and temple tour. Woodland walks, gift shop & cafe. Free admission.

Ulverston, LA12 9QQ Tel: 01229 584029   Email

Gleaston Water Mill

Impressive wooden milling machinery running most days. Multimedia displays. Acclaimed Pig’s Whisper Country Store with 1000s of piggy collectables. Dusty Miller’s Tea Shop for renowned homemade meals and fabulous scones. Observation beehive and training apiary. Truly rural location.

Gleaston   Nr Ulverston, LA12 0QH   Tel: 01229 869244   Email

The Helly Hansen National Mountaineering Exhibition

Celebrating the first ascent of Everest, the National Mountaineering Exhibition is hosting "Everest, The Top of the World". The only exhibition of its kind, it provides a unique insight into the drama, tragedy and elation involved in climbing the world’s highest mountain.

Rheged, Redhills, Penrith CA11 0DQ Tel: 01768 868000   Email

Homes of Football

This is a truly unique photographic experience that captures the soul of the beautiful game through images unsurpassed anywhere in the world. Stuart Clarke has amassed an archive of over 65,000 pictures showing the changing face of British and world football over the past 15 years.

100 Lake Road, Ambleside, LA22 0DB  Tel: 015394 34440   Email

Honister Slate Mine

Honister is the last working slate mine in England. Take a trip on the Big Mountain Mine tour and walk deep underground. See the traditional methods of making roofing slate and browse round the visitors centre.

Honister Pass, Borrowdale, CA12 5XN  Tel: 017687 77230   Email

The Lake District Coast Aquarium

An imaginative native sealife aquarium enjoyed by all age groups. All tickets allow re-entry for talks and fish feeding. Our harbourside cafe has a varied menu of home cooked  food and there is a gift shop, modei boat pool, mini-golf and an adventure playpark.

South Quay Maryport   CA15 8AB Tel: 01900 817760   Email

Lake District Visitor Centre

Idyllically situated on the shores of Windermere, amongst landscaped gardens, with two floors of interactive exhibitions, an audio-visual programme, adventure playground, lake cruises, events and guided walks - plus a cafe and gift shop - the Lake District Visitor Centre at Brockhole is the perfect place for a day out, whatever the weather.

Windermere, Cumbria LA23 1LJ  Tel: 015394 46601  Email

Lakeland Miniature Village

Visit Cumbria’s only miniature village, over 120 buildings made from local Coniston slate, hand made by Edward Robinson - houses, farms, barns and a slate bridge over 25 feet iong - create the Lakeland landscape. New Japanese Teahouse.

Coach House, Winder Lane, Flookburgh, Grange-over-Sands, LA11 7LE Tel: 015395 58500
Email

Low Sizergh Farm Shop & Craft Gallery

Explore the trail around this organic dairy farm, then browse in the 18th century barn for local and regional speciality foods. There are two galleries of gifts and crafts and a tea room where you can watch the cows being milked around 3.45pm.

Sizergh, Kendal,  LA8 8AE Tel: 015395 60426   Email

Lead panning in England’s highest village, self-guided trails and archaeologist-led walks.

Nenthead,  Alston,  CA9 3PD Tel: 01434 382037   Email

Puzzling Place

An interactive exhibition focusing on puzzle and illusion, with a broad appeal to all ages. Alongside the exhibition is a shop and puzzle area

Museum Square, Keswick CA12 5DZ  Tel:01768 775102  Email

Rheged, The Village in the Hill,

Officially the Lake District’s Best Attraction 2002, Rheged’s centrepiece is a cinema, with a screen the size of six double-decker buses, showing four movies daily. Plus - the major international Everest Exhibition, the finest craft & gift shops, restaurant, children’s indoor play area. Free entry to building & free parking.

Redhills, Penrith,  CA11 0DQ  Tel: 01768 868000  Email

South Lakes Wild Animal Park

You can immerse yourself in wild animals at one of Europe’s top conservation parks. See breeding group of rhinos mixing with a herd of giraffes and a troupe of baboons: wander free amongst lemurs and kangaroos: see spectacled bears, cheetahs, lions & monkeys at the world’s top Sumatran tiger conservation centre.

Dalton-in-Furness, LA15 8JR  Tel: 01299 466086   Email

Trotters World of Animals

Home to hundreds of friendly animals, gibbons, lemurs, zebra, bison, wallabies, otter of prey. Informative amusing demonstrations daily. Clown about indoor playcentre, picnic area,

Coalbeck Farm, Bassenthwaite, Keswick, CA12 4RD Tel: 01768 776551  Email

Whitehaven

Explore the unique and original streets of the Georgian port of Whitehaven, the historic harbour and the start of the ac cycle route. Visit The Beacon, Haig Colliery Mining Museum, or The Rum Story. Wander around the varied, specialist and interesting shops or relax in one of our cosmopolitan café bars.

TIC, Market Place,  CA28 7JG Tel: 01946 852939   Email

The World of Beatrix Potter

Brings the stories of Peter Rabbit and all his friends to life in a magical indoor recreation of the Lakeland countryside complete with sights, sounds and even smells. You can explore Mr. McGregor’s garden, visit Mrs. Tiggy-winkle’s kitchen and learn more about Beatrix Potter herself in the Tale of Mrs. Heelis presentation.

The Old Laundry, Bowness-on-Windermere, LA23 3BX    Tel: 015394 88444  Email