Day Trips & Things To Do Near Grasmere
Located just south of Hawkshead, Grizedale offers 24.47 km² of woodland with spectacular views over both Lake Windermere and Coniston Water.
There are multiple trails through the best bits of the forest, including the famous outdoor sculpture trail, with over 90 sculptures to find throughout, many of which have been sculpted from naturally occurring materials such as stone and wood.
The forest is also home to plenty of more adventurous activities, such as the 9.7 mile North Face mountain bike trail and the Go-Ape high ropes course, where you can climb 19m up into the forest canopy and tackle rope ladders, Tarzan swings and zip wires.
If you’re not quite up for all of that adventure there are also Segway tours on the ground, as well as a miniature course for the kids too. There are also plenty of other walks around Grasmere to enjoy including Helm Crag, Silver How and Loughrigg Fell.
This impressive Victorian neo-gothic castle near Ambleside is a real treasure trove, with turrets, towers and expansive grounds to explore.
The castle is also home to the new Peter Rabbit Adventure rooms, where the kids can play in Peter’s burrow, Mr McGregor’s garden and other locations from the Beatrix Potter books.
If you’re travelling from Ambleside, you can even arrive in style and catch a boat to the castle, arriving at its very own private jetty.
AMBLESIDE
Ambleside itself makes for a nice day out too, located at the very top of Lake Windermere, with plenty of shops, restaurants and things to do during your visit.
Popular attractions include the 17th-century Bridge House which stands over Stock Beck and the nearby Stock Ghyll Force waterfall which stands at over 70 feet tall.
Other things to do with the family include the Ambleside Murder Mystery Trail, Ambleside Climbing Wall and the White Platts recreation area, with mini golf and bowls.
BROCKHOLE ON WINDERMERE
The Lake District Visitors Centre at Brockhole is located right on the shores of Lake Windermere and has plenty of things to do for the family, both in the centre itself and in the great outdoors.
The site sits on 30 acres of woodland and meadow, with lots of trails around the grounds and by the lake, as well as an adventure playground and Treetop Trek adventure which takes you up into the canopies with 35 different challenges amongst the ancient old oak trees, with great views over the lake, finishing off with a 250m zip wire descent.
PREDATOR EXPERIENCE
This unique attraction near Cartmel allows you to get up close and personal with some of the area’s natural predators, such as wolves, foxes and eagles.
You’re able to get up close and personal with all of the animals and even handle them in some cases.
There’s also the opportunity to meet some predators from further afield if you’re feeling really brave, such as snakes and tarantulas.
CONISTON WATER
Just down the road at Coniston, you’ll find one of the area’s biggest lakes, which offers great views towards Helvellyn and the Old Man of Coniston. Whether you’re on a short weekend break in the Lakes or a longer stay, this is a fantastic place to visit.
The lake is perfect for taking a boat out on, whether it’s the old Victorian Steam Yacht Gondola or your own kayak.
The lake is also well known as the location of multiple attempts to break the world water speed record, including the tragic Bluebird crash of 1967.
ULLSWATER STEAMERS
These old vessels are the perfect way to explore Ullswater, with regular cruises on the lake. As well as offering great views of Helvellyn, there’s also the chance to spot deer, squirrels and more on the shores of the lake too.
They’ve been operating cruises on the lake for over 150 years, with one of the largest heritage vessel fleets in the world.
Also nearby is the famous Aira Force waterfall, which falls 70 feet from below a stone footbridge, with Ullswater Steamers having their own jetty not too far away.
THE WORLD OF BEATRIX POTTER ATTRACTION
The popular family attraction in Bowness-on-Windermere bring the stories of children’s author Beatrix Potter to life, including Peter Rabbit, Mrs Tiggy-Winkle and Jemima Puddle-Duck.
Kids and grown-ups alike can explore recreations of the beautiful Lake District countryside and scenes from the books, including Mr McGregor’s garden.
Visitors can also learn more about the history of Mrs Potter herself and it’s a great day out when the Lake District weather isn’t at its best.
There’s plenty else to see and do in the local area too, whether it’s a cruise out on the country’s biggest lake, the Blackwell Arts & Crafts House, or Beatrix Potter’s old house, Hill Top.
THRELKELD QUARRY & MINING MUSEUM
At this quarry located just east of Keswick, you can head underground into a reconstructed lead and copper mine, which is one the real highlights of this popular visitor attraction.
There’s plenty going on above ground too with a working narrow gauge railway featuring a selection of old locomotives and a reconditioned mine train takes you deep into the quarry.
WHINLATTER FOREST
Described as “England’s only true mountain forest”, Whinlatter has multiple trails to follow as well as activities such as a climbing wall, giant swings and mountain bike trail.
Like Grizedale, there’s also a Go-Ape high ropes course, or you can just take in the amazing views over Bassenthwaite, Derwent Water, Skiddaw, Grisedale Pike, Helvellyn and more.
HONISTER SLATE MINE
This attraction south of Keswick allows you to head deep down into the last working slate mine in the UK before heading way up to the Via Ferrata, which allows you to scale the original paths the miners would take up Fleetwith Pike.
It’s not for the fainthearted but is an experience you’ll never forget, and it is of course, totally safe, as you’ll be led by a team of experts.
These are just some of the many things to do in Grasmere and day trips that you can take in the surrounding area of Grasmere, making it the ideal place to make your base for your trip away to the Lakes here at the Daffodil Hotel & Spa.
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