LAKE DISTRICT FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHER // Rainy day activities in the Lake District.

Lake District Family Photographer’s ideas on what to do with your family on a rainy day in the Lake District.

It’s heavy drizzle and you don’t fancy braving the hike you’d planned. What is there to do in the Lakes District for families when it’s raining? Here are a few ideas…

1. Great North Pie Co + Cinema (for older kids). Ambleside.

Cosy up inside the Great North Pie Co for a hearty meal - the best pies going! Complete it with mash and gravy and it is the heartiest, most comforting meal going - especially for those rainy Lakes days. 

Then, for older kids, head to the cinema in Zefferelli’s. This cute little independent cinema (also in a great restaurant / bar that often has live music on) shows a mix of current blockbusters and independent indie films. 

Recipe for a super cosy Ambleside afternoon!

If the rain breaks, there is a little play area right between the two, by St Mary’s Parish. There are also lots of little shops in Ambleside to mooch around.

2. The World of Beatrix Potter + Cafe / The Albert. Bowness.

This is a staple attraction in South Lakes, once the home of Beatrix Potter where she wrote her enchanting tales. Right in the centre of Bowness, The World of Beatrix Potter is a great way to spend a couple of hours to avoid the rain with little ones. Your little ones will love seeing the characters from their books brought to life. There is a little cafe and a gift store to finish off the visit too.

It’s also right by The Albert which is a great pub for a Sunday Lunch or other pub grub to extend the time indoors!

3. Puzzling Place + Crafty Baa. Keswick.

The Puzzling Place is a fun little place to visit in the lovely town of Keswick. It doesn’t take very long to go through and is definitely most suitable for kids over the age of 4, but it is a great place to have a lot of fun and shelter from the rainy day.

Keswick is also home to the second site of my favourite bar - Crafty Baa! A great place to try a local beer or one of the huge selection of beers from around the world. It has the same quirky surroundings and great vibes as the OG bar in Windermere. The perfect spot to hide from the drizzle and play some family games all cosied up inside.

4. Rheged inc soft play

A great spot to enjoy some time whilst the weather has turned. Rheged has a gallery, cafe, cinema, shops, workspace and a lovely soft play. The play area is very aesthetic and has a separate section for under 5s. There’s also a craft space for some décopatch crafting! The shops are lovely - there’s plenty for both kids and adults too.

5. Cheap bus around the Lakes

You might want to sit downstairs rather than on the open top on a rainy day, but a bus around the Lakes is a great way to spend a few hours seeing all the sights without the hassle and expense of driving. The £2 cap on single bus fares has been extended until October, so it is a really affordable way to see the vistas whilst staying dry. 

The 599 travels between Kendal, Windermere, Bowness-on-Windermere, Ambleside and Grasmere. Hopefully it won’t be so rainy that you’ll be put off visiting a couple of spots. Maybe try Grasmere for the Grasmere Gingerbread shop; coffee at Heidi’s (especially if you have a dog) or  Freda + Ray; a mooch in the Lakes Art Gallery shop; and a walk around Wordsworth's daffodil garden.

6. Outside In, Kendal - soft play + Kendal library

This charity-run play centre who are currently in need of some support. It’s a great indoor play centre which has a cafe, and is a great spot to let the little ones run off some steam whilst you have a hot coffee!

Also, Kendal library has had a recent revamp of its kids area which is worth a visit.

7. The Belsfield + Peter Rabbit Shop. Bowness.

Another option for Bowness. And one that we often do on a drizzly day in Cumbria. We’ll go to the Peter Rabbit shop in the centre of Bowness for a little mooch around. There are so many lovely things there (including all the increda-cute Jellycats which I always swoon over) to nosey at. There is an amazing book selection and mini games - perfect, affordable things to keep the little people entertained. Then we walk up the road a couple of minutes to the Belsfield hotel. This lovely hotel has great views over Lake Windermere, and still looks great even if its all misty with rain. We grab a little cosy area by the big windows and order a cream tea. On the weekends, there is often live music too. Last time we went, Marnie had a wonderful time reading her new book, sipping camomile tea and dancing to the live music. So whilst this definitely sounds like one for the adults, the kids will love it too!

8. Honister - Climb the Mine.

If you’ve got children who are 8+ years old, this is an adventurous indoor activity - and something a little different!

You’ll adventure underground into the mines to explore old mining routes to various exciting obstacles such as rope bridges, ladders, zip lines and swings. And above ground, you’ll see one of England’s highest mountain passes and some of the best views going!

There’s a cafe, the Bait Cabin - the highest cafe in the Lakes - to get cosy in with a cup of coffee after your adventures. Plus check out the whole range of outdoor activities for when the weather is brighter.

Rain might ruin some of the outdoor activities in the Lakes, but I have a few beautiful, sheltered spots on my shoot list, so your scheduled shoot can still go ahead in most circumstances!

If you’d love to book your Everyday Adventures in the Lakes shoot, just click the below button to get in touch.

Thanks so much,

Laura

Lake District Family Photographer.