Southern and Central Lake District Guidebook
Beaches
Beaches where locals go to enjoy open space and views of the Lake District. Check the tide times!
Silecroft Beach is approximately 3 miles of unspoilt beach with a distant view of the Isle of Man out to sea, and backed by the Cumbrian Fells (Black Combe). Popular with dog walkers, the Beach Cafe makes braving the strong winds worthwhile!
The beach has a stoney shore at high tide and sandy shore at low tide. The tide timetable can be found:
https://magicseaweed.com/Silecroft-Surf-Report/1134/Tide/
You will need to take a picnic, as there is nowhere reliable to eat in the locality. That said, there is sometimes a pop up cafe but it can be a bit hit and miss!
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Silecroft
Silecroft Beach is approximately 3 miles of unspoilt beach with a distant view of the Isle of Man out to sea, and backed by the Cumbrian Fells (Black Combe). Popular with dog walkers, the Beach Cafe makes braving the strong winds worthwhile!
The beach has a stoney shore at high tide and sandy shore at low tide. The tide timetable can be found:
https://magicseaweed.com/Silecroft-Surf-Report/1134/Tide/
You will need to take a picnic, as there is nowhere reliable to eat in the locality. That said, there is sometimes a pop up cafe but it can be a bit hit and miss!
Beautiful walk along the dunes and sandy shore. Fabulous views of the south Lakeland fells. The car park is National Trust and there is a small hot drinks cabin, otherwise pack a picnic!
National Trust - Sandscale Haws National Nature Reserve
Hawthwaite LaneBeautiful walk along the dunes and sandy shore. Fabulous views of the south Lakeland fells. The car park is National Trust and there is a small hot drinks cabin, otherwise pack a picnic!
Cafes
Guaranteed great food where locals eat out for a treat!
Probably the best cakes in the Lake District! Also central for lots of great walks.
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Chesters By The River
Probably the best cakes in the Lake District! Also central for lots of great walks.
Herdwicks Cafe
Yewdale RoadGreat cafe for tasty local produce and open relaxed vibe.
Fantastic food, great art work and art supplies! Central Lake District, with great walks and wild swimming in Grasmere.
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Mathilde’s Café
Fantastic food, great art work and art supplies! Central Lake District, with great walks and wild swimming in Grasmere.
Fantastic coffee and great food in the tourist hub of the Central Lakes.
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Homeground Coffee + Kitchen
56 Main RdFantastic coffee and great food in the tourist hub of the Central Lakes.
Pubs & Evening Dining
Great food and atmosphere, a range of prices and opening times- check ahead of time to avoid disappointment!
Old world atmosphere and excellent food in the countryside surrounding Broughton-in-Furness! Booking essential.
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Blacksmiths Arms, Broughton Mills
Old world atmosphere and excellent food in the countryside surrounding Broughton-in-Furness! Booking essential.
Just round the corner and always highly recommended by our guests!
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The Black Cock Inn
Prince's StreetJust round the corner and always highly recommended by our guests!
Fab pub for lunch or dinner, surrounded by Beatrix Potter countryside and beautiful local walks.
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Cuckoo Brow Inn
Fab pub for lunch or dinner, surrounded by Beatrix Potter countryside and beautiful local walks.
Beautiful pub in the heart of the Lake District fells, a fair drive from the cottage BUT they do great classic pub food for lunch or dinner so if you are in the area it’s worth dropping in! Booking for evening essential.
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Queens Head Troutbeck
Beautiful pub in the heart of the Lake District fells, a fair drive from the cottage BUT they do great classic pub food for lunch or dinner so if you are in the area it’s worth dropping in! Booking for evening essential.
Great food (and gorgeous spa) for lunch or dinner sat by the river or in the cosy pub!
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The Swan Hotel and Spa
Great food (and gorgeous spa) for lunch or dinner sat by the river or in the cosy pub!
Great pizza and directly across from a positively ancient cinema ‘The Royalty’ which boasts a refurbished Wurlitzer Organ. This is definitely an ‘experience’! Or play it safe and just have great pizza at Base!!
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Base Pizza
97 Lake RdGreat pizza and directly across from a positively ancient cinema ‘The Royalty’ which boasts a refurbished Wurlitzer Organ. This is definitely an ‘experience’! Or play it safe and just have great pizza at Base!!
Arts & Entertainment
From comedy nights to music to theatre and the annual Mountain Film Festival, The Brewery Arts Centre is the hub for all things arts and culture in South Lakeland. Check out ‘What’s On’ for up to date listings.
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Brewery Arts Centre
122A HighgateFrom comedy nights to music to theatre and the annual Mountain Film Festival, The Brewery Arts Centre is the hub for all things arts and culture in South Lakeland. Check out ‘What’s On’ for up to date listings.
Beautiful historic Arts & Crafts house with spectacular views of Windermere and the Lake District fells. Great cafe and gift shop too!
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Blackwell - the Arts & Crafts house
Beautiful historic Arts & Crafts house with spectacular views of Windermere and the Lake District fells. Great cafe and gift shop too!
Historic house, with a jetty for the lake steamer so you can travel there from Coniston by boat! They have exhibitions by local artists, as well as the main attraction of Ruskin’s home and in the summer they host open air theatre in the evenings. Also... another good cafe!
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Brantwood
Historic house, with a jetty for the lake steamer so you can travel there from Coniston by boat! They have exhibitions by local artists, as well as the main attraction of Ruskin’s home and in the summer they host open air theatre in the evenings. Also... another good cafe!
Ever changing exhibitions and local history in beautiful town setting- visit Kendal Castle while you are there!
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Abbot Hall Art Gallery
KirklandEver changing exhibitions and local history in beautiful town setting- visit Kendal Castle while you are there!
Shop and gallery of Lake District Artwork by a family of artists spanning several generations.
Heaton Cooper Studio Ltd
Shop and gallery of Lake District Artwork by a family of artists spanning several generations.
Active things to do
Some ideas for getting out and enjoying the Lake District! Apart from amazing walking scrambling and climbing!
A beautiful and unusual way to experience Cumbria’s west coast!
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Cumbrian Heavy Horses
A beautiful and unusual way to experience Cumbria’s west coast!
Now, having not done this myself- but always wanted to- it seems like a good if not slightly random thing to do on a holiday! So if you get there, let me know how it went :)
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Alpacaly Ever After (Meet The Alpacas at the Lakes Distillery)
Now, having not done this myself- but always wanted to- it seems like a good if not slightly random thing to do on a holiday! So if you get there, let me know how it went :)
Again and unusual thing to do in the Lake District... Many of our guests have been out to try it and thoroughly recommend!
Horse and Husky
Again and unusual thing to do in the Lake District... Many of our guests have been out to try it and thoroughly recommend!
Clay pigeon shooting, Axe Throwing, Lake Experiences and responsible 4x4 adventures on a purpose built course! With a great group of people.
Graythwaite Adventure
Clay pigeon shooting, Axe Throwing, Lake Experiences and responsible 4x4 adventures on a purpose built course! With a great group of people.
Excellent providers of bespoke outdoor adventures! From climbing, gorge walking, paddling, bushcraft and exploring the higher mountain areas of the National Park. Highly experienced and friendly team of instructors!
Path to Adventure
Excellent providers of bespoke outdoor adventures! From climbing, gorge walking, paddling, bushcraft and exploring the higher mountain areas of the National Park. Highly experienced and friendly team of instructors!
Vintage Dairy and Ice Cream Farm! Hands on farm experiences, steam machinery, kids play barn, shire horses and an ice cream parlour!
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Old Hall Farm
Old Hall FarmVintage Dairy and Ice Cream Farm! Hands on farm experiences, steam machinery, kids play barn, shire horses and an ice cream parlour!
Great place for kids to be active indoors and out!
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National Trust Wray Castle
Great place for kids to be active indoors and out!
High Dam Tarn
Perfect spot for wild swimming and a great walk!
Historical
Beautiful Museum- worth a visit!
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Windermere Jetty, Museum of Boats, Steam and Stories
Rayrigg RoadBeautiful Museum- worth a visit!
The Last Remaining working watermill in the National Park and you can even buy their flour! While you are there you can take a beautiful walk up Stanley Ghyll from Dalegarth bridge or ride the ‘Ratty’ single gauge railway out to Ravenglass for an Ice cream!
Eskdale Mill
The Last Remaining working watermill in the National Park and you can even buy their flour! While you are there you can take a beautiful walk up Stanley Ghyll from Dalegarth bridge or ride the ‘Ratty’ single gauge railway out to Ravenglass for an Ice cream!
Stunning ruins of a Cistercian Abby, once the second richest and most powerful Abby in England. Curated by English Heritage and worth a visit if you are heading to the beach and dunes at Sandscale Haws.
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Furness Abbey
Manor RoadStunning ruins of a Cistercian Abby, once the second richest and most powerful Abby in England. Curated by English Heritage and worth a visit if you are heading to the beach and dunes at Sandscale Haws.
The home of poet William Wordsworth. While you are there walk the historic ‘Coffin Route’ and return to Grasmere to Mathildes Cafe at the Heaton Cooper Art Gallery!
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Dove Cottage
The home of poet William Wordsworth. While you are there walk the historic ‘Coffin Route’ and return to Grasmere to Mathildes Cafe at the Heaton Cooper Art Gallery!
Beautiful park, historic gardens and house. A great place to visit if you are sightseeing near Cartmel (home of sticky toffee pudding and the Historic Priory).
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Holker Hall i ogrody
Beautiful park, historic gardens and house. A great place to visit if you are sightseeing near Cartmel (home of sticky toffee pudding and the Historic Priory).
This is a little bit out of the way but has loads to offer! Gardens, historical house, bird of prey centre, kids play centre and Haunted tours in October plus a Festival of Fools! Worth checking their website!
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Zamek Muncaster
This is a little bit out of the way but has loads to offer! Gardens, historical house, bird of prey centre, kids play centre and Haunted tours in October plus a Festival of Fools! Worth checking their website!
Sightseeing
Short walk around a beautiful waterfall and arboretum. This is managed by the National Trust and is located on the shore of Ullswater. There are steamers on the lake and is a great location to begin walks into the higher fells such as Helvellyn.
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Wodospad Aira Force
Short walk around a beautiful waterfall and arboretum. This is managed by the National Trust and is located on the shore of Ullswater. There are steamers on the lake and is a great location to begin walks into the higher fells such as Helvellyn.
Beautiful Lakeland Village full of great pubs, cafes and little shops. It is also home to the 800 year old Priory and local racecourse!
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Cartmel
Beautiful Lakeland Village full of great pubs, cafes and little shops. It is also home to the 800 year old Priory and local racecourse!
Whisky Distillery tours and tasting with a gorgeous bistro and gift shop! This is in the North Lakes and is a considerable journey, so make sure you check they are open and book ahead where required.
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The Lakes Distillery
Whisky Distillery tours and tasting with a gorgeous bistro and gift shop! This is in the North Lakes and is a considerable journey, so make sure you check they are open and book ahead where required.
A stunning view point to experience the Lake District from.
A short yet picturesque walk around the lake, great for kids and those with limited mobility, also a perfect spot for picnics!
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Tarn Hows
A stunning view point to experience the Lake District from.
A short yet picturesque walk around the lake, great for kids and those with limited mobility, also a perfect spot for picnics!
A great point to start a ferry journey on Englands longest lake, the ferry stops at Bowness and Ambleside and takes in classic Lake District scenery along the way.
Lakeside Windermere Landing (Pier) station
A great point to start a ferry journey on Englands longest lake, the ferry stops at Bowness and Ambleside and takes in classic Lake District scenery along the way.
Explore Ullswater by boat! Check website for current sailing timetable.
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Parowce Ullswater
Grisedale BridgeExplore Ullswater by boat! Check website for current sailing timetable.
A tiny train into the mountains! Affectionately known as ‘La’al Ratty’ it’s one of the oldest and longest narrow gauge railways and it takes you into the beautiful Esk Valley. Check website and Timetable to make sure its for you!
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Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway Co.Ltd
Main StreetA tiny train into the mountains! Affectionately known as ‘La’al Ratty’ it’s one of the oldest and longest narrow gauge railways and it takes you into the beautiful Esk Valley. Check website and Timetable to make sure its for you!
Steam train experience in the heart of the Lake District... need I say more!
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Kolejka Lakeside i Haverthwaite
Steam train experience in the heart of the Lake District... need I say more!
Recently refurbished by the National Trust. A superb location to Windermere and the surrounding fells. Just a stones throw away from the Cuckoo Brow Inn and a ‘miles without stiles route’ up the west side of Lake Windermere to Wray Castle.
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Claife Viewing Station i Windermere West Shore
Recently refurbished by the National Trust. A superb location to Windermere and the surrounding fells. Just a stones throw away from the Cuckoo Brow Inn and a ‘miles without stiles route’ up the west side of Lake Windermere to Wray Castle.