What better way to explore the heart of the Lake District than by taking in breath-taking views of lake Windermere by boat.
For a group of four to embark on the wonderful waters of Windermere it costs as little as £12.50 pp for one hour around the circular waterway and if you feel that’s not enough time to take in the stunning mountain views of Claife Heights if you splash out an extra £8 you can explore for two hours.
Calife Heights Viewing Station which can be seen from Lake Windermere
Photo credit: Visit Cumbria
You do have to be over the age of 18 to operate the boats and need to lay down a deposit that you can get back so long as no damage has occurred to the boat.
Wild Swimming Spots
Photo credit: Gary Yeowell Getty Images
It’s the latest health trend that has hooked the county and well quite frankly the rest of the country but what exactly is wild swimming? Wild swimming, sometimes known as open water swimming, isn't a new phenomenon and dates back to the 19th century. Wild Swimming is defined as the practice or activity of swimming for pleasure in natural waters, typically rivers and lakes. Many people take part in wild swimming to improve their mental health as it’s widely believed to boost dopamine levels in the body and increase the release of endorphins.
Here is Winnie Poaty an open water swimmer wild swimming in Cumbria.
Winnie used wild swimming to help with her mental health.
Photo credit: Another Place
With Cumbria being home to several Lakes and Rivers as well as boarding the Irish Sea on the West Coast it’s the perfect place to go wild swimming. We recommend that for those who aren’t confident swimmers to head to one of the many fairy pools in the lakes such as Fairy Glen or Grains Gill Pool.
The Fairy Glen at Galleny Force in Stonethwaite
Photo credit: Lifehop
For those that are confident swimmers we recommend any of the five main waters situated in the lakes, Lake Windermere, Ullswater, Bassenthwaite water, Derwentwater and Rydal water. We do recommend that you follow safety precautions around wild swimming which can be found here. If Jack Whitehall can do it, so can you!
Taste Cumbria 2022
If you are a food lover then Taste Cumbria 2022 in Maryport will be right up your street.
Local business The Coffee Kitchen at Taste Cumbria 2021
Photo credit: CumbriaCrack
It’s a free to attend food festival that offers up some of the best cuisine on the west coast of Cumbria with everything from perfect pies to homemade bakes and handcrafted cocktails Taste Cumbria has something for everyone.
Not only do they offer banging food, it's a festival so expect free live music, a picnic area where you can scran the food on offer, an assortment of retail products on offer by young entrepreneurs and a fairground!
Taste Cumbria 2022 poster of a man selling pies
Photo credit: Visit Allerdale
Taste Cumbria takes place this August from the 13th-14th so get yourself down to Maryport for some fun and food in the sun.
Biking in Whinlatter
People enjoying mountrain biking at Whinlatter Forest
Photo credit: Visitlakedistrict2
Whinlatter is the largest mountain forest in our national park with several walking trails that take you up pikes, through the woods and offer some stunning views of Bassenthwaite and Derwentwater. If walking isn’t your thing and you’d prefer more of an adventure, then we recommend hitting the biking trails to explore this vast mountain forest. We recommend to novice mountain bikers to take the Gorse or Quercus trails around Whinlatter which will take you to quieter areas off the beaten road and offer up some stunning landscapes of the Lake District.
Taking in the views of Whinlatter after mountain biking
Photo credit: Visitlakedistrict
If you don’t own a bike or have a bike that’s up for the challenge of rough forest terrain, then you can rent out mountain bikes for just £20.
South Lakes Zoo
Get to hand feed giraffes at South Lakes Safari Zoo
Photo credit: South Lakes Safari Zoo
We recommend South Lakes Zoo for a fun filled day out with friends and at a reduced price of £16.99 for those aged 16 and over we know you will love it too. You can even get up close and personal with some furry friends at the zoo from as little as £5 to feed penguins, Giraffes and Lemurs.
With this being a safari zoo, you’ll have the chance to see the big five of Africa, Rainforest residents and animals from across all continents.