rainy day ideas

County Square, Ulverston, Cumbria, LA12 7LZ, Tel: 01229 587140, Email, www.corohall.co.uk

A town theatre and hiring space for conferences, exhibitions, seminar, meetings etc.

Fellside Cottage, Witherslack, Grange-over-Sands, Cumbria, LA11 6RW, Tel: 015395 52106, Email, www.lakedistricttours.co.uk

Exclusive quality tours of the Lake District. Japanese language commentary. Entance fees and cruise fares. Highest level of customer service. Small group tours. Excellent visibility from all seats.

Town End, Grasmere, Cumbria, LA22 9SH, Tel: 015394 35544, Email, www.wordsworth.org.uk

Wordsworth's most famous home where he lived from 1799 to 1808. This hub of art, literature and creativity has a programme of exhibitions and events from craft workshops, poetry readings and free children’s activities.

Coniston, Cumbria, LA21 8AD, Tel: 015394 41396, Email, www.brantwood.org.uk

Brantwood, the former home of eminent Victorian John Ruskin and a treasure house of art and memorabilia. The 250-acre estate comprises 8 unique gardens, ancient woodland, high moors and meadows.

Mawbray Hayrigg, Silloth, Wigton, Cumbria, CA7 4LL, Tel: 016973 32020, Email, www.gincase.co.uk

This has something for everyone. The Farm Park has lots of friendly farm animals in 16 paddocks, large Playbarn with huge indoor play area and more; a Cumbrian Craftbarn and Tearoom.

Lakeside, Newby Bridge, Ulverston, Cumbria, LA12 8AS, Tel: 015395 30153, Email, www.lakesaquarium.co.uk

Explore worlds of watery fun at Lakes Aquarium. Discover otters, pike, perch and char aswell as marmoset monkeys, caiman and British sharks and rays.

Carlisle, Cumbria, CA3 8UR, Tel: 01228 625600, Email, www.english-heritage.org.uk/carlislecastle

A massive medieval fortress founded to protect historic city of Carlisle in 1092. Hear about its role in sieges and stories about the ghastly prison.

Gilsland, Brampton, Cumbria, CA8 7DD, Tel: 016977 47602, Email, www.english-heritage.org.uk

Standing high above a meander in one of the most picturesque locations, Birdoswald was an important base for some 1000 roman soldiers.

Otley House, Otley Road, Keswick, CA12 5LE, Tel: 017687 80042, Email, www.keswickdino.com

A living museum with live birds of prey, along with fossils and life size dinosaur models.

Near Sawrey, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 0LF, Tel: 015394 36269, Email, www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hilltop

Beatrix Potter's small cottage, full of her personal possessions, with traditional cottage garden. Her paintings of the House and garden were used to illustrate many of her tales.

The Old Brewery, Brewery Lane, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 5BY, Tel: 017687 80700, Email, www.keswickbrewery.co.uk

A small family-run brewery set up with quality and environmental issues at it's heart. Brewery tours and shop available.

The Old Bank, The Promenade, Arnside, Lancashire, LA5 0HA, Tel: 01524 761762, Email, www.gallery-h.co.uk

Leading international contemporary and traditional design collections of fine art, furniture and jewellery pieces. Exhibitions are held throughout the year. Online shopping at www.galleryh.co.uk

Walby, Crosby-on-Eden, Carlisle, CA6 4QL, Tel: 01228 573056, Email, www.walbyfarmpark.co.uk

Cumbria's multi-award winning all-weather attraction on our family farm, meet our friendly animals, try out our exciting indoor and outdoor play areas and explore our nature trail. Our Curly Tails Cafe is open from 10.00 until 17.00.

Redhills, Penrith, Cumbria, CA11 0DQ, Tel: 01768 868000, Email, www.rheged.com

With 10 fantastic shops, 3 tasty cafes, pottery painting, indoor & outdoor play, a giant cinema screen, plus 5 exhibitions a year in our Gallery, 4 TIC pods and lots of family events in the school holidays, there is plenty to do at Rheged.

Castle Street, Carlisle, Cumbria, CA3 8TP, Tel: 01228 618718, Email, www.tulliehouse.co.uk

Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery is an excellent choice for a great day out for all of the family.

Low Sizergh Farm, Sizergh, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 8AE, Tel: 015395 60426, Email, www.lowsizerghbarn.co.uk

National award-winning farm shop, tea room and craft gallery in a fabulous barn on a woking family dairy farm in the South Lakes.

Friends Meeting House, Stramongate, Kendal, Cumbria, LA9 4BH, Tel: 01539 722975, Email, www.quaker-tapestry.co.uk

Explore 350 years of social history beautifully illustrated within 77 inspiring, colourful, modern embroidered panels. Shop, Cafe, audio guides, film, interactive displays, children's activities.

Headless Cross, Gretna Green, Dumfries & Galloway, DG16 5EA, Tel: 01461 338441, Email, www.gretnagreen.com

Romantic history combines with a great shopping experience. Gretna Green Story unfolds in the historic building. Shopping features reveal a stylish collection of clothing, accessories and homestyle goods plus luxury food and whiskies.