Browsing local attractions within 8 miles of The Hill

Friends Meeting House, Stramongate, Kendal, Cumbria, LA9 4BH, (6 miles, 10kms), 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.

The Promenade, Bowness-on-Windermere, Windermere, Cumbria, LA23 3HQ, (3 miles, 5kms), Tel: 015394 43360, Email, www.windermere-lakecruises.co.uk

Windermere Lake Cruises offer more than a ferry service. We hold private charters, lunch cruises, buffet cruises, corporate hospitality, public sailings and group travel. Steamers and launches sail daily throughout the year from Bowness.

Low Wray, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 0JA, (5 miles, 9kms), Tel: 015394 33250, Email, www.nationaltrust.org.uk/wray-castle/

A Victorian mock-gothic Castle, on the western shore of Lake Windermere. Empty of original furniture, guided tours, children's activities, café, grounds extending to the lake.

Unit 27, Lake District Business Park, Mint Bridge, Kendal, Cumbria, LA9 6NH, (6 miles, 9kms), Tel: 01539 721766, Email, www.kendalwall.co.uk

Largest indoor climbing wall in Cumbria. From 3m to 20m high. Equipment and instruction available. Our Chamber is for quiet leading and top roping. Awsome 20m leading wall has roofs, grooves, belay cave, stalactites and auto-belays.

Brockhole, Windermere, Cumbria, LA23 1LJ, (4 miles, 6kms), Email, www.brockhole.co.uk

Visitor centre with interactive exhibitions, Mawson gardens, adventure playground, shop and information centre. Lakeshore access for all.

Grizedale, Hawkshead, Cumbria, LA22 0QJ, (7 miles, 12kms), Tel: 01229 860010, Email, www.visitlakelandforests.co.uk

Grizedale Forest has activities for all ages from mountain biking to relaxing walks, Go-Ape to sculpture in the forest. The visitor centre includes the forest shop, Cafe in the Forest and Grizedale Mountain Bikes bike hire and shop.

Sizergh, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 8AE, (8 miles, 12kms), Tel: 015395 60951, Email, www.nationaltrust.org.uk/sizergh/

Medieval House with Tudor additions surrounded by a superb garden and large estate. Has been lived in by the Strickland family for over 760 years. Learn about the Elizabethan carvings and contents of the castle, and the gardens.

Near Sawrey, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 0LF, (5 miles, 8kms), 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 Laundry, Crag Brow, Bowness-on-Windermere, Windermere, Cumbria, LA23 3BX, (3 miles, 4kms), Tel: 015394 88444, Email, www.hop-skip-jump.com

A magical indoor attraction that brings to life all 23 Beatrix Potter's Peter Rabbit tales. Meet all your favourite characters and find out more about Beatrix Potter herself.

Main Street, Hawkshead, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 0NS, (6 miles, 9kms), Tel: 015394 36269, Email, www.nationaltrust.org.uk/beatrixpottergallery

This charming 17th century building, which served as the office of Beatrix Potter's solicitor husband, now houses an annually changing exhibition of Potter's original artwork.

Low Sizergh Farm, Sizergh, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 8AE, (8 miles, 12kms), 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.

Waterhead Pier, Waterhead, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 0EY, (5 miles, 8kms), Tel: 015394 43360, Email, www.windermere-lakecruises.co.uk

Windermere Lake Cruises offer more than just a ferry service. We hold private charters, lunch cruises, buffet cruises, corporate hospitality, public sailings, group travel.Steamers and launches sail daily throughout the year from Waterhead.

Troutbeck, Windermere, Cumbria, LA23 1LB, (3 miles, 5kms), Tel: 015394 32628, Email, www.nationaltrust.org.uk

A real Lakeland hidden treasure set in the beautiful village of Troutbeck, this 17thC solid stone and slate house sits imposingly on the hillside, its huge chimneys typical of the area.

Brockhole - Lake District Visitor Centre, Windermere, Cumbria, LA23 1LJ, (4 miles, 6kms), Tel: 01539 447186, Email, www.treetoptrek.co.uk

35 exciting treetop challenges designed to enable you to swing, climb, balance and fly your way through the ancient woodland canopy whilst discovering views previously reserved for the squirrels and bats!

Grizedale Forest Visitor Centre, Grizedale Forest, Hawkshead, Cumbria, LA22 0QJ, (7 miles, 12kms), Tel: 0845 6439215, Email, goape.co.uk/days-out/grizedale

Take to the trees and tackle an exhilarating course of rope bridges, Tarzan swings and zip slides high above the forest floor. A great experience to share with friends and family, providing lots of thrills and laughs.

The Boathouse, Hawkshead, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 0QF, (6 miles, 9kms), Tel: 015394 36541, Email, www.hawksheadtrout.com

Esthwaite Water is the largest stocked lake in the North West of England, offering renowned top of the water action in true loch style, set amidst breathtaking scenery. Tuition available. Tackle shop onsite.

Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria, LA8 8LX, (4 miles, 7kms), Tel: 01539 816300, Email, www.cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk

Birkrigg, Urswick, Ulverston, Cumbria, LA12 0PG, (2 miles, 2kms)

Double Circle of stones surrounding cremations in urns (removed). 'Platform' cairn, small barrows, Romano-British farmsteads.

Casterton, Kirkby Lonsdale, Carnforth, Lancashire, LA6 2LF, (2 miles, 2kms)

Circle has a diameter of 60' and stands on a flattened mound or platform. There are 20 uprights, none more than 2' high and suggesting perhaps the kerb of a destroyed cairn.

Carlisle, Cumbria, LA8 8LX, (4 miles, 7kms), Tel: 01539 816300, Email, www.cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk/

Compston Road, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 9DJ, (5 miles, 9kms), Tel: 01729 860353, Email, www.whiteplatts.co.uk

Glebe Road, Bowness-on-Windermere, Windermere, Cumbria, LA23 3HJ, (3 miles, 5kms), Email, www.lakedistrict.gov.uk

Situated on the shores of Windermere, Englands longest lake. Opposite the main steamer pier. Good range of local gifts, fully accessible. Wheelchairs available to hire.

Victoria Street, Windermere, Cumbria, LA23 1AD, (2 miles, 3kms), Tel: 015394 46499, Email

A wide range of maps and guide books, local and national accommodation bookings. Gift shop, postcards and stamps, public internet access. French, Spanish, Polish, Italian spoken.

Windermere, Cumbria, (2 miles, 4kms), Tel: 01539 822222

Boat Route: Ferry Nab, Bowness, Ferry House, Far Sawrey

Central Buildings, Market Cross, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 9BS, (5 miles, 9kms), Tel: 0844 225 0544, Email, www.thehubofambleside.co.uk

Situated at the heart of Ambleside, we are much more than just a tourist information centre. In 2007 Ambleside tourist information centre merged with the Post Office to provide visitors and locals with two vital services.

Bowness-on-Windermere, Windermere, Cumbria, LA23 3JT, (4 miles, 6kms), Tel: 015394 46139, Email, www.blackwell.org.uk

Blackwell is one of Britain's finest and most important houses from the turn of the last century, situated in a stunning setting overlooking lake Windermere.