Browsing local attractions within 8 miles of Cuckoo's Nest

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.

Hutton in the Forest, Penrith, Cumbria, CA11 9TH, Tel: 017684 84449, Email, www.hutton-in-the-forest.co.uk

Historic house and gardens based on a medieval pele towers with substantial 17th, 18th and 19thC additions. Extensive gardens in woodland setting walled garden, topiary, woodland walk and lake with cascade.

Appleby & Carlisle, TR27 9AD, Tel: 0845 3102458, Email, www.statesmanrail.com

A steam-hauled train over the Settle and Carlisle railway with sightseeing in Appleby or Carlisle.

Rail Route: Lancaster-Preston-Blackburn-Clitheroe-Long Preston

Main Street, Cockermouth, Cumbria, CA13 9RX, Tel: 01900 824805, Email, www.wordsworthhouse.org.uk

Wordsworth House and Garden was the childhood home of William Wordsworth and his sister Dorothy.

Kirklinton, Carlisle, CA6 6BB, Tel: 016977 48292, Email, www.kirklintonhall.co.uk

Myers Farm, Silverdale, Carnforth, Lancashire, LA5 0SW, Tel: 01524 701601, Email, www.rspb.org.uk/leightonmoss

Nature reserve with special wildlife, nature trails with birdwatching hides, RSPB shop, visitor centre and tea room. A great day out.

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.

The Coach House, Winder Lane, Flookburgh, Grange-over-Sands, Cumbria, LA11 7LE, Tel: 015395 58500, Email, www.lakelandminiaturevillage.com

A fascinating insight to the buildings of Lakelands yesteryear. Buildings made from local Coniston slate. Depict Cumbrian houses and farms all hand-made by Edward Robinson. Oriental garden.

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.

Coalbeck Farm, Bassenthwaite, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 4RD, Tel: 017687 76239, Email, www.lakedistrictwildlifepark.com

Go wild & experience a world of wildlife! There's over 100 species from Anaconda to Zebra. Rare and endangered species like Gibbons and Asian Fishing Cats, plus family favourites like lemurs and Meerkats. A great day out for all the family.

Tewitfield, Carnforth, Lancashire, LA6 1JH, Tel: 01524 784184, Email, www.greenlandsfarmvillage.co.uk

We're all about bringing people together to enjoy some of life's simple pleasures, whatever the weather. Everyone can enjoy the hands-on fun of our open farm and the pleasures of our artisan village.

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.

Gubbergil, Holmrook, Irton, Cumbria, CA19 1YQ, Tel: 019467 24764, Email, www.fobbles.co.uk

Here at Fobbles we specialise in quality needlecraft, textile and beading workshops and residential retreats. We have have a purpose-built workshop and all our modern facilities mean we are also disabled friendly.

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.

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.

Cark in Cartmel, Grange-over-Sands, Cumbria, LA11 7PL, Tel: 015395 58328, Email, www.holker.co.uk

Family home to the Cavendish's, Victorian wing, glorious gardens and parkland, woodlands, food hall, gift shop and courtyard cafe.

1 Senhouse Street, Maryport, Cumbria, CA15 6AB, Tel: 01900 813738, Email, www.maryportmaritimemuseum.btck.co.uk

Whinlatter Pass, Braithwaite, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 5TW, Tel: 017687 78469, Email, forestry.gov.uk/whinlatter

Whinlatter Forest Park is England's only true mountain forest. Rising to 790 metres above sea level Whinlatter offers spectacular views of the Lake District and into Scotland.

The Battery, Sea Brows, Maryport, Cumbria, CA15 6JD, Tel: 01900 816168, Email, www.senhousemuseum.co.uk

Small museum housing an internationally significant collection of Roman objects from the adjacent Roman fort and civilian settlement. Housed in a Victorian naval battery.

Askham, Penrith, Cumbria, CA10 2PF, Tel: 01931 712 348, www.askhamhall.co.uk

Askham Hall has 12-acres of beautiful gardens (with an edible theme), an animal viewing area and a stylish rustic café.

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.

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.

Ravenglass, Cumbria, CA18 1SW, Tel: 01229 717171, Email, www.ravenglass-railway.co.uk

Heritage steam engines haul open-top and cosy covered carriages from the Lake District coastal village of Ravenglass to the foot of England's highest mountains.

Levens, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 0PD, Tel: 015395 60321, Email, www.levenshall.co.uk

Elizabethan mansion and world famous topiary gardens designed by M Beaumont in 1694, fountain garden and buttery, licenced restaurant and gift shop.

Waterhead Pier, Waterhead, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 0EY, 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.

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.