Browsing local attractions within 8 miles of Elm House

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.

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

The Promenade, Bowness-on-Windermere, Windermere, Cumbria, LA23 3HQ, 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, 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, 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.

Southey Works, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 5NG, Tel: 017687 73626, Email, www.pencilmuseum.co.uk

Enter the museum through a replica of the Seathwaite mine, journey through the history of pencil making at the worlds longest pencil and finally relax in our coffee shop, while the kids follow the quiz trails.

Ravenglass, Cumbria, CA18 1RQ, Tel: 01229 717614, Email, www.muncaster.co.uk

Historic haunted Castle home to the Pennington family for 800 years. A 70-acre garden famous for its collection of rhododendrons and azaleas set against the stunning backdrop of the Lakeland fells. World Owl Centre home to over 40 species.

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.

Brockhole, Windermere, Cumbria, LA23 1LJ, Email, www.brockhole.co.uk

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

Grizedale, Hawkshead, Cumbria, LA22 0QJ, 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.

Watermillock, Penrith, Cumbria, CA11 0JS, Tel: 017684 82356, Email, www.nationaltrust.org.uk/aira-force-and-ullswater

The tumbling waterfall of Aira Force, drops an impressive 65 feet and can be reached by strolling through ancient woodland and landscaped glades. The perfect place for a family and picnic.

Sizergh, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 8AE, 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.

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.

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.

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.