Browsing local attractions within 8 miles of Fornside Farm Cottages

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.

Lake Road, Keswick, CA12 5DJ, Tel: 07944 735010, Email, www.keswickcanoeandbushcraft.co.uk

Keswick Canoe and Bushcraft is based in the heart of the Lake District National Park in the bustling town of Keswick. We are specialist providers of canoe tours, bush craft and wilderness skills, river trips and canoe expeditions.

The Old Laundry, Crag Brow, Bowness-on-Windermere, Windermere, Cumbria, LA23 3BX, 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Lakeside, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 5DJ, Tel: 017687 74411, Email, www.theatrebythelake.com

Set on the shores of Derwentwater in Keswick, Theatre by the Lake is Cumbria's only year-round professional producing theatre. Hosting a wide range of visiting drama, music, dance, talks, comedy and film.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

West Strand, Whitehaven, Cumbria, CA28 7LY, Tel: 01946 592302, Email, www.thebeacon-whitehaven.co.uk

Home to the Copeland museum collection, gallery and new harbourside restaurant. From early history to modern day, The Beacon offers fun and learning for the whole 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.

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.

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.

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

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.

Main Street, Hawkshead, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 0NS, 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.

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

The Pier House, Glenridding, Penrith, Cumbria, CA11 0US, Tel: 017684 82229, Email, www.ullswater-steamers.co.uk

The ‘Steamers’ create the perfect opportunity to combine a cruise with some of the most famous and spectacular walks in the lake District