Browsing local attractions within 8 miles of Hobkin Ground Farm Cottages

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, 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.

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.

27 Lowther Street, Whitehaven, Cumbria, CA28 7DN, Tel: 01946 592933, Email, www.rumstory.co.uk

Award winning attraction, The Rum Story, is the worlds first exhibition depicting the story of the UK rum trade.

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.

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

Garsdale Road, Sedbergh, Cumbria, LA10 5LW, Tel: 015396 21958, Email, www.farfieldmill.org

Set in the inspirational Howgills, over 4 floors you'll find heritage displays and original working looms, resident artists whose work is for sale, regularly changing exhibitions, displays and sales of arts and crafts.

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.

Barn Close, Ayside, Cartmel, Grange-over-Sands, Cumbria, LA11 6HY, Email, www.predatorexperience.co.uk

Amazing interactive bird of prey experiences for all ages. Choose either the woodland and parkland by lake Windermere or the thrill of the Lakeland fells. Eagles, hawks, falcons and owls. Gift vouchers are available.

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.

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.

Lakeside Pier Visitor Centre, Newby Bridge, Ulverston, Cumbria, LA12 8AS, Tel: 015394 43360, Email, www.windermere-lakecruises.co.uk

Steamers and launches sail daily between Ambleside, Bowness and Lakeside. Additional summer routes. Timetabled services.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Lowther Castle, Penrith, Cumbria, CA10 2HG, Tel: 01931 712192, www.lowthercastle.org

Gardens and castle abandoned for 70 years now being restored. 130 acres of gardens dating back to 17thC.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Honister Pass, Borrowdale, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 5XN, Tel: 017687 77230, Email, www.honister.com

The last working slate mine in England. Fully guided mine tours and Via Ferrata. Browse the visitor centre. Our Sky Hi cafe serves freshly prepared, locally sourced, pannins, soups and crepes.