Browsing local shops within 8 miles of Dale Cottage

Windermere Railway Station, Windermere, Cumbria, LA23 1AH, Tel: 015394 44544, Email, www.countrylaneslakedistrict.co.uk

Hire a bike from the local cycle hire experts. We offer quality cycle hire, spares and repairs, route information and maps, day trips, short breaks and longer tours.

Headless Cross, Gretna Green, Dumfries & Galloway, DG16 5EA, Tel: 01461 338441, Email, www.gretnagreen.com

Romantic history combines with a great shopping experience. Gretna Green Story unfolds in the historic building. Shopping features reveal a stylish collection of clothing, accessories and homestyle goods plus luxury food and whiskies.

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.

Lound Road, Kendal, Cumbria, LA9 7FH, Tel: 01539 732363, Email, www.kvillage.co.uk

With 17 premium factory outlets selling famous brands at up to 60% discount, K Village - The Lakes Outlet offers smarter shopping in comfort and style. Stroll along the riverside terrace and enjoy Cafes and restaurants.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Lacet House, Kelsick Road, Ambleside, LA22 0AS, Tel: 015394 31127, Email, www.catchofthedeli.co.uk

New Delicatessen and fishmonger in Ambleside stocking fresh and local produce. We provide free local delivery, local discount card and special personal orders on request.

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.

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.

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.

Church Cottage, Grasmere, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 9SW, Tel: 015394 35428, Email, www.grasmeregingerbread.co.uk

Church cottage originally built in 1630 as the village school. Established in 1854 as Sarah Nelson's Original Celebrated Grasmere Gingerbread Shop.

Speciality: Gingerbread, Rum Butter, Local Produce & Ginger themed products.

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.

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.

Unthank, Nr. Hutton-in-the -Forest, Penrith, Cumbria, CA11 9TG, Tel: 017684 84538, Email, www.up-front.com

Beautifully converted 17thC farm buildings. Changing exhibitions, vegetarian restaurant, gift shop and puppet theatre.

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.

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.

1 Station Yard, Station Road, Kendal, Cumbria, LA9 6BT, Tel: 01539 731886, Email, www.stainton-wines.co.uk

Wine merchant.

9b Museum Square, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 5DZ, Tel: 017687 75102, Email, www.puzzlingplace.co.uk

An interactive exhibition of optical illusions including holograms, artwork and our anti-gravity room. Visit our puzzle shop and puzzle area for free.

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.

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.

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