Browsing local attractions within 8 miles of Lakeside Hotel 

The Old Laundry, Crag Brow, Bowness-on-Windermere, Windermere, Cumbria, LA23 3BX, (6 miles, 10kms), 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.

Appleby & Carlisle, TR27 9AD, (6 miles, 10kms), 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

The Promenade, Bowness-on-Windermere, Windermere, Cumbria, LA23 3HQ, (6 miles, 10kms), 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.

The Coach House, Winder Lane, Flookburgh, Grange-over-Sands, Cumbria, LA11 7LE, (7 miles, 12kms), 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 Bank, The Promenade, Arnside, Lancashire, LA5 0HA, (7 miles, 12kms), 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

Main Street, Hawkshead, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 0NS, (7 miles, 11kms), 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.

Near Sawrey, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 0LF, (5 miles, 8kms), 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.

Coniston, Cumbria, LA21 8AD, (6 miles, 10kms), 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.

Sizergh, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 8AE, (8 miles, 12kms), 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.

Low Sizergh Farm, Sizergh, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 8AE, (8 miles, 12kms), 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.

Lakeside, Newby Bridge, Ulverston, Cumbria, LA12 8AS, (0.0 miles, 0.0kms), 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.

Cark in Cartmel, Grange-over-Sands, Cumbria, LA11 7PL, (6 miles, 10kms), 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.

Barn Close, Ayside, Cartmel, Grange-over-Sands, Cumbria, LA11 6HY, (3 miles, 4kms), 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.

Lakeside Pier Visitor Centre, Newby Bridge, Ulverston, Cumbria, LA12 8AS, (0.0 miles, 0.0kms), Tel: 015394 43360, Email, www.windermere-lakecruises.co.uk

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

Levens, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 0PD, (7 miles, 12kms), 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.

Grizedale, Hawkshead, Cumbria, LA22 0QJ, (5 miles, 8kms), 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.

Low Newton, Newton-in-Cartmel, Grange-over-Sands, Cumbria, LA11 6JP, (4 miles, 6kms), Tel: 015395 31498, Email, www.yewtreebarn.co.uk

The perfect place to find design-led crafts, jewellery, art, ceramics, furniture, accessories, cards and gifts. Featuring quality makers and designers, many from Cumbria.

Airfrield Farm, Flookburgh, Grange-over-Sands, Cumbria, LA11 7LS, (8 miles, 12kms), Tel: 015395 59293, Email, www.duckysparkfarm.co.uk

Children's open farm visitor centre.

Lake Road, Coniston, Cumbria, LA21 8EW, (7 miles, 12kms), Tel: 015394 41366, Email, www.conistonboatingcentre.co.uk

There's something for everyone at Coniston Boating Centre, both on and off the water…

Coniston Pier, Lake Road, Coniston, Cumbria, LA21 8AN, (8 miles, 12kms), Tel: 015394 32733, Email, www.nationaltrust.org.uk/gondola

Float back to Victorian times as you indulge in a luxurious cruise on captivating Coniston water in this exquisite steam-powered craft.

Grizedale Forest Visitor Centre, Grizedale Forest, Hawkshead, Cumbria, LA22 0QJ, (5 miles, 8kms), Tel: 0845 6439215, Email, goape.co.uk/days-out/grizedale

Take to the trees and tackle an exhilarating course of rope bridges, Tarzan swings and zip slides high above the forest floor. A great experience to share with friends and family, providing lots of thrills and laughs.

The Boathouse, Hawkshead, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 0QF, (5 miles, 9kms), Tel: 015394 36541, Email, www.hawksheadtrout.com

Esthwaite Water is the largest stocked lake in the North West of England, offering renowned top of the water action in true loch style, set amidst breathtaking scenery. Tuition available. Tackle shop onsite.

Newby Bridge, Ulverston, Cumbria, LA12 8NN, (0.4 miles, 0.6kms), Tel: 015395 31273, Email, www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Discover this lakeshore Victorian park on the east shore of Windermere. Just the place for families to enjoy access to Windermere with picnic areas, boat hire and tea room.

Old Blue Mill, Backbarrow, Newby Bridge, Cumbria, LA12 8TA, (2 miles, 3kms), Tel: 015395 30400, Email, www.lakelandmotormuseum.co.uk

A unique combination of interrelated stories and a fascinating visitor experience. Over 100 years of motoring history, the Campbell Bluebird exhibition, IOM TT tribute display and the Leven Valley heritage centre. Gift shop and Cafe Ambio.

Glebe Road, Bowness-on-Windermere, Windermere, Cumbria, LA23 3HJ, (6 miles, 10kms), Email, www.lakedistrict.gov.uk

Situated on the shores of Windermere, Englands longest lake. Opposite the main steamer pier. Good range of local gifts, fully accessible. Wheelchairs available to hire.

Windermere, Cumbria, (7 miles, 11kms), Tel: 01539 822222

Boat Route: Ferry Nab, Bowness, Ferry House, Far Sawrey