Browsing local attractions within 8 miles of Gilpin Mill 

Coniston, Cumbria, LA21 8AD, (8 miles, 12kms), 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, (6 miles, 9kms), 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.

Grizedale, Hawkshead, Cumbria, LA22 0QJ, (6 miles, 10kms), 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.

Brockhole, Windermere, Cumbria, LA23 1LJ, (5 miles, 8kms), Email, www.brockhole.co.uk

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

Low Sizergh Farm, Sizergh, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 8AE, (6 miles, 9kms), 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.

Near Sawrey, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 0LF, (4 miles, 6kms), 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.

Low Wray, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 0JA, (7 miles, 11kms), Tel: 015394 33250, Email, www.nationaltrust.org.uk/wraycastle

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.

Main Street, Hawkshead, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 0NS, (6 miles, 9kms), 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.

Levens, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 0PD, (7 miles, 11kms), 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.

Unit 27, Lake District Business Park, Mint Bridge, Kendal, Cumbria, LA9 6NH, (6 miles, 9kms), 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.

Lakeside Pier Visitor Centre, Newby Bridge, Ulverston, Cumbria, LA12 8AS, (6 miles, 9kms), Tel: 015394 43360, Email, www.windermere-lakecruises.co.uk

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

Friends Meeting House, Stramongate, Kendal, Cumbria, LA9 4BH, (5 miles, 9kms), 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.

The Promenade, Bowness-on-Windermere, Windermere, Cumbria, LA23 3HQ, (2 miles, 4kms), 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 Old Laundry, Crag Brow, Bowness-on-Windermere, Windermere, Cumbria, LA23 3BX, (2 miles, 4kms), 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.

Waterhead Pier, Waterhead, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 0EY, (6 miles, 10kms), 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.

Lakeside, Newby Bridge, Ulverston, Cumbria, LA12 8AS, (6 miles, 9kms), 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.

Barn Close, Ayside, Cartmel, Grange-over-Sands, Cumbria, LA11 6HY, (7 miles, 11kms), 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.

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.

Low Newton, Newton-in-Cartmel, Grange-over-Sands, Cumbria, LA11 6JP, (8 miles, 12kms), 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.

Rydal Road, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 9BL, (7 miles, 12kms), Tel: 015394 31212, Email, www.armitt.com

Museum, art gallery and reference library covering the history life and arts of the Lakes. Collections include Kurt Schwitters, Beatrix Potter, photography, fine art and local history.

The Boathouse, Hawkshead, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 0QF, (5 miles, 7kms), 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.

Old Blue Mill, Backbarrow, Newby Bridge, Cumbria, LA12 8TA, (8 miles, 12kms), 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.

Newby Bridge, Ulverston, Cumbria, LA12 8NN, (6 miles, 9kms), 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.

Raines Hall Farm, Sedgwick, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 0JH, (7 miles, 12kms), Tel: 015395 61760, Email, www.lakelandmaze.co.uk

Family attraction, maze, soft play, go karts, animals, pets, events, parties and refreshments.

Troutbeck, Windermere, Cumbria, LA23 1LB, (5 miles, 8kms), Tel: 015394 32628, Email, www.nationaltrust.org.uk

A real Lakeland hidden treasure set in the beautiful village of Troutbeck, this 17thC solid stone and slate house sits imposingly on the hillside, its huge chimneys typical of the area.

Lake Road, Coniston, Cumbria, LA21 8EW, (8 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…