Three Fun Free things to do in the Lake District

Three Fun Free things to do in the Lake District

The activities below have been chosen with children in mind. However, I have had a fabulous time just with my mates doing these things, and we ought to know better as we're all in our 30s!

Stepping into a fairy circle a village walk in Rosthwaite

Wainwright said that "A fellwalker based in Rosthwaite is like a king with many thrones". Rosthwaite is the starting point for many wonderful short (and long) walks; north to Grange, east to Watendlath or just along the river to the pretty villages of Stonethwaite or Seatoller.

If you don't get past the starting point don't worry, children love crossing the stepping stones and playing by the river that runs near the village. Just 10 minutes walk upstream YHA Longthwaite has secret steps down to a fairy circle' complete with stunning carved wooden throne (below car park lamp). Make a crown out of moss and sticks for your own fairy king or queen. Good for any weather; much of the walk is tree covered. There are several cottages in the Lake District that would make an ideal starting point for exploring Rosthwaite and the surrounding areas.

Make a den (and hug a tree)

Step back to your childhood (or your imagined childhood if you grew up in a town), and go up into the fells to make a den. Eskdale is a brilliant place to do this as there is plenty of woodland or if you prefer fells, they're easily reachable, even with kids in tow. Park at the free car park just beyond the village shop and walk up Giggle Alley (this is at the end of the car park, going away from the shop) and then onto the fellside (5-10 mins walk). Or if you prefer, you can just go into the Japanese Gardens which are wooded with Beech trees and rhododendrons. There are plenty of opportunities to make brilliant dens.

I tend to favour a combination of small branches laid against a rocky outcrop with dead bracken stuffed between them. Be careful though and use a knife for the dead bracken, or bring plasters with you. And while you're there, hug a tree it's amazing how brilliant it makes you feel.

Swimming in a lake

How early do you dare to go swimming in a Lake? If you have small children, then I love going to Ullswater as you can park by the road which is just by the lake (through a few trees). I tend to stick to paddling but with a bit of encouragement you can usually get somebody who's feeling brave to go under the water and give everyone else a laugh. If you head to Derwent Water in deepest winter the lake tends to freeze and you can go skating on it.

Children don't seem to feel the cold either. And it's brilliant fun to make a good camp fire to warm up by afterwards. Bread toasted on the fire always seems to taste better than toast from the toaster. You can spend hours making channels and dams at the water's edge. The other great place to swim is the river Esk and at Forge bridge just near the King George IV pub, a great place to warm your cockles afterwards. There are plenty of self catering Lake District cottages in the area so why not make a holiday out of it.

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