Lake District, England, UK
Say hello to long sunlit days and beautiful breezes again! It’s summer, and there’s no finer time to be out and about. What better place to be in than the picturesque Lake District? Of course, there are the usual picnics, boating and swimming, but don’t neglect the brimming schedule of activities just waiting for holidaymakers in the area.
A Lake District break is full of many different activities, from hands-on exhibitions to festivals and theatre shows.
Exhibits
Soak in some culture and little known insights into the past with the exhibits being held around Keswick. The Herstory Exhibition, running until 10th May, displays an important account of Keswick’s history through the eyes of women. A fascinating take on the town, there is also a Herstory Town Trail that gives you an insight into business women from the past.
Wordsworth House is holding a very special World War I exhibition that has been curated by the winner of the 2017 Wainwright Prize for nature writing, John Lewis Stempel. Where Poppies Blow commemorates the First World war and celebrates the role of the natural world, and how it helped Britain’s troops. This is running until October, showing two sets of evocative exhibits.
For the kids, the Rheged Centre is displaying a special Peter Rabbit exhibition until June. An interactive, immersive experience that celebrates Beatrix Potter’s first character, the exhibition will show original artworks and manuscripts. There are activities to keep the little ones entertained, including a giant board game and the chance to act out scenes from the Tales.
Arts and crafts
If you want to get stuck in this summer and do something a bit different, there are plenty of arts and crafts activities happening in the Keswick area. Become a blacksmith for the day at the Greystoke Cycle Café, with workshops taking place throughout the summer, or maybe try your hand at making wire garden sculptures to take home with you. You can even join in a raku pottery class if that takes your fancy.
You can make a whole host of different trinkets to remember your trip by, from traditional English pastimes such as using a spinning wheel, to making artisan cheese. The choice is endless.
Guided tours
The best way to learn about a place is to join a guided tour, complete with an expert leader to tell you everything you need to know. The Lake District is the perfect area to go on a guided walk. For beginners, the Navigation and Mountain Safety walk is ideal for boosting your confidence in reading a map and how to relocate your position if you get lost.
One of the most popular walks organised over the summer in the Lake District is the Keswick Ghost Walk. Delving into the intriguing history of Keswick, the walk teaches you about the mystery and legend that surrounds the area. Running through the whole of summer, a ghost walk is a great experience to remember!
Theatre
Entertainment goes on all day and all night during summer around Keswick, and you will be hard-pressed to find yourself bored! The Theatre by the Lake is a brilliant destination to take the family and enjoy a professional production. With many different productions on through the summer, you can take your pick!
Likewise, for a rainy day, the Alhambra cinema in Keswick is great for disappearing and enjoying a great film for a couple of hours.
Outdoor activities
With such lovely trails and natural spots around the place, sports and outdoor activities are only a natural addition to the summer calendar. Take advantage of one the many cycling paths or walks across the fells of the Lake District, taking in the beautiful scenery as you go.
Keswick Mountain Festival in June is a great way to spend your break in the Lake District, with sporting events, outdoor activities and live music to entertain the whole family. Likewise, King Pocky’s Derwent Water Regatta in July is a guaranteed weekend of family fun. Try your hand at watersports or have a go on the fairground rides.