Activities for a Lake District spring getaway at the Three Shires Inn

The great Lakeland poet William Wordsworth said that spring is when it is ‘summer in the light and winter in the shade’ and, although spring officially started in March, it seems the Lake District has been enduring an undue share of the shady bits!

However, things are definitely starting to look up, with wildflowers blooming, the fields filling with lambs and the sun starting to put its back into things a little bit more.

Spring is a wonderful time to explore the Lake District and there are an endless selection of activities on offer within a short distance of the Three Shires Inn.

Here’s our guide to some of the best ways to spend a long weekend in spring in the Lake District.

Friday

One of the best introductions to fell walking in the Lake District is a quick hike up Gummers How, overlooking Windermere. This walk gets you high enough to enjoy the scenery but is short enough so it can be enjoyed by all the family.

Nearby you can also visit the National Trust’s Fell Foot Park. Fell Foot is a great place to spend the afternoon playing and relaxing by the Lake. Take a dip, enjoy a cuppa and a slice of cake at the cafe, or just have a picnic and chill out.

If the weather is less than clement, nearby Backbarrow is home to the Lakeland Museum, with more than 30,000 exhibits of classic cars, motorcycles, scooters and bicycles.

Alternatively, board the Lakeside and Haverthwaite railway for a steam engine ride to the Lakes Aquarium where you can explore beneath the Lake and see amazing creatures from the local area and across the world.

^Saturday

Why not start the morning with a brisk walk from the door of the Three Shires Inn?

Take the path towards Hodge Close quarry to discover beautiful woodland carpeted with bluebells and then loop back over Little Fell to the inn for breakfast.

If you’re feeling energetic, use a network of paths and minor roads to walk or cycle to the nearby village of Coniston, which is full of things to do for the whole family.

We recommend taking a gondola trip across Coniston Water to visit Brantwood, the home of Victorian thinker, author and artist John Ruskin. This grand house has lovely views towards the Old Man of Coniston and is home to eight unique gardens created by Ruskin, his cousin Joan Severn and head gardener Sally Beamish. Explore woodland trails, soak up the atmosphere and learn more about the fascinating story of this extremely influential figure.

Sunday

Set off from the Three Shires Inn to explore Ambleside.

Our nearest village, Ambleside, is just a bike ride away, or you could even walk there via the top of Loughrigg - a relatively small fell but with wonderful views.

From Ambleside you can take a cruise with Windermere Lake Cruises or enjoy yourselves playing mini-golf at White Platts or exploring the site of the ancient Roman fort of Galava.

In town, take some time to visit the quirky Bridge House over Stock Beck, or visit the Armitt Museum, which is full of fascinating objects telling the story of Ambleside and its people.