Lake District summer family fun near the Three Shires Inn

The summer holidays are in full swing here in the Lake District and the surrounding villages, hills and lakes are bustling with families enjoying everything the national park has to offer.

We’re really excited to be welcoming guests for this special time of the year and we’ve put together a seasonal guide to some of the places you can visit during a long weekend at the Three Shires Inn.

Friday

If you’re heading to the Three Shires Inn from the south then you’ll have the perfect opportunity to drop in and visit the Lake District Visitor Centre at Brockhole. Brockhole really does offer enough to keep you busy for days.

Those with a head for heights will love to swing, balance, climb and zip their way through a Treetop Trek or bounce through the branches on the Treetop Nets. Down on the ground there are an array of activities on offer from archery and mini tractor tours to adventure playgrounds and kart racing, or you can head out onto the lake in a motorboat or kayak.

If you’ve still got the energy when you arrive at Little Langdale, why not take a walk from the door of the Three Shires Inn to explore the incredible passages and caverns of Cathedral Quarry, an historic, deep and spectacular slate mine.

If you’re coming from the north - or the weather is looking less than clement - you can make the perfect stopoff at Rydal Mount, the former home of revered poet William Wordsworth, near Rydal Water. Learn more about the history of the poet’s family in the house, or take a wander in the gardens and enjoy a cream tea in the cafe.

Alternatively, indulge your imagination at the World of Beatrix Potter attraction in Bowness and meet Peter Rabbit and his friends, as well as watching live theatre performances of these much-loved Lake District tales.

Saturday

Summer is the time to visit the seaside and there is no shortage of beaches in the Lake District. The beautiful sands of Ravenglass are just a short trip away from the Three Shires Inn, taking in the spectacular passes of Wrynose and Hardknott and the gorgeous valley of Eskdale. If you fancy a slightly longer trip you can also head north to Cumbria’s answer to the Costa del Sol at St Bees.

On the way to the coast, you can drop in on Hardknott Roman Fort, take a dip in the popular wild swimming spots of Tongue Pot and Kailpot on the River Esk. You can even pick up the La’al Ratty miniature railway from Ravenglass to take a scenic trip into the valley.

If staying dry is the order of the day, then pay a visit to Eskdale Mill, in the picturesque village of Boot. The working mill has newly restored waterwheels, milling machinery and exhibitions set in beautiful surroundings by the river.

Alternatively, head to Ambleside and try your hands (and feet) at indoor climbing at Ambleside Climbing Wall or take a Mountain Goat tour to experience the grandeur of the national park from the comfort of a minibus.

Sunday

Finish the weekend off with a trip to Grizedale Forest, exploring the woodland on foot, on two wheels or horseback, with breathtaking views across the Lake District. Follow the sculpture trail to see works by some of the leading names in contemporary art or test your head for heights at Go Ape.

If you enjoy an adventure, why not see a different side of the Lakes by jumping, swimming, scrambling and abseiling down one of the area’s many spectacular ghylls. There are lots of great adventure guides who can give you a safe and fun insight into these hidden worlds.

Or, if you fancy a more sedate end to the weekend, have a look around the Windermere Jetty Museum, and explore the history of boating on England’s largest lake. Interactive displays, oral histories and an incredible collection of vessels give a remarkable insight into life on the water from a beautiful location on the lakeshore. Kids will love the opportunity to pilot their own miniature boat.