Great place for a day out, the walking paths were you can better see the waterfalls are close but still the waterfalls is a sight to see. The trail can be muddy and slippery so appropriate footwear is a must although the trail itself is easy to walk with. I would suggest going there as early as possible since it gets really busy during the midday if you want a private photo opportunity with nature then go early😀. Overall its great place to have a walk with the park being free of charge except for the parking though😀y

Beautiful walk and waterfalls, however very busy and popular. We visited on a Thursday during the school holidays. The carpark was £5 for 2 hours or discounted if a national trust member. It probably took us 2 hours to do the walk with lots of breaks with 4 small children.

**Aira Force Waterfall Review:** Aira Force Waterfall, located in the Lake District National Park in Cumbria, England, is a breathtaking natural wonder that captivates visitors with its majestic beauty. As you approach the waterfall, the sound of rushing water grows louder, heightening anticipation for the awe-inspiring sight ahead. Upon arrival, you're greeted by a powerful cascade of water tumbling down a series of rocky tiers, surrounded by lush greenery and ancient woodland. The sheer force of the water creates a mesmerizing display, leaving visitors in awe of nature's raw power. The well-maintained trails leading to the waterfall offer picturesque views of the surrounding landscape, making the journey as enjoyable as the destination. Whether you're a seasoned hiker or simply seeking a leisurely stroll, Aira Force provides an accessible and rewarding outdoor experience for all. For photographers and nature enthusiasts, Aira Force offers endless opportunities to capture stunning shots of the waterfall from various angles and perspectives. The play of light and shadow on the cascading water creates a magical atmosphere that is truly unforgettable. Overall, Aira Force Waterfall is a must-visit destination for anyone exploring the Lake District. Its beauty and tranquility leave a lasting impression, making it a cherished memory for visitors of all ages. Whether you're seeking adventure, relaxation, or simply a connection with nature, Aira Force delivers an unforgettable experience that will leave you inspired and rejuvenated.

Been here a few times. Its an easy walk up to the falls, with steady incline. We'll cut out steps. Parking I think is expensive at £5.00 for 2hrs but it's plenty of time to get up and down to the falls. Ullswater is nearby and is worth a visit.

Highly recommended. Great walk up to and around the falls. Great views of the water with some fantastic photo opportunities. Plenty of points to dip your feet in and just sit and watch the water pass by. You could easily get around the quick route in 45-60 mins. Or you can take your time and do it in around 2 hours.

This place is free to visit other than the car park if you have drove up, which we did. There is a cafe and toilet if you follow the sign posts. This is one of the best places to go that I have seen in the Lake District for water falls. There are also a few different walking routes if you wanted to see them from both sides of the water or from a higher point. The paths are not too bad to walk on either.

This is the most spectacular English place I have ever visited. In fact nothing in Scotland or Wales has come close so far. It is not at all wheel chair friendly, nor is it for the feint of heart or knee.

Excellent waterfall. 5 min walk from the car park. Car park charges are around 5£ per 2 hours. You can walk all the way down to the waterfall and enjoy the beauty from quite close. There are different trails which you can take from there. You can walk by the stream enjoying the scenery..

Lovely walk! Sadly, due to lack of signage- parked in the wrong car park (parked at high cascades) so had to walk down, before walking back up. All trails are clean and clear- dog friendly, with a lovely cafe at the bottom!

We were visiting family in Cumbria when we decided to take a day trip to the Aira Force waterfall in Penrith. It was a perfect and beautiful day for a hike! The air was warm with a mild breeze and it was perfect hiking weather. It was early May so the weather was in our favor that day! I added a landscape that I thought was stunning while we were driving to the falls that day so I had to add it. We had such a great time!

Really lovely walk up alongside a waterfall. Sort of a one way system and was a pretty easy walk. We went on a really rainy day so the waterfalls were really strong and a lot of the path was covered in shallow water! Really good opportunities for dogs to have a paddle!

Aira Force Waterfall is a must visit. It's a great experience to see the water fall from different vantage points. Pleasant and ecstatic nature view point. Prepare to climb down and climb up some stairs. You may sometimes can encounter some speeding Jets. Good luck

Fantastic place. It's nice to walk to the upper part of it called Aira High Force. Not difficult but rewarding. Walking from the parking lot is very easy and pleasant.

Beautiful walk which takes around 50 minutes. The paths are well defined and easy to follow. The track is of moderate difficulty with inclines and lots of steps in one place but would be perfect for families or dog walkers

Such a lovely walk. We saw the Airs Force waterfall and some others. We also started a hike to get a nice view of Ullswater but came back down because it was raining quite hard. We got the train to Penrith and the Bus down to Aira Force. We also used the tea room and sampled the veg soup, sausage rolls and hot drinks. The area is lovely for a walk and a hike. Lots of routes around the forest.

Nice place to explore, especially with the rain we’ve had making the waterfall powerful. Not difficult terrain to hike. Some steps with railings. Car park is close by and although it’s paid it supports National Trust. Coffee shop and toilets on site.

Beautiful. A beautiful waterfall set in beautiful scenery with a beautiful lake nearby. The beck was in spate when we visited, and the deep roar of the waterfall was audible some distance away. We visited on a sunny morning where the spray formed 2 beautiful rainbows by the base. Aira Force is stunning from any angle, including from the upper bridge looking directly down the 20-m drop. No wonder this waterfall is praised more than any other in the Lake District, and poems praise it so much. We visited on our bikes so had no problem with parking

It is one of the nicest places I have visited in the area so beautiful and well hidden away from the road. It's also national trust parking for free if you're a member. It's also relatively easy to get to if you're not the healthiest. Only con is there can be a lot of tourist traffic there as I found out the hard way, but all in all, a great morning visit. Great birthday trip aswell

Super wall of around 2 hours up the waterfalls and back down via different routes. Great for dogs and kids, quite a few steps on some routes.

We had a great holiday at Center Parcs Whinfell Forest. The lodge we stayed in was very clean and tidy, with everything you need for a comfortable stay. We were a 2 minute walk to the village centre which was great. It can be pricey to do activities and to eat out at Center Parcs, but the food and activities are always good. Around the village centre everything was clean and all covid safety protocols were in place. There are a few gift shops and a supermarket on site. The subtropical swimming paradise was great for all of the family, with slides and rapids, for hours of fun. There is an outdoor pool which is great, it's a bit slippy on the tiles, but also be aware at this time of year it's freezing outside, so from the door to the pool you will get cold, but the heated pool is great and well worth it. We saw staff cleaning all the time, they do a great job. Overall I would definitely recommend this Center Parcs as a great holiday destination, for all the family, young and old. There are plenty of places to walk, activities indoor and out for you to enjoy.

Beautiful setting, everywhere nice and clean. Best place to eat (in our opinion) was Huck, friendly staff (Richard W) The only criticism I have is that they don't seem to promote (on site) any activities, so we missed a lot we feel. Otherwise a great mini break

We have had a fantastic break. The activities available were great. Every single member of staff we interacted with were extremely friendly. Great food in the restaurants. We will definitely be back. The lodge was good overall. However, one issue was the kitchen in the lodge was not very practical. The gas oven was very poor. The shower curtain was far too long. A few basic toiletries like soap for washing hands and extra toilet rolls would be great. Overall a great break and would highly recommend.

Just back from the perfect family break with activities for 3 generations. The lodge was clean and comfortable. Everyone working in the park was friendly and helpful and made us feel very welcome - nothing was too much trouble. We all really enjoyed the swimming area and the outdoor and indoor play areas were excellent. We will be back!!

Amazing place for a holiday and would definitely recommend for it for anyone looking for a holiday. Pool is great and big. The sports is amazing for little kids and adults. Slot of clubs which is good. And rooms are very very big and even the 1 floor house is very big as well as well as the VIP and 2 floored houses. Five ⭐!!!!

This has been the most magical Christmas holiday ever. Center parcs pulled out all the stops to make it so festive and enjoyable for kids and adults alike. The winter wonderland is worth a visit on its own. The check in experience was good, albeit there were queues to get in which I am told was to be expected. The lodges are spacious and well equipped. It was clean too. We only had a 5 to 10 minute walk to the village centre. We found the swimming really fun, although getting in early was advisable as it gets busy. The on-site shops and restaurants offered plenty of variety. We booked a Santa visit for our little one. It included a present and 2 x photos with Santa. If you have kids, try to get along to see the Santa parade on an evening. In general this is just a lovely place to relax, take a walk and soak up the Christmas vibe. Yes it's not cheap but if you can afford it, I'd highly recommend it

Great place for a young family, everything conveniently located (sometimes a bit of a long walk from the outer most cabins) loads of stuff for the kids to do and nice clean facilities. My only dislike was the beds, if you like a firm mattress then your in luck because I have slept on softer floors, nothing like waking up feeling like you have gone 10 rounds in the ring.

Just back from a 4 night stay. Great place to get together. Well equipped lodge although a wee bit tired. A bit of attention to detail required but all in all a good experience. Nice time of year to go with all the fairy lights. Sport's bar is a nice place to go for food and drinks. Staff throughout the whole park were lovely.

Had a fabulous time, the pool area was lovely, the spa was amazing definitely recommend a trip there but make sure you book everything in advance because restaurants and activities fill up really quickly. Lodge was lovely but the oven took quite a while to cook everything! Recommend taking the low quality ovens into account when you start cooking, don't wait til you're starving!!

Had such a wonderful holiday here, really can’t fault it. Lodges were lovely, clean and filled with everything we needed. Staff were always friendly and helpful. Facilities were fantastic - the pool, play parks and walks around the forest could take up all your time (and all are free). Shops were well stocked for anything you would need. We ate out at the lakeside inn and the food was delicious - recommend a burger! Coming back as soon as we can!

The accommodation was first class, and everything was included. We even had a family of ducks visit daily. The staff were amazing, nothing was too much trouble and the swimming pool was really warm, spotlessly clean and great fun. We went with 3 teenagers and they really enjoyed the activities. Definitely a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ star experience despite the rain ☔

Had a great visit. Accommodation was fantastic with great facilities. Rooms were spacious and comfortable. The fact that cars are parked away from the accommodation is a huge plus. Much safer to be walking and cycling around the park. Great outdoor play area for the little ones. The pool was fantastic. The on site shop was good. Plenty of options and well priced.

Amazing location, all the hype is well deserved. Great cabins, service and activities. Very friendly staff and lovely swimming pool. All you need for a relaxed trip. We went during the week when schools were on so might be a lot busier and hectic during school holidays but still worth it.

We had a great weekend here. I would however advise booking restaurant slots when booking, before you arrive as they were all fully booked and no delivery service was available so had to buy food from the on site supermarket, which was expensive. Lots of festive things to do. We had an 18month old and an 11 year old and both were entertained. Staff are all very helpful. The lodge was well situated to the main plaza but not too close. Lots of walking and things to see. Great experience. Bit pricy as only swimming area is included in the booking fee. Everything else is extra.

It was a fantastic stay We could not fault the accommodation we stayed in one of the tree houses every thing you needed and was spotless so thank you to the cleaning staff. Thank you too the member of center Parcs staff who would come every morning and clean the hot tub and ask if we needed anything nothing was too much trouble (sorry I forgot your name) complementary champagne on arrival? plus gift boxes for the children the forest is amazing and so are the activities

Went for a spa day. Fabulous experience so lovely and relaxing. Fantastic facilities and very friendly staff. You are made to feel very welcome. Spa package was great value

First time at Whinfell and we weren't disappointed. Such a beautiful setting, especially since cars aren't allowed on site after unpacking. The swimming pool was busy but great fun for our toddler (and us). Clean and we got a changing room and lockers easily. The Indian restaurant was fantastic, exceeding expectations with both the food and the service - well worth a visit. The burgers in the sports cafe were also great. Expect to pay more with it being on site. As this was our first family holiday we had concerns about arrangements for our toddler but needn't have been as the travel cots provided were better than expected (wooden cots) with baby gates at top and bottoms of stairs and the lodge was also well designed for a young family. Supermarket well equipped and not as pricy as we thought. We are already looking forward to our next visit.

Fantastic family week away. We were worried that the covid restrictions would impact on the holiday but they didn't. Booked again for next year as we enjoyed it so much. Love how safe it is for the kids and how the pool keeps everyone entertained from the 3 year old to the 73 year old in the group. Lodges are very clean and the setting is lovely.

Been going here since I was a kid! I absolutely love it here. Such an amazing escape and so much to do! So many activities to choose from, villas are always immaculate and the pool is out of this world! All staff in the village are so kind and friendly. Can’t wait to come back!

The park was great, surrounded by woodland, brilliant swimming pool facilities, activities were very expensive and not much suitable for a baby, however there was plenty for older families. Would be nice to have more areas to explore which are not just surrounded by lodges, we expected some trails, but sadly that wasn't the case, makes you feel very trapped within the lodges and facilities. The room we were allocated was completely unsuitable for a baby. The floors were all hard tile which was a nightmare as our baby kept falling and hitting his head. The touch-sensitive button on the bath kept activating by itself, waking our baby in the middle of the night on multiple occasions. Additionally, the coffee machine did not work and there was a horrible smell of gone off milk on the sofa of the apartment. We were also informed during our visit by letter that we would have no power all night on the night before departure, which meant we could not charge our phones, use our baby monitor or use lights. This proved very difficult for us to feed or change our baby. We had requested a cot and high chair for our stay, both of which were missing, having to wait around for them to arrive. There was a lot of noise from the other apartments and corridor which made it very difficult to sleep. There was no dustpan and brush or cleaning equipment of any kind in our room which made tidying up after our little one very difficult. Very disappointed after raising our issues with Center Parcs to be told that if we wanted something more suitable for a baby, then we should have selected a specific room during booking (for an additional fee). Just another attempt to take more money from you.

Absolutely beautiful place. Every staff member I came across was just beyond helpful. Had a lovely week here and hope to visit again. Activities were suitable for everyone and we'll priced. Lodge was clean, tidy and well stocked. Any problems were sorted instantly.

Great place for a family vacation. Be prepared to be very active this is a huge place with lots to offer. Try book activities before you arrive as they do get booked up pretty fast. A bike each is a must, I rented from the reception at a good price and a nice bike. The pool really is very good for the kids and adults alike, plenty of slides and activities. Nice play parks and nature for the kids to explore: Dining out was not as expensive as I thought it was going to be also the on-site supermarket not really overpriced. Chalets were fantastic, with every home comfort you can think of, with the exception of a washing machine. Everywhere is a bit of a walk or cycle. Great place and great stay.

We had a amazing time at whinfell. From the minute we arrived we were greeted by a very polite security guard who showed us were to go. All the staff we dealt with were amazing helpful fun polite. The staff made the break what it was. The kids loved it.. The accommodation was excellent. We will be going back.

Beautiful location and great for either a quiet getaway or an activity weekend. Excellent child facilities as well and very family focused. Good restaurants and Cafe Rouge in particular was surprisingly good with amazing staff. The only people who may not find what they're looking for here are solo travellers and romantic couples.

Really enjoyed our short weekend getaway to Whinfell. Lodge was great, comfy, clean and well serviced, plus great views of Badgers! Bike hire great and super easy. Winter wonderland activities were an added bonus. Enjoyed the pool a lot although they seemed to be having some technical difficulties. We'll be back!

Lovely break away with the family, we loved seeing the red squirrels and pheasants daily. We hired bikes for getting around which was great but it is a bit steep in places which was hard work on the bike. Lovely Christmas activities available to book with children and plenty of lights of an evening to see. We enjoyed our stay and would come back but during a different season

For the quality you pay for it is worth the expense. The facilities and variety of activities are excellent for the whole family . There is such a choice of things to do you will be occupied the whole time you are there. Best to share the cost of lodges with a group of family members and the provision facilities at the lodges is excellent aswell. We have been a few times over the years and never been disappointed 🙂👍

Whinfell forrest Centre Parks is an incredible place to visit. The staff on the activities are friendly knowledgeable and very professional. From the moment we arrived we felt welcome. We had an issue with the lodge keys but it was very quickly resolved. Yes the food and drinks are quite expensive but you don't have to dine out there is plenty of cooking availability with a microwave and oven. The fridge is small but you can get a lot in it. The cupboard space is very adequate. The swimming pool is amazing and free there are nature walks and plenty of play parks for the children. We stayed in a 3 bedroom lodge 1 double bed and 4 single beds 2 showers and toilets. Ample seating and the views of the forest with wildlife wandering around. All in all one of the best holidays I've had I can't wait to come next year.

I've had a fair number of trips to this site over the years. The facilities and location are great with the Lake District just down the road. It has plenty to do, but a lot is at a premium price and is booked up quickly. Some elements, such as the water park are included in the booking cost.

Beautiful forest environment. Well equipped clean lodges. Great infrastructure and support. Swimming pools included and well equipped. Good playgrounds for kids. Dog play areas. Woodland walk’s beautiful. Everything else cheesy and expensive but as expected.

We just got back from Center Parcs Whinfell Forest, and wow, it was awesome! First off, the rooms are super cozy and clean. We had a tiny issue with the heating at one point, but the staff were on it like lightning. They sent over a technician who was super friendly and fixed it up quick, no stress at all. The place is a dream for anyone who loves being outdoors. We went on so many walks and bike rides through the forest, and it was just beautiful. It’s so peaceful, and there are loads of trails to explore. Food-wise, we were really happy. We ate at Bella Italia, and it was delicious – great spot for a family meal. There’s plenty of choice around, so you’re not stuck eating the same thing every day. But let me tell you about the Subtropical Paradise Pool – it’s epic! There are slides, loads of swimming spots, and it’s perfect for families. It doesn’t matter if you’ve got little ones or teenagers, there’s something for everyone. We spent so much time in there, just having a blast. Overall, our trip to Center Parcs Whinfell Forest was top-notch. Great rooms, amazing places to walk and cycle, yummy food, and that pool was the cherry on top. We made a bunch of awesome memories and can’t wait to go back. Totally recommend it if you’re looking for a fun family getaway!

My wife and I,our three grown up kids and partners and six grandchildren spent three nights in lodges and apartments.It was the best holiday I've ever had spending so much time with the family. The activities for the kids and adults were brilliant and all of the staff were excellent. We'll definitely be going back.

Immediately when pulling in there is a sense of calmness when you're in amongst all of the trees. Check in service is great from the car but line for check in can be long depending on when you arrive. Center Parcs is fantastic for those with children of any age. Things to see and do with or without a booked activities. Great overall experience with my wife being gluten intolerant, taken very seriously in all the restaurants and its refreshing that most places have a gluten free menu. I would recommend booking more then 48 days in advance of your stay to make sure you can book all the activities as closer to the time there can be limited or no booking available for most young children's activities. We have stayed in the Lakeside apartments twice, clean and tidy studio style apartments. Not luxury but clean and basic. Car and parking can be a bit of s nightmare when check in is at 4pm on the first day, getting the car, unpacking and going back to the car park. Especially with a tidied toddler. On the flop side it is very nice not having cars on the road during the stay. Overall it is a great stay and I recommend to all my friends with and without kids for a relaxing UK break. Surrounding area and being close to the Lakes is also a big bonus.

Superb adventure playground. Easy parking. Pretty building. Decent cafe with friendly staff. Gardens still a bit of a work in progress, but coming along nicely. Nice views.

The views and the Adventure Park were amazing. Castle is cool too. The best part was the Adventure playground and the obstacle course in the woods. It was definitely the best my kids have been to and we had so much fun running through it with them. So much to explore! We will definitely be back many times!

Wow this place is truly amazing! Perfect location for families. Get your self a picnic made up and spend the day with lots of exploring of the beautiful grounds. The kids lost castle park is worth the extra fee alone. It is huge! The kids will never get bored as there is so much to chose from, it is perfect.

Absolutely fantastic day out. My son loved the 'Lost Castle' adventure playground, it's huge! The grounds are massive filled with summerhouses and tree swings. Perfect place to take your dog too. We loved it.

The estate walks offer stunning views of the moors with Ullswater and the pennies in the distance. The eight mile loop is particularly good. Look out for the Fell ponies with their long mains. Also, the lost castle is a great playground for kids. The gardens are beautiful. Ample parking is available, and it is free. Well maintained and beautiful in every aspect.

Beautiful place to visit. Such an interesting castle. This would be magnificent if fully restored to its former glory. The lost castle for the children and even adults who also participated in the slides. Toddlers sand pit, zip lines swings perfect for the children of all ages. The whole of the castle is well laid out and a pleasure to walk around. History of its demise in 1939 and how it was used in war time. The cafe has a lunch and tea menu, and ice cream. We had our own picnic.

Beautiful grounds, huge area to explore with children or for a quiet wander. We paid for entrance into the castle and castle gardens and I'd absolutely recommend ypu doing the same because the garden they've created with the castle walls are stunning. They have a wonderful cafe with hot and cold food available and plenty of refreshments. We'll maintained toilet facilities and ample parking space. Ypu will enjoy visiting lowther Castle and gardens.

Great place for the whole family. The baby zipwire is a must if you have small kids (my 1yo loved it), and the adventure playground is great for bigger kids. The castle was great too, and the cafe served a good range of food for all the family.

Another highlight of our stay in the Lake District. The castle and gardens are great to explore. Lots of outdoor space to sit and relax. There is a cafe with indoor and outdoor seating. Also one of the biggest and best adventure playgrounds I've ever seen, our kids loved it!

Had a great day out here The grounds are huge and great to see work in progress for such an impressive site Would suggest getting there early and having food first as the cafe area is free to enter so gets very busy! We had a very nice ice cream before the walk around. Such interesting history loved reading about the Yellow Earl and his love of life sounded such an interesting character!

Breathtaking.. honestly couldn’t believe how stunning and well preserved Lowther Castle and the general estate has been kept. There was so much charm and character and stories in every corner! We spent the whole day here and would go again and again if I could!

What a brilliant place to visit. Museum was interesting and well laid out. The castle ruin was beautiful to be able to meander though. Garden grounds were very well maintained. Coffee shop/cafe was very reasonable. The kids play area is one of the best we’ve been to and a must visit if in the area with children. Nestled in the wooded gardens it’s huge with everything from toddler sand pits to zip wires. Went as a large family group of mixed ages and there was something for everyone. Will definitely visit again.

What an absolutely stunning place to visit. The museum was interesting, the castle was partly ruined but still beautiful, the gardens were colourful and varied. The temporary ceramic daffodil display was lovely to see. We spent a couple of hours here but would have spent more time if we had time as we missed some of the garden and woodland walks. Definitely a 'must visit'.

A very interesting place to visit, friendly professional staff and excellent food. The reason for 4 stars rather than 5 is that despite good disabled parking, and the fact that there is lots and lots of space, the disabled toilets are just as cramped as a typical much smaller facility. It's such a pity.

This is a fabulous place to spend a couple of hours . We took our grandson today. Will definitely be back. He loved it at 15 months old. Spotlessly clean, not over crowded. Booking system works well. The cafe in the soft play today was run by Jasmine. She was absolutely perfect for the job. Friendly, couldn't do enough to help us, being our first visit there. Well done!

Great place to have a meeting outside with my writing buddy who has a dog... love the wooden huts with bowl for the dogs. There is also workspace inside with internet access if you want it. 😆

Great paper craft and art exhibition. Well renovated space now functioning as a cinema, meeting place, gallery and cafe with a couple of interesting shops. Bit of a shame the viking attraction has disappeared but it's been repurposed brilliantly.

Excellent gallery shops and cafe. Easy parking and well worth a visit. I visited the print exhibition which was full of interesting art.

Wanted a quick snack whilst on a long trip so followed signs for services. Turns out instead it's a pretentious monstrosity hidden in a fake hill. In fact its a fort made with a weird mix of painted concrete and high grade stone bricks. The inside is polished aluminum, wall to ceiling glass and mirror finish tiles. The shop, as you'd expect at a highway services, sells handmade chocolate, straw brooms, and teapots. The sandwich collection was limited to a selection of 3, each more ridiculously described than the last. Whilst searching for something more mundane, I followed a rising spiral of wide, tiled floor and walls, every now and again interspersed with other exciting establishments such as an upmarket homewares store. On reaching the summit unsatisfied, I turned around and descended to explore what other fascinating things this cave had to offer. If you have a sudden wish to catch Tom Cruise or Zendaya in whatever their latest flick is, don't despair, there's a couple of cinema! If the movies isn't to your tastes but are looking for something to fill your cultural needs instead, never fear, The Natural History Museum is here! I kid you not. This would have been a very different review of shopping for wedding gifts and not just looking for a cheap egg sandwich and a donut. We decided to pass on the homemade vegan jelly babies at £6 a tiny pot.

Handy stop just off M6 but a bit odd. Random over priced shops and a cafe with very limited menu. Soft play is a good idea but tiny and has sessions which obviously you are definitely travelling within those times. Has plenty of space to double the size of it. Baby change limited and not particularly clean. Is a bit better then regular services but not much.

Lots of friends have asked if I'd been to Rheged yet, so I finally made the visit to see the Print Exhibition. So it's just off the M6/A66, which was convenient. You pass by the fuel station and Rheged itself to a large free car park. There are designated disabled bays, and Rheged is accessibility friendly. I was impressed by the little shed shelters outside the main entrance for picnicking, watering the dog, or just having a break in the fresh air out of the rain. Upon entering, there's an array of shops, an eatery/cafe, toilet facilities, and cinema with lift and escalator to the upper floor for exhibition rooms, conference and meeting rooms, and activities area. The Print Exhibition was fabulous and very enjoyable. The video insights into the artists' work brought a depth of meaning to the pieces being exhibited. I will definitely visit again. It would also be a good place to meet up with friends for a cultural experience.

Convenient, super-service-station-cum retail centre, just off the A66/M6. Free parking, cafe/restaurant, and 2 screen cinema; also hosts events and exhibitions. Sells expensive regional produce/products, but good quality.

Unique place, beautifully set, nice view from the cafe, ruins and pool, staff in the cafe were lovely, communal area upstairs too. Toilet facilities. Some unique shops, prices expected being in the lakes, but worth a visit, ample parking too. Cinemas also if fancy.

Well I went to the garage and bought a sandwhich to eat with my diesel. The diesel made the cheese taste a bit funny. I saw the sign that said Rheged, and gotta say I felt well and truly rheged out

Loved the Libby Edmonson exhibition. Great gallery space. Good range of shops selling a lot of local products. Great cafe and food on offer too! We'll worth a visit if your passing on the A66.

Amazing place, and variety off shops and products. unbelievable to find like this in the place that it is. lovely cosy feeling and great people. One suggestion from an ev driver, more chargers please, we managed fine but think more are needed atvduch a great venue.

Plenty of parking spaces. Catered for people wishing to sit outside or inside to have their meals. You can bring your own food, dine in or grab a snack.

On our travels into the Lakes, we always stop for a coffee and to make use of the facilities. Lovely place, eat in or out if the weathers kind! Also it has a fuel station too .. so no need to run short, as prices for fuel can be quite high in the Lakes itself!

Wound up here just looking for a service stop after spending some time in the Lakes, and was pleasantly surprised! The range of shops, food and drink and even the cinema were amazing! Also the print artwork exhibition was lovely and much more variety than I was expecting. Would definitely visit again!

Great galleries and shops, didn't try the food or cafe but was a nice stopping point on the way home from Penrith

A welcome stopping place. Lots of parking if you want somewhere quiet for a nap. Good coffee. Amazing deli, if a little pricey. Worth supporting.

Called here to refuel only. A rather busy service station just off the A66. Reasonable prices for fuel. Well stocked shop as well. Would call here again.

Really lovely place to stop en route to Arran! Food in waitress service cafe was really good, fresh and very tasty. Many Artissan stalls with a great bread one that serves brill coffee!

Has seemingly closed some of the better outlets since my last visit. Outdoor clothing now from lesser well known suppliers. Restaurant now serving a much more limited choice. Toilets very limited in number and designed for very small people.

Absolutely amazing. The experience was made to feel like a personalized visit by the bird handler. Very friendly, approachable and informative. The whole family loved the experience and would definitely go again.

Watching and learning about these birds of prey is very interesting, a great experience not to be missed and the bird owner had us laughing which is a bonus.

Wonderful place with a great birds of prey show. The whole family loved the show, with my son enthralled the entire time. Food in the cafe was great and the overall atmosphere was very inviting. Will definitely visit again.

Wonderful place with a great birds of prey show. The whole family loved the show, with my son enthralled the entire time. Food in the cafe was great and the overall atmosphere was very inviting. Will definitely visit again.

It's a must see and great entertainment the owner is very amusing and very caring for the Bird's who all have their own characters. If I'm that way again I would definitely go again.

Watching and learning about these birds of prey is very interesting, a great experience not to be missed and the bird owner had us laughing which is a bonus.

Fabulous place to visit you get a hands on experience with the birds and learn so much about them, lovely tea room too

Looking at the birds only took about 30 minutes but the flying was excellent. Well worth a visit.

Such a great experience. Paul led the talk with lots of interesting facts about the birds and their behaviour and personalities. The birds are beautiful and it was great to get so close up. Can't wait to go back! The cake in the tea room was lovely too, a really nice place.

AMAZING. The food was lovely. Gluten free and veggie options as well as a variety of lovely home bakes. The birds are all well cared for and the talk was FASCINATING. We were held spellbound for two whole hours watching the birds. Could not recommend enough.

Comparatively small but very pretty at this time of the year. Didn't go in the house but the grounds were lovely with beautiful spring flowers. Plenty of picnic benches and a nice little cafe. Well worth a visit.

Lovely stroll to the restored water mill, where you can support the Trust that runs it by buying flour. Pleasant amble by the river, and beautiful blossom in the gardens.

Second time visiting here. Really friendly staff. Great coffee, great bookstore and just a lovely little place to go to have a walk around and relax.

What a great wee find on our way south via the A66. Small National Trust park ... grand house with enclosed gardens, pond, and orchard ... 163 types of apples grown here ... amazing!! Woodland walk around the periphery ... takes about 30 minutes. Restired watermill that works during weekends. Cafe also, within the walled garden. Lovely place to visit for a couple of hours.

Nice little courtyard cafe, delightful walled garden. The watermill, which is run by a different group of volunteers, is fascinating and can be reached along a woodland walk which is just accesible by a person using a wheeled stroller. Access to the mill itself is probably best suited to people able to walk unaided or with a stick. We didn't visit the house itself, as access with dogs is limited, but the bookshop and cafe are dog friendly.

Low key National Trust property. Though you cannot look in the house, other than the Immediate front entrance, there is a peaceful fruit garden and walled herb garden. The courtyard cafe is open air at the moment due to the current restrictions but the sandwiches and pasties are wholesome and not over priced. Ideal for the kids if you want somewhere to take in the fresh air. The nature trail and fairy houses is a good idea for the little ones. The flour mill is only open some days of the week, so check before arriving. The trails to the old mine and bird watching hide is worth the trip. One word of caution is that those with mobility issues may be confined to the main house area as the paths are bare earth.

This is such a great place. Lots of woodland for little people to explore, some games up near the picnic benches, gorgeous little fairy doors all around. We've now been a couple of times and will definitely go again. As an adult I personally love all of the herbs, fruit and veg growing. So great to see. My little ones loved going through the little meadow too. Can't wait to explore some more.

Lovely wooded walk bonus as the mill was working, selling flour. Dogs not allowed in gardens, so left in car park with my son and had a look around. Lovely orchard, bee hives, cafe too. Shame only a few rooms allowed in, books for sale so take some change!

This is a lovely little garden. We just explored the main garden, which is perfect if you can't walk too far. The gardens are really well maintained and have some interesting plants. You can also walk a bit further down to the ancient oak or the other way down to the mill. There's a little coffee stand selling some delicious cakes. There's not much as far lunch stuff, so it's worth having that before. You can eat outside or inside.

After Sizergh this is the best National Trust place in Cumbria. Beautiful gardens with orchard, forest walk, water mill where you can buy flour or see one of the plenty of swallows nests. Walk is not demanding and takes approx 20-30 min. There's also little Caffè with good choice of food and drinks. Place definitely worth visiting

A lovely Natty Trust Property, with beautiful gardens ranging from the formal to the working. Massive orchard with lots of fruit trees. Not all of the house is open, but what is open is certainly worth visiting. There is a cafe, but please note that it is not open on Wednesday! There's a lovely woodland walk, a working water wheel (not always running) and also a bird spotting hide. Make sure to look out for red squirrels!

A nice area for walks. Has a working mill and you can purchase the flour. A fairy House trail seating if you want a picnic. Courtyard area, food and drink available. Toilet facilities. Lovely gardens to walk round. A selection of apple trees some endangered species.

Acorn Bank is a pleasant surprise nessled in the Eden Valley close to Penrith. I chose it as a destination as I had just got a National Trust membership and it was close to where I was staying. There isn't alot to do an hour or so is plenty of time to see the ground floor of a beautiful house, unfortunately the cafe wasn't open on the day I went. The small gardens are beautiful, fabulous orchard and herb garden (I went in April and nothing much was showing). The woodland short walk is pleasant, great for children. The waterwheel is like something from a fairytale nestled in the woods. I would like to return in Summer to see more of the flora and fauna.

A Castle set in beautiful grounds just outside Penrith. On the site of the 17 mile Roman Fort Stretching from Carlisle to York City. It has an old bridge and an old coach house now part of a farm. A little step back in time.

Ruins of a 14th century castle. It's said that this castle was built for the purpose of comfort and luxury rather than a strategic placement. It's quite evident from its 'not-so-high' top view of the town. Nice and calm place to walk around with friends and family for a gentle breeze of this gorgeous town.

A couple of signboards, basically just a shell of a castle left. Won't take you long to walk around it all, though the park is also nice for a stroll

Castle ruin in the heart of penrith just a short walk from the train station its a nice place to relax while waiting for your train. Not very much to see but great place to go if you like a bit of history and the park is very well maintained and of course its free

Loved it and was free, parking was easy too. Had a picnic with the kids. Very clean and tidy. Found the kitchen and Red tower and other rooms.

This is a ruined castle in a park in Penrith. Interesting history, and very accessible in a. Park. There’s no entry free and some signage to explain what you see. Just past the castle is a kids playground.

Absolutely gorgeous! Amazing views and history. To see carvings from 1696 is mind blowing. Pet friendly, took our frenchie and she loved it. They even have water bowls through out for your pooches. Staff is so nice. If your a history nerd like me then you must go.

Penrith Castle is situated in Castle Park, right next to the rail station and easily accessible from the town cetnre, making it the perfect place to explore while waiting for a train. The ruins are a memory of times gone by and you have to wonder why theses places were abandoned as in this case. There's only one information board but it's great to walk around and have a picnic or catch up on your thoughts.

Located opposite Penrith Train Station, in Penrith. I definitely can see a vision of improvements, such as; more information boards, accessible paths, interactive things for children to name a few. However it’s easy to access, & free!

Very nice ruin, free to visit . You can park at Aldi nearby

We had a very sunny winters day when we visited the castle and castle park was pleasant to just spend some quiet time.

Penrith is a stunning gem of a place to visit, from strolling around the castle to walking into town. You will be surprised by all the lovely quirky buildings this place has to offer, Clock tower, stunning church with a lovely garden to walk around,old-fashioned streets full of character to quirky streets full of small business. It's just a stone throw away from the lake district as well.

A fine example of a late 11th century castle that was once the the home to Richard III. The castle is set in a large public park but is managed by English Heritage. The grounds are very well kept, no sheep used here like other English Heritage properties to keep the grass short (no poo). So is very much suitable for children to play around. It doesn't cost anything to visit the castle so it's worth a stare when in Penrith.

Free to enter but managed by English Heritage. Lots of the ruined castle still remains to look at, and there are some useful info boards dotted around. Parking nearby is easy as the castle is in the town. Worth a visit if you're nearby.

A small ruin set in Castle Park, opposite the railway station. There is very little left to see. The wholeblbsite can be covered in 5 to 10 minutes. Fortunately it is free.

Amazing ruin with significant historical interest. It's great to see what's left of our history preserved and celebrated.

Fantastic historic mansion to visit in the northern Lake District. Gardens are fantastic and well laid out with many varied areas full of interesting flowers, shrubs and trees. All very carefully tended by dedicated garden staff who were out working hard even in October. The house itself was an exceptional place to visit. We were given a tour by an extremely knowledgeable guide (Stuart ?). He had a remarkable memory for all the dates and facts of the history of the house and the various branches of the families who lived there. Spent around three and a half hours there finally enjoying a lovely coffee and cake from the on-site cafe. Definitely worth a visit !

Lovely visit today in the rain! Visited the garden, tho not much to see at this time of year. Had a great tour of the house which was informative and entertaining. We then did the Dalemain loop in the sunshine, bit muddy but enjoyed watching the lambs in the fields.

This place is definitely the hidden gem in the lake district. The gardens are so well-kept in a natural style, and designed in different levels. Don't miss this place when you travel to the Lakes, and the marmalade here is just world-class! Ideal for gifts.

Beautiful gardens and the house has some very interesting history. I visited during the World Marmalade festival - a unique, friendly and welcoming festival for marmalade lovers

Beautiful historic gardens. With lots of little surprises! Highly recommended. Went for a tour of the house which was very informative. Loads of original furniture and wallpaper etc. Our guide, John, was brilliant. Probably the best guided tour I've been on. Tea room was fab too. It doesn't look like much from the road. But it really is a hidden gem.

Incredibly interesting house and gardens with a fantastic guided tour and excellent tearoom. The gardens were magnificent, full of colour, flowers and smells! The history of the house was fascinating, wallpaper from the 1800's still pristine, war memorabilia from families who have previously owned the house and many other amazing artifacts. Well worth a visit!!

We were on our way home and went past this lovely gem! Sue who showed us around was so kind and informative and made the tour so much better. The gardens were so well kept and beautiful. I loved hearing about the history of the home and enjoyed the walk through. Would definitely come back again and definitely recommend a visit. Such lovely grounds!

Visited here as part of the Lakeland 50 ultra marathon start. Nice little coffee shop with plenty of treats. Some nice walks around and great marmalade.

Speaking just of the shop and tea room. Good service despite a power cut. Loved the ginger and marmalade cake. Fantastic range of marmalades and chutneys most of which you can sample taste

First time visiting with my mam, I live in Nottingham and had come up to visit my family. I found out that Dalemain was hosting a harvest festival so we decided to give it a look. We weren't disappointed, what a lovely house. Our tour guide was really good full of information. The grounds are beautiful we had a lovely walk around the garden. The talks were very interesting almost could be longer as the speakers had loads of information to tell. We also bought some chutney and marmalade that they make in the kitchen. Overall a really lovely day out. Would recommend.

We did the guided Mansion tour, the guide was amazing the amount of knowledge and facts that he recalled was fantastic. So many artifacts and beautiful pieces of furniture. The Mansion was built over quite a few different periods in our history. The tearoom was lovely too, very good soup and sandwiches, the fruit cake was very tasty. Well worth a visit.

The garden was beautiful. The house was nice, but not great.

Sharron was a fabulous tour guide! This place is a sweet place to stop. The tour of the family mansion is really interesting and steeped in deep history. Again, Sharron did an amazing job explaining all of it and the things you can see inside the mansion are extremely cool. The flower gardens are very impressive and the marmalade is fabulous! We bought a few for family and friends to enjoy. Certainly worth a stop!

Lovely tended gardens, woodland walk. Lots of seats everywhere amongst the gardens to sit on so you can get out of the sun if need be. Lovely blue poppies. The tour guide of the house was an amazing chap. He certainly knew his stuff. & talked to us for an hr & a half. A few of the rooms need a feather duster, cobwebs all around the light fittings🙊We went with Historic Houses.

Lovely cafe and lovely gardens broken into intimate, interesting spaces. The access is via a courtyard which is wonderfully traditionally cobbled and not great for wheelchair users. However I was given permission to collect my companion by bringing my car into the courtyard to avoid another bone shaking journey out. Lovely, helpful staff.

Standing stone (Long Meg) with cup & ring patterns, and 100m stone circle (daughters) dating back to 1500BC, supposedly the second largest & one of the oldest stone circles in England. No car park, rough parking on road. No information so read up before you go. Little Salkeld near by is worth a visit.

HUGE stone circle with one standing stone outside the circle. Kept in good condition, somewhat lacking in atmosphere and a sense of spirituality. Enigmatic.

Worth the small walk from the car park. Legend says try and count the daughters and put your ear to Long Meg and you may just hear here whisper back to you. And why not leave her an offering. Be sensible, nothing plastic, nothing metal but something which will biodegrade quickly.

Long meg and her daughter's is just special. Everytime you count them you get a different number. It's really quiet and peaceful, you can just walk among them or sit on them and admire the quality of this place.

Always a special place... especially on Winter Solstice at dawn.. There's a free car park down the lane. A gentle 5 minute walk to the Stones. Always worth a visit to recharge the soul.

A good walk up and round to Long Meg and her Daughters. Great on a sunny day - was a tad windy but still cool to see!

Super place. Much better than the crowded , theme park-esque stones on Salisbury Plain

Great stone circle. There is plenty of free parking, about quater of a mile walk from the car park to circle.

Had a nice quiet drive there the road goes through the stones. To have a walk around the grass was wet so wellies would be best if you had them. There isn't really any signs that I could see explaining where the stones came from or when, if you would like to know more about them I would research before hand as I didn't have any signal once I was there. I can honestly say I've not seen anything like them.

Fascinating historical landmark with some interesting folklore behind the circle. Walking around was pleasant and long meg had some unusual circular carvings on it

Absolutely magical space! Can you count the same number of stones twice and break the spell? There is so much energy and mysticism at this ancient site. I have been to visit multiple times and plan to return again.

Such a magical place. Because it’s a farming area you must park in the lot and walk down (about .3 miles). It’s a lovely walk though. There is a you pick raspberry orchard by long meg you can stop in for a treat. If you are interested in going to Lacy’s cave at the river keep walking about another mile. The gps is incorrect and you can’t drive to the other side of the rice now bc it’s private property.

Long Meg is set in one of the most beautiful parts of Cumbria. The views all around are fantastic. The stones are well worth the visit. There's a pleasant walk from the car park .

Had never heard of this place, but it is well worth a visit. Short walk from car park and its free.

Great Wainwright fell to walk if you only have an hour or so. Views at the top v effort ratio are very good. Easy to park by St Peters church.

Steep but short climb that is totally worth it, as the views from the top are just stunning. You can leave your car in a small car park opposite the Church. You'll meet many sheep on the way up. One of our favourite short hikes in the Lakes. A must-visit if you are in Pooley Bridge or around Ullswater. Takes a max of 1 hour to go up and back.

Lovely walk, one of the best viewpoints for Ullswater that there is.

Park at St Peter’s Church to get to Hallin Fell. GPS will say you have arrived, but keep going/driving up until you see the church hidden to your left and parking spaces. The road leading to the church is single track (with passing places) and particularly challenging about 1 minute away from the parking. It’s uphill at 784ft…and no through road (you’ll see signs stating this), so, you must drive down the curvy road again. What an adventure! Hike up Hallin Fell is slippery when it’s raining and the view of Ullswater is just stunning. I recommend a circular walk.

Very steep to start but doesn't take long to get to the summit, around an hour round trip if you go up and down the same way. We went down a steeper way on the opposite end and around the mountain back to the car park. Beautiful lake views doing this, the kids also loved skimming stones. Would recommend leaving the site before the sun goes down as the drive to the car park is a bit scary so wouldn't want to do it in the dark.

Amazing views, peaceful and quiet. Done a video. Will be out next week. Going back today.

Stunning views, worth the climb! Very steep climb, was very windy when we went to! Loads of sheep around so was really important to keep our dog on the lead!

Beautiful views over Ullswater but remember to dress for all weathers, as with all Lakeland fells it can change quickly. Watch out for noisy louts staggering up from local camp sites but if you get it on a quiet, calm day, it’s a delight and well within the ability of novice fell walkers.

Beautiful drive up to Martindale ( some great steep hairpin bends!) We parked opposite the church & took the short sharp( ish) hike up to Hallin Fell. Great Wainwright for those not wanting anything too strenuous or lengthy for incredible views. Amazing sunset/sunrise. Highly recommended.

One of the nicest and shortest walks you'll need to do in the Lake District for maximum panoramic views. I drove down a narrow road from Pooley Bridge to St Peter's church in Martindale on the east side of Ullswater. There's a small carpark at the church and also some space for roadside parking. It's about a 20 minute linear walk up hill from the church to the top of Hallin Fell and your eyes are constantly bombarded with stunning scenery of hills, valleys and eventually Ullswater. There's a cairn at the 338 metre summit and views of Ullswater in two directions. It was a lovely day when I was up there and a great place to have a picnic. I retraced my footsteps back to the church, but it's also possible to do a circular walk back to the church. As far as I know, you have to drive back to Pooley Bridge because the road peters out in the other direction.

This was the first climb we decided to do in our first trip to Lake District. We started the trek after parking our car at St Peters Church in Martindale. The drive to the pace is quite nice with small inroads that we enjoyed. Hike up can be achieved in 30-40 mins if you are fairly fit without stopping for too many pictures. Initial views during the climb are of neighbouring hills and valleys. We completed the ascend in almost 60 minutes as some of us had to pause in between to catch their breath. Climb is not too hard but steep. Most of it is grassy so be mindful of wet patches. Once you get to the top, the views are amazing. You can see entire Ullswater and you are practically in the middle of it. We got down the other side as it’s almost a loop. There was a small patch on that side which required a bit of scramble but nothing too hard that we amateurs couldn’t do. A must do climb for magnificent views.

A great way to see Ullswater, with a reasonably challenging walk, through switch back roads and moorland trails. Great to see a rock pillar at the top of the climb, from where the wind picks up, and you feel you really are on top of the world. And yet you've only climbed about 1/3 the height of the larger mountains in the area!

Lovely location, far from civilization. Hopefully not too much traffic in or out because passing is a problem 😂 impressive ruins, not huge but enough to stir the imagination for a while

A small ruined monastery with an impressive tower remaining. There are interesting information boards around the site so you can read a bit about what you're looking at. There's a small carpark too.

Hidden down a long windy lane through the sheep field, there's more to these ruins than meets the eye! Small car park for a donation, very interesting wandering around and reading about its previous life! One side close to the river so hold little hands and dogs on leads! Nice place for a picnic as lovely, neat and tranquil x

A beautiful ruin in the middle of a beautiful landscape. Driving to the abbey is not for the faith hearted, but well worth the journey. Amazing ruin off the beaten track. Well worth a visit, free admittance 👍

Glorious ruins in a fantastic location. Feels nice and quiet and out of the way. Small road and car park and information boards. Short but very pleasant walk from car park to the ruins.

Lovely site. Peace and quiet. Good information boards. Parking available.

In the middle of nowhere, but worth a ten minute drive from Shap village would have been impressive back in its day.

Interesting site to visit. It's accessed via a steep farm track and you park in a little layby at the bottom. Only room for 3 or 4 cars. It does cost £2 to pay, I prepaid online before attending. But it's free if you are a national trust member. The parking fee isn't policed as such so I don't think they would know if it wasn't paid. There is a 2 minute walk to the abbey. There a few information boards around the site and it's really interesting. Doesn't take long to look at everything, probably around 30 minutes. But the scenery is lovely. It's also the base for some good walking and hiking. 10 minutes off the M6 and easy to find just be careful on the narrow farm track and wouldn't go if it's icy or snowy.

Beautiful west tower of the Shap abbey. There are still ramains of the base of the walls so you can imagine the size of it. The entrance is free, but there is a charge if 2 £ for car park.

Lovely ruins in Shap, situated on the west bank of river Lowther. Most of the building has been demolished however the tower remains are very impressive.

A hidden gem. We saw lots of people walking to Shap Abbey, but we drove down a farm track (pretty steep and rickety, you'd not want to do that in a low car or a new one!), and parked in the English Heritage car park for a small fee (paid via SMS). We crossed a bridge which stood over a clear river to get to the Abbey. Free to enter, plenty of info boards to read. Very much a ruin, but you could see the outline of the former Abbey in the ruins. Well worth a visit if you happen to be nearby.

Beautiful ruins but access is down a long single tack lane which I wouldn't attempt in poor weather, car park is small, there is no toilets, cafe or shop. Nice if in the area, multiple information stands around the site.

Shap Abbey, hidden between folds of hills besides a small river. Drive down a dead-end lane, through a livestock field, to a small carpark. Glorious setting, especially on a sunny day. Huge tower, ruined buildings, description boards.

Bit tricky place to find but worth to check it out. Took us around 40min to get there. Just get passed the closed footpath. We had run into other three families on our way. Be prepared for bit challenges you could come across on the way as apparently the flood had damaged part of it. Other walks had already lay down some wood/broken fences to help get passed those muddy part. You can either follow the original way back or take the main road. Don’t try the possible ‘easy way’. We tried and it was horrendous. Took us over 1h to get back out. Did see some cool abandoned houses and things though. A nice little hiking suitable for pretty much everyone. If you bring a dog/young kid,make sure you pay special attention to them as well. P.S. I left a little walk stick at the entrance as shown in the first 2 pics for those who might need. Please bring it back out and leave it for the next user.

What a gorgeous place! Had it all to ourselves and the weather was stunning! The wall through the woods was just perfect (even if a little muddy in spots). Highly recommended!

Good walk up to Lacy’s Caves - defo wear good walking shoes if it’s been wet in the days before as some of the ground to get there can be mucky and difficult to traverse. Worth the visit and cool to see.

Beautiful walk through the woods and along the river. The path was a bit wet and muddy in places, but hey, it was worth it.

Tricky place to find and to get to. Narrow paths (very narrow with a shear drop to the fast-flowing river), very slippery in some places, dead branches to hop over. Even during sunny hot August still muddy in some places. Dogs should be on a leash all the time for your own piece of mind. Hiking, good grip shoes, highly recommended. I wouldn’t take small kids there! The caves are really cool. If you read about them online beforehand you will look at the chambers differently😊 Worth a visit. It will take about 2-3 hours: to get there, visit, walk around and come back to wherever you parked.

Nice walk, not brilliant in November though as there are many many extremely muddy and wet spots along the way. Some attempt has been made to secure the footpaths but it can be treacherous and very difficult in place. I am sure it would be much easier in the summer but I would recommend waterproof shoes at least, and maybe walking poles if required. The cave is an interesting place and worth the walk. Great spot for a picnic, or a bit of photography. Lots of moths and flies inside when we went.

Quite small museum with free entry, but worth a visit!

Lovely little local history free museum in a historic school building. The geology section only had a relatively small number of exhibits but they were excellent locally found specimens.

Very small musuem part of the tourist office but has some interesting artifacts

This was once a school for poor girls many years ago, with interesting writing and dates above the door. It's now a museum of geographical and some social history. Plenty of interesting archaeological finds, interesting old photos, especially of the early wrestlers. Very interesting about the Crimean war history and the battle of Balaklava. Small area upstairs with interesting artifacts. Some souvenirs to purchase. Worth a look around.

Very small museum. Nevertheless it was interesting to read articles about Crimean war and about a murderer, don't remember his name though)

Excellent Friendly staff very interesting and helpful. The Museum is full of interesting things and very easy to find. If your in Penrith please visit - it's free so great for families.

Fairly small - some vaguely interesting displays, very mixed subjects. Museum Volunteer was friendly and helpful though.

Brilliant museum and it Free as well and the tourists information is there as well.

This museum is well worth a visit. Small it might be but a real time capsule of interesting artifacts relating to Penrith, Eden and the lake district. I received a very warm welcome from one of the team on the desk as I entered. The building itself is as interesting as it content.

Amazing place, staff were lovely. Visited the shop last week and then had icecream outside. Highly recommend

Quite simply the best shop I've ever been in. An amazing little find if you like quirky and unusual. Gins galore and many local produce available. Friendly and knowledgeable staff so well worth a visit.

What a little gem. Staff all so friendly, and loved our 2 spaniels, eventually winning the youngest one over. BIG selection of drinks and foods, the fresh meat was lovely. We visited every day on our visit to Park Foot.

What a gem! The selection of 400 gins is impressive! With tasters to try as well. The guy we chatted to was warm and welcoming and very knowledgeable. He said they're open every day but Christmas day! Local gins and whiskey available too. The food hall has a wide selection of fresh food and cupboard essentials. There is also a section upstairs with local produce and even a dog section! Dogs Welcome inside. We were camping and we found everything we needed plus some local gifts to take home for friends and family. Well worth popping in.

Great staff. Very helpful. Great choice of gins and sprints. Staff excellent service very helpful. Highly recommend

Superb little shop, full of absolute treasures. And the ice cream ❤️❤️ amazing! Staff always very friendly. Always worth a look in this lovely shop 🥰

Staff extremely friendly and helpful. An amazingly large selection of gins as well as local craft beers, local foods and much more. Well worth a browse. When you do, don't forget to pick up some of the pooley gingerbread 😁

Very well supplied shop- massive selection of gin and other alcohol. Friendly and knowledgeable staff- thanks for your advice

Called at this fabulous place and we were blown away by the huge stock of intriguing and very tempting offerings. Extremely knowledgeable and friendly staff who clearly understood our needs, and even guided us to two other local traders. Thank you for your help, recommendations and friendly guidance, we'll be back, that's a promise.

Loved the staff was very friendly and welcoming. Tasted some amazing drinks. Massive choice of all sorts of gins and whiskies and many more

The world's best shop... ever! Staff are lovely. The selection is next level and my hubby is addicted to one of the hot sauces from the food shop upstairs. We come back every year and are never disappointed!

Much more than a shop! Fantastic Aladdins cave of lovely things. Bought some beautiful cocktail glasses and ended up going back for more! Best of all the staff are so friendly and helpful... We got loads of recommendations for nice places to eat and to go. Thank you!

Excellent nursery with a wide selection of plants and outdoor decor (you could literally spend a day here wandering the various aisles!) The restaurant is beautifully decorated and it's such a treat to be able to sit on the balcony under the wisteria and enjoy the view. The pizza and dutch apple cake were excellent and the menu has a good selection for vegetarians. The staff seemed a little overwhelmed the day we were there but they were still very attentive and friendly. I've marked down one star only because the cutlery and crockery were a little dirty and scratched. Otherwise a really wonderful experience.

Beautiful range of plants, shrubs, trees in a lovely location (Melkinthorpe). Their plants for sale are on the more discerning and unusual side. The Acer's are outstanding. There is a small corner that has a nod to Giverney - very calming and peaceful. The cafe serves lovely fresh food prepared on the premises. I could have spent a small ransom there!

The most beautiful and magical plant nursery. So much to see and explore. A wide variety of beautiful, healthy plants and so many garden ornaments, plant pots and sculptures. It is lovely to visit just to explore, for inspiration or to stock up your garden with wonders! Food at the restaurant may seem expensive but is well worth the cost. The staff were very friendly and attentive. We will definitely be returning with friends and family for another visit!

Fantastic selection of beautiful plants. A definite experience with the many different areas within the nursery. Worth a visit.

Many years since I visited, but I had a lovely overcast afternoon in the garden and the nursery, then delicious lunch on the balcony. Visited on a Sunday (also on Wednesdays) so the gardens were also open for charity. While not huge, it's small and perfectly formed, and blend seamlessly with the lovely nursery setting. I thoroughly enjoyed cauliflower soup and delicious pecan fudge tart on the balcony, bucket list ticked ☺️ Staff were all lovely, even the waitresses in training (at least one lovely young family member I suspect) and I was lucky enough to bag a thoughtfully provided throw so I could have the full Larch Cottage Lunch experience. Delightful, thank you.

Excellent garden centre. Went especially to see Hostas, wasn't disappointed. Excellent selection of plants.

Fantastic place to visit. The range of plants and trees is fabulous. The food and drink is very good with a wide range of items available on the menu. The red Barn has some lovely items for sale. Well worth visiting. We spent about 5 hours here as there's so much to see. Paid to look round the gardens and Chapel which was really good and the bonus is that all money raised goes to support the local Hospice.

A fantastic independent nursery and well worth a visit if you're near by. It can get busy, so make sure to check how busy it is in Google Maps. There is plenty of parking, but it is at the end of a dead end country road, so there may be a small queue. There is a huge selection of plants, shrubs, trees roses ferns, grasses, Acer's and plenty more. Lots of garden ornaments too, so do make sure to stop in. The place keeps going and going and such a relaxing environment. Also a good shop for interior design and art bits

I got some excellent quality dwarf cedar trees from this company. Very well packaged and quick delivery with tracking. They have excellent customer service and I would highly recommend them and will use again in future

This place is a total vibe, especially the Italian inspired restaurant La Casa Verde, where I tried a divine brocoli and gruyere soup with sourdough. The garlic mushrooms with goats cheese on sourdough was also incredible. I only tried one mushroom as it was not from my plate but it was the best thing I have ever put it in my mouth.

Lots of choices from a large selection of quality plants. If you love gardening it's worth a visit as they have many plants you won't find in your normal garden center. Also lots of planted areas so you can see the plants growing in situation which is helpful for seeing how they would look out of their pots! Good cafe/ restaurant with some lovely views of the gardens. Quite expensive, but I guess quality comes at a cost!

Beautiful place to visit, fabulous restaurant for lunch, lovely wine and homemade food. Or coffee and delicious cakes. There's nowhere like the veranda, draped with wisteria looking over gorgeous gardens. Amazing selection of plants for sale and planted in extensive and lovely gardens, divided by stone walls that look like they belong to an abandoned mediaeval monastery. A wonderful gift shop, art and craft gallery and an amazing selection of statuary.

Fabulous garden centre and restaurant. A little oasis of Northern Italy in rural Westmorland. Just beautiful! Food and service were great too and the planteria had a very wide selection of plants.

We came last year and enjoyed looking around so we came back this year. We then stopped for lunch again in the cafe. Delicious soup and tasty bread to warm us on a cold day. Lost count of all the frogs in the pond. You could hear them all croaking. 🐸

Visited mainly for a trip to the cafe for coffee and cake so can only comment on that. Service was friendly and prompt and the cakes were delicious. Not a great range but lovely and there was a gluten free option too. Cafe was rustic with a lovely room upstairs with views across the centre.

Lovely food and an amazing selection of plants, including these gorgeous magnolias. The gardners are very knowledgeable and helpful.

Such excellent quality of plants with very unusual options to mainstream garden centres. The garden areas are such a pleasure to look around even if not searching for anything in particular. Then there is the cafe with very tasty coffee and a brilliant choice of homemade sweet treats which were again not the usual run of the mill types. Will definitely be back, very soon with the family 😊

A spectacular nursery set in lovely scenery near Penrith. I've never seen so many huge pots, planters and statues and the selection of shrubs and trees was impressive and excellent quality. There was loads of autumn colour especially the Acers. The cafe was delightful, enjoyed petting Misty the cat. Had soup and one of the nicest cappuccinos ever.

We visited Larch on a cloudy Sunday afternoon. The garden and Chapel were open for a charity day in early May. Lots of plants were starting to show, but there were very few flowers. The plants generally were in very good condition but they are quite expensive. The range of plants is very impressive.

Fantastic selection of plants, trees and shrubs. Never seen as many fabulous statues for sale in one place. Excellent tea room/ restaurant as well. Well worth seeking out a visit.

I first visited this garden centre about 7 years ago when visiting the area. I have been holidaying in the area again and decided to visit. I was not disappointed. There's the most wonderful range of plants, shrubs, trees and garden ornaments all set in a background of beautifully planted borders. Something for every keen gardener. The gardens gave a very tranquil feel about them. There's also a cafe/restaurant and an interiors shop. I would highly recommend a wander around here.