1. Keswick and the Theatre by the Lake
During the summer months, the resident company of actors perform a summer season of six plays, www.theatrebythelake.com – what better than a stroll around the shores of Derwent Water, taking in stunning views at Friar’s Crag, followed by tea, cake and a play. As a more strenuous alternative, what about this 10-mile hike through some of the famous landscapes in the Lake District Download the map.
2. Hutton-in-the-Forest
One of England’s top 100 houses, the oldest part of the house, the Pele Tower was built in the twelfth century against the threat from the Scots beyond the Border. In the summer months, Hutton-in-the-Forest is the magnificent setting for a wide variety of events, see hutton-in-the-forest.co.uk/whats-on Look out especially for the popular Potfest, an International Ceramics Festival, from Friday 26th to Sunday 28th July. A tour of the house and garden is a delight for adults and children alike. Children are welcome without charge, as are dogs on leads.
3. Upfront Gallery and vegetarian restaurant
Find out more about this theatre and art gallery and book online on their website. www.up-front.com. This summer, the puppet theatre is showing Aladdin and His Amazing Lamp.
4. Castlerigg Stone Circle
“One of the finest ancient monument in the North of England” is the well-merited accolade for Long Meg and Her Daughters, a Bronze Age stone circle. It’s a great walk for families with teenagers with challenging sections, caves mystery about who the real Meg was and the legendary impossibility of counting the same number of stones twice. Try it for yourself. Read more www.thetranquilotter.co.uk/discover-long-meg-and-daughters/5. Words in The Forest at Whinlatter Forest
Just being in woodlands is good for health and happiness – science has proved it – so this forest is a fine setting for several peaceful activities. Not only are there organised activities (www.thetranquilotter.co.uk/child-friendly-things-to-do-lake-district), there are areas of the forest waymarked with thoughtful, poetic and humorous pieces about trees and nature.
The trails are well marked. The visitor centre is a good place to pick up a copy of the walk.
The closest parking for the Words in the Woods is at Noble Knott car park.
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