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Coniston- Steam Yacht Gondola

The steam yacht gondola.

Location :  Coniston

The Steam Yacht Gondola is the oldest steam yacht in the North of England. She was built in 1859 by the Furness Railway Company as an attraction for the tourists they brought by train to  Coniston . Now fully restored, she once again provides cruises and boat trips on beautiful Coniston Water.

The restored yacht was relaunched on 25th March 1980 and, after a break of 44 years, finally re-entered public service on Coniston Water , Cumbria’s fifth largest lake.

Steam Yacht Gondola gave  Arthur Ransome the idea for Captain Flint’s houseboat in his children’s book ‘Swallows and Amazons’ , although this was eventually modelled on Esperance (now at Windermere Jetty Museum at Bowness-on-Windermere ).

Steam Yacht Gondola 2024 Cruises

The ‘heart of the lake’ cruise.

A circular cruise heading south around the lake, calling at Brantwood. Duration 1 hour. Departs Coniston 12:00 daily. Adult £17.50, child £8.75, family £43.75

The ‘North Lake’ Cruise

A circular cruise around the northern part of the lake, calling at Brantwood. Duration 1 hour. Departs Coniston 10:45 daily. Adult £17.50, child £8.75, family £43.75

The ‘Full Lake’ Cruise

The Gondola’s flagship cruise of the full circuit of Coniston Water with a short stop at Lake Bank and Brantwood. Duration 1hr and 45 minute Departs Coniston 13:45 daily. Also 15:45 peak season only. Please check website for dates and details of extra sailing. Adult £23.50, child £11.75, family £58.75

Please check timetables before travelling. Times may be subject to change during 2024 and can be weather dependent.

The image below shows the 2024 cruise routes.

Contact : Coniston Pier. Tel 01539 433950 Timetables and fares : https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/gondola

Coniston Launch also run boat trips on Coniston.

(updated 02/05/2024)

Accommodation Links:

• The Coppermines Lakes Cottages – Holiday Cottage Agency based in Coniston village

Popular pages:

• Guide to Windermere
• Guide to Keswick
• Big Guide to the Windermere Area
• South Lakes Area Menu
• Launches, Boat Trips & Ferries
• Lakes and Tarns

Grid Ref : SD 308970

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Steam Yacht Gondola

The Victorian poet, artist and critic of steam power John Ruskin must have seen her passing his Brantwood home on the banks of Coniston every day.

Gondola was in service until 1936 when she was retired and was converted to a houseboat in 1946. She was abandoned in the 1960's. In the mid 1970's a group of National Trust enthusiasts raised the money to restore her. In 1979, the boat was given a new hull, engine, boiler and most of the superstructure. She was relaunched on 25th March 1980 is back in service as a passenger boat on Coniston Water, still powered by steam.

Gondola is one of the inspirations for Captain Flint's houseboat in Arthur Ransome's book 'Swallows and Amazons'.

Gondola operates on Coniston Water from the beginning of March until the end of October. During the cruise, commentary is provided on Coniston's history and its famous connections with water speed record breaker Donald Campbell , art critic John Ruskin and author of Swallows and Amazons, Arthur Ransome. All cruises start from Coniston pier, calling at Brantwood and Monk Coniston. Half lake cruises take place every day, with full lake themed cruises on Saturdays at 11am, and Sundays, Mondays and Thursdays at 2.30pm.

Coniston Water

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Lake District Gems

A blog exploring the Lake District's hidden gems and best-kept secrets

Enjoy a taste of Victorian splendour on Steam Yacht Gondola

In my opinion, one of the best ways to enjoy the outstanding scenery around Coniston is from Coniston Water itself, so if you’re looking for a unique, relaxing (and dry) way to do this, a trip on board the National Trust’s Steam Yacht Gondola won’t disappoint!

It was with just seconds to spare that I made it down to the Coniston Pier jetty and onto this beautiful Victorian vessel which was waiting to set off. I don’t run with any grace, so the moral of the story is this: however long you think it will take you to get somewhere on a very hot day in the school holidays, add plenty of extra time to the extra time you’ve already allowed – otherwise you risk missing the boat! A few moments later, and we were off…

I have to admit that it’s been many years since I last visited Coniston, so for me this visit was a complete rediscovery of the area. I couldn’t have asked for a better way to do it – it was a stunning, hot August day, and those wiser than me had got there early and were already settled on Gondola’s outside seating. Having explored both the ‘sharp end’ and the ‘blunt end’ of the boat (sorry – I’ve watched the film Carry on Cruising too many times! 🙂 ) I found a perfect little standing spot to the rear of the boat which meant that I could take pictures from both sides and, as a bonus, I was in the shade!

A bit of history…

According to the National Trust, Gondola started out life when in 1859 she was commissioned by the Furness Railway and built in Liverpool. Between 1860 and 1914 she provided cruises for the wealthy tourists of the day, and these were linked to carriage and railway services as part of a grand Victorian tour. After a period of rest during the First World War, Gondola returned to service in 1919, but in 1936 she was sold and became a private houseboat at the southern end of the lake.

Sadly, Gondola was wrecked in a storm in the 1960s, and this left her partly submerged in the water until in the ’70s National Trust volunteers raised funds to restore her. She was rebuilt by Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering in Barrow-in-Furness, and launched once again as a pleasure cruiser in 1980. What a history!

A look round the boat

Following my slightly flustered start, I can honestly say that Gondola had the most wonderful calming effect from the minute we started our journey. I recorded a short video, below, in which you can hear the gentle chugging of the boat, which even now is running on steam power.

When Gondola first set out in 1860 she was powered on coke from the gasworks, and these days her fuel takes the form of compressed wood and sawdust logs. For those interested in the actual running of Gondola, you can see what’s going on ‘below deck’ through an open side hatch to the rear of the vessel, and talk to the engineer.

One of the things that strikes you as you move around Gondola is the attention to detail. The 1st class saloon was apparently modelled on Queen Victoria’s private railway carriage, and the fittings and finishings throughout (look at the intricate brass edging on the outside steps) are what make a cruise on Gondola unique.

On-board commentary

A live on-board commentary, provided by the helmsman, gives you lots of interesting snippets about the lake and the features surrounding it. It focuses in particular on two of Coniston’s claims to fame:

• as the inspiration behind Arthur Ransome’s Swallows and Amazons series of novels, and
• as the stretch of water on which Donald Campbell tragically died during a world water speed record attempt in Bluebird.

There are lots of other interesting facts too, particularly about the area’s industrial past. The crew have created a great balance, because the talk is informative but not overly obtrusive, so you’ve plenty of opportunities to just sit back and enjoy it all.

Swallows and Amazons

I chose to take the full lake cruise (lasting an hour and three-quarters) so that I could see and photograph the various sites that inspired Arthur Ransome, when writing his Swallows and Amazons series of novels. He confirmed that all the locations he wrote about were based on real places, but that they couldn’t all be found in the correct order on a map.

Although some features can be found on Windermere as well, it is Coniston Water in particular that Ransome used in his descriptions. Peel Island, towards the south of the lake, along with Silver Howe on Windermere, formed the basis for ‘Wild Cat Island’, the island on which the Swallows children decide to camp during their holidays. You also see the Swallows and Amazons boathouses, and on the return journey the helmsman pulls in close so that you have roughly 20 seconds to catch sight of the ‘Secret Harbour’ on Peel Island.

From taking the cruise, I now realise how vivid the sense of place is in Ransome’s first and most famous novel. (Although I have a confession to make, which is that I didn’t actually read Swallows and Amazons until very recently, as I was more of an Enid Blyton child – she did in fact write her own island adventure called The Secret Island , although I don’t know where it was based).

If you’re a keen walker, you may like to combine the Walker’s Cruise on Gondola with a walk, catching a service again later on for your return journey – visit Gondola’s profile on the National Trust website for timetable information . There’s also a jetty stop at Brantwood , the former home of John Ruskin, and another place I’d highly recommend you visit.

The first jetty we stopped at was Lake Bank Jetty at the southern tip of the lake, where you can see the original Victorian waiting room and stretch your legs for five minutes on the jetty – don’t go far though if you’re on the full cruise, unless you really do want to walk the long distance back!

This is definitely the most tranquil end of the lake, with reeds and a narrowing beyond which lies Arthur Ransome’s ‘Octopus Lagoon’ where the his fictional characters, the Swallows, go on a sailing adventure to try to overthrow the pirate Amazon sisters.

It was soon time to set off again, and on our return journey north we then stopped at Parkamoor on the east side of Coniston Water, the Brantwood jetty, and again at Monk Coniston at the most northerly point.

And now for a thought to put fear into the hardiest sailor – ‘Captain Janine’!

The crew members are all very friendly and pleased to answer any questions you have. I may have asked one too many though, as at this point something most unexpected happened: I was sent up a tiny ladder to the helm, and given the chance to steer Gondola for myself – quite something considering the only boat I’ve ever sailed was under a foot long and made Blue Peter-style at a Girl Guiding camp! (I did win a gold medal though, made of foil card and Christmas ribbon…)

Back to Gondola though, and the first instruction I received from the helmsman was to turn the wheel starboard. I was grateful a couple of seconds later when he clarified that starboard is ‘to the right’. Cue brain block and a frantic mental scramble to remember which is left and which is right… it’s like driving lessons all over again!

In all seriousness though (and in layman’s terms, for my sake!) to feel the weight of the boat gently pulling to one side when you’ve turned the wheel is really quite satisfying. I was advised that as we were now at an ideal distance from the shoreline we would continue to follow it, and that the trick is to find a single point on the horizon and line the boat up towards it.

I even got to frighten all the other passengers to the rear of the boat by pulling the rope to operate the steam whistle, a shiny, innocent-looking fixture which is a very loud, but essential part of the Gondola experience!

Talking to members of the crew confirmed what you already sense as soon as you arrive on board, which is that everyone takes great pride in running and maintaining Gondola. During the winter months the crew members carry out more heavy maintenance tasks and continued restoration too. Last winter, Gondola was treated to a new wooden wheelhouse roof to replace the previous metal one, and this has been lovingly crafted so that it looks as though it could always have been.

For the rest of the journey I sat quietly and let the helmsman carry out his various tasks, from visiting the final jetties to pick up return walkers, to giving out the last parts of the passenger commentary. With the sun starting to lower, and the view becoming steadily more hazy, the experience was so restful that I could have happily sat there all evening – Gondola also does private functions, which is where she was headed immediately after our cruise finished.

Why a lake cruise is a must on any Lake District holiday

If you’re on holiday in the Lake District, I would say that at some point during your stay a lake cruise is an absolute must. The scenery surrounding each of the Lake District’s stretches of water looks completely different from the vantage point of a boat, and there are various cruise companies operating on Windermere, Ullswater, Derwentwater and Coniston.

What makes a cruise on Coniston’s Gondola so special though has to be the boat itself, with its elegant features both inside and out, its history, and the fact it is still steam-powered (along with that authentic steamer smell – well, where I was standing anyway!). It’s also not a large boat, so people are friendly, and the whole experience has a great atmosphere. The northern half of the lake in particular was packed with people enjoying themselves on small boats of every shape, colour and description, and Gondola receives a lot of attention as she goes by – be prepared to receive lots of waves, and to return the gesture with a wave back!

It wasn’t until I was back on the jetty that I remembered to get a shot or two of Sidney, or ‘Sid’ as he’s affectionately known, the iconic sea serpent who sits on the front of Gondola and was replaced by a new Sidney in March this year – I can’t say I was happy with the pictures I took though. Two days later and I was back in Coniston to photograph Brantwood, so I went down to the Brantwood jetty to catch Gondola on her mid-day tour around the lake. Got you in the end, Sidney!

Gondola tour options

Gondola offers a number of day-time services, including Full Lake , Head of Lake and Walker’s Cruises – take a look at Gondola’s pages on the National Trust website for timetables and some useful walking suggestions.

And if you’re looking for something even more special, you could book one of Gondola’s on-board cream teas or picnics. For those who are more interested in what’s going on inside the boat than around it, there’s even an Engineer for a Day experience!

In partnership with other local organisations, the National Trust is also offering a Lake District Grand Victorian Circular Tour , a full day itinerary across the Lakes, complete with steam railway journey, which recreates a tour once provided by the Furness Railway Company.

If you’re planning to visit the Lake District this autumn, I have to say that the photographs I’ve seen taken on Coniston Water at this time of year are incredible, so even when the summer’s over, the enjoyment most certainly isn’t!

I’d like to say a big thank you to the Gondola crew for making me so welcome during my cruise experience. I should point out that although I always write with care, any errors in my ‘technical’ descriptions of Gondola will be my own and not those of the crew! Some of the Swallows and Amazons facts I researched separately. I also found Ivan Corlett’s blog about the maintenance of Gondola a helpful and entertaining read (I love the philosophical question, ‘is Gondola similar to Trigger’s broom from Only Fools and Horses?’ 5 February 2015), so do visit that too if you’re interested to see behind the scenes.

• Shortly after visiting the Steam Yacht Gondola, I paid another visit to Coniston to see Brantwood – you can find out more in my post about Brantwood and its fabulous grounds and gardens , and see Coniston later in the season when I returned to Coniston and Gondola in the autumn .

Have you been on board Gondola or any of the other cruises available in the Lake District? If so, it would be great to hear more about your experience. Do share your recommendations with other visitors to the blog by leaving a comment below.

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Published by Janine John

Hello, I'm Janine, and I'm exploring the Lake District in search of the area's very best hidden gems! If, like me, you love the Lakes and enjoy the simple things in life (you won't find me in the mountains on this blog, but maybe in a tearoom!), join me again to read more about my latest local finds and adventures. View all posts by Janine John

3 Comments Add yours

As we enter the last few weeks of summer, it’s great to know that there’s still plenty to look forward to – the autumn colours really are a spectacular sight in the Lakes!

i met arthur hatton who saved the gondolo in 1770s an amazing old man i had a boat at the lake oppersite his home which btoke its moorings we managed to float it to his shore and i gave him the boat he fepaired the hole and used it with battery outboard but did not use the sail i visited for a few years when he was constucting a harbour not a marina he lived like a doormouse in that mansion we did not go for few years at which time he had died a true gentelman sorry about spelling

Hello Geoff and apologies for the delay in replying to you, but thank you for your comment.

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National Trust: Steam Yacht Gondola

Cruise around Coniston Water – one of England’s most beautiful lakes – on the Steam Yacht Gondola. Choose from three routes – the full lake cruise, the north lake cruise or the south lake cruise – and soak up the nostalgia of the bygone age of steam – an unparalleled Lake District cruising experience.

Steam Yacht Gondola, Coniston Pier, Lake Road, Coniston, Cumbria, LA21 8AN Sailing times:  nationaltrust.org.uk/place-pages/146/pages/opening-times-calendar

Dogs : Welcome on board.

Arrive in style: At Brantwood’s private pier.

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The best things to do in the Lake District with kids

It’s renowned for inspiring poets and artists, but there’s far more to discover in the Lake District with kids than the beautiful scenery.

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Of course, if you’re looking to get outdoors in this gorgeous slice of Cumbria, there are countless child-friendly walks as well as boat trips galore on the lakes themselves – but also plenty of Lake District family attractions to discover.

From Peter Rabbit to historic castles, animal attractions and the chance to travel on a heritage railway, here are my top 26 things to do in the Lake District with kids.

Contents - click to jump to a section

Take a boat cruise

You can’t go to the Lake District without going out on at least one lake, and there are a whole string of Lake District boat cruises to choose from.

As well as letting families explore the lakes from a different perspective, most cruises make multiple stops at piers and towns, so you can easily combine a boat ride with other walks and family-friendly attractions in the Lake District.

You’ll be spoiled for choice depending where you stay, but for some of the best boat cruises in the Lake District, try the following.

Steam Yacht Gondola, Coniston Water

This rebuilt Victorian steam-powered yacht is one of the most unusual ways to explore the lakes.

Originally built in 1859, the National Trust’s Steam Yacht Gondola is the oldest steam yacht in the north of England, running three to four scenic lake cruises on Coniston Water per day.

As well as getting a taste of what life was like for wealthy Victorians on their pleasure cruises, there’s a commentary on the area’s history as you soak up the scenery.

National Trust members get a 10% discount with children under five travelling free.

Prebooking is strongly recommended and you can choose one way cruises subject to availability, or the full lake cruise, which costs only slightly more than the north or south lake stretch alone.

Windermere Lake Cruises

Windermere Lake Cruises run multiple daily cruises across England’s largest lake on both historic steamboats and more modern launches.

You can choose to embark at Ambleside, Brockhole, Bowness & Lakeside, with 10.5 miles of lake to explore and different routes taking you to some of the lakeside attractions. Not all routes run outside the main April to October season.

There’s commentary on board and you can also buy ‘freedom of the lake’ tickets, which let you hop on and off, including 48 hour options, plus tickets including attractions or bus travel.

You can choose shorter routes, including a 45-minute sail from Bowness and a 50-minute route from Ambleside, if you’re visiting the Lake District with toddlers – the Green Cruise route is particularly good for families.

Ullswater Steamers

Ullswater Steamers operates one of the largest heritage boat fleets in the world, and their cruises are even dog-friendly if you’re visiting the Lake District with pets.

The boat trips let you cruise around the lake in about two hours, or you can jump off to explore the different stops, including the impressive Aira Force waterfall .

There’s an open deck for sunny days, sheltered upper deck seating areas and indoor downstairs saloons when the weather isn’t so good, and toilets.

Watersports at Coniston Boating Centre

If you want a more active experience than simply sitting on a boat, another way to explore the Lakes with kids is by taking part in some of the water sports on offer.

And Coniston Boating Centre is one of the best spots in the Lake District for family fun on the water.

There are several options for boat hire too, from a modern motorboat to a traditional wooden rowing boat, or open-Canadian canoe for some relaxing outdoor adventures with little ones while admiring the scenery.

Teens can also head out onto the lake on a kayak or stand-up paddleboard. Well-behaved pets are allowed on the boats too if you’re travelling with your four-legged friend. There’s also bike hire to help you explore on land too.

Brockhole on Windermere

Brockhole on Windermere is one of the best days out in the Lake District with kids who love to get active, with plenty to keep the whole family entertained.

Sitting on the shores of Windermere within the grounds of a beautiful Victorian summer home, children can enjoy the large adventure playground, go-karting, mini-golf, archery, tree-top trekking, indoor caving, nature trails and orienteering courses, and plenty more. 

During the warmer summer months, you can hire rowing boats, kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards to head out onto the lake as well.

There’s also a visitor centre and museum, scenic gardens, a woodland faerie trail, several cafes, a restaurant, and a gift shop packed with local artisan products for a full family day out in the Lakes.

World of Beatrix Potter, Bowness-on-Windermere

See some of the most celebrated English children’s storybooks of all time come to life at the World of Beatrix Potter . 

The family-friendly Lake District attraction lets you walk through the familiar stories as part of a unique sensory experience, as well as exploring Peter Rabbit’s Garden.

You’ll see characters from the author’s most famous books, including Peter Rabbit, Jemima Puddle-Duck, Mr Todd, and Jeremy Fisher, while exploring an enchanting recreation of the Lake District countryside, which helped inspire the original stories. 

Keep an eye out for special family friendly events, such as Peter Rabbit tea parties, and live shows in the connecting Old Laundry Theatre too.

If you’re looking for more Beatrix Potter, her home at Hill Top – bought with the proceeds from the Tale of Peter Rabbit – is around half an hour away across the lake. Must be prebooked.

Wray Castle, Ambleside

Set on the banks of Lake Windermere, Wray Castle is a National Trust property with plenty to tempt families.

Built during the Victorian era as a mock-Gothic castle, its imposing turrets and towers look like something directly off the pages of a children’s fairytale book. 

Inside, the castle doesn’t have the usual historic furniture and artwork that you expect from National Trust properties, but there are exhibitions in the imposing space, and it’s free to look around.

Sadly the children’s activities and dressing up have now gone, and the Peter Rabbit room is also closed, but there are often trails in the grounds instead of the indoor activities. The play trail is temporarily closed after it was damaged in a storm, but there’s geocaching with eight caches to find and a nature trail.

Plus it’s easy to combine a visit to Wray Castle with a Lake District boat trip in the sunshine as you cruise over from Ambleside.

Muncaster Castle, Ravenglass

If you want a genuinely historic castle, head towards the western Lake District where Muncaster Castle overlooks the River Esk.

Dating back to the 13th century, the Grade I listed building is famous for its beautiful interiors and long and fascinating history. 

Children will love exploring the castle’s 70+ acres of wild woodland gardens, with an adventure playground and indoor maze as well as the colourful flowers and views over the surrounding valleys.

The Hawk & Owl Centre , set within the castle gardens, is also well worth a visit with kids. Check out the Birds of Prey displays to see the majestic creatures soaring right over your head.

Sizergh Castle, Kendal

Another historic site, Sizergh Castle near Kendal has been home to the Strickland family for over eight centuries.

With a 1,600-acre estate, it’s easy to fill a day out: as well as the wild play trail, you can look out for butterflies in the gardens and deer in the grounds, with wetland, woodland and orchards to explore.

When the house itself is open, don’t miss the astonishingly intricate inlaid 16th century panelling inside too.

Lowther Castle, near Penrith

It’s not Lowther Castle itself which is the biggest attraction for kids (although don’t be tempted to skip it either). Instead, it’s the incredible play area, one of the largest adventure playgrounds in the country.

The Lost Castle play area is packed with turrets, zipwires, walkways and slides, as well the ramps and steps to climb and a pole to slide down. You’ll find areas for toddlers too, as well as a sandpit and rope mesh play section (plus somewhere for adults to sit down and relax too)

Do save some time to explore Lowther Castle itself though, one of the most spectacular ruins around, and its beautiful gardens.

The huge castle once had a room for every day of the year, and the same family has lived here since the 12th century – but after the fifth earl ran out of money, everything which could be sold was removed, and all that remains is a very impressive shell.

It’s now also part garden, as well as being surrounded by its own grounds, garden and woodland for one of the most memorable family friendly places in the Lake District. Open year-round.

Walby Farm Park

There’s fun galore to be found at Walby Farm Park , including a chance to meet the animals, lots of play areas and a few unexpected bonuses, such as ferret races!

Great if you’re visiting the Lake District with younger kids, you can spot a string of farmyard favourites, meeting the rabbits and guinea pigs, as well as some hand feeding and goat racing, plus some more unusual furry inhabitants such as alpacas.

Plus there’s a whopping 30 acres to explore, with indoor and outdoor play areas. The Indoor Adventure Play Barn has a separate area for younger children, or some bigger thrills for older children including the 24 foot Demon Drop Slide (and yes, grown-ups are allowed to join in too).

Outside, along with swings and trampolines, you can try your hand at operating JCB Diggers, Pedal Tractors and Go-Karts.

There’s also a three-level Roman fort, Milecastle62, which is covered against the elements so you can climb ropes and slopes, balance on tree trunk beams, whoosh down slides and poles, crawl through tunnels and generally play to your heart’s content – plus the aptly named Barbarian Village area for under 3s!

The Lake District Wildlife Park, Keswick

For more animal fun in the Lake District with kids, the Lake District Wildlife Park is unmissable, with over 100 species of exotic animals at the 24-acre park near Keswick.

You’ll find everything from more birds of prey and amazing reptiles to cheeky primates and friendly farmyard animals.

Conservation lies at the heart of the wildlife park, and kids can learn about endangered species at the numerous keeper talks each day, including more about the very cute red pandas, as well as the lynx which would once have roamed Cumbria’s forests.

Children can even get up close and meet some of the park’s residents at the displays and wildlife encounters.

There are several play areas too, including an outdoor play area and indoor soft play and ball pit, in case the weather is bad, plus a cafe serving delicious homemade meals.

If you’re looking for more animal attractions, South Lakes Safari Zoo isn’t actually in the Lake District National Park (despite its name) but it’s still close enough to visit and see its 1,000 rare and endangered inhabitants – around 30 minutes’ drive from Sizergh Castle, for example

Alpacaly Ever After, Keswick & various locations

Certainly one of the more unique Lake District family attractions, Alpacaly Ever After is an award-winning social enterprise that rescues and rehomes alpacas and llamas from all over the country – known affectionately as the woolly army!

The centre offers families the opportunity to come and meet their friendly alpacas too – visit in spring or early summer, and you might even get to see the babies.

You can also take the alpacas on a walk around some of the lake’s most scenic locations, including the private grounds of the Lingholm Estate on the ​​shores of Derwentwater. 

The alpaca experiences are open to children of all ages, although visitors under 18 need to be accompanied by an adult. Kids under 10 can go for free on a private alpaca walk, but not group walks.

Honister Slate Mine, Keswick

If you’re picturing a visit to a slate mine, the chances are you’re not expecting to be high up in the air. But the Infinity Bridge at Honister Slate Mine does just that – perfect for teens and older kids looking for an adrenaline thrill.

The longest high wire bridge in Britain, the Infinity Bridge is strung 2,000 feet above the valley floor, with some astonishing panoramic views out across the scenery – if you dare look out to enjoy them,

Suitable for kids aged 8+ who are 1.3m tall, it’s one of the most memorable family days out in the Lake District. And if being suspended in mid-air doesn’t tempt, you can also take 90-minute tours of the slate mine, try the Climb the Mine adventure scaling walls and ladders, and crawling through tunnels within the mine caverns, as well as canyoning.

You’re also just a short drive from the spectacular scenery of the Honister Pass if you’d like to enjoy it from ground level

Lakes Aquarium, Lakeside

Set on the shores of Lake Windermere, the Lakes Aquarium is home to the UK’s largest collection of freshwater fish and many other aquatic creatures.

On a visit to the aquarium, you can learn about the range of creatures living in the lakes, including perch, pike, white-clawed crayfish, koi carp, and lots more.

Best of all, you can walk through an underwater tunnel that takes you on a captivating recreated journey under Lake Windermere.

The Lakes Aquarium is also home to many other exciting animals from across the world, so you can spot everything from clownfish and piranhas to rays, otters, and tortoises. Special talks, events and kids’ trails also take place throughout the year.

Lakeland Maze Farm Park, Kendal

If you’re visiting the Lake District in the summer, kids will love taking on the challenge of the maize maze at Lakeland Maze Farm Park .

Each year from July to September, the maze has a new design, with a mini maze and main maze that takes over 90 minutes to complete (there are exit points along the way in case you need to escape!)

But even if you visit outside those months, you can enjoy getting lost with two permanent mazes, including an indoor bunny burrow tube maze.

That’s just the start too. You can see farmyard animals on the working farm, as well as smaller fluffy inhabitants at the farm park, not to mention soft play, a climbing wall, bouncy castles and trampolines.

Opening times vary, limited to school holidays and weekends (if at all) outside April/May to October.

Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway

The Ravenglass & Eskdale in the Lake District is one of the oldest and longest narrow gauge railways in England.

Affectionately known as La’al Ratty, meaning “little railway“ in old Cumbrian dialect, the heritage railway runs along a seven-mile-long line into the stunning Lake District countryside.

There are spectacular views over the estuaries and out to the fells, and you might even spot some Cumbrian wildlife along the route.

Don’t miss the free Ravenglass station museum , which is full of interactive exhibits for the children to get involved in. There’s also a train-themed play area at Dalegarth station at the other end.

If you’re visiting in the run-up to Christmas, check out the Santa Express train, one of the lovely Santa train experiences in the UK – although be warned, it books up very fast

Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway

Stretching for just over three miles, this little heritage railway is a great Lake District family attraction in its own right, but the steam train rides also make a fun way to explore some of the rest of the Lake District with kids.

With steam trains and diesel engines running from Haverthwaite to Lakeside, at the southern end of Windermere, you can combine it with a sailing on the lake over to Bowness or Ambleside, as well as using it to take you to Brockhole, the Lakes Aquarium or World of Beatrix Potter.

The route also connects to another of the Lake District National Trust sites, Fell Foot Park with walks and watersports (and even the chance of wild swimming if you’re visiting with older kids).

It’s also a good option if you’re looking for things to do in the Lake District with kids on a rainy day – the views might not be as good but you can still explore without getting wet.

Derwent Pencil Museum, Keswick

A pencil museum might not sound like it will be top of your kids’ list of Lake District attractions, but this quirky site in Keswick – the home of the first pencil – is unexpectedly entertaining.

For starters, you head into the Derwent pencil museum through a replica graphite mine to begin your journey from the earliest days of pencils to the modern day.

On display, there are creations proving pencils are a lot less ordinary than you might think – Second World War pencils with hidden maps, plus one of the largest colour pencils in the world at almost 8m long.

There are also mini pencil sculptures to admire and if you’re inspired by the small museum to get creative, a shop to pick up art supplies, as well as art workshops.

The Rheged Centre, Penrith

As well as the giant cinema screen here, which shows family-friendly movies, the Rheged Centre has regular exhibitions in its gallery and an arts programme which includes children’s theatre and craft.

There are also a string of family-friendly activities to entertain, plus an an indoor soft play area, with an area set aside for under fives – there are currently prebookable slots for indoor play.

For kids that love Lego, you’ll find a toy shop that begs you to spend your pocket money, plus great pizza in the cafe. One of the best things to do in the Lake District with kids on a rainy day too.

Allan Bank, Grasmere

Another of the National Trust sites in the Lake District, Allan Bank is slightly different than the usual family days out experience.

The home of the National Trust’s founder, near Grasmere, puts the focus on the landscape – the property itself isn’t even fully decorated, so the bare walls and empty rooms highlight the valley and lake scenery.

You can spy red squirrels in the garden and sometimes see buzzards flying overhead, as well as picking up nature spotter guides for kids.

There are some walking routes to check out too, as well as plenty of places to play hide and seek.

There’s no car park or cafe on site, so you’ll need to take public transport or walk up from Grasmere. Picnics are welcome, and there are hot drinks available for a small donation.

Walks in the Lake District with kids

With some of England’s most beautiful scenery, you’re also spoiled for choice when it comes to family-friendly walks in the Lake District – and not all are as challenging as climbing Scafell Pike, England’s highest peak.

There are 50 ‘ Miles without Stiles ‘ routes, suitable for families with pushchairs – including different grades, so you know if you’ve got a smooth path or whether it’s one to take a tougher all-terrain buggy.

Or if you’re not sure where to start, check out the 7 routes for 70 , celebrating the Lake District National Park’s 70th birthday back in 2021, highlighting the variety across the whole national park as well as some less explored corners if you want to escape some of the crowds in more popular areas.

Grizedale Forest, Hawkshead

There’s not only hills and lakes to explore in this part of Cumbria, but also some great woodlands to wander in.

Grizedale Forest has a series of sculptures dotted among the trees, as well as 10 walking trails and nine cycle routes, including off-road mountain bike trails and gentler options (you can hire bikes there).

Add in an adventure play area and Go Ape high ropes courses, plus art exhibitions and cafe for a break between the activity, so it’s easy to while away a few hours. You can pay for parking online as well.

Whinlatter Forest, Keswick

Another great Forestry England site, Whinlatter Forest has some amazing views to enjoy as you explore the trails, including a chance to look out to Bassenthwaite Lake, Derwentwater and Keswick.

There are nine walking trails here, with a one-mile stretch to spot a series of figures from the Gruffalo dotted around . Stop in at the visitor centre for tips first, and while it is walkable with a buggy, be prepared for hills.

With older kids, the forest is also home to the longest purpose-built mountain bike trails in the Lake District, along with another Go Ape course and adventure playground.

Head into the trees, Windermere

As well as enjoying the forests from ground level, there are some fun ways for families to get up into the trees.

The treetop nets at ZipWorld Windermere include more than 1,500 metres of giant trampolines, walkways, slides and netting tunnels suspended up to 9 metres off the ground. Suitable for age 3+

Or check out the treetop trek, with 35 different treetop challenges through the oaks, finishing with a 250m triple zip from the 14m high treetop tower, so you can race each other back.

There are different options for different ages: age 5+ can take on Climb and Zip, which lasts around 30 minutes, or the hour-long Mini Trek, while the Full Trek is suitable for age 7+ and takes around two hours.

The Puzzling Place, Keswick

Another fun option if you’re looking for things to do in the Lake District in the rain, The Puzzling Place in Keswick is packed with illusions to tricky your eyes and a fun hologram gallery.

With optical illusions to make it appear that you’ve shrunk/grown, that you’re standing sideways, even that you’re defying gravity, it’s a great way to spend an hour or so – and you’ll emerge with some hilarious photos too.

Do book ahead if you’re visiting in school holidays or looking for inspiration on rainy days in the Lake District, as it’s not huge and can be – unsurprisingly – very popular.

While you’re visiting the Lake District, it’s easy to combine with a visit to the Yorkshire Dales National Park – check out some of my top things to do in Yorkshire with kids

*First published 2021, last updated 2024*

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links – any purchases you make are unaffected but I may receive a small commission

Fish copyright MummyTravels, all other images courtesy of Depositphotos

Award-winning family travel blogger and mum to the mini traveller, aka Minnie. Together we've visited Europe, America, the Caribbean, Africa and Asia, tried a cruise and a road trip, and survived countless long-haul trips. London (UK) based. Serious beach habit.

Wray Castle is not as mentioned above. The Peter Rabbit themed rooms are permanently closed and sadly there are none of those activities for children in the castle any longer. Such a shame as it was a fabulous place to visit!

Thanks for letting me know – and what a shame! I’ve updated the section above to make that clear and to add in some of the other options.

Pskov customs: the customs post MAPP Burachki – 25 years

The customs post MAPP (multilateral automobile checkpoint) Burachki Pskov customs was 25 years old.

Customs post MAPP Burachki on the Russian-Latvian border was established at the Sebezh customs by order of the State customs Committee of the Russian Federation of 2 February 1995 # 67 in connection with the opening of a new border crossing point “Burachki”, which was erected in accordance with the agreement between the Government of the Russian Federation and the Government of the Republic of Latvia and became operational on 18 January 1995.

25 years ago the staffing of the customs office was 91 unit. Today, more than 200 people to carry out the customs control and customs clearance at the Russian-Latvian border, at the largest customs office of the Pskov customs.

Since 2008, there is a stationary inspection system (NIIS). The number of customs inspection using IIR in 2019 compared to the previous year increased by 40%. Over the past year, completed 45 006 customs inspections of goods and vehicles with the use of IDK. The quality of customs control through the use of high-tech equipment and increasing the level of professionalism of the officers has increased. In 2019 as a result of the inspection of vehicles with the use of IDK detected movement of goods with concealment from customs control. Identified caches 72900 packs of cigarettes in the boxes with the “product cover” 451,3 kg of hashish inside the fuel tank of the truck, 161460 Euro and 3 kg of gold in the car, identifying more than 16 tons of cigarettes under the “product cover” are examples of the professionalism of the officials of the customs post.

Every year thanks to the introduction of advanced technologies increases the actual throughput of a customs post. Nomenclature of goods transported through the customs post different. Consumer goods, complex mechanical products that are excisable goods, foodstuffs, vegetable and livestock products and many more moved through the customs post how to export and import to the Russian Federation . Increasing the flow of goods to Kaliningrad, and from Kaliningrad. In 2019 every third vehicle of international transportation placed under the customs procedure of customs transit to Kaliningrad.

In 2019, officials of the customs post issued on entry to the Russian Federation 87473 motor vehicles, 711 buses, to travel 77182 passenger vehicle and bus 692; entry – 96230 vehicles of international carriage, exit – 54588 commercial vehicles.

– Congratulations to the staff of the customs post with the 25th anniversary. I wish all officials good health and satisfaction from the quality of performance set by the customs authority tasks, – said the head of customs Svetlana Stepanova. To the customs post MAPP Burachki, his team focused attention and leadership, and controlled entities. Let this attention be associated with the successful operation of officials of the customs post and customs in General.

Natalia Knyazeva, press Secretary of the Pskov customs

Document about the origin of money required: 01 Feb 2020 are changing the rules of moving of cash currency

In Moscow customs held a meeting with the major participant of foreign economic activity

North-West Customs Administration