Our holiday to Cumbria
What better way than to reminisce about the good times you had on holiday.
We were lucky enough to visit Cumbria last year and stayed at the wonderful Holgates Caravan Parks Silverdale park.
Visiting many of the local family attractions, we spent time at National Trust Beatrix Potter's Gallery and Hill Top, exploring Muncaster Castle, going under waterfalls at Aira Force Waterfall, exploring and looking for birds at WWT Martin Mere, feeding Giraffes at South Lakes Wildlife Park, enjoying a boat ride at Ullswater Steamers and going back in time at The Black Country Living Museum.
A wonderful time to spend as a family.
Accommodation:
Holgate’s Silverdale, Middlebarrow Plain, Cove Rd, Silverdale, Lancashire LA5 0SH
Silverdale is Holgates’ flagship park. Situated in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty amid over 100 acres of woodland and countryside, our caravan park overlooks the sweeping vista of Morecambe Bay and welcomes holidaymakers from far and wide. Whether you’re looking for a base for your touring caravan or tent, planning a break in one of our holiday homes to hire or quirky camping pods, or are in the market for your own holiday home, we’ve got just the spot….
There’s always plenty to do – stroll along the coast, find a spot for a picnic, enjoy a swim in the pool or relax in the sauna. Children are safe to roam or let off steam in the games room and soft play area as well as the two outdoor adventure playgrounds. A small shop supplies most things you’ll need during your stay, but there’s no need to cook – the restaurant and bar serve meals and snacks all day.
Places we visited:
Hill Top – Beatrix Potter's 17th-century farmhouse
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hill-top
Beatrix Potter's 17th-century farmhouse: a time-capsule of her life
Enjoy the tale of Beatrix Potter by visiting Hill Top. Full of her favourite things, this house appears as if Beatrix had just stepped out for a walk. Every room contains a reference to a picture in a 'tale'.
The lovely cottage garden is a haphazard mix of flowers, herbs, fruit and vegetables. Make your way up the garden path to the front door and see for yourself why Beatrix loved this place. Bought in 1905 with proceeds from her first book, the Tale of Peter Rabbit, she used Hill Top itself and the surrounding countryside as inspiration for many of her subsequent books.
Hill Top is a small house and a timed-ticket system is in operation to avoid overcrowding and to protect the interior. Hill Top can be very busy and visitors may sometimes have to wait to enter the house.
The Black Country Living Museum
Something magnificent and profound happened in this part of the UK. Its impact was felt the world over, as modernity took hold, creating fame and admiration for the Black Country.
The story of the Black Country is distinctive because of the scale, drama, intensity and multiplicity of the industrial might that was unleashed. It first emerged in the 1830s, creating the first industrial landscape anywhere in the world. It is this that we rejoice in and want to share with you.
After very humble beginnings, a bright idea and 40 years of inspiration, this is twenty six acres worth exploring. Amazing as it may seem, we have created a place – a real and lively place, where once there was nothing and nobody. With a village and charismatic residents to chat with. Trams to ride. Games to play. Things being made. Stories to hear. People – their triumphs to admire and troubles to be thankful that are not ours. Time to be well spent.
If you are old enough, you may just be looking for nostalgia and that is fine. But equally, we believe that history shouldn't be seen as a safe haven in a fast changing and challenging world, but a catalyst for thinking and reflection about our own lives.
Muncaster Castle Historic House
The historic haunted castle, still a lived-in family home after nine centuries, commands lower Eskdale from its vantage point above the Ravenglass estuary.
Set in 77 acres of woodland and gardens against the backdrop of the Western Lake District fells, these idyllic surroundings provide memorable days out for visitors of all ages, the most imposing of settings for corporate events or private parties and the wedding venue to die for.
Muncaster offers a full day out – or more – with something for everyone. From families with children looking for a range of activities to keep everyone entertained to groups looking for an excellent value venue for a day excursion or to visit one of our range of evening events for arts and culture, Muncaster earns its place as a top attraction in Cumbria.
Ullswater Steamers
Ullswater Steamers is an award winning environmental accredited Lake District attraction celebrating over 150 years of operating lake cruises on Englands most beautiful lake, Ullswater.
Ullswater Steamers create the perfect opportunity to combine a lake cruise with some of the most famous and spectacular walks in the Lake District.
If you are looking for great Lake District attractions and Lake District activities please look no further than Ullswater 'Steamers' for great days out. Read through our story, we have links to Arthurian legends, Wordsworth "Daffodils", Donald Campbell. Want to know more…
WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre
www.wwt.org.uk/visit-us/martin-mere
Every weekend and each day of school holidays, there is always a selection of family crafts and activities.
Den building
Den building is a fantastic, adventurous activity where families and individuals work together to create dens out of conifer and branches.
It is a self led activity that you can simply have a go at, located among the trees by the canoe safari.
To create a really natural feel to your den you can utilise all of the trees and shrubs and be as creative as possible. Den building is a free activity at the centre.
Canoe safari play area
There is a brand new woodland play area by the canoe safari for you to climb, balance and jump onto wooden structures. The play area overlooks the jetty to enjoy watching people move in and out of the canoes and there are plenty of picnic benches to allow parents to sit in comfort viewing the bird feeders and enjoy a cup of tea or an ice-cream from the kiosk. There are baby swings at this play area.
Canoe Safari
Take out a canoe for up to an hour to explore the channels and see what wildlife you can find. There are no age or height restrictions on this attractions – you simply ahve to fit comfortably into a life jacket. There is an additional charge of £5 per canoe and they can fit 3 people. There must be a person over the age of 18 in each canoe.
Indoor play for young children
Within the Martin Mere visitor centre there is a free room for families that has lots of free activities for children including colouring sheets, jigsaws and soft toys. You can also utilise this room for picnics.
South Lakes Safari Zoo
http://southlakessafarizoo.com
Welcome To All New SAFARI ZOO – From The Swahili Word Meaning Journey Or Expedition SAFARI ZOO Is A Unique Journey Into The Animal Kingdom. Come Face To Face With And Discover Rhinos, Lions, Tigers, Bears, Hippos, Wolves, Snow Leopards, Jaguar, Giant Otters, Primates, Vultures, Penguins And Much, Much More At The UK’s Most Interactive Animal Park And Europe’s Only Safari Zoo. You’ll Have A Fantastic Adventure Immersed With Some Of The Rarest Wildest Animals On The Planet.
Join The Keepers To Hand Feed Giraffes Every Day, Walk In Amongst And Hand Feed Penguins; Wander Amongst And Discover Kangaroo, Lemurs, Monkeys, Free Flying Birds – Including (For The Brave) Vultures And Condors All Living Wild In The Park.
Ullswater and Aira Force Waterfalls
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/aira-force-and-ullswater
Beautiful lake winding through a glaciated valley, and an impressive waterfall.
Dramatic walks around Aira Force waterfall, renowned in Victorian times as a beauty spot, provide one of the highlights of the Trust’s ownership in the valley.
