Lake District

World famous adventurer Leo Houlding will be in Keswick on Monday 17 May to officially reopen the town’s Moot Hall Information Centre after a major refurbishment.

Supported by the Northwest Regional Development Agency the improvement and development project is a reinforcement of the National Park Authority’s commitment to ensuring the Keswick centre continues to provide the very best possible standards of service to its thousands of visitors and local customers.

Leo Houlding, a Lake District resident in Staveley, near Windermere, will perform the public reopening ceremony outside the building at 3pm.

The key changes to the building will be seen on the first floor, which has been turned into a “hub” to help advertise and promote Cumbria as the nation’s adventure capital. Visitors will be able to book onto a wide variety of outdoor action activities.

“We do hope the public – especially our local residents – will want to come along and help us celebrate this important event in the history of Moot Hall,” said National Park Head of Information Services Tim Haley.

“Moot Hall is really important to us as a vital source of information for all of our Keswick area visitors. But is also plays an important part in the Keswick area community, as a venue for local events, and it also acts as a general meeting place for a variety of local groups and organisations.

“I’m really proud of what we’ve achieved with this refurbishment and I’m excited about the role Moot Hall will now play in promoting the adventure activity side of holidays in Cumbria in general and around Keswick in particular,” he added.

The new and improved Moot Hall Information Centre is the latest in a series of major investments made by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) to improve the provision of visitor information across Cumbria and the whole of the Northwest.

Nick Brookes-Sykes, Director of Tourism at the NWDA said: “Our aim is to have a modern network of well located visitor information centres across the whole of the Northwest. This investment in Moot Hall TIC will ensure it is able to provide an excellent visitor experience and signposting service, not only for Keswick, but also across the Lake District and Cumbria.”

Keswick Information Centre is open seven days a week between 9.30am and 5.30pm offering advice on what to do in the Lake District, where to stay, and how best to enjoy the national park.

Freakeasy: Thursday 29th July
Kendal Calling: Friday 30th July – Sunday 1th August 2010
Tickets: £85 / Lowther Deer Park, Hackthorpe, The Lake District

Celebrating music from all over the globe, Band on The Wall presents The Kaylied Stage at Kendal Calling festival. The stage will feature a diverse showcase, taking a traditional area & revelling in the love of cross-genre music. A mixed bag of eclectic delights will take to the Kaylied Stage with everything from folk to ska, soul to punk, electro to folk-pop, northern soul to americana.

2009 saw the likes of Frank Turner, Tunng, The Craig Charles Funk & Soul Show, Mumford & Sons, Tommy Reilly plus many more. Held in the Croissant Neuf Tent, Glastonbury’s oldest running area & Europe’s biggest solar powered tent, Kendal Callings ear for diversity illustrates why press are referring to the festival as The Glastonbury of the North!

The Kaylied gives music lovers the chance to discover what the love for tradition is all about. Due to popular demand as a late night hot spot we have decided to keep the Kaylied open longer with the music pumping through till 3am.

Following on from his phenomenal set last year, BBC6 Music’s Craig Charles will be back with his immense collection of funk and Soul to once again bring the festival to a close with some serious booty shaking. Friday night sees The Unabombers founder of legendary Manchester clubnight Electric Chair bring their renowned basement soul to the fields and on Saturday its Beat Boutique with a Northern Soul night that will keep you dancing till the wee small hours.

On Friday the Kaylied headliners will be Swedish sister folk duo First Aid Kit, enchanting story telling at its finest the band are stepping into Kendal fresh from their world tour. On Saturday Mark Chadwick – The Leveller’s frontman will be delivering a Festival exclusive! With an acoustic set The Levellers lead vocalist and guitarist comes to Kendal Calling for a very special and intimate set. The Levellers are one of Britain’s most renowned folk rock bands, this is not to be missed.

Baked A la Ska have been described as ‘Utterly bonkers but irresistible’ by Manchester Evening News. The 11-piece big band feature MCs, harmonicas & one of the tightest rhythm sections in Manchester, Baked A la Ska bring a raucous & uplifting set to the fields.

Hailing from North California is Jesca Hoop, singer songwriter whose been mentored by Tom Waits. Jesca has shared the stage with the likes of Elbow, Polyphonic Spree & Mark Knopfler. Her soulful vocals are beautiful and well worth checking out while you have the chance.

Also from across the pond Skip McDonald aka Little Axe is on board, a Blues musician and legendary guitarist with a background in jazz, doo wop and gospel. Skip (whose stage name is Little Axe) was a member of the house band for Sugarhill Records and appeared as a guitarist on many early rap albums including The Message for Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five.

Up and coming folk star John Smith gained critical acclaim from his recent tour with Mercury Prize-nominated and ex-Lamb frontwoman Lou Rhodes, and is one of the most exciting new voices in British folk music, showing the diversity of the Kayleid stage as he stands alongside folk artists from all over the globe.

CEO of Band on The Wall, Gavin Sharp says:

“We were delighted to be asked to curate the Kaylied stage at this year’s Kendal Calling and see this as a fantastic partnership between one of the UK’s most exciting emerging boutique festivals and Band on the Wall, a music venue that prides itself on bringing together the best music from around the world.”

KENDAL CALLING LINE UP SO FAR:

DOVES / THE CORAL / CALVIN HARRIS / BRITISH SEA POWER / STEREO MC’S / BADLY DRAWN BOY / WILD BEASTS / THE FUTUREHEADS / EROL ALKAN / HIGH CONTRAST / DJ YODA / PLUMP DJ?S / SCRATCH PERVERTS / DUB PISTOLS / ELITE FORCE / ESKIMO TWINS / KID BRITISH / CRAIG CHARLES FUNK & SOUL SHOW / OK GO / LANCASHIRE HOTPOTS / THE KING BLUES / JUSTIN ROBERTSON / DANNY BYRD / DOORLY / EMALKAY / PEOPLE GET REAL / RICH REASON / KEN EVIL / ASH HOWELL

KAYLIED STAGE:

MARK CHADWICK (ACOUSTIC SET FROM THE LEVELLERS FROMTMAN – FESTIVAL EXCLUSIVE!) / FIRST AID KIT / BAKED A LA SKA / LANCASHIRE HOTPOTS / ELECTRIC CHAIR – THE UNABOMBERS /CRAIG CHARLES FUNK & SOUL SHOW / DENIS JONES/ BEAT / SKIP MCDONALD / JOHN SMITH / JESCA HOOP / KIRSTY ALMEDIA / MATTHEW HALSALL / TANKUS THE HENGE / IAN KING / MICHEAL KIWANUKA / 1, 2, 3, 4′s / JONATHAN JEREMIAH / THE MOUSE OUTFIT / RAGHU DIXIT / KATHRYN EDWARDS / THE SEE SEE / JAMES KELLY / TO SOPHIA / JO ROSE / SIMON CONNOR / THE SWITCH / ANDY NEEDHAM / LAZYBONES

Two of the North West’s finest exports have been confirmed for the Lake District’s Kendal Calling festival: anthem generating Doves and festival favourites The Coral will headline Saturday and Sunday nights at the stunning festival site.

Joining the likes of Calvin Harris, local lads Wild Beasts and The Futureheads they will take to the mainstage for some trailblazing live sets over the 3-day event. Doves who are used to country dwelling after recording their last two albums in greener settings will be Saturday night headliners, treating revellers to hits such as ‘There Goes The Fear’ and ‘Pounding’ plus other tracks from last year’s Kingdom of Rust album. Doves have a back catalogue of hits that have seen them open for the likes of Coldplay and U2 with their hypnotic and exuberant soundscapes.

Fellow North West heroes & Sunday night headliners The Coral are set to close the festival with their infectious blend of freewheeling guitars and heart-warming Mersey beats. Down to earth lyricists and good time troubadours; The Coral weave words about everything from grandmothers to love to loneliness with high-octane hooks from the 7 piece band. Kendal Calling crowds can look forward to hits like ‘Dreaming of You’, ‘In the Morning’, and ‘Jacqueline’.

Kendal Calling HQ are delighted that British Sea Power back by popular demand, they headlined our first ever Kendal calling in 2006, returned in 2008 and the band are excited to come and celebrate the festivals 5th Birthday with us & deliver one of their famed storming sets. Originally from Kendal, BSP will be fresh from their own mini festival taking place at Britain’s highest pub – Tan Hill. Kendal Calling are massive fans of British Sea Power and they’ll also be celebrating the launch of their new album – Sunday’s performance is set to be special. With a huge cult following, British Sea Power reside in Brighton, they’ve toured all over the UK and now sail to the high hills of the Lakes!

Prolific songwriter Badly Drawn Boy is also on board the Sunday line up, set to relay his sunshine hits ‘Once Around the Block’ bringing his acoustic sounding magic to the fields.

Brixton dance legends Stereo MC’s will take to the stage on Friday, an extra special show complete with full band & light show and a back catalogue of hip shaking hits spanning the last decade. Their tracks are etched on everyone’s musical memory. Fresh from supporting Madness at O2 Arena last year The Stereo MC’s will take to Kendal Calling main stage with hits such as ‘Connected’ and tracks from their latest Double Bubble album.

Playful Manchester 4-piece Kid British set out to clear the clouds drawing on the street smart sounds of Madness and Blur. They were recently polled above Oasis in a survey of Manchester’s best bands. Delivering a rude boy blend of club friendly beats with hip-hop production – the Kendal fields will be shaking under foot!

Described by NME as ‘riotous sozzled punk with a pinch of salt’ The King Blues return to Kendal Calling after headlining the 2nd stage last year. They make rough radical music that sits just as well on the Radio as it does in festival fields. Fresh from last year’s recordings of ‘Save the World, Get the Girl’ this band is a must-see.

Performance artists Freakeasy will give a special show on the eve of the Kendal Calling festival.

Just 1500 tickets are available for the Freakeasy show so revellers can kick off the weekend a day early and enjoy no queues, first pick of camping & a full evening of all-encompassing parties. Highly skilled circus and side show performers are part of Freakeasy to complete a multi medium feast for the senses as well as the feet.

Freakeasy features the world’s tallest DJ, cabaret & the garden of the paranormal. Amazing, jaw dropping installations like the gramo lantern: a massive gramophone with the horn as a projection screen and a walk-in Victorian parlour underneath. Plus a mobile piano street show, sword swallowing Guinness World record holder Space Cowboy plus angle grinding, hoop twirling & fire-laced spectacular to start the night with a bang!

Europe’s biggest solar powered stage Croissant Neuf will host a cavalcade of live bands, DJ’s and sideshow troubadours all tied together by master of ceremonies, Don Francisco (compere to Lost Vagueness, Trash City, Arcadia and his very own Invisible Circus.)

So roll up roll up, this ground breaking show manifests for one night only – Kendal Calling beckons!

For more details visit www.kendalcalling.co.uk.

Check out the video below for a taster of what to expect:

Walkers and cyclists will soon be able to take advantage of a new guide to one of the Lake District’s most popular circular routes, making use of a picturesque section of the old Keswick to Penrith railway.

The “Keswick Railway Path” details a 10km route from Keswick railway station to Threlkeld and back via the ancient monument at Castlerigg Stone Circle, which is ideal for a half-day stroll or an evening bike ride.

A fully detailed map inside the leaflet also highlights several “short-cuts” which enable people to make the route as long or as short as they wish. Motor cyclists and horse riders are unfortunately not allowed on the path.

In addition to the mysterious Castlerigg Stone Circle, other highlights of the route include stunning views over into Brundholme Wood, the fast-flowing River Greta, Tewet Tarn, and the chance to observe paragliders descending Threlkeld Knotts.

National Park Publications Coordinator Charlotte Crosby said Keswick to Threlkeld along the old railway line has always been a popular “there and back” walk, but now by incorporating sections of cycle routes on quiet roads south of the A66 a “circular” route has been created to appeal to even more users.

“We believe the path will also be popular for people with limited mobility and families with children not yet ready for the more strenuous Lake District walks. There really is a lot going on for such a short path, I’m sure the new leaflet will become very popular, very quickly,” Charlotte added.

The leaflet, priced 70p, will be available later this month from the Keswick Information Centre in Moot Hall.

Kendal Calling HQ are now ready to unleash their first line-up announcement of the year and reveal this years Friday night headliner will be King of Electropop CALVIN HARRIS with Saturday & Sunday headliners still to be announced! The Glasgow-born, gold-disc selling, dynamite DJ sets the standard and brings a back catalogue of hits such as “Acceptable in the 80’s’, ‘I’m Not Alone’ & ‘Ready For the Weekend’ to name a few. Calvin Harris follows in the footsteps of The Streets & his pal Dizzee Rascal who have both headlined the Friday night at Kendal Calling – kicking off the first night with a blockbuster show.

Set in the stunning rolling hills of the Lake District, Kendal Calling is set against one of the UK’s most beautiful backdrops. With a list of heavyweight artists already on board this taster of performers is something to salivate over. Flying the flag for Kendal are local heroes and Mercury prize nominees WILD BEASTS, their album ‘Two Dancers’ was released late last year to critical acclaim and this show is a unique chance to catch the festival homecoming gig of the year.

Also on the mainstage are Angular all-stars THE FUTUREHEADS igniting our dancefloor field with their new wave pop sound and hits such as ‘Hounds of Love’. The 5-piece deliver high-octane live shows & Kendal Calling revellers are in for an audio treat.

Chicago Grammy award winners OK GO are flying in to Cumbria to show us the creative genius that has seen them score over 50 million online hits of their video “Here It Goes Again” and 12 million views in as many days for their latest single “This Too Shall Pass”

Big Beat raucous crew the DUB PISTOLS are on board! Always sure to get the party started with their riotous, stomping blend of hip hop and dance, the Pistols give it their all and feature Godfather of UK hip hop Rodney P on the mic.

The Dance tent is throbbing with the first bookings from legendary promoters Wax:On and Ape who will be hosting on Saturday & Sunday. Disco reviver, iconic t-shirt designer, genre creator, album producer & euphoric anthem maker are just some of the words that sum up underground music idol EROL ALKAN. Joining him on deck duties is the king of cut and paste DJ YODA, sure to amuse & entertain as he does best.

Famous for producing some of the fattest sounds of the millennium, PLUMP DJ’S redefined breakbeat with their cutting edge skills and are a must see for every dance lover out there!

DJ hip hop duo SCRATCH PERVERTS are in the house alongside ELITE FORCE, HIGH CONTRAST & Manchester DJ legend JUSTIN ROBERTSON. Drum n bass wizard DANNY BYRD is also on board alongside genre hopping DOORLY, resident DJ at Wax:On and hailed as the hottest thing by everyone from PETE TONG to ZANE LOWE.

Another member of the Wax:On DJ crew ESKIMO TWINS have shared stages with Erol Alkan so are right at home in the den of superstar DJ’s, deck maestro EMALKAY released clublands best dubstep track of 2009 ‘When I Look at You’ and flexes his skills at Kendal Calling.

Also on board are DJ collective PEOPLE GET REAL, RICH REASON, KEN EVIL and ASH HOWELL.

The majority of stages at Kendal Calling run until 3am, making it one of the latest-running festivals in the UK.

On the Kaylied Folk Stage we’re welcoming the return of BBC 6 Music funk master CRAIG CHARLES and the first appearance for comedy folk band LANCASHIRE HOTPOTS.

With so much more news coming soon, early bird tickets selling out in 1 minute and a bigger revamped site and family-friendly facilities, the Kendal Calling crew are gearing up for the most anticipated festival yet.

With 8 stages of eclectic sounds featuring world famous bands on the main stage & Europe’s biggest solar powered tent Croissant Neuf through to our booty shaking Dance Arena, Kendal Calling is the Lake Districts hottest ticket this summer. This year KC also hosts a kid’s area, Garden of Eden and Peacefull Progress; a creative crew of graffiti artists, breakdancers & sculptors and much more.

Thousands of Cumbrian parents are being given free help from the Lake District National Park to keep their children occupied and entertained during the school Easter holidays.

Copies of the 2010 events guide – often seen as a “must have” for all the Lake District’s millions of visitors – are being given to Cumbrian primary schoolchildren to take home and show their parents just what’s available on their own doorsteps from now right through the spring, summer and autumn school holidays.

The guide, which is a joint production with Cumbria Tourism, lists nearly 600 activities for children, families and outdoor thrill-seekers.

By sending the guides to parents via their children’s schools the national park hopes to get the message to parents that they should never be stumped into asking themselves “what are we going to do with the children today?”

Among the children’s and family highlights for the Easter holidays are:

• Meet the Mammals on 31 March
• Swallows and Amazons style adventure on 4 April
• A Taste of Creativity on 4 April
• Derwentwater Ramble, on 7 April
• Have a go at Archery on 7 April
• Have a go at Geocaching on 10 April

This is the second year the national park has joined up with schools to get their message across to local parents and it’s hoped to become a regular partnership.

“We’re delighted that so many schools are helping us to communicate directly with our own local parents, who are just as important to us as the millions of visitors who come to the Lake District,” said national park events organiser Andrea Hills.

“Entertaining the children during long school holidays is never an easy job for busy hard-pressed parents, but it can be much less daunting when there is so much to do right on your own doorsteps. We hope the free easy-to-follow guides will inspire Cumbrian parents to bring their children into their own local national park and enjoy what millions of visiting parents travel hundreds of miles for,” Andrea added.

More information on the events programme can be found on www.lakedistrict.gov.uk/events

Friday 30th July – Sunday 1th August 2010
Lowther Deer Park, Hackthorpe, The Lake District
www.kendalcalling.com

Nominated for Best Grass Roots festival and Best Small festival at 2009 UK Festival Awards
8,000 capacity – 8 stages – 3 days and nights of fun in the fields

The Kendal Calling hive is buzzing with the news that dance promoters APE and Wax:On will take over the Dance Tent; an announcement that will ignite the passions of dance lovers everywhere. Club curators Ape and Wax:On both respectively throw some of the biggest Drum n bass & dubstep events in the UK and book a repertoire of the world’s best DJ’s. We can’t reveal the DJ line up just yet but one thing is certain; it’s going to be BIG with these heavyweights on board! Wax:On will take the reins on Saturday and Ape will host the arena on Sunday.

For festival-goers bringing little ones, Kendal Calling crew have a plan for families to experience the best of both world’s with the all-new Emperors field! This year’s Emperor Family Camping area will be located in a quiet field away from the main campsite, a stone’s throw from the main arena and offer a special pass to camp next to your car (available for £10).

Set near the campervan field, the quiet family camping will have its own toilet facilities including showers & even a baby changing unit. Gone are the days of summoning superhuman strength at festivals to carry big bags & babies, this family camping experience couldn’t be easier.

ABOUT APE:

Since its conception in 2005 Ape has gone from strength to strength to become a major force in the world of drum n bass, dubstep & other bass driven genres. With innovative line ups, a real emphasis on good time vibes and a loyal and up-for-it crowd, Ape strives to combine the leading names in clubland with breaking talent and the freshest underground artists from around the world.

With their residency at The Warehouse Project firmly established since 2006 and massive Manchester Apollo shows under their belt; some of the best North West dance events of recent times have taken place under the Ape monikor and now they are raring to host the dance arena on Sunday at Kendal Calling!

ABOUT WAX:ON:

For the last 5 years Wax:On have hosted some of the most sought after electronic dance events in the country and played host to over 200 amazing DJ’s and live artists.

They’ve recently taken a leap into releasing music; pioneering the promotion for some of the sterling artists that have set their Wax:On dancefloors alight! Now they are soon to release tracks by Matt Walsh, Doorly & Eskimo Twins.

Dan Blackledge from Wax:On said: ‘’Over the last few years Kendal Calling has grown to become one of the most innovative and exciting festivals in the country and we are extremely pleased to be involved this year. We’ll be bringing in some massive headline talent alongside some amazing upcoming DJs and Live artists from the world of electronic music’’

Director of Kendal Calling Ben Robinson says: “We can assure people that with Ape & Wax : On building our line ups we are going to have an energetic and electric feel that will be a literally mind-blowing experience for all our dance music lovers.”

In travel news Big Green Coaches are on board this year, for as little as £15 they are offering travel to our beautiful Lowther Deer Park from 19 locations across the UK. For those arriving by train Big Green coach will also be running a shuttle between the site & Penrith train station for a discounted rate of £8 (advance bookings).

Kendal Calling revealed the first details of the 3 days extravaganza a few weeks ago and sold out of 500 early bird tickets in 1 minute! With the first line up announcement coming soon, there will be 12 stages and areas mixing up everything from world famous bands on the main stage to Europe’s biggest solar powered tent Croissant Neuf and our booty shaking Dance Arena. This year KC also hosts a kid’s area, Garden of Eden and Peaceful Progress; a creative crew of graffiti artists, breakdancers & sculptors and much more.

TICKET DETAILS:

Date: 30th July – 1st August 2010
Location: Lowther Deer Park, Hackthorpe, CA10 2HN
Ticket Price: Weekend Camping Tickets: £85

Family Camping tickets offers: https://secure.ticketline.co.uk/tickets/13244128/kendal-calling-emperors-fields-family-camping/cumbria-lowther-deer-park/2010-07-30

Big Green Coach travel & festival ticket: £93 available at http://www.biggreencoach.co.uk/index.php/product/affview/kendalcalling/

Direct Tickets: www.kendalcalling.com

A major redevelopment of the Lake District’s premier adventure playground – used by 60,000 visitors a year – begins next week thanks to expert design and advice from pupils at a nearby Windermere school.

The £10,000 project at the Lake District Visitor Centre at Brockhole on the shores of Windermere will be fully installed just in time for the expected surge in business over the Easter holidays.

National Park staff and pupils from The Lakes School – who can’t wait to try out the adventurous design – have been working together with local company Primary Landscapes on design and construction since last November.

However to enable construction work to be completed safely a part of the playground will need to be closed for just over a week. Work begins on Saturday 13 March and should be competed in time for a full re-opening of the playground on Tuesday 23 March.

Primary Landscapes, who have led the project with the Lakes School, describe the new addition to the playground as “a jumble of timber poles and scramble nets which act as the missing link to the existing play structures within the playground. The new equipment will challenge children’s balance, agility, coordination, confidence, and give them a real taste of adventure and fun.”

Brockhole Development Programme Manager Lisa Stewart pointed out that while the construction work was taking place the low level play equipment would still be in use alongside the popular zipwire. Visitors will also be able to enjoy the gardens, boat rides, the café, the shop and the exhibition areas.

“It’s been great fun working with the youngsters and their input has been so important to ensure we have just the kind of adventure equipment that children want. I’m sure this development will be another great addition to all the other facilities people love to enjoy at Brockhole,” she added.

The Lake District National Park Authority opened the country’s first National Park Visitors Centre at Brockhole in 1969. The site is grade II listed on the English Heritage Register of Historic Parks and Gardens.

A plan for a major redevelopment of the 30 acre site is currently underway including a new visitor centre with an indoor and outdoor adventure play facility, restored gardens, new jetty, high ropes and water sports, all to be completed by 2012.

The South Lakes is enticing groups to visit its beautiful area in 2010 with a variety of offers, new things-to-do and suggestions that will not only get the party started, but make it wish the experience or trip would never end.

New facets have been added to the area’s already superb scenic, cultural, food, family-focused and outdoor activities offer, making a visit in 2010 a real must-do for many groups.

The new things that the area can boast include:

• New K Village, The Lakes Outlet opening on June 25 2010, comprising over 30 premium factory outlets, a new K Heritage Centre and five restaurants/cafés to create a unique, state-of-the-art destination shopping and leisure complex.
• New Garden Café at Beetham Nurseries which features home cooked ‘real’ food, produced to high standards with locally sourced ingredients.
• New ‘Full Steam Ahead: Quakers and Railways’ feature at the award-winning attraction, The Quaker Tapestry, Kendal, exploring the relationship between engineer, George Stephenson, and Edward Pease – a Quaker coal owner and merchant, who shared the dream to build a public railway line from Stockton to Darlington. The new Quaker Tapestry display features a working model railway.
• New ‘Keeping House With Mrs Tittlemouse’ exhibition at the Beatrix Potter Gallery, Hawkshead – celebrating 100 years of Mrs Tittlemouse and with a children’s activity sheet to bring the exhibition to life.
• New children’s garden trail during school holidays at Hill Top, Near Sawrey.
• Spectacular new bulb displays for Spring 2010 at Sizergh Castle and Garden thanks to the planting of 7000 bulbs in November, these being 3000 red, cream and yellow tulips in the herbaceous border, 1500 white tulips in the Hot Border and 200 mixed, coloured tulips and Dutch iris in the Kitchen Garden.
• New booking arrangement for groups and school parties visiting Grasmere Gingerbread, plus refreshments and sampling for pre-booked groups.
• New Lakeland Motor Museum opening soon.

Within a relatively compact geographical area, The South Lakes continues to have a concentration of top quality attractions that are the envy of other destinations. Major attractions include:

• The World of Beatrix Potter, Bowness
• Lakes Aquarium, Lakeside
• Windermere Lake Cruises
• The Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway, Lakeside
• Lakeland Wildlife Oasis, Milnthorpe
• The Lakeland Maize Maze, Sedgwick near Milnthorpe
• The Quaker Tapestry, Kendal
• Kendal Museum, Kendal
• The Brewery Arts Centre, Kendal
• Abbot Hall Art Gallery, Kendal
• The Museum of Lakeland Life, Kendal
• Dove Cottage and the Wordsworth Museum & Art Gallery, Grasmere
• Rydal Mount, Rydal
• Sizergh Castle and Gardens, Sizergh, near Kendal
• Hill Top, Near Sawrey, Hawkshead
• Townend, Troutbeck
• The Beatrix Pottery Gallery, Hawkshead
• Blackwell – The Arts and Crafts House
• Go Ape, Grizedale
• Levens Hall & Gardens, Levens

Just a short drive away are the attractions of Coniston, including Brantwood, Steam Yacht Gondola, The Ruskin Museum, the Coniston Launch and the Coniston Boating Centre.

Also close at hand are Holker Hall & Gardens and the coastal area of Grange-over-Sands, Arnside and Silverdale.

Outdoor activities can be arranged with a wide variety of providers, or easily booked, even last-minute, through Destination Cumbria. Activities for families wishing to engage in some woodland exploration can be booked through Playdays in the Woods.

Those wishing to enjoy a brew with a view have a plethora of cafés, restaurants, hotels and other stop-offs to head to, the journey made all the easier by the special ‘Brew With A View’ booklet from South Lakeland District Council.

This publication highlights coach and mini-bus friendly stop-offs and the ‘view’ that can be enjoyed whilst drinking in the landscape or eating the wonderful local produce.

Real foodies can tuck in to the special culinary courses provided by LucyCooks in Staveley, try a regional speciality at Grasmere Gingerbread, or visit the Country Fest show, which includes the former Westmorland Food Lovers Festival.

With a highly attractive and packed events calendar, there are frequent opportunities to build a group itinerary around a specific festival or day out, whether this is Damson Day, Country Fest, The Westmorland County Show, Mintfest, Lakes Alive events, Lake District Summer Music, the Great North Swim, Kendal Torchlight Carnival, the English Stone Skimming Championships, or country events such as Grasmere and Ambleside Sports, or the Rydal or Ings Sheepdog Trials.

The South Lakes has everything to get the party started, thoroughly entertained, thrilled and delighted, and back on the coach or mini-bus with a mass of memories to last a lifetime.

For more information on the South Lakes visit www.southlakeland.gov.uk/tourism.