Walby Farm Park
Cumbria's big family farm park: animal handling, giant jumping pillows, pedal go-karts and an indoor play barn big enough to lose a wet afternoon in. The far-north option when you are up that way.
Talkin Tarn Country Park
- Cost
- Free entry, parking charge not listed
- Ages
- 2 to 14
- Where
- Carlisle, Cumbria
- Weather
- Mostly outdoors
- Booking
- Just turn up
Talkin Tarn is Cumberland Council's country park just outside Brampton, east of Carlisle, and the appeal is simple: a tarn with woodland round it and footpaths the council describes as easy, which is the right word for small legs. There is an orienteering course for children who need a mission, water sports on the tarn and exhibitions. It costs nothing to walk in and it is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
The facilities keep shorter hours than the park. The downstairs tearoom and gift shop open every day of the year from 11am to 3.30pm, while the upstairs tearoom is currently closed. Toilets are open 9am to 5pm. The council does not publish parking charges or water sports prices on its page, so check both on arrival if the children have their hearts set on getting out on the water.
What it costs: Entry is free and the park is open 24 hours a day. The council page does not list parking charges or water sports prices.
Know before you go
- The downstairs tearoom keeps short hours, 11am to 3.30pm, so time the walk to finish before it shuts.
- Toilets are only open 9am to 5pm, even though the park itself never closes.
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