Lowther Castle & Gardens
Come for the playground. The Lost Castle is turrets, tunnels, drop slides and zip wires, built in the grounds of a vast roofless ruin near Penrith and billed as one of the UK's largest adventure playgrounds.
Ullswater 'Steamers'
Penrith & Ullswater, Cumbria
Ullswater 'Steamers' have been sailing the lake for more than 160 years, with one of the largest heritage boat fleets in the world, between piers at Glenridding at the southern end, Howtown on the east shore and Pooley Bridge at the north. They run 363 days a year, so this is one of the few Lake District outings that still works in November.
A full lap costs £76 for a family of four, which is a lot of money for a boat ride. The better value is a return from Pooley Bridge to Howtown at £50.25 for the family, or a single to Howtown and the lakeshore path back to Glenridding for older children with good legs. Under 5s go free. Note the Aira Force pier is out of use until 2027.
What it costs: 2026 fares. Round the lake from Glenridding or Pooley Bridge: adult £26, child 5 to 17 £16, family of two adults and two children £76. Single Glenridding to Pooley Bridge: £17.50 and £11.75. Return Glenridding to Howtown: £18, £12.50, family £54.75. Return Pooley Bridge to Howtown: £16.50, £11.50, family £50.25. Under 5s free. Dogs £1.50.
Know before you go
- The Aira Force pier is closed until 2027, so if the waterfall is part of the plan, use the 509 bus or the Ullswater Hopper instead.
- Pooley Bridge to Howtown return is the cheapest proper trip on the lake and the shortest drive from the M6.
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Penrith Castle Park
A free park opposite Penrith station with a genuine castle ruin in it, plus a play area, tennis, bowls and an obstacle golf course that costs a pound or two for juniors. Cafe and toilets on site.
Aira Force and Gowbarrow Park
A 65ft waterfall in National Trust woodland above Ullswater, about a mile there and back from the car park. Tea room, toilets and a picnic area. Parking is £7 for two hours and free for members.
Penrith Leisure Centre and Jungle Jacks
Penrith's leisure centre does the full rainy-day stack under one roof: Jungle Jacks soft play, a 25m pool and learner pool, a climbing wall and a Saturday inflatable. Not glamorous, very useful.
Rheged
Two minutes off the M6 at Penrith: a big indoor play area at £5 a child, a giant-screen cinema, a cafe and free parking. The motorway stop that is worth the stop.
What’s on near you, every Friday
One email a week: what is on this weekend within a sensible drive, and the places worth booking before they go.