Top Family Friendly things to do in Buttermere

The Lake District is a great place for families and children, and Buttermere is no exception. From summer camping nights and ice cream shops to little hikes and swims, here are some of the best things to in Buttermere as a family…

  • Camping

Buttermere offers a small selection of family friendly campsites with plenty of space for kids to enjoy ball games and a night under the stars…

  • Syke Farm Campsite 

Tent camping: Adults £9, Children 3-16 £4, Children under 3- free- per person per night. 

Yurts & Shepherds Huts: £260 for 2 nights- prices vary depending on how many nights and peak seasons- 2 night minimum stay.

Situated in the village of Buttermere, Syke Farm is a working farm offering camping and ‘glamping’ facilities. The farm is a large, upgraded campsite offering field space for around 50 tents and more luxurious options including furnished Yurts and cosy Shepherds huts. The campsite is an ideal base for exploring Buttermere and offers stunning views over the surrounding fells.

  • Cragg House Farm 

Prices available through contacting John and Vicki Temple on the Cragg House Farm website.

Cragg House Farm is a traditional Lakeland working farm situated in Buttermere village offering a holiday cottage and camping barn. The holiday cottage only sleeps 2 people so isn’t a great option for families however the camping barn is ideal and sleeps up to 8 people.

  • YHA Buttermere campsite and hostel 

Camping and Landpods: £15 per night, private room: £29 per night, bed in a shared room: £13 per night. 

The YHA Buttermere is set in woodland overlooking Buttermere lake and surrounded by fells. The YHA offers traditional tent camping, ‘Landpods’ and private and shared rooms in the hostel and is the ideal base for hiking activities and exploring Buttermere. The ‘Landpods’ sleep up to four people, making them a great, cheap option for smaller families.

  • Little Walks for Little Legs

When hiking with kids, you want to choose an easy, accessible walk with lots of exciting features. Here are a few family walks from Buttermere to start with…

  • Rannerdale Valley

A short mile long hike from Buttermere will take you to Rannerdale Valley, also known as the Valley of Bluebells. A beautiful, easy walk for all the family, there are plenty of spots for picnics amongst the greenery or along the shores of Loweswater. Please encourage your little ones to stick to the paths and not stand on the bluebells; they are a slow growing flower and can be easily damaged.

  • Buttermere lake circular

A five-mile walk around Buttermere lake is a great family hike out. The route explores the shores of the water, which have plenty of beachy sections creating the perfect opportunity for kids to have a supervised lakeshore paddle and play by the lakeside. The walk also explores woodland, with one section of the path leading through a short, little cave with a series of puddles to jump in; an exciting, adventurous part of the walk little kids in their wellies will love!

  • Sourmilk Ghyll and Bleaberry Tarn

For a short but rewarding hike, the route up to Bleaberry Tarn is a great option. The path starts at The Fish Inn pub and follows a track around the edge of the lake before continuing on a quaint little footbridge over Sourmilk Ghyll- a picturesque series of waterfalls running down the fell side. The woodland path leading to the tarn is steep, however is suitable for older children and will give them a great sense of achievement when they reach the top and are rewarded with the tarn! 

  • Syke Farm Tearoom’s homemade ice cream

An ideal little treat for little ones after a day of adventuring, Syke Farm Tearoom are renowned for their homemade ice cream freshly created using dairy ingredients from their own working farm. Other sweet treats for the kids to get their teeth stuck into include homemade cakes and brownies!