Top Family Friendly things to do in Cartmel

The Lake District is a great place for families and children, and Cartmel is no exception. From coast trips, to little hikes and garden visits, here are some of the best things to do in Cartmel as a family…

  • Camping

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

  • Cartmel Camping Pod 

£140 for 2 nights for 2 adults and 2 children

 Located around 15 minute walk away from Cartmel village, the Cartmel Camping Pod is a medium sized lodge sleeping up to four people making it ideal for small families. The cosy glamping pod is perfect for kids who like luxury camping, complete with a warm log burner, shower, toilet and even a TV!

  • High Fellgate 

Caravan/motorhome £20 per night, tent pitch £15 per night

Situated between Cartmel and Grange-over-Sands on the tranquil seaside shore of Morecambe Bay, High Fell Gate Caravan Park is the oldest caravan site in the area, dating back to the early 1940s. The family-friendly site is ideal for woodland hikes, coastal walks and nearby towns and attractions and offers caravan and campervan pitches alongside classic tent camping pitches.

  • Little Walks for Little Legs

Cartmel is an ideal place to walk with kids; from riverside strolls to adventurous woodland trails, these routes have all you need to your little ones occupied and interested along the way!

- Holker Hall Gardens

Holker Hall is set in 200 acres of gardens and woodlands providing endless walking opportunites. For a day out with the kids, explore walks within the 23 acres of immaculately kept gardens bordering the house. Garden walks are filled with interesting and unique features including a fun labyrinth complete with standing stones. Children can enter the gardens for free!

  • Fell Foot Park garden walk

Combining forest trails and lakeside hikes, Fell Foot Park is a Victorian lakeshore park providing access to Windermere lake, forest hikes and stunning mountain views.   Stretch little legs with a series of nature themed walks around the park, designed for pre-school children and hosted by the National Trust during school holidays. Of course, you can guide your child through the woods yourself during any time of year. After your woodland hike, there’s plenty of space at the park for field games, picnics and water activities such as swimming and kayaking and family rowing boat hire. There is also two children’s play areas nestled in the park that you pass during your walk for a play stop!

  • Lakes Aquarium

Situated at Lakeside on the southern end of lake Windermere, the Lakes Aquarium is a fun family day out observing hundreds of different wildlife both local and exotic including species of fish such as Pike, Arctic Charr, Clownfish and Piranhas, mammals including otters and mice, and reptiles such as frogs and axolotl. Colourful groups of fish can be observed swimming over your head by walking through the aquariums glass tunnel; other interesting displays include a high waterfall plunging into a stream of salmon. The centre host regular talks and tours during the day with a special children’s quiz trail!

  • Wolf Experience

Around 10 minutes drive away from Cartmel, the Wolf Experience is a unique day filled with wolf and fox walks, encounters with eagles and stunning bird of prey displays. The centre was founded in 2009 and specialises in bird and animal experiences with some family-friendly activities. Children under 16 are not allowed to take part in the walks with wolves and foxes for obvious reasons, however children of all ages can participate in a family Hawk Walk, following a member of the team through stunning countryside as a beautiful hawk flys above you, dipping in and out of the sky and back to the trainer. All the family can get an exciting chance to hold a hawk after the hike!