The South Lakes lays down a 'more per square mile' gauntlet

The Southern Lake District is speculating that it can probably offer more family fun within fewer square miles than any other region of the country this summer, as its plethora of attractions pull out all the stops to keep the area at the forefront of English tourism.

There are certainly some real treats in store for families visiting the honey-pot that is the South Lakes, as the beautiful region uses it resources to help inspire young minds and fill family stays with fun.

The great news is that families can keep their carbon footprint to a minimum, by parking up the car and either cycling between attractions, or using ‘hopper’ services, such as Mountain Goat minibuses, the Cross Lakes Shuttle, or the public bus service around the lake.

Capture Cumbria’s Colours at Dove Cottage, Grasmere

The wonderful Dove Cottage, in Grasmere, is using its Wordsworth connections and inviting youngsters to paint, draw or colour scenes from Wordsworth’s poems, or compose a poem themselves. They can also make their own Dove Cottage guide book, solve quizzes and try their hand at jigsaws, with all of these activities being staged in the family activity room opposite the cottage.

All activities are free with a purchased ticket, which costs £7.50 for an adult and £4.50 for a child, providing the opportunity to tour Wordsworth’s family home and see how the Wordsworths lived. A family ticket costs £17.20. A ticket also includes a guided tour of Dove Cottage, admission to the Wordsworth Museum, Art Gallery and special exhibitions and free parking for the duration of a visit.

The Foyle Room for family activities is open daily, from 10am to 1pm and from 2pm-5pm, with this summer holiday’s programme available to August 31. Dove Cottage itself opens daily at 9.30am and closes at 5.30pm, with last admission at 5pm. Visit wordsworth.org.uk for more details.

Tea with Bea & P in Bowness

Moving down the eastern side of Lake Windermere to Bowness, families will find the World of Beatrix Potter – another stunning attraction drawing inspiration from the district’s links with famous writers, poets and artists.

During August, some special activities will top-up the usual visitor experience, which allows families to explore the characters and themes of all 23 of Beatrix Potter’s tales, breathing the smells of the countryside and seeing the sights that inspired such wonderful children’s stories.

On August 17, both adults and children can have tea with Peter Rabbit, tucking in to delicious sandwiches, sticky cakes and mouthwatering biscuits. "Beatrix Potter" will read The Tale of Peter Rabbit and Peter will be offering plenty of hugs to youngsters. On this day, the tea is included within the entrance fee of £6 per adult and £3 per child, on this day.

With a Virtual Walks display, innovative exhibits and a short video to view, there’s lots to keep everyone occupied. Visit hop-skip-jump.com for more information.

Tribal Treats at Lakeside

Moving around the lake, visitors will find the Lakes Aquarium in tribal mood, as it hosts its Tribal Global event. This event, running to August 15, is full of colour and craft, offering visitors the opportunity to make a dreamcatcher or a Native Indian head-dress, head down a Matching Pairs quiz trail, or create a design for the attraction’s totem pole.

They can also learn about tribal food, tucking in to grasshoppers, grubs, water beetles, crickets and scorpions, if they wish to experience the diet of other cultures around the world.

These exciting activities take place between 11am and 12.30pm and 2.30pm and 4.00pm, each day to August 15, for no extra charge once the admission price is paid. Tickets cost £8.50 for an adult, £5.50 for children and £7.00 for concessions and give families the chance to see diving ducks perform in the amazing underwater tunnel, otter feeding and the fabulous, new Virtual Dive Bell, which transports visitors to the bottom of an African lake.

With informative talks from the display team, a restaurant with a stunning view of Windermere and a range of creatures from freshwater lakes and areas around the world, this is a not-to-be-missed venue. The Aquarium opens daily at 9am, closing at 6pm, with last admission at 5pm. Visit lakesaquarium.co.uk for more information.

Luckily, the Aquarium is next door to the Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway’s Lakeside station and also by one of Windermere Lake Cruises departure and stopping points.

Victorian Elegance at Haverthwaite

Whilst the cruise ships will be allowing visitors to appreciate life on and alongside the beautiful lake, the Lakeside and Haverthwaite railway will be whisking them back in time. On August 5, 12, 19 and 26, FR20, the oldest working standard gauge steam locomotive in Britain, will depart Haverthwaite at 6.45 pm, on a special Victorian journey.

As passengers relax in lovingly restored carriages, soaking in the beauty of the Leven Valley, they will be transported to Lakeside, where Windermere Lake cruise ship MV Tern will welcome them on board for a 35 minute, early evening cruise.

Passengers will be encouraged to dress for the occasion, in a Victorian style, as they recapture the spirit of Victorian Lake District visitors, who plumped for a Grand Tour of the Lakes when Napoleonic Wars made a tour of Europe impossible. Dressing up is not compulsory, though railway staff will be in costume.

There is the option to book a delicious two-course meal, based on locally sourced Cumbrian produce, in the Station Restaurant, at an additional cost. Those wishing to purchase tickets for railway journey and cruise can do so for £13 for an adult and £6.50 for a child. The price for train, boat and meal is £21.95. Visit lakesiderailway.co.uk.

A-maze-ing Adventures in Sedgwick

Those wishing to simply lose themselves in nature can certainly do that a few miles outside Kendal and a short drive from Lake Windermere, at the Lakeland Maize Maze, at Raines Hall Farm, Sedgwick. There, a tour of this year’s farm-themed maze, with its two quiz trails, costs £5.50 for an adult and £4.50 for a child, providing hours of fun travelling through the maze and relaxing on the farm, where a range of animals and activities are on hand.

A tour of the maze takes between 90 and 120 minutes, but then there’s the chance to also tackle the arrow and rope maze, play giant draughts, ride coin-operated mini tractors, go karts and ascend the climbing wall. Hugging a guinea pig in Pets Corner is also very popular.

Visitors can also pick their own sweetcorn, enjoy a tractor and trailer ride, have a go at trampolining, or head to the picnic area to eat their own choice of food.

The maze is open daily from 10am to 6pm, with last entry at 4.30 pm.

The maze is open to Sunday, September 28, seven days a week, from 10am to 6pm. There is also a moonlight maze every Saturday in September, with entrance from 6pm to 9.15pm and final exit at 10pm. Visit lakelandmaze.co.uk for more information.

And there’s more

With other attractions within ten miles comprising Rydal Mount (Wordsworth’s home for 37 years), Sizergh Castle and Gardens, Holker Hall and Gardens, Levens Hall and Gardens, Hill Top (Beatrix Potter’s home), Kendal Museum, The Quaker Tapestry, The Lakeland Motor Museum, Abbot Hall Art Gallery, Blackwell – the Arts and Crafts House, the Firefighter Experience and Brantwood, there’s plenty to keep everyone amused.

For more information on the South Lakes, visit Southlakeland.gov.uk.