Goosemire Cottages - self-catering holidays and cottage accommodation in the English Lake District
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Just some of the things to do on your holiday in the Lake District
Trotters World of Animals, Coalbeck Farm, Bassenthwaite. Home to hundreds of animals including birds of prey, reptiles and endangered species. A great deal is under cover so rain need not spoil your visit. Plenty to do including gift shop, childrens play areas, flying displays and demonstations. |
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Cars of the Stars Museum, Standish Street, Keswick. The World famous museum of actual vehicles from film and television. On display are - Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Batmobile, Herbie the Love Bug, Harry Potter Ford Anglia, The Flintstones, The A Team van, numerous Bond vehicles, KITT from Knightrider and many many more. The museum also has a souvenir and autograph shop. Located in the centre of Keswick. (wheelchair accessible) |
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Kennedys Fine Chocolates, The Old School, Orton Kennedys have been making fine handmade chocolates in their small 'factory' (more of a kitchen than a factory!) in the picturesque Cumbrian village of Orton since 1991. You can browse the extensively stocked chocolate and gift shop, enjoy refreshments in the coffee house and also watch skilled chocolatiers at work. Their website also has online ordering!! |
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Ullswater Steamers, The Pier House, Glenridding M.Y. Raven and M.Y. Lady of the Lake are two 19th century steamers, now converted to oil, cruising on Ullswater, the most beautiful of the English Lakes. M.V. Lady Dorothy is their smaller sister. Ullswater, in the Lake District National Park, is 8 miles long, running from Glenridding in the heart of the mountains to Pooley Bridge where the River Eamont flows out of the Lake. A cruise on the lake is the best way to enjoy the varied and spectacular scenery of the district, 363 days a year. (please check for wheelchair accessibility) |
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Honister Slate Mine, Honister Pass, Borrowdale. Set in the Heart of Lakeland, Honister Slate Mines have for centuries, produced the beautiful green stone which it is famous throughout the world. A fully guided tour into the mine itself is available several times a day detailing the history and spectacular features of the mine. Free parking, refreshments, gift shop and disabled access to the visitor centre. |
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South Lakes Wild Animal Park, Dalton in Furness. A unique wild life park, built to put animals first. Be amazed by the unique close up encounter you cannot get anywhere else in the UK. Animal Feeding and Conservation Talks take place throughout the day. A proportion of every entrance fee is donated directly to wildlife conservation and protection in the wild. There is a huge range of animals (too many to list) - African lions, Cheetahs, Pygmy Hippos, Amur Tiger, Red Panda, Emu, Swamp Wallamby, White handed Gibbon, Short-clawed Otter, Lemurs, Macaws, Spider Monkeys..... (wheelchair accessible) |  |
Hutton in the Forest House & Gardens, Penrith. Hutton-in-the-Forest is a beautiful historic house on the north eastern edge of the Lake District. It is the home of Lord and Lady Inglewood and their children and has belonged to the family since 1605. The house was originally a medieval stronghold and the Pele Tower still survives. Both the outside and the inside show a wide range of architectural and decorative styles from the 17th century to the present day. Gardens - The beautiful Walled Garden, built in the 1730s, is a wonderful setting for a large collection of herbaceous plants. The topiary terraces round the house, which were originally laid out in the 17th century, are the foundations for an extensive Victorian woodland garden. The fine specimen trees and the 17th century Dovecote form part of the Woodland Walk. (several areas wheelchair accessible) |
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Golf Courses throughout Cumbria Golf in Cumbria has a long history, dating from the establishment in 1872 of Furness Golf Club, the sixth oldest in England. The website lists most courses in Cumbria. Green Fees shown. |
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Greystoke Castle, Nr Penrith, Cumbria. Off-road driving, quad bike treks, clay shooting, archery, fly fishing, falconry and more. The Estate consists of three thousand acres of very mixed land, lying some five miles west of Penrith on the edge of the Lake District National Park. Greystoke Castle Estate is open throughout the year (except for Christmas Day). They can provide all necessary safety and protective gear, and will equip you with waterproof clothing if required. |
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The Village Bakery, Melmerby, Nr Penrith. Since 1976 The Village Bakery Melmerby has been making high quality organic food such as organic bread and organic cakes using artisan methods and wood-fired ovens. Our aim is to make delicious food that contributes to positive health. Our hands-on bakery courses lead novices, enthusiasts and culinary professionals alike to journey to the heart of our most basic food. Our award-winning organic restaurant is famous for its imaginative home cooking. Take a ride along the celebrated A686 Pennine route and call in for breakfast, coffee, lunch or tea. |
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The Wordsworth Trust, Dove Cottage, Grasmere. The Wordsworth Trust exists to be a living memorial to the life and poetry of William Wordsworth and his contemporaries, serving, in the words of the first Trustees, 'lovers of English poetry from all over the world'. Its focus is Dove Cottage and the hamlet of Town End, Grasmere, a place and a landscape at the centre of the English Lake District where the poet lived from 1799 to 1808. The Wordsworth Trust was founded in 1891 to secure Dove Cottage. The Trustees have built an award-winning museum, opened in 1981, which together with the Wordsworth Library houses what is one of the greatest collections of manuscripts, books and paintings relating to British Romanticism. |
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Laurel & Hardy Museum, 4c Upper Brook Street, Ulverston. The world famous museum devoted to Laurel & Hardy in Ulverston, the town where Stan was born on 16th June 1890. A large extension gives ample room to browse and a small cinema shows films and documentaries all day. (Disabled persons have full access). |
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Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway, Ravenglass, Cumbria. From the Lake District National Park´s only coastal village of Ravenglass, the Railway winds its way through the secret valley of Miterdale to the village of Eskdale Green. A seven-mile journey of steam, to the foot of England´s highest mountains. This is a land of native Herdwick sheep, Roe Deer, Buzzards and Red Squirrels. |
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Keswick Mountain Bikes, Southey Hill Trade Estate, Keswick. Mountain bike hire, sales and authorised shimano service centre for repairs. Extensive range of bikes for hire from standard to full suspension. Tandems and child seats also available. Friendly and helpful staff can provide route suggestions to suit all ages and abilities. Regular organised rides all welcome. |
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Croglin Toys, The Old School, Lazonby, Nr Penrith. Croglin Toys moved to the Old School in Lazonby, attracted by its beautiful setting, the pre 17th Century building and its recent history as a joiners shop. Wooden toys and other designs for adults and children are made on the premises and are available for sale in the former schoolroom upstairs (no wheelchair access, sorry). The original range includes handpainted tops and whirleygigs, farmsets, Noah's Arks with lots of beautiful accessories, stacking dolphins, shelves, jigsaws and more. |
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Fishing in the Lake District & Eden Valley. The Lake District & Eden Valley offers a vast and varied amount of fishing. This site has details of where to fish, bait shops, where to buy permits etc. |
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Wheelbase,Staveley Mill Yard, Staveley, Nr Bowness. South Lakes Mountain and road bike hire, sales and repairs. Staveley is located at the foot of the Kentmere valley, which is a perfect place for mountain biking. |
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Muncaster Castle and Gardens, Ravenglass, West Cumbria. Muncaster Castle, World Owl Centre, gardens and Maze. Visitor Attraction of the Year. Muncaster Castle, home to the Pennington family for 800 years, is a genuine treasure trove of art and antiques. But Muncaster's wild history reveals a flipside to life in a stately home. The castle evolved from the Pele Tower, built to repel marauding Scots. Those who stay here say it is haunted by ghosts, including the legendary Tom Fool. Muncaster is also headquarters of the World Owl Trust, you will find one of the largest collections of these thrilling birds in existence. There are also buzzards, kestrels and red kites and a daily flying display on the Castle lawns. Explore the designated paths and walks. Try the awe inspiring Wild Walk or the fascinating Sino-Himalayan Trail. Walking boots or stout footwear recommended. All beneath the grandeur of Scafell Pike, England's tallest peak. Imagine being a meadowvole - just two and a half inches tall - living in meadowland, where dangers lurk at every turn. It's no picnic. But down at the MeadowVole Maze the secret world of wildlife makes for a wild experience. Here, where the grass is seven feet tall, you'll find what life is like for these tiny creatures. (most areas wheelchair accessible) |
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Aquarium of the Lakes, Lakeside, Newby Bridge, Cumbria. Set on the shore of Lake Windermere, the award-winning Aquarium of the Lakes takes you on an amazing voyage of discovery. Enjoy close encounters with hundreds of amazing creatures including trout, eels, pike, perch, giant crabs, rays and many more. More than 30 spectacular, naturally-themed habitats bring the natural history of the Lake District vividly to life. Come face to face with playful otters in their riverbank home, enjoy the ultimate underwater thrill as you stroll along a recreated section of Windermere's lake-bed surrounded by surrounded by gigantic carp and the amazing diving ducks, and meet the Aquarium's most popular residents - inquisitive rays and British sharks in the Morecambe Bay display. (wheelchair accessible) |
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The World of Beatrix Potter, The Old Laundry, Bowness. In an indoor re-creation of the Lakeland countryside, discover the world of Beatrix Potter - complete with sights, sounds and even smells. Also onsite - gift shop and tea rooms. |
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Eden Ostrich World, Langwathby Hall Farm, Langwathby, Penrith. Eden Ostrich World is a Farm Visitor Centre based at Langwathby Hall, a 500 acre working arable beef and sheep farm near Penrith in the beautiful Eden Valley. Of high educational value, the Centre boasts rare breeds of cattle, horses, donkeys, shire horses, outdoor pigs, goats, red deer, ducks and geese. Of course, the centrepiece is the magnificent African Black Ostriches. Other facilities include - adventure playground, gift shop and tea rooms. (wheelchair accessible) |
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Holker Hall & Gardens, Cark-in-Cartmel, Nr Grange-over-Sands Holker Hall, never sold throughout its 400 year history, is the family home of Lord and Lady Cavendish. It is a delightful family home with fine displays of antique furniture and art. The gardens are winners of Christies/HHA Garden of the Year in 1991, and voted 'amongst the best in the world' by the Good Gardens Guide, 1996. The grounds cover 25 acres of formal and woodland gardens, with majestic water features including the limestone cascade. The Lakeland Motor Museum, winner of Cumbria Tourist Board's Attraction of the Year 2000, and the English Tourism Council's Best Small Visitor Attraction, houses an extensive and fascinating collection extending to some 20,000 exhibits, including cars, motorcycles, tractors, bicycles, pedal cars and engines plus perhaps the largest display of automobilia on public display within the UK - pure nostalgia, certain to provide a thoroughly enjoyable 'motoring memories' experience. (most areas wheelchair accessible) |
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The Beacon, West Strand, Whitehaven. The Beacon is a mixture of old and new. The displays give an opportunity to walk around Whitehaven's past, wander down cobbled streets, peek into a slave ship and see what a coal mine was like. The Beacon shows the history of Whitehaven town and harbour, the Lowther family, the development of coal mining and its disasters, and Whitehaven's shipbuilding history. Whitehaven was part of a trading triangle - with Africa and America. There was a strong connection with America, and the tobacco trade. There is a gift shop selling a variety of local crafts, and also a cafe. |
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Keswick Launch Company, Lakeshore, Keswick on Derwentwater. Located on the lake shore of Derwentwater near to the Lakeland market town of Keswick, the Keswick Launch Company offers Lake District cruises around Derwentwater throughout the year. The launches start their journey from the Keswick boat landings and cruise around the lake stopping at seven lakeshore jetties where you may embark or join the various boats. Alternatively, stay on the boat and enjoy the 50 minute trip around Derwentwater. You can also hire rowing boats and self drive motor boats from the Keswick boat landings. Boats are hired on an hourly or half-hourly basis. |
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Lilliput Lane Visitor Centre, Skirsgill, Penrith. The Lilliput Lane Vistitor Centre is inside Honeysuckle Cottage is an authentic life-sized thatched building surrounded by colourful gardens. Inside you will find some truly exclusive cottages, and from here you can take a tour of our Studios to see how the world's favourite miniature cottages are made. Join the artists at Lilliput Lane and Paint Your Own cottage when you come to visit. There is also a tearoom offering light snacks. |
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Windermere Steam Boats & Museum, Rayrigg Road, Windermere. Windermere Steamboats & Museum offers - A unique and historic collection of Steam and Motor Boats, Steam Launch Trips, Shop and Refreshments, "Swallows and Amazons" Exhibition, "Model Boats: You Too Can Do It!" Exhibition. (majority of site suitable for wheelchair access) |
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Homes of Football, 100 Lake Road, Ambleside. Stuart Clarke began photographing The Homes of Football in 1989, after the Hillsborough disaster, soon creating a huge portrait of the national game in change. After years of touring his exhibition throughout the UK (which is ongoing to this day) Stuart found a permanent home for his collection of some 60,000 images at Ambleside. Limited edition signed prints are for sale in the shop. |
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Rheged "The Upland Kingdom Discovery Centre", Redhills, Penrith. Named after the Ancient Kingdom of the Dark ages, Rheged is the newest and largest visitor attraction in Cumbria. Situated in Britain's largest grass covered building, Rheged's centrepiece is a six storey high cinema screen featuring a dramatic journey back in time through 2,000 years of Cumbria's history. There is also a resturant and coffee shop, childrens indoor play area, and speciality shops and artists galleries inside |
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We welcome you to take a browse around our web site for more information about the holiday cottages and properties we offer in the Lake District, England. Simply select from the menu ....
Goosemire Cottages, Bateman Fold Barn , Crook, Nr Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 8LN, UK
web site: www.goosemirecottages.co.uk e-mail:enquiries@goosemirecottages.co.uk
tel: (+44) 01539 731801; fax: (+44) 01539 741124
copyright ©2008 Goosemire Cottages - All rights reserved