THINGS TO SEE & DO
Whether your stay is going to be energetic or relaxing, the Lake District has a lot to offer, far too much to list on one page!
So here's a selection of things to see and do, with approximate driving distances from Backbarrow in brackets.
Links in each title will take you to external sites with more information.
A Cruise on Windermere​​ (3 miles away)
Stretching for 10 miles, Windermere is England's largest lake. Victorian passenger steamers have been a way of life here for over 100 years and one of the hopping-on points is only 3 miles away at Lakeside.
I recommend: Take the boat up to Bowness or Ambleside and watch the scenery glide by.
​
The village of Cartmel has a rich heritage. Narrow, winding streets lead to the village square with its pubs, shops and whitewashed cottages. Cartmel even has its own racecourse!
​
I recommend: The village shop, the home of sticky toffee pudding.
​​
Owned by the National Trust, Fell Foot is a lakeshore park where you can hire equipment such as paddleboards and canoes. Lawns and meadows plus the Boathouse cafe provide space for taking it easy too.
​
I recommend: A stroll along the shore for views of the lake.
​​
Grizedale has eight waymarked walking trails, routes for mountain bikes and over 50 unique artworks scattered throughout the forest.
I recommend: Hire a mountain bike at the visitor centre and see this beautiful landscape on two wheels..
​
If you've never visited the Lake District before, the National Park Visitor Centre at Brockhole is a great place to start. Here you can find out about the history of the area, take a walk in the beautifully kept gardens or hire a boat.
I recommend: The café with its views across Windermere.
Hawkshead is possibly the most picture-perfect Lake District village. Whitewashed cottages and cobbled alleys huddle around the square with its pubs, cafes and gift shops.
I recommend: A drive or cycle down the shore of nearby Esthwaite, one of the most beautiful lakes in the area.
Beatrix Potter's home at Hilltop (8 miles)
​
Just outside the hamlet of Sawrey, Hilltop is Beatrix Potter's farmhouse, the inspiration for many of her stories including the tales of Peter Rabbit, Jemima Puddleduck and Squirrel Nutkin.
​
I recommend: The area around the house which is planted in the English Country Garden style with its flowers and vegetables.
The Lakeland Motor Museum (half a mile)
​​
Just a 15-minute walk away, 30,000 exhibits including 140 classic cars and motorbikes have been brought together to showcase more than 100 years of motoring heritage.
​
I recommend: The Campbell Bluebird Exhibition, a tribute to the racing careers of Sir Malcolm and Donald Campbell.
Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway (half a mile)
​
Home to a collection of steam locomotives and railway memorabilia, the line runs from Haverthwaite to Lakeside from March to November.
​
I recommend: Combine your steam train ticket with a cruise on Windermere.
​
With its famous bridge house, Ambleside is a busy town, full of outdoor clothing shops and places to eat. It's also the starting point of many walks, from low level strolls to high mountain climbs.
​
I recommend: Leave the car at Lakeside and take the steamer all the way up Windermere to Ambleside.
The Cinema at Zeffirellis (14 miles)
​​
Zeffirellis is an independent, state of the art cinema in Ambleside with five (yes, FIVE!) screens showing the latest releases and the occasional classic.
​
I recommend: The film and meal deal. Have a bite to eat in the restaurant (see Places to Eat & Drink) plus a reserved cinema seat.
The Old Laundry Theatre (9 miles)
​
The Old Laundry is a thriving cultural hub for residents and visitors to the Lake District. Over the past three decades, the theatre has welcomed famous names from Bill Bailey to Victoria Wood and Griff Rhys-Jones to Alan Ayckbourn.
​
I recommend: Keep an eye on the events list - tickets go fast!
​​
Grasmere is a beautiful village which was once the home of the poet William Wordsworth. The traditional Lakeland stone architecture houses lots of cafes, pubs, shops and galleries.
I recommend: Sarah Nelson's tiny shop next to the church for the local delicacy: Grasmere Gingerbread.
​​
Need some supplies? You'll find shops selling top quality food and drink in nearby Ulverston (side info: Ulverston is the birthplace of Stan Laurel).
I recommend: Booth's, part of a family owned chain of supermarkets known locally as the 'Waitrose of the North'!