1 / 20

🦜Lake District Wildlife Park
Set in 24 acres of beautiful parkland at the foot of Skiddaw, the Lake District Wildlife Park is home to over 100 species of animals from around the world. Highlights include walk-through lemur and wallaby enclosures, daily bird of prey displays, and a reptile house. The park also features a large adventure playground, animal handling sessions (seasonal), and a cafe with indoor and outdoor seating. It's a fantastic day out for families, with activities suitable for toddlers through teenagers.
- Hands-on experiences: Lemur walk-through, animal encounters
- Play areas: Adventure playground, soft play area indoors (for rainy days)
- Facilities: Gift shop, baby changing, accessible paths, free parking
- Practical tip: Arrive early for the bird show (11am) to get a good spot. Wellies recommended in wet weather.
Travel tips
Arrive early for the bird of prey display
The daily bird show starts at 11am. Arrive early to secure a good viewing spot, especially during school holidays and weekends.
Wear wellies in wet weather
The parkland paths can become muddy after rain. Wellies are highly recommended, and consider spare socks for young children.
Baby changing facilities available
Baby changing facilities are on-site, making nappy changes straightforward during your visit.
Free parking on-site
No need to pay for parking. This is especially convenient when visiting with young children and lots of kit.
Accessible paths throughout the park
The park features accessible pathways, making it buggy-friendly for families with pushchairs and younger children.
Plan time for the lemur walk-through
The walk-through lemur enclosure is a highlight for most families. Allow dedicated time for this immersive experience.
Check seasonal animal handling sessions
Animal handling sessions run seasonally. Worth checking the website in advance if this is important for your visit.
Adventure playground suits a range of ages
The large adventure playground caters to toddlers through teenagers, so plan time for active play regardless of your children's ages.
Indoor soft play for rainy days
An indoor soft play area means you're not entirely weathered out if it rains, though the park itself is outdoor-focused.
Cafe has indoor and outdoor seating
The on-site cafe offers both indoor and outdoor seating, useful for escaping weather or finding a quiet spot to eat.
Over 100 species to explore
With 100+ animal species across 24 acres, there's plenty to see. Pace yourselves and prioritise what interests your family most.
Reptile house is worth a visit
The reptile house is another featured attraction. Children intrigued by snakes, lizards and similar animals will enjoy this section.
Gift shop on-site
There's a gift shop if you'd like to pick up a souvenir or forgotten essentials like sun cream.
Reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to share your experience!
Sign in to leave a review
Nearby places

Keswick Launch Company
6.2 miExperience the beauty of Derwentwater with Keswick Launch Company's scenic cruises. Boats run regularly from Keswick, stopping at several jetties around the lake. Kids love the open-air deck and spotting wildlife. Boats are pushchair and wheelchair accessible. - Suitable for all ages, from babies to grandparents. - Facilities: toilets, café, and ice cream at Keswick landing stage. - Tips: buy a 'Hop on, Hop off' ticket to explore multiple stops. Check weather for open top deck. - Average cruise length: 45-60 minutes. Family ticket (2 adults + 2 children) around £35.

The Puzzling Place
6.2 miA hands-on museum of puzzles, optical illusions, and brain teasers in the heart of Keswick. Perfect for curious kids and families who love interactive challenges. Highlights: - Over 50 exhibits including holograms, mind-bending rooms, and 3D puzzles - The 'Gravity Room' and 'Impossible Triangle' are crowd favourites - A cozy cafe serving drinks, cakes, and light bites - Gift shop with puzzle games and souvenirs Facilities: Toilets, baby-changing, pushchair-friendly access. Suggested visit time 1-2 hours. Best for children aged 4+, but all ages enjoy the illusions.

Derwent Pencil Museum
6.2 miThe Derwent Pencil Museum is a family-friendly attraction in Keswick, Cumbria, celebrating the history of the pencil. Housed in a former pencil mill, it features: - The world's largest pencil - Interactive exhibits on pencil making - A colouring and drawing studio - A gift shop with Derwent art supplies - Historical displays including wartime secret pencils It's ideal for children aged 3 and up, with hands-on activities. The museum is mostly indoors, perfect for rainy days. Facilities include a café and accessible toilets.

Devil's Glen Woods
8.0 miDevil's Glen Woods is a beautiful ancient woodland located in the Lake District National Park, offering families a chance to explore nature on well-marked trails. The woods feature a mix of broadleaf and conifer trees, a stream, and small waterfalls. Children will enjoy spotting wildlife like squirrels and birds, and there are plenty of flat paths for pushchairs. Facilities include a small car park (pay and display) and picnic benches. No toilets or café on site, so bring supplies. The woods are free to enter and open year-round. Best for kids aged 3 and up who can manage short walks.

Honister Slate Mine
11.2 miHonister Slate Mine offers an exciting underground adventure through one of the last working slate mines in England. Families can take a guided mine tour (lasting about 1 hour) where kids can see original tools, learn about mining history, and even try chiseling slate. The mine stays a constant 8°C, so bring warm clothing. For older children and thrill-seekers, the Via Ferrata is a must: a rock-climbing route along the mountain with zip lines and bridges. Minimum age for Via Ferrata is 10 years. The site also has a café serving hot food and drinks, a shop selling slate souvenirs, and picnic areas. Note that the Via Ferrata operates in all weather but may close in high winds.

