A Tourist’s Brainstorm of Trips Out for the Tiny Tots in Your Life

Even the teeniest of minds need entertaining throughout the day and your breakaway is no exception.  The adorable gargling sounds and endearing little giggles do not stick around for long and soon enough there is a sudden panic to keep tantrums at bay.  Put unfamiliar surroundings into the mix and these wee people can feel a tad unsettled.  As pretty as the Lake District is and as pretty as the Lakeside Hotel is, days trips and incorporating activities for toddlers will create your own family adventure and will be just the thing to keep those smiles on faces.

Children love to explore and encounter new things.  Gone are the days of stately homes, from a bygone time, with spam sandwiches and cartons of orange juice.  Back then we had this utterly unique way of draining all fun out of family trips, faster than you can say ‘yawn’. Let us be less mind-numbingly mundane and more irresistibly interesting and think of more adventurous things to do.  Take a trip to The Lakes Aquarium, which is literally a few steps away from the reception.  I mean, what child does not want to feast their eyes upon ducks, fish, otters, frogs and tortoises? Even the slimiest of creatures will get a giggle.  Lose yourself here for a few hours, as there is a huge meaty mix of things to do and see, that ensures laughter and amusement for all.

The Lakeside Hotel is lucky enough to be amongst some rather beautiful buggy-friendly lowland walks, that are on your doorstep.  Whimsical walks filled with a patchwork quilt of perfumed trees, picnic spots, top-notch hide and seek places and interesting nooks and crannies.  Find a lovely brief west shore walk from Claife’s viewing station to the enchanting Wray Castle.  This much-loved and well-surfaced path is ideal for either little giddy legs or sturdy buggy-wheels.  With the majestic woodlands and lakeside picnic views, it truly makes for a pretty path indeed.  Catch Windermere Cruise’s terrific and traditional wooden launch from the Lakeside jetty to the Ferry House by Claife’s viewing station to embark on this adventure.  Find your caffeine fix with freshly brewed beans at The Café in the Courtyard and stop to refuel at Wray’s quaint Kitchen Court Café at the other side, as a walk is much sweeter when there is a sweet treat awaiting you.  Smile as your beloveds experience the Peter Rabbit Adventure, chuckle as they dress up in the arts and crafts room and be proud as punch as they build a castle of their very own in the activity room.  Venture outside and enjoy the squeals as you push them on the swings of the outdoor adventure play area, little legs in the air against blue sky and clouds.  When it is time for homeward bound and you have run out of activities to do, round up your brood and head for the jetty and your launch for a Windermere Lake sail.  When wriggly toes are all cosy in the warm beds of the Lakeside Hotel, reminisce together of the day filled with pebble picking, muddy puddle splashing and endless piggyback rides.

A child’s raw imagination is so care-free, precious and very short indeed.  Those stolen moments of catching a glimpse of them offering afternoon tea to their teddies or pushing their trains around makeshift tracks, are gone in a blink of an eye.  For these little snippets of life that we all cherish are what memories are made of and The Lake District is the home for more magical moments and dear memories.  There are plenty of local parks and playgrounds that allow them to just be kids that yearn to explore and be free.  Take a short drive from the hotel to Grizedale Forest that happily tucks itself in-between neighbouring Lake Coniston and our Windermere.   Here you can embrace the fresh air with your cubs and indulge in the traditional wooden playground and perhaps take a stroll around nature and animal trails, with crafty wooden creatures to spot on your path.  After your nutty nature trail adventure, take a short detour to Hawkshead’s version of chocolate heaven.  The Cocoabean Company is home to a rainbow of tasty treats and fun little interactive workshops, for children to explore and make their own chocolate creations.  Sip from your coffee cup and take a break in the comforts of the café, while they cause hilarious havoc in the kitchen.  A fun and unique experience that is quite unforgettable and a perfect way for your children to get into a chocolatey mess with different textures and colours.

How about taking these little weenie tots on a steam train ride?  Let them chuckle, point their tiny fingers and experience a sense of an old-fashioned novelty, while they explore this beautiful district by train.  Depart from Haverthwaite Station, only 100m’s walk away from Lakeside’s grand doors, and chug along.  You can combine your trip with a cruise on the lake, with their Park, Rail & Sail ticket.  Widen your explorational footprint and visit Ambleside and Bowness.  Bob along and wave at the people walking up to Wray Castle and your fellow sailors drifting by.  The children will love the sense of an exciting escapade and ensure a restful sleep, back under Lakeside’s sheets.

Where you stay is just as important as those trips out, unforgettable memories and happy-go-lucky candid snaps.  It is very rare these days to stumble upon a luxury hotel that welcomes families with young children, with open arms.  These scenarios are often met with faces that grimace, eyes that roll and impatient sighs on lips.  It is time to kiss goodbye to hotels with limited facilities for children and to staff that make no time for families.

Here, at Lakeside, you will find quite the opposite.  This hotel prides itself on being one big family, that in turn loves the patter of tiny feet and rooms filled with giggles within their walls.  Families play a big part in the hotel and their staff go above and beyond for your little treasures.  In both their restaurants they have an exciting U14’s menu on offer, that is both realistic for small bellies and absolutely delicious.  They can also enjoy the warmth from the pool and escape into the beautiful surroundings by the lakeshore.  Their selection of Family Rooms and Suites provide superior accommodation brimming with homely luxury that also offers practicality and a space to rest and relax.  If there are a few members or multiple families taking part in your lakeside adventure then there are Interconnecting Family Rooms to choose from.  Enjoy two en-suite bathrooms, plentiful space for family shenanigans and bedtime cuddles.