Are you looking for more unusual Lake District activities rather than hiking, sightseeing or shopping? From escape rooms to axe throwing, alpaca walks to willow weaving workshops, there are lots of unforgettable experiences on offer.
Here we’ve listed some of the most weird and wonderful, along with age suitability.
10. Walking with alpacas and llamas
A guided walk alongside these adorable South American fluffballs is one you won’t forget! You’re assigned an animal, and feed them treats as you explore the Lake District scenery together. It’s a great way to encourage more reluctant members of the family to join you for a hike.
There are lots of options, from a short walk near Kendal with Wreay Syke Alpacas to a llama trek through the Newlands Valley with Alpacaly Ever After.
Suitable for: ages 6+
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Duration: varies but usually an hour
Cost: Starts from around £25 a person
Equipment needed: Sturdy walking boots or wellies
Locations: near Kendal LA8 0AA and Newlands Valley office CA11 0SG
9. Four-hooved therapy
This unusual experience encourages you to get in sync with chilled-out horses. Proven to lower your blood pressure and boost the feel-good hormone oxytocin, this is a wonderful activity for animal lovers. Head to Full Circle Wellness at Rydal.
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Full Circle offers a variety of experiences including breath work and wild swimming, cacao ceremonies, forest bathing, massage, and retreats. Highly recommended for those seeking a deeper connection with themselves and nature.
Suitable for: ages 5+
Duration: 2 hours
Cost: £45 per adult on a group booking
Equipment needed: None
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Location: Rydal LA22 9LX
8. A brain cell work-out
Can you crack the codes and secret hints hidden in these escape rooms just south of Lake Windermere? Pick your team and choose the room’s theme, ranging from vampires to pirate ships! Head to Cliffhanger Rooms to unlock more details.
Suitable for: all ages
Duration: One hour
Cost: £17 – £27 per person depending on the size of your group
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Equipment needed: Your thinking cap!
Location: LA12 8PX and then look out for Motor Museum signs
7. Being at one with nature
The ancient practice of Shinrin-Yoku or forest bathing originated in Japan. It encourages you to connect with nature and slow down, taking in the sights, smells and sounds of the forest. Couple and family options are also available from Lakeland Wellbeing
Suitable for: all ages
Duration: From two and half to three hours
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Cost: £25 – £60 per person depending on the size of your group
Equipment needed: Suitable shoes for walking in a forest
Locations: across the Lake District
6. Craft or carve
Ever wanted to make a longbow? Try blacksmithing? Learn the art of dry stone walling? There are some amazing workshops to choose from at Greystoke Craft Gardens and Barns near Ullswater.
Suitable for: 14+ or 16 or 17+ depending on the activity
Duration: One or two days
Cost: £45 – £145 per person
Equipment needed: All provided
Location: near Ullswater CA11 0UT
5. Hedgerow haute cuisine
Foraging and bushcraft courses allow you to reconnect with the seasons. You will learn the difference between edible and poisonous flowers, fruits, foliage and fungi growing wild.
Forage Box offers a range of courses in the Lake District across all seasons.
Suitable for: usually for all ages, but check with the individual provider
Duration: Two hours – one day
Cost: £20 – £99 per person
Equipment needed: Suitable clothing and footwear for walking in the countryside
Locations: Rydal, Lake District
4. Hitting the bullseye
If you fancy becoming Robin Hood or Maid Marian, why not book in for a session? Try Graythwaite Estate near Hawkshead or Brockhole on Windermere.
There’s also tag archery – think paintballing with bows – on offer with Joint Adventures near Coniston
Suitable for: ages 5+ or 6+ depending on the provider
Duration: From 45 minutes
Cost: From £20 per person
Equipment needed: Provided
Location: Hawkshead LA12 8BA, Windermere LA23 1LJ, Coniston LA21 8EW
Fact: the tradition of archery runs deep in Cumbria. The famous Kendal Bowmen took part in the battle of Agincourt, under the banner of Thomas de Strickland of Sizergh Castle near Kendal.
3. Unleash your inner Viking
A key challenge in lumberjack competitions, axe-throwing is becoming an increasingly popular activity. Under expert supervision, you will learn how to throw an axe to try to hit a target. Take your pick of locations, ranging from The Outdoor Adventure Company near Kendal to Wake and Surf of Ullswater.
Suitable for: ages 10+ or 12+ depending on the provider
Duration: From 45 minutes
Cost: From £20 per person depending on your group size
Equipment needed: Provided
Location: Kendal LA8 0NB, Ullswater CA10 2NA
2. Taking aim
Want to lure your children away from their video games? The popular countryside sport of clay pigeon shooting is a real-life shoot ’em up!
Under strict supervision, you learn to aim a shotgun at clay discs propelled high into the air. Head to Michael Coates to find out more.
Suitable for: ages 12+
Duration: Usually one hour
Cost: From £59 – £118 per person, depending on your group size
Equipment needed: Provided
Locations: Near Windermere and Kirkby Lonsdale
1. Flying high
Enjoy an unforgettable bird’s eye view of the Lake District from a hot air balloon ride. Flying over fell tops, lakes, rivers and forests; you’ll see some unique vistas.
Head to Virgin Balloon Flights to learn more about their flight paths over Windermere, Ullswater and Kirkby Lonsdale.
Suitable for: ages 7+
Duration: 3 – 4 hours
Cost: From £169 per person
Equipment needed: A head for heights!
Location: Windermere LA12 8BA, Ullswater CA11 0HB and Kirkby Lonsdale LA6 2GY
Which unusual Lake District activities would you recommend?
We’d love to hear about your wild and wacky adventures! Tag us in your social media posts @cumbria_dot_com on Instagram or @cumbriadotcom on Twitter.
Disclaimer: We’ve tried to be as accurate as possible when writing this article, but information can change. Please check for yourself before making any decisions based on this blog.
