Activities at home!

Activities ‘Abroad’ we may be, but it just wouldn’t be right for the UK’s leading activity travel company to ignore destinations at home – and where better to base our UK family holiday than the wonderful Lake District?

It's resplendent mountains and waters have been a source of inspiration to its visitors over the centuries, from English poets and writers like William Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter, to walkers and outdoors lovers from around the world. Heading to the north of this outstanding national park territory, our activity trip promises a jam-packed stay in what is truly a marvellous corner of England.

You’ll be travelling around Borrowdale Valley, with its exquisite crags and oak forests. Shining at its top is Derwentwater, appropriately known as the ‘Queen of the English Lakes’: a boating paradise which you will enjoy during your stay. The charming town of Keswick touches its banks, inviting everyone with its pleasant streets, friendly pubs and cafés, and spread of artisan shops. It’s a place which has long preserved its winning combination of traditional life and natural splendour: the very appeal of the Lake District which your family will grow to love as you spend time with us there.

 

Photography by Visit England Alex Hare

Worth a thousand words

Wordsworth once wrote that, growing up in the Lake District, he was ‘a wanderer among the woods and fields’. You’ll definitely be able to follow in his footsteps on our family activity holidays – and do so much more! Get familiar with the sublime landscape by taking an exploration hike around one of the mountains with a guide to tell you all about the different plants and animals that can be found there. There will be plenty of breaks to stop and enjoy your stunning surroundings and the guide will ensure there is a comfortable pace and route for all members of the group.

We also highly recommend spending some time on the region’s famous waters either by canoe or dinghy sailing on Derwentwater or relaxing on one of the iconic steamers on Ullswater spending time on the water is a real highlight of any guests holidays.

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Our itinerary also aims to give your family a genuinely local experience of the Lakes, so we’ve thought of activities that really link to the area’s culture. Ever been ‘ghyll-scrambling’ in a mountain stream? You can with us! How about tackling the ‘Via Ferrata Xtreme’ climbing route at Honister Slate Mine? It will fill your free day with plenty of adrenaline! The beauty of our itineraries in the Lake District are that you can tailor them to suit your family by being as active and adventurous as you wish.

Another of the most popular activities with previous guests has been the climbing and abseiling which is normally enjoyed on rock faces around the Borrowdale Valley (we do have an indoor back up plan should the weather not permit – Keswick has an acclaimed indoor climbing wall too!)

Our final piece of advice for your time in the Lake District would be to book onto the stupendous ‘Borrowdale Challenge’: a day-long family competition with archery, orienteering, raft construction, and a host of other activities.  This is great fun, suitable for all abilities and a rare opportunity for a family to try their hand at new skills together.  An unexpected highlight for some great memories to look back on long after the holiday is over.

A Lakeland for everyone

You might be looking to take a break from long trips overseas and stay closer to home; you might be attracted by our offer of unusual activities; you may never have visited the Lake District, or are longing to return and see it differently. 

Whatever the case may be, your family is sure to fall in love with this superb location. What’s more, given that numerous members of our team hails from Lakeland, we can say with little hesitation that our family trip has been prepared with full insider knowledge, so you’ll be in for a holiday of the highest quality with a very well-informed itinerary.

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Here at Activities Abroad we loved heading out on Derwentwater, which is undeniably majestic, and glistens in the summer sun. We’ve canoed many times before, but dinghy sailing was definitely something new – it’s great fun! Splashing around when ghyll scrambling and sliding our way downstream was probably our favourite thing to do of the lot, but the Borrowdale Challenge and its wild assortment of activities was equally entertaining!

Definitely take time to look around Keswick – we especially recommend the Thursday farmers’ market, where you can sample the finest local produce and fresh food.

Get an expert opinion

Family holidays are so important so please get in touch and let our Travel Experts use their firsthand experience to help you make the right decision for your family. We’ve explored our destinations with our own families, we’ve slept in the accommodation, dined in the restaurants, rafted on the rivers, zip wired through the tree tops, played in the snow, marvelled at the Northern Lights… So please contact us if you have any questions.

Learn more about our experience
  • FAMILY SPECIALISTS

    Created by families for families

    Experience real adventures enjoyed safely

    Family friendly destinations and accommodation

    Maximising your precious family time

  • SHARED EXPERIENCES

    Family time, not screen time

    Family memories to treasure

    For toddlers, young children, teenagers & adults alike

    Enjoy the company of like-minded families

  • INDEPENDENT

    Family owned and run

    Proudly Independent

    Personal, hands-on service

    Fair and sustainable work ethos

  • TRUSTED

    We research the holidays so you don’t have to

    ATOL and ABTA Financial protection available

    Customers rate us 4.8/5 Stars

    Award-Winning: Best Travel Company for Adventure Holidays 2023

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