Things to do in Lake District summer holidays 2026

Are you lucky enough to live in Cumbria or to be visiting in the summer holidays? If so you need this guide to the best things to do in Lake District Summer holidays 2026. It includes events, fun family days out and family theatre across the Lake District and wider in the Cumbria region. Find more Things to do with kids in the North West summer 2026 here.

National Trust family days out and events

Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Trail at Sizergh

When – 23rd May – 6th September 2026.

Get active outdoors on our Pokémon Trading Card Game Mega Evolution Trail. Team up as a family to search the gardens for each Mega Evolution Pokémon, discover their powers and complete your own challenges. 

Are you ready for a mega adventure?

Trail sheets will be available to collect on the day. Normal admission also applies, free for National Trust members.

Full details here – Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Trail at Sizergh

Summer of play at Sizergh castle

When – 4th July – 1st September 2026.

From dressing up and lawn games to seed sowing, musical instruments and the scallop trail in the house (plus lots more), there’s loads to get stuck into.

Free but admission applies to non-members.

Full details here – Summer of Play | National Trust

Summer of play at Allan Bank

When – 4th July – 1st September 2026.

Play the traditional games croquet, quoits & skittles on Allan Bank’s front lawn with glorious lake views, or try sports day games available from the activity box on the west lawn play area. Loose parts play & wooden noughts and crosses games can be found in the wooded garden. Self led printing activities are available in The Art Caravan.

Admission fees apply to non-members.

Full details here – Summer of Play at Allan Bank | National Trust

Free Creative Play Trail at Whitehaven coast

When – 21st July – 19th August 2026. (selected dates only)

There will be games and sporting equipment on the grassy seaside fields on the Whitehaven Coast for all to enjoy. If you’ve never picked up a badminton racket or played a game of volleyball, volunteers will be on hand to help you and your little ones get going. 

Full details here – Creative Play Trail | National Trust

Summer of play at Wray Castle

When – 18th July – 1st September 2026.

Dive into the fun with classic lawn games, spin into action with our hoops and uncover even more outdoor games and activities dotted around the grounds.

This event is free but parking charges apply to non-National Trust members.

Full details here – Summer of Play at Wray 2026 | National Trust

Teddy bears picnic, Wordsworth house

When – 2nd – 16th August 2026.

They’ll provide the blanket, basket, tea set and all you need for your teddy, and you bring along any of your own snacks to enjoy. Don’t forget your teddy! 

Children’s picnic sets available to borrow at any time from the welcome area. Weather dependant, you choose when to picnic!

Full details here – Teddy bears picnic | National Trust

Summer of play, Acorn Bank

When – 27th June – 6th September 2026.

You’ll find traditional games, nature-themed rubbing plaques and other outdoorsy activities.

Full details here – Summer of play

Beatrix Potter’s 160th Anniversary at Hill Top, Hill Top

When – 28th July 2026.

Expect bunting and extra pop-up activities in the garden. For families with children, there are storytelling sessions of the tales written at Hill Top, and a treasure hunt activity to find Tom Kitten’s missing buttons hidden around the garden. And for adults, there will be pop-up talks about Beatrix Potter’s life from the volunteers.

Full details here – Beatrix Potter’s 160th Anniversary at Hill Top

Lowther Castle Mythical creatures

From 18th July 2026

Magical dragon & unicorn trail and crafts throughout the summer holidays.

Crafts run Wednesday – Sunday in the Rose Garden Summerhouse (from 22nd July). £3 per craft.

Other family events

Drawing with Leah, Abbotts Hall

When – 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th August 2026. 10:30am–12:30pm.

Join local artist Lela Harris this summer for a weekly drawing workshop series designed especially for young artists aged 8 – 14.

Taking inspiration from Harris’ work in Familial Traces, these relaxed, hands-on sessions will help participants build confidence, try new materials and develop their own creative ideas. Across the series, young artists will explore pencil, charcoal and colour while creating portraits, still lifes and landscapes.

Each session offers the chance to learn new drawing techniques, look closely at artworks on display throughout the gallery and respond creatively to themes of identity, family, belonging and home.

In the final workshop, participants will use their favourite materials and techniques from the series to create a collaborative artwork together.

Sessions can be booked individually, but we recommend attending the full series to get the most out of the programme and build skills week by week.

All materials are provided, though participants are welcome to bring their favourite sketchbook if they would like. Parent or guardian supervision is required for each session. Tickets include entry to Abbot Hall’s collection galleries and exhibitions on the day of the workshop.

Sessions from £10 per family (up to 3 children and 2 adults).

Book here – Drawing with Leah

Summer of Senses at Windermere Jetty Museum

When – 18th July – 30th August 2026.

See, hear, touch and smell your way through the Summer of Senses interactive exhibition, packed with hands-on sensory stations and fascinating creatures. Discover how humans and animals use their incredible senses to explore the world. You may even come across a few critters along the way!

The adventure doesn’t stop there. Follow our Summer of Senses Trail and continue the fun as you explore the museum.

Summer of Senses Trail included with museum admission

Full details here – Summer of Senses | Windermere Jetty Museum

Happy birthday Peter Rabbit show, The World of Beatrix Potter

When – Selected dates from throughout July and August 2026.

Take your seats and join the fun as Peter Rabbit and his friends hop from page to stage in a delightful musical spectacular!  With beautiful puppets and enchanting songs, this theatrical treat is perfect for the whole family.

It’s Peter’s birthday, but he’s worried everyone has forgotten. While Benjamin Bunny organises a secret party, Jemima Puddle-duck practises her singing and Mrs Rabbit bakes a cake… but grumpy Mr McGregor has his own plans for the mischievous carrot thief!

Celebrate friendship, surprises and plenty of hippity-hoppity fun in this magical, song-filled adventure.

Show + Attraction tickets: this great value ticket package allows you to visit the Attraction immediately after the show as this  entry time is reserved exclusively for theatre guests. If you choose to visit the Attraction at any other time during the day, you will need to join the general admission queue.

Book here – Peter Rabbit Theatre.

Summer of fun at Walby Farm Park

When – 18th July – 1st September 2026.

National Festival Circus – 22–26 July – One of the highlights of the summer, the spectacular National Festival Circus returns to Walby Farm Park for five days of jaw-dropping performances. A must-see for all the family – don’t miss it!

Alongside daily fun and entertainment, here’s what’s waiting for you:

• Maize Maze – get lost in the adventure!
• Highland cow feeding – NEW for 2026
• Wildflower Fields – a beautiful summer stroll with lots of Insta-worthy photo opportunities
• Guinea Pig Fishing – New for 2026
• Milecastle 62 – our undercover Roman Fort with slides, turrets and foam ball cannons
• Cumbria’s largest Indoor Adventure Play Barn
• Outdoor play areas – including trampolines, JCB Diggers, ip line, go kart, mini golf to name a few (and more to come – watch this space)
• Tractor & Trailer Rides
  Barrel Train Rides
• Animal encounters in the Animal Barn
• The Cowshed Café for food and drinks

Book here – Walby Farm Park

Bouncefest events

Bouncefest is so much fun for kids. It’s an entire field or hall of bouncy fun! All these events are outdoors unless stated.

Kendal Rugby Club, Kendal. 22nd – 23rd July 2026

Barrow Island Community & Sports Hub. 28th July 2026

Askam-in-Furness. 7th August 2026

Barrow Island Community & Sports Hub. 11th August 2026

Kendal Rugby Club, Kendal. 12th – 13th August 2026

Windermere. 19th – 21st August 2026. indoor event

Kirkby Lonsdale. 29th – 31st August 2026. indoor event

Book here – BounceFest

Maize Maze at Lakeland Maze Farm Park

When – 16th July – 27th September 2026.

There is a mini maze (takes 15-20 minutes to complete) and the full maze which takes around 1.5 hours to complete!

Find out more here – Maize Maze – Lakeland Maze Farm Park

Ambleside traditional sports, Rydal park, Ambleside

When – 30th July 2026.

Expect lots of traditional sports and children’s races.

Book here – Ambleside Sports | Lakeland Traditional Sports

Family days out

There are plenty more Child-friendly attractions in the Lake District for you to enjoy this summer.

Family theatre in the Lake District

There are a few family theatre shows to choose from in the Lake this summer.

Jack and The Bean Stalk, Theatre by the Lake

When – 22nd – 23rd July 2026.

This classic fairytale now gets the Lyngo treatment – expect lots of surprises and beautiful images as Patrick Lynch (from CBeebies) tells the gripping story of Jack who sells his cow for five magic beans and finds himself in the land above the clouds. It’s a show for the over 3s (and their giants) with something for everyone – enormous shoes, tiny houses, showers of silver and gold and a big, leafy explosion!

Book here – Jack and The Bean Stalk

Pinocchio, Lowther Castle – Outdoor Theatre

When – 19th August 2026

Childless toymaker Geppetto buys a piece of wood to make a puppet – little realising the chaos he is about to unleash. Illyria celebrates this magical coming-of-age tale in a thrilling musical outdoor show.

Adults £18, 3-15 years £10, under 5s free

Book here – Pinocchio

Opera North: Mini Magic Flute, Barrow Library

When – 31st July 2026.

Come with us on a fun, enchanting musical adventure inspired by Mozart’s opera The Magic Flute. Led by a trio of opera singers and an accordionist, Mini Magic Flute follows a Prince’s search for a Princess, but nothing is quite as it first appears…  Join a host of fantastical characters – from a bird-catcher to a dragon! – on this magical adventure. 

Mini Magic Flute is the perfect opportunity for all the family to experience and share the charm of opera. At just 40 minutes long, the show is perfect for all ages but has been especially designed for those aged 4 – 7 years old, with young people invited to a craft activity beforehand to create something to use throughout the performance.

Duration: 40 mins | Tickets: £5  adults / £2 under 18s

Book here – Opera North: Mini Magic Flute

Musical Curiosities: Cloudland, Windermere Jetty Museum

2nd August 2026.

Join flautist Meera Maharaj and harpist Lucy Nolan as they embark upon a journey into the clouds! Based on celebrated author and illustrator John Burningham’s much-loved book Cloudland, their production is a joyful celebration of music and theatre.

Integrating classical, folk and contemporary music with wonderful children’s literature  Meera and Lucy create a magical world for little ones and their adults!

Suitable for 3-5 yr olds and their families.

Duration: 45 mins | Tickets: £5  adults / £2 under 18s

Book here – Musical Curiosities: Cloudland

The Duck With No Luck, Abbott Hall

When – 9th August 2026.

In this musical story, The Duck With No Luck, there are some songs and actions that you can join in with… why not have a sneaky peak here before the day with this brilliant ‘Learn the Songs Film’ from narrator Polly Ives. 

Suitable for 3-7 yr olds and their families.

Duration: 50 mins Tickets: £5 adults / £2 under 18s

Book here – The Duck With No Luck

Go to the park

There are loads of great parks in the Lake District but one of the best playgrounds is at Brockhole on Windermere. There are also treetop nets and adventure, water sports and loads more activities.

Go for a walk

You’re spoilt for choice for family-friendly walks in the Lake District.

There is a Room on the Broom trail at Whinlatter and Grizedale forest this year. Find out more here – Forestry England room on the broom Trail.

Find out more about Whinlatter forest walks in our guide here, the play trail is amazing!

Grizedale forest is another great forest for families to visit – Grizedale forest walks

In the south Lakes, right as you get off the M6 is the Low Sizergh Barn farm trail. This family walk is great as you are coming and going from Cumbria.

Another walk in the south Lake District is to this Sir John Barrow Monument walk.

Lowther castle doesn’t have any events on but it has beautiful gardens to walk around and an amazing adventure playground. Find our guide here – Lowther Castle Adventure playground.

Find more pram-friendly walks lake district here.

Find more Family walks Lake District here.

Find loads of Easy walks near Keswick here.

Visit your local library and join the summer reading challenge

The reading agency’s Summer reading challenge is back. Find out more about this great initiative here. 

 Find your nearest library here – cumbria libraries.

Visit an ice cream parlour

Find loads of ideas for places to get an ice cream in Cumbria and the Lake District here – ice cream parlours Cumbria

More things to do with kids in the North West summer 2026

Lancashire is not too far away from the south Lake District and they have some great events this summer. Find out more here – Summer holiday activities Lancashire.

Find more great Family days out North West England here.

Where to next?

If you specifically want to know which Lake District attractions are best for toddlers? Find out here – Things to do in Lake District with toddlers

Find out what to do when it rains here – Things to do in the lake district when it rains

Sharing is caring!