21 Things to do in Windermere with kids

Windermere is a great place to visit with kids. You’re spoilt for choice of fun things to do in Windermere with kids. Below you’ll find ideas for things to do with children of all ages in the town of Windermere, Bowness-on-Windermere and plenty of things to do around the whole of lake Windermere. Find more great Family days out North West England.

Things to do in Windermere with kids

I’m going to start with the best things to do with kids directly in the town of Windermere. Windermere town is actually a good half mile from Lake Windermere. There are no real family attractions in Windermere itself but you’ll find plenty in Bowness-on-Windermere and around lake Windermere.

You will find plenty of shops and cafes in Windermere town and it is worth a walk around the town. Here are a few things that are worth doing with kids in the area.

Queen’s park

If you are walking around Windermere town, then you might like to visit Queen’s park where the kids can let off steam in the play area. There is also a football pitch, cricket pitch, crown green bowling, tennis courts, squash pavilion, skate park and pump track too.

Windermere treasure trail

Treasure trails can make exploring a town or city with kids a really fun and educational activity for the whole family. You need to plan ahead and order them from the internet.

There is one for Windermere town which sounds great for exploring this town. Get yours here – Windermere Town Trail.

Mountain Goat tours

Mountain Goat offers small group tours of the Lake District from their base in Windermere town. They are only suitable for adults and children over 5 years old.

There are a number of tours to choose from. Find out more and book here – Mountain Goat

Walk up to Orrest head

This is one of our favourite Child-friendly walks in the lake district. It’s a very achievable family hike up to Orrest head where you are rewarded with stunning views over lake Windermere. The path was renovated and made more accessible in 2021. We’ve not done the climb since then so I’m not sure how suitable it is for a pushchair the website says it is accessible now.

There’s also Gruffalo and friends sculptures on the way up which young children love. The walk starts on the main road through Windermere at the top of the town and is well-signposted from the Windermere hotel.

Find out more here – Orrest Head walk

Visit a cafe

There are loads of small cafes to choose from in Windermere. It’s great to see so many independent cafes. Many of them are great for visiting with your kids if you want to enjoy lunch or a coffee and a cake.

There is also a cafe in Booths, Windermere and in the Lakeland store. These cafes have a little more space.

Things to do in Bowness-on-Windermere with kids

Bowness-on-Windermere is directly below Windermere town and right on the shores of lake Windermere. There are a few family attractions here that you might like to consider on your visit.

Visit the World of Beatrix Potter Attraction

If your family love Peter Rabbit then one of the best places to visit is the World of Beatrix Potter in Windermere town centre. This is an indoor attraction so it’s great for rainy days.

Here you’ll find Beatrix Potter’s stories brought to life. There is a mixture of video, sensory experiences and other exhibitions that is like walking through the pages of her books.

There is also a small but beautiful garden using local materials. They often have lots of family events on too.

Find out more here – The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction

Windermere lake cruises

Boat trips are one of the best things to do in Windermere for the whole family to enjoy especially in the summer months. A boat cruise is a great way to see lake Windermere and to visit some of the attractions below.

Not only will you get to see some beautiful scenery around the lake but you can use these cruises as a way to get to different family attractions around the lake. For example, the Lakes aquarium is just 2 minutes from Lakeside pier. Brockhole and Wray castle can be reached by boat too.

Find out more about the different routes and tickets here – Windermere cruises

Glebe Park crazy golf and football golf

Glebe park is right on the shore of lake Windermere. There is a crazy golf course, 9 hole pitch and putt mini golf course, 9 hole foot golf course and 3 tennis courts.

Find the most up-to-date prices here – Glebe Park

Hire a boat

As well as the Lake cruises, you can hire your own self-drive boat from Bowness Bay Marina.

Bowness-on-Windermere treasure trails

There are 2 treasure trails available online to purchase to keep you entertained exploring the town of Bowness-on-Windermere.

Down by the lake is a fun secret spy mission trail and a Bowness-on-Windermere treasure trail. There are also loads more for the whole of the Lakes (and the rest of the UK) and new trails are added all the time.

Find out more and buy yours here – Treasure Trails

Windermere jetty museum

This is an award-winning museum dedicated to the boats, people and rich history of England’s largest natural lake, Windermere.

As well as galleries, the boathouse, a conservation workshop, a boat yard and the jetty, you’ll find a cafe with stunning views over the lake. There is also a model boating pond an old fire station and a picnic area.

Find out more here – Windermere Jetty Museum

Blackwell, the arts and crafts house

Discover the Arts & Crafts story through examples of the finest craftsmanship and exceptional, themed design. Go back in time to see Blackwell as a family holiday home and school and immerse yourself in an exciting programme of art exhibitions, family-friendly activities, creative workshops and events.

Find out more here – Blackwell

Walk to Cockshott point

This is a short 2km walk that is great for young children and pushchairs. It also takes you to ferry Nab where you’ll see lots of boats including the Windermere ferry.

Find the walk details here – Bowness to Cockshott Point

Things to do around lake Windermere with kids

Below are all the activities you can do on the shores of Lake Windermere.

Brockhole on Windermere

Brockhole on Windermere visitor centre is just a short drive from the town of Windermere. There is a pay-on-exit car park. It is right on the shore of Lake Windermere and you can even arrive by boat as part of a Windermere Lakes cruise.

It’s the perfect place for a family day out. There are loads of outdoor activities including treetop nets, Treetop trek, a large adventure playground and even a small indoor soft play.

It also makes a lovely accessible place to walk. It’s one of our favourite Pram-friendly walks lake district and there are picnic areas too.

Find out more here – Brockhole on Windermere

Find our review of Treetop nets here – Treetop Nets Windermere review

Wray castle

This is a National Trust property on the west shore of Lake Windermere. The car park is very small so the best way to visit is as part of a Windermere lake cruise. You could also arrive by foot as there are many local footpaths including one along the west shore of lake Windermere.

The indoor playrooms are now permanently closed and the outdoor play area is currently closed due to damage caused by Storm Arwen.

It’s such a shame as Wray castle used to be an amazing place to visit with kids.

Keep an eye on their website for when the play area opens – Wray Castle

Fell foot park

Fell foot is a lovely National Trust place to visit with kids. There are lots of short walks around the park (most of them are grass paths so not ideal for standard pushchairs). Some paths are more accessible to all and they are well signposted.

There is a small play area which is great for younger children. There is also a small cafe and toilet facilities as well as picnic areas.

You can hire balance bikes for young children from the visitor welcome point in the car park. If you have older children who enjoy water sports, you can bring your own paddleboard, kayak or canoe as well as hire them if you want to try it out. For a small fee, you can use the heated changing rooms with hot showers.

Find out more here – Fell Foot

Lakes aquarium

Young children and older ones too will love a visit to the Lakes aquarium. It’s just a 2 minute walk from Lakeside pier and you can get a boat here to Bowness (return). You can also get a combined ticket for either the boats or the Lakeside railway below.

In the aquarium, you’ll find out all about the freshwater fish that you’ll find in Windermere lake as well as more exotic sea creatures.

Find out more and book here – Lakes Aquarium

Lakeland motor museum

If you have a family member who loves vintage vehicles then you need to visit the Lakeland motor museum. They have over 30000 exhibits where you can see the development of road transport throughout the twentieth century.

Find out more here – Lakeland motor museum

Lakeside and Haverthwaite railway

Do you want to enjoy a steam train ride? You can even combine it with a boat trip as it’s just a 1 minute walk from Lakeside pier.

You can have a great day out by combing your train ride with a trip to the Lakes aquarium. There is also a tea room, gift shop, engine shed, woodland playground and walk at Haverthwaite station.

Check the current timetable and prices here – The Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway

Hill top, NT

Hill top is the historic house where Beatrix Potter once lived. You can look inside the house and explore the beautiful gardens too.

Find out more here – Hill Top

Claife viewing station

There is a car park right next to this viewing station and lots of walking trails leading to it. Climb the stairs to the first-floor viewing platform which has stunning views over Lake Windermere.

There are some coloured panels that recreate the landscape in different seasons. When we visited there were some handheld coloured viewing panels that you could pick up and look at the view through a different colour. My kids loved doing this.

Find out more here – Claife Viewing Station

Where to next?

I hope I have given you loads of ideas for things to do in Windermere with kids but if you want more ideas for things to do all over the Lake District then here are a few more ideas.

Find loads of ideas for things to do in Lake District with toddlers here.

Find more Child-friendly attractions in the Lake District here.

You’re not too far from Ambleside which is one of my favourite Lake District towns – Things to do with kids in Ambleside

High dam tarn is a lovely walk near to Windermere – High dam tarn, child-friendly, Lake District walk

As is Gummers How walk

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