Pram-friendly walks
There are loads of ideas on the Miles Without Stiles website but it can be hard to find something more than a mile long! Some of our favourites include the following (* indicates those easily accessible by public transport):
- Kendal riverside*
- West Windermere Way
- Coniston (Monk Coniston to Torver)
- Bowness to Cockshott Point*
- Wray Castle to Claife Heights
- Tarn Hows
- Sizergh and Holeslack Wood (just about prammable up to Helsington Church)
- Orrest Head*
- Keswick to Threlkeld railway path
- Lowther Castle
- Skelwith Bridge (Chesters cafe) to Elterwater
Days out in Kendal
Riverside walks – the river Kent flows through Kendal and there are various bridges over it but the best walking areas are between Miller Bridge and the A6 bridge.
Serpentine Woods (Alphabet Sculpture Trail) – great kids woodland trail where you can spot sculptures for each letter of the alphabet. The woods aren’t pushchair accessible. Parking just off Queens Rd.
Scout Scar – incredible views of Morecambe Bay and the southern fells. Parking just off Underbarrow Road. For a short walk, head to ‘The Mushroom’ but for a longer walk you can keep going past the mushroom to the trig point and beyond and then just circle back when you’ve had enough. Not for pushchairs.
Kendal Castle – access from Parr Street – the path to the castle is quite obvious at the top of the street. Lots of little parts of the castle for kids to explore, great views. Not for pushchairs. There is also an old canal path which Parr St crosses over (no canal anymore) but the path doesn’t really go anywhere in either direction, good for kids on scooter/bike though
The Helm – drive past Oxenholme station then when you see the Station Inn, turn right, parking on your right. Wild fell ponies, beautiful views of Kendal and across to the bay, kids like looking down on the trains go through Oxenholme, can do a circular walk to the trig point and back down.
Rag Tag Arts – great option for a wet day, in Mealbank, just north of Kendal. They run workshops but you can also just drop in, buy a craft kit from their shop (approx £5) and sit in their cafe for an hour while the kids get covered in glue. The cafe has a few toys as well as everything you need for the craft kits, so it’s well worth a visit. They’ve got a new ‘loose parts play’ space in 2024, details on their website.
Outside In – near Lidl, soft play and a ‘small world’, with pretend shops. Most suitable for kids aged 6 and under. Cafe selling coffee and food. It’s a charity and needs our support to keep going so please visit! Parking at Lidl is free for 90 minutes but they’re strict so consider parking round the corner in the Sandes Avenue car park.
Kendal Musuem – another wet weather option. Small museum but can easily kill an hour here, there’s a little area with a few toys and some clothes to dress up in.
Days out further afield
Lakeland Maze Farm Park (aka Maize Maze) – you’ll resist it, but then get sucked in. Loads of stuff to keep kids occupied, whatever the weather. Expensive entry so if you’re local, consider getting a season ticket as you can then just pop in for an hour on a wet day to use the soft play. Ten minutes drive from Kendal, or a 20 minute bike ride.
Greenlands Farm Village – near Carnforth. Animals and an indoor play area.
Low Sizergh Barn – short drive, outskirts of Kendal, just off the A591. Farm shop and café that also has farm and woodland areas to walk around. The full circular walk is around 2miles. The ‘fairy trail’ is a bit lame, just pictures of plants on wooden boards so make sure kids aren’t expecting to see actual fairies! You can get to the ‘fairy’ woodland bit and back with a pushchair but the rest of the walk through the fields and into Low Park Wood is not accessible.
Low Park Wood Suspension Bridge – very near the above, you can walk from the farm or drive down Nannypie Lane and park opposite the bridge, near caravan park. This section of the river Kent is stunning, you can walk either side (through the caravan park on the west side) and the river is good in places for paddling. Don’t head south as mostly road.
Levens Deer Park – Park for free on the A6 lay-by (get there early or it will fill up) or at Levens Hall. Perfect spot for paddling but it gets busy with families on hot days. 3 mile circular walk along the river to Force Falls and back (not for pushchairs). Levens Hall has a really nice café. Free entry to the hall if you’re a member of Historic Houses.
Foulshaw Moss – Cumbria Wildlife nature reserve. Short walks along boardwalks. Look out for Ospreys. We have binoculars you can borrow.
Staveley – Lovely walks from the Mill Yard. You can go left or right along the river, paddling, swimming areas if you go left. Great playground and popular gelato shop in the village (Kimis).
Orrest Head (Windermere) – one-mile uphill walk, incredible views over Windermere, good walk for 3 year olds upwards. Look out for Gruffalo.
Millerground/Rayrigg Meadows – nice place for paddle/swim in Windermere. Nice playground further up the road.
Fell Foot – National Trust, good playground, lake access, cafe. Combine with a walk up Gummer’s Howe (free car park, half way up the fell so only takes approx. 30 minutes to walk to the top from where you have amazing views over Windermere).
West Windermere Way – new accessible footpath from Newby Bridge up to the YMCA, via the Lakeside Aquarium / steam train route. The whole thing is about 7 miles total (3.5 miles each way). Just about manageable for pushchairs and kids on bikes. More info here. Trickiest thing is parking – extortionate parking at The Swan in Newby Bridge, a small amount of free parking on the road opposite the pub. Can park at the aquarium but you’re then half way up the trail.
Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway – steam train ride. More info here. Locals get discounts – same with the Windermere Ferries and the aquarium!
Cathedral Caves (Slater Bridge) – 35 min drive from Kendal if not stuck in traffic. Incredible caves, easily accessible from National Trust carpark, not for pushchairs but very short walk
Kirkby Lonsdale – 25min drive from Kendal. Lovely little town with beautiful short walk along River Lune. Either park at Booths and walk to Devils Bridge or park at Devils Bridge, follow river path (town side of river) to Ruskins View then back up to town. Long line of smile stones on the path. Lovely spots for paddling at Devils Bridge.
Brockhole – 22 min drive from Kendal. This is the visitors centre at Windermere with loads of (expensive!) activities but a very good free playground. Nice cafe. The grounds are along the Windermere shoreline and there are meadows to walk through and some woodland bits with dens for the kids to explore.
Beaches – Grange & Arnside are both about 25mins drive from Kendal; Silverdale is about 30 minutes. Arnside is better for getting onto the sand and having a paddle but the sand is quite clay like, doesn’t blow in your sandwiches but does take a bit of getting used to and there are definitely some sinky bits so be super careful with kids. It has stunning view of the viaduct and you can walk south along the coastline. Excellent chippy.
Grange is nice for a walk along the prom (has a decent little playground), walk round a little duck pond and has some nice cafes. The prom is brilliant for kids learning to ride bikes.
Silverdale has a lovely rocky coastline – head down towards Jack Scout / Jenny Brown’s Point and you’ll pass several little coves which are good for exploring. Take extreme care on the sand as it’s super sinky, dogs and people can easily get stuck.
Morecambe and Heysham are about 35 minutes drive from Kendal and both have nice beaches, Half Moon Bay at Heysham is lovely if you turn your back on the power station.
White Moss Common 30min drive from Kendal, or go up on the bus. Beautiful woodland area between Rydal and Grasmere. Free parking up the road just after White Moss car park. Good pushchair-friendly paths. You could walk around Rydal on decent paths by connecting up to the ‘Coffin Route’ on the north side of the lake (cross over the road, up towards Rydal Hall (decent cafe) and turn left towards Grasmere.
Both Rydal and Grasmere are fab for paddling and mooching about.
Rydal Caves – park at Pelter Bridge car park, walk to caves is only maybe 1-1.5km but some uphill and rough terrain. Definitely not pushchair suitable.
High Dam Tarn – near Newby Bridge. 20 min walk through woodland from carpark, follow the stream all the way up to stunning tarn, good for wild swimming.
Tarn Hows – 40mins drive from Kendal. 3.2km circular walk around the tarn, pushchair suitable. Stunning setting among the fells, National Trust carpark.
Lowther Castle (near Penrith) – 40min drive from Kendal. Expensive but worth a visit (free for members of Historic Houses). Lovely café, castle grounds and a fantastic castle shaped adventure playground. Free entry if you’re a member of Historic Houses.
Muncaster Castle – 1 hr 15 minutes from Kendal (on a good day) but worth the trip. Extensive grounds to play in, amazing birds of prey display. Free entry for members of Historic Houses.
Penrith Leisure Centre inflatable zone – massive inflatable structure in a sports hall. Good option in wet weather.
Windermere Jetty Museum – lovely cafe overlooking the lake, good location for a swim. Sometimes run free events in school holidays (e.g. the excellent Science Festival, a Lego thing), otherwise the museum itself is pretty uninspiring – but once you’ve paid you can visit for free all year so it’s worth checking out. Free parking with any purchase (even just a coffee from the cafe) and walking distance to Rayrigg Meadow park.
Rheged (Penrith) – the classiest soft play around, all white and beige tones. A bit boring for older kids but good for tinies. There’s also a cinema which often has kids’ films showing, as well as a cafe/restaurant and nice shops.
Platform 3 Play (Kirkby Stephen) – useful soft play place to know about if you’re in this area on a wet day.
Lancaster Castle – the tour is ace, but probably better for slightly older kids (especially the bit where they turn the lights off in the dungeons).
Allan Bank (Grasmere) – National Trust place overlooking the lake which has loads of crafty things for kids to do.
Morecambe – trampoline park, bowling etc.
Holgates (Silverdale) – swimming pool, small soft play area and cafe in this caravan park.
Dalton Leisure Centre – 20 Metre free form, warm-water Swimming Pool with an integral paddling pool for toddlers. “Jacko” the Frog slide is a must for the little ones!
Arts venues
It’s worth checking out the following places, which often have shows on suitable for children:
Up Front Puppet Theatre, Penrith
Brewery Arts, Kendal (theatre, cinema, bar and cafe. Pizza/pasta for £5, 4pm-5pm Wednesday-Friday).
Theatre by the Lake, Keswick
Dukes Theatre, Lancaster
Learning to ride a bike?
Niche section but if your kids are learning to ride a bike, some good places include:
- Kendal canal path (behind the leisure centre or onwards behind Rinkfield Park)
- Grange promenade
- Lancaster canal/river path
- Morecambe promenade
- Elterwater to Skelwith Bridge
For more ideas for biking with kids, check out our Family bike rides in and around Kendal page, provided by Cycle Sprog.
Kendal Parent Network 