Lake District Visitors Center, Windermere > Reviews (1)

I say surprisingly because we drove past it for years and one day popped in out of curiosity. There began one of many many wonderful days out. I guess we've been at least 50 times and a visit to the Lake District usually involves "giving in" to the kids demands to "go to Brockhole". Its the playground that attracts them. There's nothing like it for miles around. From aged 2-16 (and adults) the kids/youths can have a free run of one of the best activity playgrounds I've ever been to. There is no "health and safety supervision" so they can really go wild. Even mums and dad's can have a play. The equipment is made of strong wood. There are climbing ropes and nets, wobbly high up bridges, a long "tunnel" slide, some open slides and a zip wire in the bigger playground. In the toddlers playground (over 8's not allowed in) there's a ship. swings and slides as well as other smaller things for smaller kids.

The whole play area is set in beautiful woodland and is gated off so no dogs etc allowed inside. There are picnic tables (could do with a few more) but fallen down trees etc provide other seats. We usually have to drag the kids away from this place at the end of the day. Great thing is that now they're getting older we can leave them and enjoy the rest of the centre. It's more of a huge waterside park really. There are footpaths through woodland and fields as well as more formal gardens. The path to the lakeside is a favourite, even with the kids. There are a few small shingle beeches to play on and ducks galore to feed. Good for skimming and paddling. The windermere steamers/ferries have a stop at the jetty here also so you can take a boat trip down the lake as well.

Take a walk along to the end of the jetty and just soak in that most gorgeous of vistas. The lake just opens up. All seasons are as good as eachother as the sharp and dramatic peaks of the Langdale mountains dominate the horizon. Whether snow covered or bare I can sit here for ages watching the birds, the yachts and the views down lake Windermere. I digress. I'm now in dreamland.

The Park also has a covered visitor centre set in what appears to be an old mansion on a hill. Thre's a great cafe boasting a lovely big sun terrace that looks out from up high over the same view. Adults can sit round tables as the kids run wild in the surrounding paths and grassy slopes. Most within view. There's a shop selling the usual touristy stuff and a permanent lakeside exhibition (like a museum) which is interactive and the kids always want a visit before setting off. Not to mention the new climbing wall and indoor play area.

Guess what.?? ITS ALL FREE. Unbelievable really. For the price of a car park ticket (about £5 for the day) you can have a great day out. Take a picnic and it's even cheaper. Even the car park's a nice place to have lunch.
If you're in the lakes this is well worth a visit.