Breathtaking lake and mountain scenery, Scafell Pike - England's highest mountain, Wastwater - the deepest lake and St Olaf's – the smallest church. "The Biggest Liar in the World" who is elected every year in November after a competition in The Bridge Inn, all this in the Wasdale Valley.

The high level walking and climbing in the area is unrivalled, you don't have to be a champion - there are any number of walks and climbs for all levels of skill.
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Perhaps you don't feel like being energetic. Just a few minutes away from Santon Bridge you can take one of the most beautiful train journeys imaginable on "T'Laal Ratty" – The Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway. Be guided round a working corn mill at Muncaster or visit Muncaster Castle, a most delightfully situated 13th Century ancestral home with fine gardens, rhododendrons, garden centre, owl sanctuary and adventure playground.

Railways

Potteries

Crafty Monkeys is a fun day out for all the family. Children and adults can choose from a number of activities, including:

Making and painting a pot
Making a bear
Creating mosaic mirrors
Activities parties
Access to potter's wheels for anyone wishing to practice and make more pots.

Please contact using the following:

Tel: 01768 428849  
Mobile: 07595901977 
Website: www.craftymonkeyswebsite.co.uk
Facebook: Crafty Monkeys Ceramic Studio 
Twitter: Crafty Monkeys@craftymonkeys

Gosforth Pottery in the village of Gosforth. Pottery courses are available, or can simply purchase a piece from their well-stocked shop.

Wetheriggs Country Pottery, Clifton Dykes near Penrith, off the A6, is open 10.30am - 5.30pm, with pottery, museum, shop, tea-room and restaurant.

Hornsea Pottery, Wyresdale Road, Lancaster. There's a pottery shop, gift shop, cafe and extensive leisure park – including a Rare Breeds Survival unit and children's farmyard. Open March to October 10am - 5pm.

The Pennine Pottery, has a pottery, cafe and gift shop. Find it at Clargill Head House, Alston. Open 10am -5.30pm Tuesday to Sunday. April to January.

Laburnum Ceramics is a delightful gallery in a cottage-garden setting. The gallery is devoted to contemporary ceramics and glass, with work from 60 artists on display. Labumum Cereamics is located at Yanwath, three miles south of Penrith, off the B5320. Open 10.00am - 4.30pm every day except Monday and Tuesday. Tel: 01768 864842.

Historical Monuments

To the north of the northern Lake District, Hadrian's Wall is the most important Roman monument in Britain. There are many places of interest to visit along the Wall, including Roman towns, forts and museums.

Shap Abbey, the ruins of The Abbey of St. Mary are located below Shap, and the abbey was founded in the 12th Century, originally housing the Premonstratensian Order of Monks. From 1540, the Abbey fell into ruins after the Dissolution of the Monasteries by Henry VIII. The Abbey lies in a picturesque valley by a stream and is an ideal spot for a picnic on a sunny day.

Castles

Close to Irton Hall is Muncaster Castle. This historical castle includes gardens, owl centre, play area, gift shops, picnic area, Victorian summer garden, nature trail and orienteering course, plus a plant centre. Situated on the A595 east of Ravenglass, the gardens and owl centre are open daily 11.00am to 6.00pm. The castle opens Sunday to Friday 12.30pm - 4.00pm, March to October.

Appleby Castle is open from Easter to September, 10.00am to 5.00pm. It has a beautiful riverside setting and one of the finest Norman keeps in the country. There is also a collection of rare British farm animals and birds, gift shop, cafe, tea rooms, picnic areas and 'Tarzan trail'.

Brougham Castle a 13th century fortress and keep restored by Lady Anne Clifford in the 17th century, this fine castle is located on the A66 two miles east of Penrith. Open daily 10.00am - 6.00pm, April to October.

Leighton Hall, near Carnforth, is a castellated hall located in lovely surrounding parkland. There's a maze, birds of prey flights, tea rooms, and gift shop. Open May to September 2.00pm - 5.00pm. Closed Monday and Saturday.

Lancaster Castle is open Good Friday to September 10.30am - 4.00pm, seven days a week (when the courts are not in session).

Carlisle Castel has medieval dungeons and Norman keep, plus an exhibition of Bonnie Prince Charlie's Jacobite rising. The castle was once home to Mary Queen of Scots. Open April to September 9.30am - 6.00pm.

Museums

Windermere Steamboat Museum. Rayrigg Road, Windermere. Open Easter to October inclusive, 10am - 5pm. Steam launch displays and trips are on offer as well as photographs, shop, refreshments. This is an excellent wet weather attraction.

Museum of Lake and Life and Industry. This museum shows how Cumbrian ancestors lived, worked and entertained themselves over the last three hundred years. Exhibits include a typical street scene with shops and workshops, costumes and embroideries. Lectures, craft demonstrations and courses including rag rug making, lace making and basket making. Open every day February to December 10.30am - 5pm. Situated in the grounds of Abbot Hall in Kendal town Centre.

Cars of the Stars Motor Museum. Featuring TV and film vehicles from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, James Bond, Batman, Herbie and Thunderbirds, plus film set displays. Standish Street Keswick. Open 7 days 10am- 5pm Easter to New Year.

Lakeland Motor Museum. A nostalgic reminder of transport and horticultural bygones appealing to all ages. A unique private collection of vehicles, cars, bikes, including the Campbell Legend, Bluebird Exhibition located at Holker and Gardens, 15 minutes from Newby Bridge on B5278 near Grange over sands. Open April to October 6 days (not Saturday) 10.30am - 4.45pm.

Cumberland Pencil Museum. A journey through the history of pencil making including the history of graphite mining and video shows of pencil making and artistic techniques. Brass rubbing and childrens drawing corner. Southey Works, Greta Bridge, Keswick of the A66 to Cockermouth. Open 9.30am - 4pm. Tel: 017687 73626.

Wythop Mill Embleton Woodworking Museum. Vintage woodworking tools and machinery powered by an overshot waterwheel. Victorian kitchen, wheel-wright and blacksmiths displays. Local history exhibition of Wythop showing aspects of village life over the last 2000 years. Open Easter to October 6 days (closed Mondays) 10.30am - 5.30pm. Half a mile off A66 between Keswick and Cockermouth.

Threkeld Quarry & Mining Museum. The museum of Lakeland's industrial, quarrying and mining heritage, a working quarry until 1982. Located off the A66 three miles from Keswick. Open 11.00am - 4.45pm Easter to October, (not Thursdays.) Tel: 017687 72645.

Killhope Lead Mining Museum. Hands-on activities, visitor mine, waterwheels, woodland walks. Open daily April to October 10.30am - 5pm. Please wear warm waterproof clothing and sensible footwear. Located on A689 between Alston and Cowshill. Tel: 01388 537505.

Also close by is the Muncaster Water Mill, at Ravensglass. Muncaster Water Mill has been producing flour since at least 1455. The mill is still operating using 19th centry machinery to produce organic stoneground flour. You can take a tour of the mill and purchase their products.

Art Galleries

Abbot Hall Art Gallery is an elegant Georgian house on the bank of the River Kent, it contains classical and modern art collections, plus temporary exhibitions. Located at Kirkland, Kendal, and open every day, February to December, 10.30am - 5.00pm.

Beckstones Art Gallery is a specialist art gallery exhibiting original works by up to 40 of the nation's top artists. Situated in a small hamlet three miles west of Penrith, it's signposted off the A66 to Keswick. Open every day 10.00am - 6.00, March to October, and Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and open 10.30am - 4.30pm during the rest of the year.

Pendragon Gallery, find it at the Fat Lamb Inn at Ravonstonedale. There are Spring, Summer and Autumn exhibitions by local artists, photographers and crafts people.

Gardens

Other Attractions