Fancy a day out with the children with the added excitement of taking them by bus?
If you don’t have a car, or can’t face using it this half-term, Stagecoach has just the ticket – up to three children under the age of five can travel free when accompanied by a fare-paying adult. Children aged five to 15 can travel at a discounted rate, and everyone else pays no more than £3.
All of these venues have a bus stop nearby.
North Cumbria
Tullie, Castle Street, Carlisle
Bus route: Multiple services into Carlisle
Bus stop: Carlisle Bus Station / Carlisle Market Hall
Kids with a crafty nature will enjoy afternoon art sessions inspired by the launch of the Tullie’s Carlisle Gallery last month. The ground-floor gallery celebrates the city’s nature, people and Roman and industrial histories. Drop-in craft sessions are being run in the new City Hall Studio from Tuesday May 27 to Sunday June 1, from 1pm to 4pm, and themes include textile printing, egg carton whales and felt biscuit fridge magnets. All crafts are included with an adult day ticket, children go free.
More info here
Carlisle Cathedral
Bus route: Multiple services into Carlisle
Bus stop: Carlisle Bus Station / Carlisle Market Hall
Fancy going up in the world? Carlisle Cathedral is giving Angels’ View Tours from 11.30am to 3.30pm on Friday, May 30, for anyone aged eight and older. By climbing up to the clerestory (high windows) you’ll get a fresh view of the building with its medieval stained glass in the East Window and starry ceiling. The tour includes steps and confined spaces – adults £5, children aged up to 16 free.
More info here
Sands Centre, Carlisle, and Wigton Baths
Bus route: For The Sands Centre – multiple services into Carlisle. For Wigton Baths – 300, 400, 554 or 600
Bus stop: For The Sands Centre – Carlisle Market Hall. For Wigton Baths – Christies Newsagents (10-minute walk)
Cumberland Council’s 10p swims for schoolchildren up to age 16 are back this half-term at public pools across the county, which is a cheap way to wear your youngsters out. For times click here. For other sessions at The Sands Centre see bookings.better.org.uk, and for Wigton Baths see wigtonbaths.co.uk or call 016973 42412.
Vue Cinema, Botchergate, Carlisle
Bus route: Multiple services into Carlisle
Bus stop: Carlisle Bus Station / Carlisle Market Hall
Many people are close to their dogs – but Dog Man tells the story of a cop who is fused together with his! The animated film is being shown for Vue Cinema’s 10am Mighty Mornings screenings, where children aged four to 11 and their parents can watch for £2.49 each. Dog Man is on from Saturday, May 24 to Thursday, May 29.
Book at myvue.com/cinema/carlisle/film/dog-man.
Cumbria’s Museum of Military Life, Carlisle Castle
Bus route: Multiple services into Carlisle
Bus stop: Carlisle Bus Station / Carlisle Market Hall
Getting through the school holidays can feel like trench warfare, so why not raise the white flag and visit Cumbria’s Museum of Military Life at Carlisle Castle? It’s open seven days a week, but on Saturday, May 31 and Sunday, June 1, the museum hosts its Military Festival from 10am to 4.30pm with re-enactments, demonstrations, insights into the modern army and historic vehicles. Normal admission applies, which includes family tickets that allow entry for up to two adults and three children for £12.95.
More info here
Motorbikes and toy soldiers in Silloth
Bus route: 60 & 400
Bus stop: The Green, Silloth
Day trippers have visited the Victorian seaside town of Silloth for decades to take in its views across the Solway Firth to Scotland. And it’s great for kids – there’s a town green with a woodland children’s play area and water splash pad, plus two free quirky little museums. OK, Silloth Motorcycle Museum (open daily 9am to 4pm, and until 1pm on Wednesday), and Soldiers in Silloth (weekends 1pm to 4pm) with its collection of 6,000 toy soldiers, might appeal more to you than them. But tell the children it’s educational!
More info here
Kingmoor Sidings Nature Reserve, Kingmoor Road, Carlisle
Bus route: 62
Bus stop: Hartley Ave
Once a busy steam locomotive depot, nature has reclaimed this area on the edge of Carlisle. Owned by Cumberland Council, the 22-acre space features easy walking trails through woods and beside ponds where the children can look out for water snails, bugs and beetles. You can even find the remains of a turntable for steam engines and the old engine shed floors. Kingmoor is perfect for a relaxing couple of hours’ exploring and a picnic.
More info here
Hammonds Pond, Upperby Park, Carlisle
Bus route: 67
Bus stop: Upperby
Hammonds Pond is named after Archie Hammond who developed the site of a former brickworks 100 years ago and called it Pleasureland. It’s a popular Carlisle park with play areas, football pitches, a miniature railway track and cafe. And if you go on Bank Holiday Monday it’s Upperby Gala from 1pm to 4pm, with stalls, forest skills tasters, sports sessions, archery, food and refreshments, face painting, the police and fire service and more. Even better, entry is free.
More info here
Acorn Bank, Temple Sowerby, Penrith
Bus route: 563
Bus stop: A one-mile footpath walk from the Temple Sowerby stop
First owned by the Knights Templar in 1228, Acorn Bank was a site for gypsum mining in the Victorian era. Today, the house and grounds are run by the National Trust and it’s known for its herb gardens and fruit orchards. Children will enjoy the working water wheel that runs each weekend and adults might like the vintage book sale (May 24 to 26, 10.30am to 4pm) and herb garden and industrial heritage tours. The cafe is open each day except for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday during half-term week.
More info here
Bitts Park, Carlisle
Bus route: Multiple services into Carlisle
Bus stop: Carlisle Bus Station / Carlisle Market Hall
Carlisle’s first public park was built on the site of a former rubbish tip and called the People’s Park when it opened in 1893. It’s certainly not rubbish now – there’s ramps for skaters, the Splash Park water feature for getting soaked on a hot day, play areas and playing fields for a kickabout. It’s just beside Carlisle Castle so you could visit with the children after taking in one of Carlisle’s attractions, or to repay their patience if you’ve dragged them around the shops.
More info here
West Cumbria
Beacon Museum, West Strand, Whitehaven
Bus route: 2, 3, 3A, 29, 29A, 30
Bus stop: Lowther Street, Strand Street, Duke Street
Got any cheeky monkeys in your house? The Beacon Museum has one too, and he’s putting on three Monkey Madness workshops with dancing, games and prizes for children on Monday, May 26. Then on Tuesday there’s a Bubble Magic workshop and on Saturday it’s Pet Encounters. Sessions run at 11am, 1pm and 3pm, and cost £7.50 for children and £4.50 for adults. To book visit https://thebeacon-whitehaven.co.uk
Senhouse Roman Museum, Maryport
Bus route: 30, 60, 300
Bus stop: Curzon Street (15-minute walk)
Take the children on a mooch around the museum site with a free guided tour every Sunday at 2pm. Built on cliffs overlooking the Solway Firth, this great little museum is packed with artefacts excavated from a neighbouring Roman fort during a five-year dig that ended in 2015. Evidence of a Roman cult was found, with rituals taking place at the fort’s altars. The museum is open every day over half-term from 10.30am to 4pm. Entry for children is £1.50, under-5s go free.
More info here
Maryport Aquarium, Maryport
Bus route: 30, 60, 300
Bus stop: Curzon Street (15-minute walk)
There’s fish in the aquarium, chips in the cafe and a whole lot more besides. The aquarium has 75 displays with five feeding talks on the hour from midday. Then the children can venture outside for a round of 14-hole crazy golf, a play in the adventure playground, and if it’s hot, a run around in the splash zone which is new this year. Admission from £8 for children, with various family deals. Open every day from 10am to 5pm.
More info here
Keswick Museum, Station Road, Keswick
Bus route: 77, 77A, 77C, 78, 509, 553, 554, 555 & X4/X5
Bus stop: Keswick Bus Station
If your kids are ready to move on from Play-Doh they can get their hands on the grown-up stuff with a Creature Clay Creations session at 11am and 1.30pm on Wednesday, May 28. What creature they create is up to them – it can be anything from a phoenix to a fairy. Places cost £6 per crafter and can be booked here
Wordsworth House and Garden, Main Street, Cockermouth
Bus route: X4, X5, 600
Bus stop: Main Street, Cockemouth
All children love a plant, even if they leave it to us grown-ups to do the watering. So from Saturday (May 24) to Monday, young visitors can decorate a plant pot for free, then pop a flower seed into it to bloom this summer. Staff will be on hand to help out from 10.30am to 3.30pm. Child admission from £5, under-5s get in free.
More info here
Lake District Wildlife Park, Bassenthwaite, Keswick
Bus route: X4
Bus stop: Bassenthwaite Trotters World
It’s Bug and Beastie Week from Tuesday to Saturday, and the keepers hope to convince youngsters that the wildlife park’s smallest residents are cool, not creepy. There will be games and activities, and fun facts, including this one that woodlice drink through their bottoms.
The attraction also has birds, reptiles and mammals, and children can feed alpacas, goats, zebus, donkeys and pigs. Child tickets £12.95, under-3s free, and open every day from 10am to 5pm.
More info here
Cockermouth Leisure Centre, Workington Leisure Centre and Copeland Pool in Whitehaven
Bus route:
Cockermouth: X4/X5 & 600.
Workington: 29, 29A, 30, 50, 51, 52, 60, 300, X4/X5
Whitehaven: 30 (Frizington service)
Bus stop: Cockermouth Leisure Centre – Main Street (600) or Deer Orchard Close (X4/X5). Copeland Pool – Whitehaven Academy. Workington Leisure Centre – Workington Bus Station
Cumberland Council’s 10p swims for schoolchildren up to age 16 are back this half-term at public pools across the county, which is a cheap way to wear your youngsters out.
For times click here
Vulcan Park, Workington
Bus route: 29, 29A, 30, 50, 51, 52, 60, 300 & X4/X5
Bus stop: Workington Bus Station
Workington’s town centre park celebrates its 100th anniversary in June – the 14-acre site had been used for allotments during the First World War. Today it’s just a great place to spend an hour or two on a fine day – there’s lawns for picnics and children will enjoy the play area. New tennis courts, paid for with support from the Lawn Tennis Association, are also due to open soon.
More info here
Fitz Park, Keswick
Bus route: 77, 77A, 77C, 78, 509, 553, 554, 555 & X4/X5
Bus stop: Keswick Bus Station
Parks are a great place to burn off some energy and Fitz Park is a beauty with views towards Skiddaw and Latrigg. The lower park has a big playground, multi-use games area, gym equipment and BMX track, while the upper area has a putting green, a bowling green, tennis courts and arboreum. So there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
South Cumbria
Dock Museum, North Road, Barrow
Bus route: 2 & 5
Bus stop: Hindpool, Dock Museum
The Barrow Raiders play rugby league these days but centuries ago they arrived by longboat and stole from the townsfolk. The history of Barrow’s Vikings should fascinate the kids, plus they can marvel at a thigh bone from a Cumbrian who lived in the area 10,000 years ago, then learn about the town’s railway and shipbuilding industry. There’s a playground outside too. Open from Wednesday to Sunday with free entry.
More info here
Lakeland Motor Museum, near Newby Bridge
Bus route: 6 & X6
Bus stop: Backbarrow bus stop (10 minute walk)
Are there any young petrolheads in the family? Do they like a Jag? The Jaguar Drivers’ Club will be showing off around 20 motors from 10am to midday on Thursday, May 29, outside the museum. Then you can step inside and see everything from a Corsa to a Capri, the world’s oldest TVR and replicas of the 1935 Campbell Bluebird car and Bluebird K7 jet-engined hydroplane. Under-fives get in free, and it’s £7.50 for kids aged five to 15.
More info here
Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway, near Ulverston
Bus route: 6 & X6
Bus stop: Railway Crossroads
Cars and the Lake District don’t mix during the school holidays – which is why travelling around on a Stagecoach bus makes sense. But you can also get to Lake Windermere by steam train. Get on at Haverthwaite, get off at Lakeside 3.2 miles down the line, and you could even push on to Bowness or Ambleside on a connecting steam boat cruise. Child returns are £7 and under-threes ride for free (train only).
More info here
Laurel & Hardy Museum, Ulverston
Bus route: 6 & X6
Bus stop: Victoria Road
If you must make a noise, make it quietly. That’s just one of several Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy catchphrases that you might be repeating with the kids after a trip to this museum in the old Roxy cinema. Once Hollywood’s most famous comedy duo, Stan was born in Ulverston in 1890. And the children can sample the duo’s slapstick comedy on the cinema’s silver screen. Open every day, under 16s £3.50, adults £7.50.
More info here
Kendal Museum, Station Road, Kendal
Bus route: 6, X6, 41, 41A, 42, 42A, 43, 43A, 44, 46, 530, 555 & 755
Bus stop: Kendal Bus Station
No need to keep saying “don’t touch” to the children on Saturday, May 24 – Kendal Museum staff are taking artefacts out of the display cases so visitors can get properly hands-on from 9am to 4pm. If you come any other Thursday, Friday or Saturday the little ones can play with dressing up clothes, toys, games and a rocking horse, while older kids can follow trails through the galleries stuffed with collections of local and world natural history. Child admission is £2 and under-fives are free.
More info here
Allan Bank, Grasmere
Bus route: 555 & 599
Bus stop: Heaton Cooper Studio, Grasmere
Enjoy some light relief by booking the family onto a relief printing workshop on Tuesday, May 27, at either 11am or 2pm. You’ll be printing with laser-cut blocks to create compositions inspired by Gwyneth Alban Davis whose work from the 1940s is in Allen Bank’s upstairs gallery. Suitable for ages four and above, the workshop is free but the usual admission price applies.
To book click here.
World of Beatrix Potter, Crag Brow, Bowness
Bus route: 6, 508, 599 & 755
Bus stop: St Martin’s Church / Bowness Pier
All the big stars do meet and greet sessions for their fans these days, and it’s no different for Peter Rabbit. So when he’s not raiding Mr McGregor’s veg patch he’ll be available for 20-minute slots on Saturday (May 24), Tuesday and Friday. Other events at the attraction include biscuit decorating on Monday and growing an ice cream sundae plant on Wednesday.
Book at hop-skip-jump.com/events/
Jetty Museum, Rayrigg Road, Bowness
Bus route: 508
Bus stop: Windermere Jetty Museum
There’s a boatload of activities at the Jetty Museum throughout half-term week – just turn up and take part. Youngsters can make a fish from cardboard using child-safe saws, which can then be added to the museum’s display in its learning centre. Or follow an outdoor trail, hear a story by the lake or try the museum’s Raise Dolly interactive challenge – find out more here. An annual admission pass for children is £6, under-fives go free.
Brockhole, Windermere
Bus route: 505, 516, 555 & 599
Bus stop: Brockhole gates
Children can go wild in the country with a guided Woodland Wonders trail and Wild in Nature printing sessions, both on Tuesday, May 27 and Thursday, May 29. Suitable for ages five to 12, cost per child is £10 and you can book here. But Brockhole is guaranteed to entertain the children whenever you take them, thanks to its adventure playground, mini golf, archery, axe throwing and boat hire. Admission is free.
Kendal Leisure Centre, Burton Road, Kendal
Bus route: 41, 41A, 42, 42A, 567
Bus stop: Burton Road
Swimming is an easy way to entertain and wear out the kids – and Kendal’s public pool has various swim-for-all and under-5s sessions, plus a Kids for a Quid swim from 9am to 9.50am on Monday, May 26. For the pool timetable and to book, click here
