Top 10 Things To Do, Activities and Attractions in Helvellyn

"Wray Castle is a Gothic castle situated on the north-west shores of Lake Windermere and is run by the National Trust. Your whole family can try sailing with taster sessions taking place on selected days through the summer holidays. They also offer self-led activities which include den building, skimming stones or making a daisy chain, which you can tick off the National Trust’s ‘50 things to do before you’re 11 ¾’ list."

"White Cross Bay is less than 5 minutes by car to Brockhole, where you can catch a boat to the other side of Lake Windermere to visit Wray Castle. On the way out you have to go to Ambleside first, get off the boat for 20 mins, re-board, and then set off for Wray Castle but on the trip back you go straight across to Brockhole. The Woodland Nature Play Trail at Wray Castle is great."

"Wray Castle is a Victorian neo-gothic building at Claife in the English county of Cumbria. The house and grounds have belonged to the National Trust since 1929, but the house has only recently opened to the public on a regular basis."

"The poet William Wordsworth was born on 7 April 1770 at this handsome Georgian house at the end of Main St. Built around 1745, the house has been meticulously restored based on accounts from the Wordsworth archive: the kitchen, drawing room, study and bedrooms all look much as they would have to a young William. Costumed guides wander around the house for added period authenticity. Outside, the walled kitchen garden was mentioned in Wordsworth's autobiographical epic The Prelude."

"The Lakes District is all shimmering lakes and craggy hilltops which attract over 15 million people each year. The Yorkshire Dales on the other hand is about the snaking rivers running though valleys of rolling green hills. It’s the perfect place to spend a few days stretching the muscle’s on a long walk or two."

"Cautley Spout is England’s highest above-ground waterfall, cascading 650 feet down the cliff face. Unlike Aysgarth Falls, you won’t find a car park on-site. Instead, you’ll need to start your walk from the village of Cautley."

"If you need a picnic spot, or just somewhere to relax in front of Windermere, Borrans Park is a public green space at the lake’s northernmost tip just west of Waterhead. The park merges with the greenery around the Roman fort, and there are benches facing the water so you watch the steamers coming and going, and take in natural splendour the lakeshore. Behind you to the north and northeast are the brooding high fells of the Central Lakeland."

"Borrans Park has magnificent views of Windermere lake and is easily accessed from the A591. There are the remains of a Roman road leading to the ruin of a Roman fort with historical interpretation information in the adjacent field. The large grassed recreation area has picnic tables and ample seating."

"This old slate mine has been reinvented as a centre for all kinds of activities: you could venture underground into the bowels of the old 'Edge' and 'Kimberley' mines, tackle a via ferrata, or climb inside the mine along a system of fixed cables, tracing the route followed by the slate miners. A tour into the 'Cathedral' mine runs on Friday by request, but you'll need eight people and it costs £25 per person."

"Rope swings on the grounds, picnics in atmospheric old rooms, free tea and coffee, and huge blackboards you can write on: Allan Bank…"

"Metres from Windermere’s northern shore is an archaeological site for the Roman fort of Galava, founded towards the end of the 1st century. This stronghold defended the intersection of three Roman roads, heading off to Ravenglass and Carlisle on Hadrian’s Wall to the north, and Papcastle to the west. The remains date from the 2nd or 3rd century, when it appears that the fort was demolished and reconstructed."

"Head to The Back Bar to catch the night’s game or to just enjoy some delicious fish ‘n’ chips. Part of the imposing Inn on the Square, the Back Bar is a comfy space for a game of pool or darts, a meal with the family, or a couple of drinks with friends. Perfect for a laid-back night out."

"Nestled down a side street in the centre of Ambleside, Bar eS serves up Mexican tapas and craft beer in their rustic and cosy restaurant & bar. They have a separate vegan menu, so make sure to ask for it when you’re being seated, and also serve up vegan beers & wines. We tried a bit of everything and it was all delicious."

"Metres from Windermere’s northern shore is an archaeological site for the Roman fort of Galava, founded towards the end of the 1st century. This stronghold defended the intersection of three Roman roads, heading off to Ravenglass and Carlisle on Hadrian’s Wall to the north, and Papcastle to the west. The remains date from the 2nd or 3rd century, when it appears that the fort was demolished and reconstructed."

"The poet William Wordsworth's most famous residence in the Lake District is undoubtedly Dove Cottage, but he actually spent a great deal more time at Rydal Mount, 1.5 miles northwest of Ambleside, off the A591. This was the Wordsworth family's home from 1813 until the poet's death in 1850 and the house contains a treasure trove of Wordsworth memorabilia. Bus 555 (and bus 599 from April to October) stops at the end of the drive."