The 5 best Lake District holiday parks for families

Table of Contents

I’ve been searching for the best holiday parks in the Lake District for families – it’s such a popular holiday spot and there are some fabulous places to stay. If you fancy a nature-based break, or perhaps would love to have an action-packed getaway with watersports, it’s a brilliant location to explore. (Even the teens will be impressed!) So, if you’re looking for the perfect spot for your trip, here are my top picks for the 5 best holiday parks in the Lake District – and some even come with hot tubs!

Where is the Lake District located?

The Lake District is in Cumbria, in the North West of England, close to the Scottish border. It’s around 1.5 hours from Manchester, about 2 hours from Liverpool and roughly 3 hours from Birmingham by car, making it surprisingly accessible for a family getaway. The area is officially known as the Lake District National Park and is home to England’s largest lake, Windermere, as well as famous spots like Keswick, Ambleside and Ullswater. Whether you’re travelling from the North or making the journey up from the Midlands or further down South, it feels like a proper escape into nature without needing to leave the UK.

1. Parkdean Resorts: Fallbarrow Holiday Park

Highly rated on TripAdvisor, Parkdean Resorts Fallbarrow is undoubtedly one of the best holiday parks for a peaceful family getaway in the Lake District if you’re after a more nature-based break. Teenagers and older kids will love the watersports on offer nearby – they can have a go at kayaking, sailing or paddle-boarding – as this holiday park is situated on the gorgeous shores of Lake Windermere. With hot tub lodges overlooking the lake, it offers the perfect place to unwind. There are some fabulous days out on your doorstep, as you’ll find attractions like Windermere Lake Cruises, Wray Castle, Zip World Windermere and charming villages like Ambleside just a short drive away. For more information, and prices for your dates, click here to check out Fallbarrow Holiday Park on the Parkdean Resorts website.

2. Haven: Lakeland Leisure Park

If you’re looking for Lake District holiday parks offering watersports on site, Haven Lakeland Leisure Park is hard to beat – it’s one of the best resorts for an active break with older kids and teenagers. It boasts indoor and outdoor pools, as well as watersports like kayaking, pedalos and paddle-boarding that the whole family can enjoy! On top of this, the lakeside park offers crazy golf, an aerial adventure for both tots and older ones, bike hire, NERF camp, sports, pedal-karts, crafts, ranger activities and more! Not far from Lake Windermere, this Haven park is a fantastic option for a nature-based retreat. There are some fabulous days out nearby as well – you’ll find attractions like Windermere Outdoor Adventure Centre, Windermere Lake Cruises and Zip World Windermere all around a 40 minute drive away. For more information, and prices for your dates, click here to check out Lakeland Leisure Park on the Haven website.

3. Parkdean Resorts: White Cross Bay Holiday Park

Situated in a beautiful spot on Lake Windermere, White Cross Bay is a fabulous choice for a getaway in the Lake District. This site offers an indoor swimming pool, as well as a spa with a jacuzzi, sauna and a steam room – perfect for grown-ups in need of some peace and quiet. Plus, with hot tub lodges too, this Parkdean Resorts getaway offers families a brilliant place to unwind. For the kids there’s an arcade, woodland trails, sports, arts & crafts and an adventure playground. There are some fabulous days out nearby too, as you’ll find attractions like Windermere Outdoor Adventure Centre, Windermere Lake Cruises and Zip World Windermere all within a few minutes drive of the holiday park – amazing! For more information, and prices for your dates, click here to check out White Cross Bay Holiday Park on the Parkdean Resorts website.

4. Parkdean Resorts: Limefitt Holiday Park

Limefitt Holiday Park is one of the best located holiday parks in the Lake District with walks and watersports nearby, alongside panoramic views on your doorstep. You’ll find it in a peaceful valley north of Windermere and it’s an idyllic spot for families looking for a relaxing retreat. The charming Victorian town of Ambleside is just a few miles away and you can take to the hills on the walking and cycling routes surrounding the park. On-site, there’s an adventure playground for the kids and a pub with a beer garden. If you fancy doing some exploring or some watersports, it’s well-located for some active days out. You’ll find Windermere Outdoor Adventure Centre, Windermere Lake Cruises and Zip World Windermere all within a 10 minute drive of the resort – perfect! For more information, and prices for your dates, click here to check out Limefitt Holiday Park on the Parkdean Resorts website.

5. Park Holidays UK: Glendale Holiday Park

If you’re on the hunt for a countryside retreat, Glendale Holiday Park is further from Lake Windermere but it’s perfect for a peaceful getaway if you’re happy to have a longer drive to the lake. Set above the Solway Firth, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, it’s the ideal place to unwind while exploring the very best of Cumbria’s coastline and countryside. The kids can enjoy crafts, play areas, sports, entertainment and mini golf on-site, while the local area offers plenty of days out. The whole family will love the Lake District Wildlife Park, spotting wild deer at Glasson Moss Nature Reserve, stepping back in time with a visit to Hadrian’s Wall and hiking & watersports in the Lake District. For more information, and prices for your dates, click here to check out Glendale Holiday Park on the Park Holidays UK website.

When is the best time to visit the Lake District?

The Lake District has a reputation for rain and Cumbria is one of the wettest parts of England, especially in the mountains, so packing waterproofs is always a good idea whatever the season. That said, it really is beautiful all year round. Late spring and early summer, particularly May and June, are often considered the sweet spot with milder temperatures, longer daylight hours and usually less rainfall than the autumn months. July and August can bring the warmest weather, but they are also the busiest and most expensive times to visit. September can still feel lovely and tends to be a little quieter, while autumn brings dramatic colours across the fells. Even if you do get a drizzly day, there are plenty of boat cruises, museums and indoor attractions to balance things out so a bit of rain won’t ruin your holiday.

What are the best things to do in the Lake District with kids?

If you’re planning a family trip to the stunning Lake District with kids, there’s so much to pack into your days without breaking the bank. Head to Windermere Outdoor Adventure Centre for stand up paddle-boarding, kayaking or pedalos on England’s largest lake, before hopping aboard a scenic Windermere Lake Cruise to relax and take in the mountains and pretty villages from the water. For thrill seekers, Zip World Windermere delivers high speed zip wires and adrenaline fun with incredible views – perfect for entertaining older kids and teenagers. While the younger ones will adore getting up close to otters, meerkats, zebras, lemurs and more at the Lake District Wildlife Park. Between lakeside walks, playgrounds and picnics on shorelines dotted with wildflowers, the Lake District is full of magical moments that kids will remember forever without costing a fortune.

Is the Lake District worth a visit?

Absolutely – the Lake District is definitely worth a visit if you love fresh air, epic scenery and plenty to keep the kids busy. The Lake District is one of those places that genuinely lives up to the hype, with sparkling lakes, dramatic fells and postcard-perfect villages around every corner. Whether you are cruising across Windermere, hiking to a family-friendly viewpoint, exploring castles or letting the kids burn off energy at outdoor adventure centres and animal parks, there’s something for every age and budget. It’s just as brilliant for a weekend break as it is for a longer holiday, and with so many free walks and picnic spots, you can easily mix paid activities with low cost days out. I hope that this article has helped you to decide which of these fabulous holiday parks is best for your Lake District adventure – have a great trip! 😊