You will find this little bakery at the very point where the lush and open Eden Valley suddenly ends, meets the Pennines and veers upwards (and out of Cumbria) over the notorious Hartside Pass, a dreaded moment of reckoning on the sea to sea cycle. Thankfully the Village Bakery is there to fortify those in need – with fresh breads and good food – and you don’t have to cycle there to try it.
Join Lake District White Water Rafting for an unforgettable aquatic experience in both the North and South Lakes.
from £59.00
Following the success of The Secret Garden in 2017, the team present another Frances Hodgson Burnett classic. Suitable for children aged 6+ and the perfect Christmas outing.
from £12.00
Find out what happens when the boy cries ‘WOLF’ in this magical winter production.
from £10.00
Find out how the first tourists to the Lake District (a time before mobile phones, specialist clothing and TripAdvisor reviews) experienced the area, in this fascinating new exhibition.
from £6.00
Jingle all the way to the Father Christmas Tea Party at a magical winter wonderland.
from £7.50
Light and Land explores the relationships between people and place in this beautiful exhibition, archiving the ever-changing social and environmental landscapes of Cumbria.
free entry
Signalling a new direction for Abbot Hall, this major solo exhibition will include thirty years of work by renowned landscape artist Julie Brook.
£9.00
This art exhibit pays tribute to the often forgotten Women’s Timber Corps (1942), who took up axes and saws to help with the war effort.
free entry
Long Meg and Her Daughters is one of the finest and most prominent stone circles in the North of England, with myth and enigma at its core.
At Little Salkeld you’ll find one of the country’s last water-powered corn mills, still grinding specialist flours, with a fantastic bakery and cafe attached
Lacy’s Caves are fascinating structures in an area marked with the indelible pick-axe of history, and they just so happen to be in a spot made for wild swimmers.
Close to the centre of Penrith, Bank House is a stylish family-run bed and breakfast, in a Victorian house with a traditional garden.
A few miles north of Penrith, Hutton-in-the-Forest is an exquisite country house, described by Simon Jenkins as “one of Britain’s top 100”.
A gallery and studio space displaying works by local artists – including paintings, drawings, sculptures, ceramics, jewellery and textiles, as well as gift items.
A blend of historic and contemporary gives Penrith its edge, ancient tradition sitting side-by-side with trendy wine bars, hipster cafes and fine dining.
An independent cinema in the heart of town, the Lonsdale Alhambra is, for many locals, a treasure of Penrith.
Boasting an array of hot and cold food including homemade cakes, The Yard Kitchen is a café with a distinctly quirky feel.
Rich soups, salads, hearty meals and homemade cakes are freshly made using seasonal and organic incgredients whereever possible from this vegetarian takeaway bistro.
Upfront Puppet Theatre is located near Penrith, Cumbria and is one of only four authentic working puppet theatres in England.
We're unapologetically entering into the Christmas spirit here at Tours and Activities with some alternative festive fun.
Festive frolics, monstrous theatre and magical outdoor adventures all feature in our latest picks of things to do with the family.
Keep warm with festive feasts, Hollywood stars and 90s nostalgia across the North's cinemas this December.
Provocative new writing, glitzy burlesque and big budget shows, our theatre guide spans the festive season and beyond.
It might be curl-up-with-a-book season, but there's lots to get out and about for and plenty of events where you can stock up on new reads.
Spotlighting global artists who all, in one way or another, break the mould, we preview the best gigs happening this side of Christmas and beyond.
While rainy late autumn may not be the most energising of seasons, there is plenty of new art to see and inspire this month!
The best food and drink options in Manchester and the North for the upcoming winter months.
