Braithwaite Court, Cumbria, England

Rowing boats can be hired, as well as motor boats, sailing dinghies, windsurfing boards and Canadian canoes.

It's possible to hire bikes in Keswick, or enjoy a game of tennis on hard courts. There are also several good golf courses and riding stables close by.

Local history and National Trust properties

Local history and National Trust properties

Honister Slate Mine is only eight miles south of Braithwaite. Take a tour of the mine, located at Honister Pass, to learn about its decline and subsequent regeneration. Alternatively, experience a little adventure on the Via Ferrata.

The closest National Trust attraction is Wordsworth House, a short 15-minute drive away. Other National Trust properties in the area, and most within 25 miles, include Sizergh Castle, Stagshaw Garden, Acorn Bank Garden and Watermill, the Beatrix Potter Gallery and the steam yacht Gondola on Coniston Water.

The historic Muncaster Castle is only an hour south west of Braithwaite. Reputedly haunted, find out more about the castle's 'colourful history and residents' from the Pennington family, whose ancestors have lived there since 1208.

From aquariums to Arts and Crafts

From aquariums to Arts and Crafts

Travel 30 miles south to the Lakes Aquarium at Lakeside, set next to the Windermere Lake Cruises terminal. Visitors can explore freshwater marine life found in lakes across the world, 'from otters in Asia to piranhas in the Americas'. Children will be kept busy with the aquarium's quiz trail.

Blackwell, The Arts And Crafts House, is around 50 minutes south east of Braithwaite. It's 'one of England's most important surviving houses from the turn of the 20th century'. Overlooking Windermere, the building is now a public gallery for craft and applied arts.

Enjoy a family day out in Keswick

Enjoy a family day out in Keswick

The town of Keswick is less than 10 minutes away.

Something equally specialist but completely different is the Cumberland Pencil Museum. It's home to the first ever pencil, as well as the largest pencil in the world. There's lots for children to do, as well as a shop and café.

It's easy to spend another few hours at The Puzzling Place, which, as the name suggests, is full of puzzles and illusions. Get hands on and challenge your senses and perceptions of sight; you won't believe your eyes! Afterwards, test your lateral thinking ability against some popular commercial puzzles.

In the evening, head to Keswick's Theatre by the Lake, whose core programme includes a six-month summer season, a Christmas production and at least one other play each spring. The theatre's been designed to complement its beautiful location overlooking Derwentwater, Borrowdale and the Western Fells.