3 Mostly Free Things To Do in the Lake District

I'm the right side of 40 but even my summer holidays seems to have taken on a sepia tinge over the last few years. Spending those glorious six weeks in the pursuit of simple pleasures came naturally with the Lake District as your back garden. Reminiscing over a glass of wine the other evening with friends we compiled our top 5 and I thought it would be rude not to share...in no particular order.

Picnicking at Fell Foot

Some unsuspecting parent, (thanks Dad!) would accompany a car loads of kids ladened with frisbees, rounders bats, blankets and the obligatory picnic - mine was always heavy on the pickled onion monster

munch: a balanced diet was not a priority in the early 80's. We would descend on Fell Foot, the Victorian country park beside Lake Windermere and wile away a hour or two on a game of rounders before demolishing the picnic, or the unhealthy bit of it anyway. There always seemed to be a bag of uneaten fruit to take back to the car!

The braver ones amongst us, I was not one of them would venture into the Lake for a swim...apparently it wasn't cold once you got in. Exhausted, the car journey home would be quieter that the one there much to the relief of my Dad I'm sure.

I still enjoy the park today but you will more likely find me avoiding the games under a tree with a good book.

The admission charge includes parking, locals and the more canny tourist park on the verge outside the grounds. There

are toilet facilities, a tearoom and a children's play area and you can even hire a rowing boat and get further out on the lake. It's a must do on a sunny day and yes we d get them up here.

Feeding the Swans at Bowness Bay

Bowness is the hub of tourism in the Lakes, attracting more visitor than any other part and with good reason! If you are in walking distance of the bay then you will find the experience all the more relaxing, driving around in peak season can be painful. You can find great Lake District self catering cottages within easy walking distance of the bay and with the best transport links around its a fantastic base for exploring further a field too!

Used to the tranquility of the Lakes walking into Bowness Bay felt positively metropolitan. In my early years I remember fondly feeding the swans and duck on the shore and happily watching the people going by ice cream in hand. I still don't know whether a swan can actually break your arm or not, but that sense of danger has always appealed to me, perhaps that's where it began!

You will also find the Lake districts number one attraction departing from here: hopping on the Windermere Lake Cruise is a must!

Discovering the Wooden Carvings ar Grizedale Forest

I joined the protest when the Government proposed selling off the forests as did many of the people I know. This was in part due to the time I have spent at Grizedale Forest - a fantastic example of how to run a forest for the benefit of the economy and environment.

Situated between the lakes of Coniston and Windermere Grizedales is an ideal place to go walking. With views of the lakes and mountains, the shelter of the trees and sculptures in the forest, Grizedale offers everyone a walk they will enjoy.

Family Sundays were often spent in Grizedale, I was always intrigued by the wooden sculpture as a child and terrified by the prospect of the dizzy heights of Go Ape as an adult...and no I've still not plucked up the courage! The walks are really great, free and accessible even with a push chair which is great. Feeling like you really are soaking in a bit of the great outdoor even with an easily tired toddler really is a treat. The canopy of the trees even make the experience pleasurable in the rain - it does that sometimes here.

There are so many more virtually free things to do in the Lakes for tourists and locals alike, share a few here is you feel inclined. Stay at Windermere Marina Village to enjoy some car free fun, Reception will point you in the direction of a bus timetable - they are more frequent than you might think!