Welcome to Meghan Cottage, Threlkeld
Visit Threlkeld in the beautiful Lake District
Things to do
Meghan Cottage is ideally situated for enjoying all the Lake District has to offer. On the Cumbrian Cottages website there are many suggestions for days out if you need a few pointers.
In the northern lakes, nestled under Blencathra and with plentiful walking from the doorstep, you won't have to venture far if you don't feel like it.
If you feel like exploring a bit further then here are a few of our more personal suggestions.
Animal parks
The Lake District Wildlife Park (formerly Trotters World of Animals) is about a 20 minute drive away. It's a small friendly zoo which makes a great day out.
South Lakes Wild Animal Park takes a bit longer to get to (about 1hour 15 mins) but it is a much bigger establishment and is a full days enjoyment.
Mines and Quarries
The local Threlkeld quarry and mining museum is well worth a visit. There is a mine tour, a steam train ride and the opportunity to pan for minerals.
Honister Slate mine is another recommended day trip. As well as being set in a stunning location up on the Honister pass, you can have various slate mine tours, visit the shop and visitor centre and purchase beautiful slate products. If you are feeling very brave you can attempt the 'Via Ferrata', following the miners route to work, up the outside of a mountain (7 times higher than Big Ben) attached only by a harness, crossing rope bridges and scaling cargo nets. Not for the faint hearted.
Local attractions
Some of our favourites include:
A coffee in the Java coffee shop in Keswick. Large strong coffee for the adults and a massive chocolate fountain with strawberry/marshmallow kebabs for the children. Good before or after a long walk.
A visit to the 'Dog and Gun' pub in Keswick including sticking your loose change into the old wooden rafters and stone walls as a donation to the Keswick mountain rescue service.
A cycle or walk of an afternoon along the cycle path from Threlkeld to Keswick, stopping for a meal in one of Keswick's fine restaurants then either a cycle back or hop on the Workington to Penrith coach that goes through Threlkeld.
A boat trip from Keswick to the base of Catbells, a walk up then down the other side, and around the end of the lake to one of the hotels there. After refreshment either a trip back on the open top bus, or venture onwards and upwards through Lodore woods, via High Seat, the Castlerigg stone circles and a well-deserved rest back at Keswick
For further information about all the things to do around the Keswick area please try the following links.
Coastal trips
The coastal resorts of Maryport, Workington and Whitehaven are between 35-45 mins away.
They offer coastal scenery, harbours, an aquarium, seaside attractions and a variety of shops.
Local towns
The delightful towns of Ambleside and Grassmere are a 20-30 mins drive and are great starting points for walks both high and low, and more gentle shop browsing.
The larger resort of Windermere (Bowness) is closer to 50 minutes away and offers numerous boat trips and water activities, railway trips and other tourist excursions.
A little further but worth it
Within a 40 minute drive you can reach Carlisle, a bustling City with all the usual shops. It also has a Castle, Cinema, Aviation museum, Cathedral and of course is only another 10-15 minutes from Hadrian's Wall and Gretna Green.
If you (or your children) are prepared to drive for nearly an hour and a half then the delights of Blackpool are within your reach.
As well as the Pleasure beach with a vast array of roller coasters and other scream inducing rides, there are the Piers, Madam Tussauds, Tower, theatres, model village and much more. Fish, chips and mushy peas are a necessity.