Nigel Burton discovers that if you have a young family, there’s more to the Lake District than fine scenery.

IT’S a source of amazement to me that there’s so much for a family with young children to do in the Lake District.

On the face of it, so much of the area’s natural beauty is untamed – it’s hardly a great leap of the imagination to visualise what it must have been like, say, a century ago.

But peek beyond the, er, peaks and you’ll discover scores of commercial attractions vying for your time (and, perhaps more importantly, vying for your cash).

Although thousands of people holiday in the Lakes for the walks and the scenery, dragging a fouryear- old over a mountain sounds like a recipe for hours of whinging and moaning. Families with young kids need something more than the magnificent views.

Although it’s hardly what you’d call new, the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway is always worth a visit if, like us, you have a train-mad youngster.

Passenger services have run on the seven-mile line from Ravenglass to Dalegarth, at the foot of England’s highest mountains, for the best part of 100 years.

In fact, one of the engines, the River Irt, is the oldest working 15ins gauge steam locomotive in the world – not that you’d know it from the sparkling brightwork and deep lustrous sheen on the paintwork.

A trip takes 40 minutes each way and costs a smidge over £10 for adults. Children under five travel free.

There’s a cafe at both ends; the prices seem keener at the Ravenglass station, although there’s less seating. The good news, though, is that the grub’s decent whichever you choose and the portions are very generous.

We were blessed with good weather during our stay, but the Lakes can be unpredictable, even in summer, so it’s a good idea to mug up on “whatever the weather attractions”

before you set off.

The lakes of the world, and the creatures inhabiting them, are the central focus of the Lakes Aquarium – an award-winning, all-weather attraction overlooking Lake Windermere, taking visitors on a round-the-world journey over and under the water.

There’s a fine selection of “guests”, ranging from over-stuffed piranhas to turtles, snakes, rays and seahorses.

Entry for two adults and a child over three costs £17.50 and you can stay as long as you like. The Lakeside development is also home to shops and a couple of decent restaurants, so you can make a day of it.

We stayed in a static holiday home at the five-star Skelwith Fold Caravan Park, near Ambleside, only minutes away from lakes Windermere and Coniston.

The quality of accommodation was truly excellent. The last time I stayed in a static caravan, when I was 14, the van was a drafty old thing that lacked even the most basic amenities.

The Cosalt Strathmore, at Skelwith, was a true home-from-home.

Fully carpeted, it had two large bedrooms (a double with an en-suite toilet and one with two single beds), a large living room with an electric fire, kitchen/galley, a shower and even a bath. Central heating was a cinch to control.

Skelwith also caters for touring caravans. The large site has a shop packed with all those things you’ve forgotten and a large play area for children. It’s surrounded by forest and the views are magnificent.

Our second day dawned wet. The weatherman insisted the sun would get out, but the black, low cloud and persistent drizzle said otherwise.

KESWICK, 30 minutes by car from Skelwith, is a good destination if you need to do things inside. New this year is The Puzzling Place where a world of optical illusion awaits. It’s fun and educational, but beware the anti-gravity room – it’ll make you seasick if you’re of a nervous disposition.

Good value, though, at £3.50 each.

After that we settled our stomachs with a visit to the somewhat more traditional Cumberland Pencil Museum.

The first pencils ever made were produced in Keswick, following the discovery of Cumberland graphite, and millions of pencils are still produced by the Cumberland Pencil Company.

The museum is quite small, but there is lots for children to do.

There’s a competition, a draw-adinosaur test and you can try out the company’s range of pencils which mix with water to produce superb effects. Every visitor receives a complimentary pencil (worth 95p) and children who hand in a dinosaur picture get two free colouring pencils (worth £2).

There’s a cafe which sells a range of drinks and refreshments and a well-stocked shop.

Our third day was a mixture of the first two, weatherwise – sunshine interspersed with showers – so we headed for the National Park Visitor Centre at Brockhole where, for the price of car parking, your little darlings can spend hours dashing around the beautiful gardens and the adventure playground.

There are bold plans for Brockhole, including a cinema, a farm shop and climbing wall, but I thought it quite splendid as it is.

The food in the restaurant is well priced and tasty and, if it’s fine, you can sit outside and enjoy the scenery while you eat.

After a hectic three days it was time to pack up and return home – much to our son’s disappointment.

After sampling the delights of the Lakes at Skelwith, four-year-old Jack has now decided we should sell up and see out the rest of our days living in a caravan.

travel facts

Skelwith has a mailing list for those interested in buying a holiday home. Contact Geoff Elliot on 015394-32277.

Owners are guaranteed at least 12 years occupancy when they purchase a static, with the possibility of a two-year extension if the home remains in good condition.

The pitch fee this year is £2,545.

In addition, you will need to budget for rates: about £180 for the year.

Skelwith Fold’s 120 touring pitches are scattered throughout the 130-acre woodland site. Every pitch has hard standing with an electric hook-up.

Touring caravan prices: £18.50 per night (low season) £21 per night (high season)