While Cumbria holidays are most famous for the landscape, the county also celebrates its connections with world-famous artists and writers.

The World of Beatrix Potter in Windermere gives an insight into the life of the writer of the Peter Rabbit books. In addition to the museum you can visit Beatrix Potter’s house in Ambleside, which is close to Windermere. Entrance to the house operates on a ‘timid ticket’ system, only allowing a few visitors in at a time.

The house is small and queues are likely during the half-term dates, but the visit is worth it. The house appears exactly as it was when Beatrix Potter lived in it and the gardens are beautifully kept.

Cumbria holidays offer a huge choice in outdoor activities, as well as a more relaxed pace of life in the villages and towns. The home of The Lake District is educational, and offers outdoor pursuits that make the UK school holidays fun and healthy.

The Lake District has always attracted artists and writers to its inspirational scenery. William Wordsworth lived in Cockermouth and then later in Dove Cottage in Grasmere. Both of these houses are open to the public and provide an interesting insight into the poet’s life. Grasmere is a particularly popular village in Cumbria. Wordsworth and his sister Dorothy not only lived here but are buried in the churchyard.

Next to the church you’ll find the little corner shop, The Grasmere Gingerbread Shop, which was originally the village school. The village still makes and sells the gingerbread first made here by Sarah Nelson in the 1860s.

The worldwide significance of the geology found in Cumbria is recognised by the fact that the North Pennines AONB is Britain's first European Geopark and a founding member of the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network.

Storrs Gate House is a lovely 19th Century detached Lake District Country House bed and breakfast, nestling in its own secluded, spacious gardens, opposite Lake Windermere. A leisurely, picturesque 15-minute stroll will take you along the lakeshore into Bowness Bay and village. Being only half a mile from Bowness-on-Windermere, our location is convenient for all the amenities, yet out of the hustle and bustle of the busy resort. There is complimentary, private parking within our grounds. Our location is ideal for walking, cycling, sailing or simply exploring the Lakeland villages, tracing the footsteps of William Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter, and enjoying spectacular scenery.

North Pennines AONB: This landscape of special importance was designated an AONB in 1988. Tumbling waterfalls, sweeping moorland views, dramatic dales, stone-built villages, and snaking stone walls contribute to this beautiful place.

The impressive shapes and forms the land takes in the North Pennines, from High Force on the River Tees to the sweeping U-shaped valley of High Cup Gill above Dufton, are the product of millions of years of geological processes.

Whilst every effort is made to ensure that these half term holiday dates are accurate, there are occasions when circumstances beyond our control may result in changes.

School half term and holiday dates in Cumbria, UK

Cumbria School Half Term Holiday Dates

Cumbria, in the north-west of England and bordering with Scotland, is a land of lakes, mountains and legends. The land is full of ancient myths and stories, but the county of Cumbria was only created in 1974. Made up of the former counties of Cumberland and Westmorland, Cumbria is better known as the home of The Lake District. Travellers to Great Britain should plan a summer holiday break to include this wild landscape.

The area’s stunning mountainous landscape includes Scafell Pike, the highest point in England, and is a favourite with climbers, ramblers and hill-walkers. If you’re interested in doing any of these outdoor activities, but aren’t familiar with the area, it’s a good idea to book onto a guided tour. These tours are run by expert guides who can offer walks and climbs for people with varying degrees of experience. Various climbing walls in Cumbria provide the opportunity to practice before attempting the real thing.

The many lakes in Cumbria provide the perfect opportunity for sailing and other water-based activities like canoeing, water skiing and windsurfing. These activities can be a great way to spend the half-term break in an area of stunning lakes, the like of which you won’t find anywhere else in England. You can also take a steamer across the larger lakes like Ullswater, or a rowing boat on Derwent Water. Another way to travel and see the landscape in Cumbria is by steam train. Cumbria’s steam railway provides visitors with a close-up look at how people in this area used to travel, as well as being a great way to view this mountainous county.

Our sponsored links on each page also list events and discounts on school holiday ideas and half term events.

LIFE at Troutbeck Bridge is your friendly, affordable, community pool and gym. Open 7 days a week we offer a 25m pool, 30-station gym, VibroGym studio, Zumba fitness classes, Aqua Zumba, inflatable sessions for 8-15yr-olds, personal training, free wifi and more. On a wet or dry weather day there's plenty of fun to be had here at LIFE!

The Badger Sett is a family friendly luxury holiday cottage in the northern Lake District, comfortably sleeping 6 people. The Badger Sett is a luxury Lake District holiday cottage situated in a secluded valley on the edge of the Northern Fells. Comfortably sleeping 6 people, the self-catering accommodation has been extensively but sympathetically modernised and is furnished with a harmonious blend of funky modern, retro chic and antique furniture. It’s all on one level (with easy access for wheelchairs) and the safe, enclosed garden make it ideal for families with small children. Whether you’re interested in walking, mountain biking, kayaking, horse-riding, fell-running or just relaxing in beautiful countryside The Badger Sett is the perfect location.

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