Perfect new family destination for lovers of the Lake District – it's a kids' adventure paradise

Scottish Sun

11-07-2025

Explore this tranquil, rolling countryside at the eastern edge of the district.
MOOR THE MERRIER Perfect new family destination for lovers of the Lake District – it's a kids' adventure paradise
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IMAGINE wandering through pretty woodland and stumbling upon a lost castle and dragon's lair that doubles as one of the UK's largest adventure playgrounds.
It awakens memories, real and embellished by the passage of time, of those perfect outdoor adventures of our childhood.
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Eden Grove sleeps up to 10
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There's loads to explore
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Our adventurers loved the castle
And listening to the delighted shrieks of our own children as they zipped, swung and climbed among the ancient pine canopies and forts brought joy — and a blessed relief from their zombie inducing screens!
Forget Fortnight this is Fort right.
Lowther Castle in Cumbria was the destination for our daring day out. And what a discovery this 19th century ruin with award-winning gardens was just a few miles from our weekend home in nearby Appleby.
Our 10-strong squad with its famous five adventurers Avie, Joseph, Maisie, Molly and Dizzy the dog were accommodated in fine style at Eden Grove.
This converted country house, with large and sumptuous living space is just a few miles from the town famous for its annual horse fair — perfectly located to explore this tranquil, rolling countryside at the eastern edge of the Lake District.
Think less lakes and more moors.
After a perfectly packed day playing in and venturing around Lowther's stunning gardens and ruins, before sampling delicious local produce in the castle cafe, Eden Grove was a blissful base to get back to.
With cinema room, games room and a modern open-plan dining zone — bright and airy with added sofa area — there was plenty of space for our tribes to coexist in harmony.
Time to unwind with a game of pool and a few hands of Uno while we opened a bottle of plonk and prepared dinner in the gratefully well-equipped kitchen.
The spacious luxury of this modified manor continued upstairs when bedtime eventually arrived for the young squad. Four huge double bedrooms — two with en-suite and a third separate bathroom — all with super comfy beds and high ceilings added to the feeling of space.
We even had a dressing room in the master suite, bigger than most bedrooms and perfect for the kids to use during hide and seek.
Well-rested, and well-fuelled by delicious baps bursting with locally-made Cumberland sausages the following morning, we rounded up the troops and set off for more adventures in this garden of Eden valley.
At the time the Domesday Book was scribed in 1086 this stunning moorland was known as Scottish Cumberland as it served then as a boundary marker between England and Scotland.
Now known as Westmorland, the area is a paradise of historic towns and ancient monuments — none more so than neolithic stone circle Long Meg and her Daughters.
At 120metres wide, Meg and her 68 girls are the UK's third largest circle. Pausing to take in this glorious moorland scenery, kids and dog running with joy in the sunshine, breeze ruffling hair and fur alike, it felt for a moment as if a whisper of historic horse hooves and pagan ceremonies could be heard on the wind.
The place was Megical.
GO: CUMBRIA
A WEEK'S stay at Eden Grove starts from £1,300, sleeping 10 people in 4 bedrooms and up to 2 dogs.
To book a break, visit www.holidaycottages.co.uk.
Our final stop of the day was historic Appleby itself. The pretty River Eden, where travellers wash their horses before the annual sale, runs through the market town. A walk and paddle here was an ideal way to cool off after a day in the sunshine.
The town has an old world charm and with a Norman Castle to explore, a great pool and plenty of cycling and walking routes, it's a must visit when in this part of Cumbria.
'Home' for a kickabout with the kids in the garden of Eden Grove before a majestic steak pie at the nearby New Crown Inn, was the perfect way to end our group adventure.
We've enjoyed many happy holidays in the 'lakier' parts of this District, but the gorgeous fells and gentle hills to be discovered east of the M6 was moor than ideal for our merry mob of adventurers.