Grizedale Forest is in the centre of the Lake District and just a short drive from Ambleside and Windermere. It has plenty to do for a full day out for family activities from toddlers to teens!
The Ridding Wood Trail is perfect for little legs and also pram-friendly, with lots of rocks to clamber on, streams to splash in and cute little huts and various sculptures to spot. However, the clockwork keys are no longer working. This short trail is just 0.6 miles or 1.5 miles from the car park, depending on whether you choose to wander over to the Gruffalo statue, which the little ones love (mine certainly did), and it can help to propel their little legs to the end.
The toilets are located next to the car park and the visitor centre is just across the main road. Watch your little ones here because it isn’t immediately obvious that the narrow road might have fast moving traffic.
The visitor centre and cafe form a little enclosed square with a seating area ideal for picnics or eating ice creams and drinking coffee whilst the children swing, slide and climb in the large, accessible play area. There is also a water fountain in the covered seating area, which is great for filling water bottles, and there is usually a dog water bowl too for those who need it.
There are longer walking trails for older children and teens. But for those feeling a bit more adventurous there is also Go Ape’s tree top challenges and zip wires which is always popular and even fun for the little ones to spot the ‘big kids’ walking around in the trees and zipping through the air!
There is also segway hire and mountain bike hire for those looking to delve more deeply into the forest.
Grizedale is in a dark skies area, so if you’re up for a spot of stargazing or learning about astronomy, make sure to book one of the events at the Grizedale Observatory and Planetarium.
Grizedale Forest is owned and managed by Forestry England, so members park for free. If you are going to multiple Forestry England sites over the year, then an annual pass could save you a few pounds.
Practicalities
- Parking: Grizedale Car Park is large, but it can fill up, so arrive early on weekends.
- Facilities: there is a cafe, visitor centre and toilets near the car park.