Things to do in the Area

 Aira Force is a popular 65-foot (20-meter) waterfall in the Lake District National Park, Cumbria, managed by the National Trust. It features scenic woodland trails, stone bridges, and a dramatic drop into Aira Beck, located near Ullswater. It is a top attraction for walking, viewing, and accessing the adjacent Gowbarrow Fell. 

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/lake-district/aira-force-and-gowbarrow-park

The Nook is a great base to explore the Wainwright walks with the below all under 15 mins from the cottage.

• Hallin Fell (388m): Short, easy, and provides spectacular views over the lake, perfect for a quick, rewarding walk.
• Gowbarrow Fell (481m): Often combined with a visit to the Aira Force waterfall, this walk features stunning views from the summit and is part of the Ullswater Way.
• Place Fell (657m): A more substantial walk from Patterdale or Glenridding that offers classic, panoramic views of the entire Ullswater valley.
• Glenridding Dodd (455m): A steep but direct climb starting near the A592, offering a, rewarding, quiet route with impressive views over the lake.
• Arthur's Pike & Bonscale Pike: Located on the eastern side, these offer great views of the lake and are often accessed from near Pooley Bridge.
• The Ullswater Way: A 20-mile, low-level, fully marked trail circling the entire lake, which can be broken into sections

Visit Pooley Bridge to travel around Lake Ullswater on a steamer cruise that has been running for 160 years! 

There are four stops around the lake and you can get off at any to explore the area. 

Pooley Bridge ( Main stop with places to eat and a few shops) 

Howtown ( small tea room and walking the local fells) 

Glenridding ( Small village with shops and places to eat as well as water sports) 

Aira Force ( Local Waterfall) 

Tickets available from the website or on the day . 

https://www.ullswater-steamers.co.uk

Penrith has many historical landmarks, including St Andrew's Church, Penrith Castle, Beacon Pike or Tower and the Musgrave Monument.  There is a small Museum to visit and it is a locality town to wander around. 

There are many coffee shops, Takeout places and restraunts to visit as well as a few traditional pubs. 

You can find all sorts to keep you entertained from Swimming pool and Gym / Cinema / Retail Therapy/ many great charity shops and there are often seasonal street events such as the Winter Droving / The World Marmalade Festival / Street art and food events as well as the two weekly Farmers Market ( Tuesdays) 

Basecamp North Lakes is a farm shop, cafe, award winning butchery & bakery as well as an activity site set in 155 acres with its own lake! A gateway to the Northern Lake District, delicious in house baking and championing sustainability, low food miles and innovative rural enterprise. They are also home to world famous Alpacaly Ever After’s award winning Social Enterprise and part of their herd of over 200 alpacas & llamas!"

https://basecampnorthlakes.co.uk

Rheged is a gallery, café, cinema, shopping venue, workplace and creative space on the edge of the Northern Lakes. There is a fuel station and EV chargers located here too. 

They have a giant cinema and often host local talks , displays and discussions . 

There is an emphasis on local creative and sustainable art with many different themes in their artist gallery. 

You can book craft sessions for adults and they also have a craft area for kids with a soft play area ( baby to 5ish)  

It's a nice place to visit on a rainy day to fill an afternoon in. 

https://rheged.com

Whinlatter is home to stunning views, fantastic walks, exhilarating mountain biking, rare wildlife and adventure play.

Set within the Lake District, a World Heritage Site, Whinlatter has unrivalled views across Bassenthwaite Lake, Derwentwater and Keswick. It is also home to the longest purpose-built mountain bike trails in the Lake District. 

Some Events : 

Canicross races 

Foraging and Cooking workshops

Room on the Broom / Gruffly Trail for kids 

Walking, Mountain Biking and Running trails. 

Go Ape Treetop experience and Zip Wire .  

Go Ape Segways in the forest.

https://www.forestryengland.uk/whinlatter

The Honister Slate Mine in Cumbria is the last working slate mine in England. Quarrying for Westmorland green slate has been taking place in the area since the late 17th century. 

It is also a popular tourist attraction offering : 

Mine Tours and Working Mine Tours 

Ghost Tours 

Climbing the Mine

The Infinity Bridge crossing above the mine

Santas mine Grotto 

https://honister.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoqxWC3CqTiOs6d88hCGgu2oqw7FneiBFXed2R62bRMnci9L96Ev

 Grasmere Ambleside and Windermere are popular, neighboring towns in the heart of the Lake District. They are linked by scenic trails like the historic 

 Grasmere offers a quieter, quaint experience famous for its gingerbread and Wordsworth connections. 

Ambleside has several outdoorsy shops, lovely cafes and a great cinema with Vegetarian restaurant. 

Windermere has lake tours on the boats as well as some nice cafes and Bars.  There is a Small Aquarium here and was the home of the famous Beatrix Potter. You can visit her home and the museum here. 

https://worldofbeatrixpotter.com

They are approximately a 45 min scenic drive through the Lakes  over the Kirkstone Pass

 Keswick is only a 25 min drive from the Nook. It is a very popular and pretty  tourist hot spot.  Hosting a variety of quirky shops with lovely keepsakes and many nice places to eat. 

There are lost of walks such as s Latrigg, Skiddaw, Catbells and Scarfell Pike.

Features: 

Theatre By the Lake with plays and local art shows. 

Crazy Golf course . 

Castlerigg Stone Circle 

Lake Launch cruises round Derwentwater.

Pencil Museum 

Rookery Woods - Adverture playground for kids to 8 years old. Ziplines , soft Archery, Traditional games and only £6 all day!