Hutton John Estate is the perfect place to start your Lake District adventure come rain or shine! Outdoor adventure, attractions and fantastic restaurants are all a short drive from our Estate.
What would a Lake District break be without some adventure? Walking, cycling, open water swimming, paddleboarding, horse riding – we’ve got it all!
Guided walks – For guided walks up the fells or outdoor and lake activities, Tom Peacock is your man. He has a wealth of experience and can provide canoeing, kayaking, ghyll scrambling, hill walking and caving.
Contact (07765 257469)
Cycling – If you are a keen cyclist you may bring your own bicycle with you, however, if you aren’t and need to borrow one Arragons Cycle Hire are the place to go. You can pick one up from Lowther Castle, their shop in Penrith or organise delivery. They’ll also be able to advise you on some fantastic routes. https://www.arragonscyclehire.com/
Sailing – Learn to sail on Ullswater, with Glenridding Sailing Centre by hiring a more traditional Lune Whammel (Swallows and Amazons style). Don’t fancy sailing yourself? Then hire a boat and skipper from Ullswater Luxury Cruises. Begin your lake district adventure on the water for a unique view of the area.
Wild swimming – There is nothing quite like swimming in open water and Ullswater is a perfect place to do it. If you’ve never swam in Ullswater before, we recommend booking a guided tour with one of the Ullswater Swim Place coaches. They will be able to provide wetsuits and equipment on request. https://www.ullswaterswimplace.com/
Paddle boarding – Enjoy the lake from a different perspective. Paddleboarding is great fun for all the family. Ullswater Paddleboarding offers guided tours and lessons. https://www.ullswaterpaddleboarding.co.uk/
Wake surfing – One of the newest and most thrilling water activities on Ullswater. Book a session with Ullswater Wake & Surf to give it a go. They’ll take you out on a boat and provide you with all the equipment you need. https://www.ullswaterwakeandsurf.co.uk/
Horse riding – There are a few options for horse trekking. It is great if you don’t fancy walking up fells yourself or if you want to see the landscape from a higher viewpoint. We recommend Pony Trekking Ullswater and Rookin House (who also have a range of other activities).
Fell running – There are plenty of routes for fell runners, although if you aren’t experienced and don’t have the right equipment, you may want to consider walking instead. You can find a range of routes on All Trails.
Tree top courses – GoApe at Whinlatter is close to Keswick and is great for action packed forest adventures. They have family friendly courses and more challenging courses for adults. If you are scared of heights, perhaps not the one for you!
Aira Force – a beautiful waterfall walk that you can drive to or access by the Ullswater Steamer. There is a place to buy ice-cream which is always a useful bribe for children who aren’t so enthusiastic!
Pooley Bridge to Gale Bay – a shorter walk that is great if you have a buggy or wheelchair as there are no styles and a decent path. It gives you great views over the northern reaches of the lake.
Hallin Fell – an entry level fell walk which gives you fantastic views over Ullswater without the altitude.
Ullswater Way – not for the faint hearted! A 20-mile loop around Ullswater. If you don’t fancy doing the whole thing, you can do sections of it and catch the steamer back to your car!
Helvellyn – one of the more well known Wainwrights and where the famous ‘Striding Edge’ path is found. If you are attempting this one, ensure you have the right equipment for the fluctuating weather conditions.
Blencathra – also known as Saddleback this is one of the most northern fells in the Lake District. Again, another ‘big’ fell so make sure you are well equipped.
It is well documented that the Cumbrian weather can be rather temperamental. Luckily, there are plenty of rainy day friendly activities for both kids and adults close by. Don’t let the rain stop your lake district adventure!
Rheged – Rheged has something for everyone, with restaurants, shops and a big screen cinema that shows live screenings as well as blockbuster movies.
Puzzling Place – a wonderful world of optical illusions and full of fun!
Upfront Gallery & Arts venue – near Penrith, Upfront has a fantastic puppet theatre that will entertain all ages.
Kong Adventure – if the weather doesn’t allow and outdoor lake district adventure, Kong Adventure in Keswick is the place to go with activities such as indoor climbing.
Lakes Distillery – one for the grown-ups! A local gin and whiskey distillery in Bassenthwaite. It has a restaurant, does tours and has a great little shop.
Theare by the Lake – based in Keswick and on the shores of Derwentwater, there is always something great to watch at Theatre by the Lake.
Lowther Castle – the ruins of Lowther Castle with gardens, an adventure playground, cafe, bike hire and lots of walks. Just outside Penrith it has some really interesting family history that is worth reading up about.
Hutton-in-the-Forest – a historic home and gardens just a stone’s throw from us. They often have events there like PotFest and classic car shows.
Askham Gardens – the gardens of Askham Hall. It has views of the River Lowther, a great little cafe, kitchen garden and animals.
Larch Cottage – based at Melkinthorpe this is a lovely nursery with an art gallery and gift shop filled with interesting and unique gifts.The restaurant, La Casa Verde serves Italian influenced food so you can spend an afternoon or morning at the nursery, and then enjoy something to eat.
Lake District Wildlife Park – a great wildlife park with 24 acres of parkland and over 100 species of wild and domestic animals.
Ullswater Steamers – the Ullswater steamers are definitely worth the effort. You get a different view of the fells when you travel across the water. A unique way to travel in your Lake District adventure.
Dalemain House & Gardens – a mansion, gardens, tea room and shop close to Penrith. They have a famous marmalade awards so pick up a jar of the annual winner at the shop to enjoy at home!
Little Salkeld – a little village in the Eden Valley with a working watermill where you can buy freshly milled flour and oats.
From Michelin-starred restaurants to casual cafes and everything in between, the northern Lake District is a foodie haven. Here are some suggestions close to Hutton John.
The Kitchen in the Yard – a great little cafe and take out kitchen based undercover at the bottom of The Brunswick Yard in Penrith
Askham Hall – a Michelin-starred and 3 AA rosette restaurant that uses ingredients grown on the Lowther Estate. A ‘fancy’ restaurant perfect for a special treat.
Dog and Gun – with a wealth of accolades including being listed in the top 50 gastropubs, this country pub combines local and seasonal produce to create comforting pub food with a fine dining twist.
Queen’s Head – a lovely pub in Askham and sister restaurant to Askham Hall but more casual. Their menu uses lots of locally sourced ingredients and the pub itself is lovely and cosy.
1863 – a great restaurant just a short drive away in Pooley Bridge. They do a two or three course menu and also a seven course tasting menu.
The Secret Garden – a cool riverside venue offering homemade meals,cake,coffee and a fully licensed bar in Pooley Bridge.
Howtown – Howtown Hotel has a great little tearoom serving fantastic sandwiches. You can get the steamer here from Glenridding and either walk or steamer back!
Fellbites – a small café by day and restaurant by night in Glenridding. It sits underneath Helvellyn and has great views of Place Fell
Granny Dowbekins – a great little cafe in Pooley Bridge that offers food in a Cumbrian style (and with Cumbrian generosity). They do breakfasts, lunches and afternoon teas.
Abbott Lodge – is a working dairy farm near Penrith. The farm produces over 40 flavours of high quality homemade Jersey ice cream which are delicious! You can also see the cows whilst you are there.
Experience the northern Lake District from the comfort of the Hutton John Estate.
Three beautiful and lovingly restored cottages within the Estate. Where heritage meets modern-day living.
Sleeps: 4, 6, or 10
Four contemporary cabins, immersed in nature. Book your stay where the outdoors meets luxury.
Sleeps: 2
Passed down through generations, our family and history are at the heart of the approximately 300 acre Hutton John Estate.
Hutton John
Penrith
Cumbria
CA11 0LZ
T: +44 1768 483742
Hutton John Estate
Penrith
Cumbria
CA11 0SE
T: +44 1768 483742
