Primary School Trips to the Lake District

The Lake District has a wide range of YHA accommodations which are experienced at welcoming school groups. Those located closest to our key visits are in Windermere, Ambleside, Keswick, Grasmere and Eskdale.

Brockhole Visitor Centre

Brockhole, the Lake District Visitor Centre on the shores of Windermere offers a wide array of different options for your school group to try something new. Whether you want a Treetop adventure, to splash out on the water, try mini golf or enjoy one of the wonderful Learning Sessions on offer, this is the place to go for an action-packed primary school trip.

Learning sessions include:

Geography detectives

• Become a geography detective and discover why so many visitors come to the Lake District and Brockhole. Find out how we manage them, deal with the issues and look after the area.

Arts and crafts

• Printmaking: Taking inspiration from either the beautiful landscape of the Lake District or its wonderful wildlife; sessions will begin with some outdoor drawing followed by creating unique artwork using exciting printmaking techniques.
• Mixed Media Collage: Using a variety of exciting materials, you will have the chance to experiment and use your imagination to create beautiful artwork inspired by the Lake District’s natural environments and animals.
• Making with Natural Materials: In this creative session focused on appreciating the beauty of natural materials, you will learn about the amazing work of Land Artists and make your own magnificent creations using materials found in Brockhole’s grounds!

Science

These half-day science workshop sessions are delivered in partnership with Cumbria Wildlife Trust. Themes include:

• The Brockhole Wildlife Safari
• Tree Secrets
• Mammals
• Night time creatures
• Badger needs a home (KS1)

Book your school trip to Brockhole Visitor Centre. 

Honister Slate Mine

This is England's last working Slate Mine. Slate has been mined here for centuries, from occupying Romans to ancient Monks and Victorian pioneers.

As well as providing workshops and talks for educational trips, Honister offers a range of indoor and outdoor adventures for all sorts of ages and abilities. Whether that's climbing above the clouds or exploring vast mine caverns below ground.

Book your school trip to Honister Slate Mine.

The World of Beatrix Potter

A visit to the World of Beatrix Potter attraction is a unique educational trip. School groups are welcomed to find out more about the much-loved stories of Beatrix Potter, as well as the fascinating story of the author herself.

This primary school Lake District trip can be linked to many areas of the National Curriculum, including English Literature, History, Art and more. Topic work based around this amazing lady can provide a wealth of learning opportunities for pupils of primary age.

Book your school trip to The World of Beatrix Potter.

Beatrix Potter's House

At Beatrix Potter's House, children can discover the lovely cottage and landscape that inspired the famous author.

The lush green garden is a muddle of flowers, herbs, fruit and vegetables, and it's easy to imagine Peter Rabbit scampering out from one of its many hiding places.

Make your way up the garden path to the front door, and see for yourself why Beatrix loved this place. Full of her favourite things, this house appears as if Beatrix had just stepped out for a walk. Every room contains a reference to a picture in one of her famous tales.

Book your primary school trip to Beatrix Potter's House.

The Lakes Aquarium

From local pipefish and diving ducks, to rainforest dart frogs and coral reef clownfish, The Lakes Aquarium is the perfect place to discover creatures from across the world.

With talks and feeds throughout the day, free guided tours for school groups, and an exciting underwater viewing tunnel, it's an ideal spot for an educational trip. 

Our WST experts love the Oriental Small Clawed Otters - the smallest otter species in the world! While the tiny Harvest Mice always elicit shrieks of delight, if you're quick enough to spot them. 

Book your school trip to The Lakes Aquarium.

Windermere Boat Cruise

Enjoy a fabulous 40 minute cruise on Windermere, England’s largest lake.

Formed around 13,000 years ago during the last ice age, it holds 300 billion litres of water. That's some mind-boggling maths! 

Book your school tickets for Windermere Boat Cruise now.

The Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway

This historic railway allows you to enjoy a scenic journey up the Leven Valley, pulled by a real, puffing steam engine. Students can discover the science behind steam engines on a school tour of the engine shed, and take a look at the latest restoration projects.

With a choice of packages and teaching resources to help you plan your visit, it's a fantastic destination for your primary school trip. 

Book your primary school trip to Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway.

Grizedale Forest

In the heart of the Lake District World Heritage Site, Grizedale Forest offers an unrivalled day out for everyone.

Whether you want to walk the trails, take in the stunning artwork, or simply let your pupils blow off some steam on the amazing adventure play area, this unique learning environment is the perfect stop on any educational tour of The Lakes.

Book your primary school trip to Grizedale Forest.

Go Ape, Grizedale

What will you choose? Take to the trees with Treetop Adventure or Nets Kingdom, or make the day extra special by getting everyone involved in handpicked Gorilla Games?

For an action-packed school trip, there's no better than Go Ape.

Book your primary school trip to Go Ape, Grizedale.

Dove Cottage 

A must-see for fans of English Literature and Romantic poetry, William Wordsworth produced many of his best-loved poems whilst living in Dove Cottage.

A visit to the cottage today transports you back to this remarkable period of ‘plain living and high thinking’. The sights, sounds and smells bring to life the bustling family home the Wordsworths would have known over 200 years ago.

Book your primary school visit to Dove Cottage now.

Holker Hall

Holker Hall, never sold throughout its 400 year history, is the family home of Lord and Lady Cavendish. It is a delightful family home with fine displays of antique furniture and art, and both the Hall and the gardens are open to the public.

Book your school trip to Holker Hall now.

Kendal Museum

Kendal Museum includes collections on natural history, archaeology, geology and herbarium collections, along with the largest taxidermy collection in Europe. There’s even a chance to come face to face with a polar bear!

Book your school trip to Kendal Museum now.

Rheged Centre

Named after the Ancient Kingdom of the Dark Ages, Rheged is one of the largest visitor attractions ever to open in Cumbria. 

Situated in Britain’s largest grass covered building, Rheged’s centrepiece is a six-storey-high cinema screen, the biggest 3D cinema screen in the North West. Settle your students in front of it to witness a dramatic journey back in time, through 2,000 years of Cumbria’s history, as well as selected educational films.

Book your school trip to Rheged now.

Rydal Mount

Rydal Mount was William Wordsworth’s best loved family home. The famous poet lived here for most of his life, from 1813 until his death in 1850, when he was 80 years old.

The house, which was a focus for romantic literature, continues to be owned by the Wordsworth family and retains the feel of a lived in family home.

Book your school tour of Rydal Mount now.