Brockhole National Park Visitor Centre

(See also Ambleside and Windermere)

The Brockhole National Park Visitor Centre is located on Lake Windermere in 30 acres of landscaped grounds that include both garden and woodland. The five-acre formal gardens and the grounds were designed by well-known landscape designer, Thomas Mawson. He was hired by a Manchester silk merchant, Henry Gaddum, (a cousin of Beatrix Potter) who, in 1899, built the home on the grounds now used as the Centre's headquarters.

With its displays on the Lake District's geological, social, and industrial history, the Centre is a rich source of information. There's also details on the events and activities taking place in the Lake District. To complete the picture AV presentations and lectures take place daily.

A shop, restaurant, tearoom, and picnic tables provide eating choices. For children an adventure playground and putting and croquet lawns promise amusement. During school holidays a number of different workshops are geared to the kids. Tours of Windermere Lake are provided from the boat jetty at the site.

Brockhole National Park Visitor Centre is located halfway between Ambleside and Windermere on the A591.
Admission: free
Open: gardens, adventure playground and grounds, year round, dawn-6pm; house, cafe and shop, daily, spring-end Oct, 10am-5pm
See www.lake-district.gov.uk
Parking fee.
Tel. 015394 46601.
Email: hq@lake-district.gov.uk

Photos courtesy of Barbara Ballard

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