Hillcroft Park - Fun Days Out

Lowther Castle is a ruined country house near Penrith, built in the early 19th century and left as a dramatic shell after the roof was removed and the building demolished in the 1950s. You can explore the ruins, then wander the 130 acres of gardens, which include the Parterre, the Garden-in-the-Ruins, the Rose Garden, wildflower meadows and rambling woodland. The gardens are being restored to a masterplan by designer Dan Pearson.

Inside, the Story of Lowther exhibition tells the history of the family and the estate through its houses, people, horses and treasures. Children can head for the lost castle, one of the UK's largest adventure playgrounds. There is a café and a takeaway for food, and bikes can be hired to explore the wider park. Dogs on leads are welcome. It suits families, garden lovers and anyone who likes a ruin with a story.

Tip: Walk out to the Western Terrace for a spectacular view over the Lowther Valley to the Lake District mountains, and dress for all weathers.

Brougham Castle is a red-sandstone castle standing near the site of a Roman fort, guarding a river crossing south-east of Penrith. It was founded in the early 13th century by Robert de Vieuxpont, and his great keep still dominates the site. The powerful Clifford family later added more buildings, including an unusual double gatehouse and the Tower of League.

There is a lot to explore. Climb the spiral stairs to the top of the keep for panoramic views over the Eden Valley. Inside, an exhibition tells the story of Lady Anne Clifford, who restored the castle after it fell into decay, and her Countess Pillar stands nearby. Children can follow a legendary trail and build their own legend, one of four World Builder Challenge trails at English Heritage sites.

Tip: Head up the spiral stairs to the top of the keep for panoramic views over the Eden Valley.

Castlerigg is a Neolithic stone circle on a prominent hill east of Keswick, in the Lake District National Park. English Heritage calls it one of the most atmospheric and dramatically sited of all British stone circles. The stones are glacial boulders of volcanic rock, set in a flattened ring with an unusual rectangle of extra stones inside it. Estimates of the age and the number of stones vary, but it dates from the late Neolithic and is thousands of years old.

The setting is the main draw. The circle sits on a plateau at the centre of a natural amphitheatre of fells, and from inside you can pick out peaks such as Helvellyn, Skiddaw and Blencathra. It is the most visited stone circle in Cumbria. It suits anyone who likes ancient sites and big views. Dogs on leads are welcome, but the site is grazed by sheep.

Tip: Parking at the site is limited. Walking from the centre of Keswick takes about 30 minutes, so consider that or public transport.

Penrith Castle is a ruined medieval fortress in the west of the town, on the edge of the Lake District. It was begun in the late 14th century by Ralph Neville to help defend the area against the Scots, and was later turned into a luxurious residence by Richard, Duke of Gloucester, who became Richard III.

The walls survive to their full height and stand in a public park, so you can wander round at your own pace. Look for the projecting corbels on the eastern front and the large vaults, which were probably prisons. There are steps to reach some areas of the castle.

It suits history fans and anyone wanting a short castle stop in town. Brougham Castle, less than two miles away, sits by the River Eamont and is part of a walk devised by the Eden Rivers Trust.

Tip: Parking is around the town, with only a few spaces at the park entrance, so be prepared to park nearby.

The Derwent Pencil Museum in Keswick tells the story of the pencil, from its beginnings as a cottage industry to modern production. You enter through a replica graphite mine, a nod to the source of the pencil industry over three centuries ago, then follow the journey of graphite and pencil discovery.

Highlights include secret WW2 pencils with hidden maps, miniature pencil sculptures, the Queen's diamond Jubilee pencil, and one of the largest colour pencils in the world at almost 8 metres long. The first pencil factory opened in Keswick in 1832.

It's described as a great day out for the family. There's a coffee shop and a gift shop, plus baby changing facilities and free Wi-Fi. Well-behaved dogs are welcome.

Tip: The car park outside isn't owned or run by the museum, uses ANPR cameras and needs payment on arrival, so check the car park notices.

Dove Cottage is the whitewashed Lakeland house on the edge of Grasmere where William Wordsworth lived with his sister Dorothy. It is a Grade I listed building that remains largely unchanged from Wordsworth's day. Visits begin with an introductory tour led by a member of the team, taking you through rooms with slate floors and oak panelling.

Outside, you can explore the garden and orchard the Wordsworths loved, along with the woodland around the cottage. There is also an interactive museum with hands-on activities, a special exhibition gallery and a viewing platform with views across the vale of Grasmere. The site has a café, and the Wordsworth Trust looks after a Designated collection of Romantic manuscripts and art. Family tickets are available.

Tip: Entry to the cottage is at timed slots, so book ahead online to secure your tour.

Carlisle Castle guarded the western end of the Anglo-Scottish border for hundreds of years and survived seven sieges by the Scots between 1174 and 1461. It was later adapted for artillery, and in 1568 it held Mary Queen of Scots prisoner. It stayed in military use well into the 20th century.

You can explore the Tudor battery, the 12th-century gatehouse and the recently conserved keep, which has 15th-century carvings on its second floor. Other things to see and do include Queen Mary's Tower, the Warden's apartments and an exhibition. Inside the castle is Cumbria's Museum of Military Life, which covers the Border Regiment's 300-year history. There is also a World Builder trail where you can build your own city.

Tip: Booking advance tickets online saves 15%, and arriving by bus, train or bike gets you 20% off entry at the site on the day.

Wray Castle is a Victorian neo-gothic building on the west shore of Windermere, looked after by the National Trust. The parkland has waymarked trails that start at the front of the castle, and the lakeshore has a shingle beach with easy access to the water. You can also see a Gothic Revival boathouse with a miniature harbour, and an arboretum of giant exotic firs, sequoias, cedar and veteran oaks.

The castle has a literary link: Beatrix Potter stayed here on a family holiday in 1882, and it helped spark her love of the Lake District. There is an independently run café, Joey's, for coffee, baked goods and snacks. It suits walkers, families and anyone who likes lake views and a gentler day by the water. Dogs on leads are welcome in the grounds and café.

Tip: You can arrive without a car: the Windermere Lake Cruises Green Cruise calls at Wray jetty from Ambleside, and it is a short walk up to the castle and café.