The wheels on the bus will be going round and round this half term as Stagecoach invites families on an adventure that won’t break the bank.
Stagecoach has a fleet of buses taking people to all sorts of exciting places for just £2 a ticket per person - with the added bonus that up to four children under the age of five can travel for free. Children aged five to 15 can also benefit from a discounted rate.
The Stagecoach super deal means that families can visit their favourite places as well as exploring far-flung corners of Cumbria that they may never have seen before.
The bus ride is a big part of the adventure for children as one of their favourite songs is magically brought to life.
So hop on a bus and set off on a budget-friendly grand day out. And if you’re wondering where to go, we have some suggestions for you:
Honister Slate Mine, Borrowdale
Bus route: 77, 77A, 77C
Bus stops: Honister Slate Mine
Are you brave enough to tackle the infinity bridge at the Honister Slate Mine? And for more adrenaline fuelled challenges, how about the Via Ferrata Classic or Extreme? If your children are a little bit older, the Honister Slate Mine is a fabulous place to visit. From a more sedate but fascinating underground mine tour to the opportunity to climb the mine, there are some exciting and challenging activities to keep families entertained for hours. More info here
Keswick to Threlkeld Railway Trail
Bus route: 77, 77A, 77C, 78, 509, 553, 554, 555 & X4/X5 to Keswick Bus Station (X4/X5 to Threlkeld)
Bus stop: Keswick Bus Station / Threlkeld
This family-friendly easy access 5km trail starts at Keswick Leisure Centre and follows the route of the old Keswick to Penrith railway, weaving its way over the River Greta and some of the original Victorian railway bridges. Keep an eye out for herons and dippers. The trail is free and pushchair and wheelchair friendly with seats dotted along the route for tired little legs. More info here
Whinlatter Forest Trail
Bus Route: 77 and 77A
Bus stop: Whinlatter Visitor Centre
Free arts and crafts sessions are on offer on Monday, May 27 from 11am to 3pm. And on Wednesday, there’s a chance to feed the squirrels with a ranger from 11am. Places (£5 per person) are limited so it’s worth calling to book ahead. There is a real feeling of getting away from it all at Whinlatter where stunning views, fantastic walks and exhilarating mountain biking are all part of the package. And if that wasn’t enough, the wildlife and an adventure playground are the icing on the cake. More info here
Wordsworth House and Gardens, Cockermouth
Bus route: X4, X5 or 600
Bus stop: Cockermouth Main Street
Children and young people are warmly welcomed at Wordsworth House and Gardens where interactive fun is guaranteed. Step back through time for some Georgian inspired fun and games, exploring the childhood home of William and Dorothy Wordworth before taking a walk on the wild side in the beautiful garden. Activities run from Saturday to Wednesday in the school holidays and are free with admission to the house and garden. Please note, it’s worth calling ahead to book an activity as places can be limited. More info here
Bitts Park, Carlisle
Bus route: Multiple services to Carlisle
Bus stop: West Tower Street
Take a break from the bustling city centre in Bitts Park, a wonderful green space boasting pretty riverside walks, a children’s play area, a skate park and splash park. For older children there are large playing fields, perfect for kicking a ball. Bitts Park is wheelchair and pushchair accessible and is open all day, every day with no admission costs. More info here
Sizergh Castle and Gardens
Bus route: X6, 555 or 755
Bus stop: A 20-minute walk from the Brettargh stop, ask the driver for Sizergh
A magical castle, beautiful walks, an abundance of wildlife and gorgeous gardens are all on offer at this popular family attraction just four miles south of Kendal. Home to the Hornyold-Strickland family, the castle, its gardens and estate are now in the care of the National Trust. Catherine Parr, the sixth wife of Henry VIII, and a relative of the Stricklands, is thought to have lived here after her first husband died in 1533. More info here
Glasson Moss Nature Reserve, Bowness-on-Solway
Bus route: 93/93A
Bus stop: Bowness-on-Solway
Spend the day wildlife spotting at this wetland paradise in the heart of the Solway Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. A network of trails and boardwalks will guide you safely through the reserve and there’s a great viewing tower to enchant young and old. Look out for sparrowhawks, curlews, butterflies and dragonflies. More info here
Brewery Arts, Kendal
Bus route: Multiple services in Kendal
Bus stop: Kendal Bus Station (The Brewery Arts is a 10 minute walk from Kendal Bus Station)
World class cinema, live music, theatre and arts and crafts are all on offer at this lovely arts centre in Kendal and a certain lasagne-loving, Monday-hating cat is about to have a wild adventure this half term. Buy your tickets now for The Garfield Movie which is showing at various times throughout half term. More info here
Lightburn Park, Ulverston
Bus route: 6 & X6
Bus stop: Ulverston, Park Drive
A skate ramp, sensory garden and children’s play area are all part of the fun on a day out to Lightburn Park. Take the 6 or X6 from Barrow to the library in Ulverston, and then it’s an eight minute walk to Lightburn Park. On a sunny day, stay out a little later and take a very pretty short walk to Dragley Beck. More info here
World of Beatrix Potter, Bowness-on-Windermere
Bus route: 6, 508, 555, 599 & 755
Bus stops: St Martin's Church / Bowness Pier
Meet Peter Rabbit and friends at the magical World of Beatrix Potter. This enchanting family attraction celebrates everything about Beatrix Potter with an eclectic mix of activities to entertain children of all ages from films to an interactive woodland glade and beautiful garden. You will feel as though you are walking through the pages of Beatrix Potter’s beautiful books. See Squirrel Nutkin on his raft and smell Mrs Tiggywinkle’s fresh laundry in her neatly tidied kitchen. More info here
PromArt on the Promenade at Grange-over-Sands
Bus route: X6
Bus stop: Railway Station, Grange-over-Sands
Head to the Victorian Promenade on Sunday May 26 for a vibrant display of art and crafts. Each month there are up to 80 stalls displaying a wide range of art and crafts on this historic Prom overlooking the beautiful Morecambe Bay estuary. Take time to explore the lovely town of Grange-over-Sands with its vibrant cafe society. More info here
Windermere Lake Cruises
Bus route: 6, 508, 555, 599 & 755
Bus stop: Bowness Pier
Enjoy a stunning view of Lake Windermere and the surrounding fells on a lake cruise, with trips departing daily from Ambleside, Bowness, Brockhole or Lakeside piers. Choose a combined bus and boat ticket to save money and enjoy a great day out in one of the most popular areas of the Lakes. More here
Lancaster Castle, Lancaster
Bus route: 1, 1A, 2X, 4, 6A, 7, 10, 11, 18, 40, 41, 42, 49, 55, 100, 555
Bus stop: Lancaster Bus Station
Horrible histories are vividly brought to life at Lancaster Castle where children can let their imaginations run riot. There have been more than 200 executions at the castle for a range of crimes from murder to stealing cattle. And if that wasn’t enough to whet your appetite, the castle played host to the Lancashire Witch Trials. Learn about 1,000 years of heritage, history, justice, felony, witches and incarceration.
Access to most of the castle interiors is by guided tour only. The Police Museum (Thursday to Friday only), Witches Exhibition and Castle courtyards can be accessed without booking a tour.
Under fives can visit for free. Adults £8, children over five £6.50. Families £22.50. More info here
Lancaster Maritime Museum, Lancaster
Bus route: 4 & X4
Bus stop: Maritime Museum (or a 5 minute walk from Lancaster Bus Station)
Stories of daring rescues at sea will keep your children riveted at the Lancaster Maritime Museum where the focus is on interactive fun for all ages. Climb aboard a canal boat and discover how rivers shaped the city. Explore the dark side of Lancaster’s history as you delve into the legacy of the Transatlantic slave trade and discover the bustling trade hub at the quay, before learning about brave fishermen and dramatic rescues. A full-size boat and exciting hands-on activities make this a perfect family fun day. Children and local residents (LA1-LA6) can visit for free. Adults £3. More info here
Happy Mount Park, Morecambe
Bus route: 5, 755
Bus stop: Bare, Happy Mount Park
If you go down to the park today, you’re sure of a great family day out with a whole host of activities on offer for children of all ages - and their teddy bears.
Enjoy a teddy bears picnic, try your hand at Adventure Golf, take a ride on the swing boats, bounce on the trampolines or enjoy a drenching in the splash park - there’s so much to choose from.
The park offers good value for money with some free play areas and other activities offered at an average price of around £4 per child. More info here
Lancaster Treasure Hunt Trail
Bus route: 1, 1A, 2X, 4, 6A, 7, 10, 11, 18, 40, 41, 42, 49, 55, 100, 555
Bus stop: Lancaster Bus Station
Search for lost treasure on this exciting trail through the city. Your self-guided treasure hunt will take you on a journey into Lancaster’s past as you wind your way through the Georgian streets and around the historic market square. Explore the lovely St George’s Quay before rounding it all off at the medieval castle where children are invited to charge around the battlements and fend off imaginary dragons. A perfect day out for families and small groups who want to get out and about and explore - and all for under £10 per family.
The self-guided treasure hunt walking trail takes around two hours to complete with a text message service on offer to help with clues if you get stuck. Download or buy a printed version for £9.99 from the treasure trails website. More info here
Jump Rush Trampoline Park, Morecambe
Bus route: 2X, 5, 6, 6A, 6B, 6C, 41, 100, 755
Bus stop: Morecambe bus station
Burn off energy at the wonderful Jump Rush Trampoline Park where you are spoilt for choice with 100 trampoline beds and eight specialist extra zones. This is the perfect way to spend a rainy day. Throw yourself into a huge air bag or brave the Ninja zone where an obstacle course, battle beams, a traverse wall to try and set the fastest time and a reaction wall will keep young warriors entertained for hours. Toddlers and babies will be safe in the soft play bounce area.
Prices vary. Check out the website for more information. More info here
Information correct as of 28/05/2024