The Halloween Experience at Brockhole on Windermere

Brockhole on lake Windermere is one of the visitor centers for the National Park. It came up in all of my searches for kid-centric activities. Not surprising as it offers a lot: archery, go-karting, mini golf, high ropes course, adventure playground. I learned that the largest Halloween event in the region takes place there and was starting the day before we were scheduled to leave. It was a nice carrot to dangle during the week. 

We got a proper lakes day (meaning it rained on and off all day), but we were appropriately dressed and had a lot of fun! Most of the activities were indoors or under cover. There were 20+ things to do and a detailed schedule of shows. As it was a Thursday and before UK schools were out, we were able to do all the things we wanted. We were there from start to finish, ending the day at a nearby warm pub for dinner. 

First up: kill the zombies! 

Electric go-karting while a possessed scarecrow chased us

This show was so good and gave Pete a lot of great ideas for his future side hustle! Seriously, we were laughing the whole time and the kids loved it. 

The day ended with a Day of Dead parade and then watching three illuminated witches zipline across the property. The parade consisted of the visitors toting all sorts of percussion instruments, walking the grounds. So we attended one of the drumming workshops to learn the beats. The kids got to take turns leading the group. 

Silent discoing to Monster Mash

The kids and Pete crawled through some sort of spooky cave experience (a no from me), and then we went to the magic show. Pete got called up to "volunteer." They made him don a ghost sheet costume, and hold a breadstick in his mouth while they juggled back and forth past his head! The entertainment value was high for that one :)

The scariest thing of the day. The super creepy face she makes! 

Spider web crawling

Into the haunted forest....

The Spectacular Hallin Fell

Oh my goodness, we found the most beautiful hike. Views: 10 out of 10. Also, kid whine level: 10 out of 10! My heart was singing so loudly, I was almost able to block it out ;) And the make-up hugs and apologies at the end (from a particularly empathic boy) helped as well. 

Hallin Fell was another recommended hike along lake Ullswater, the closest lake to Penrith. The steep ascent and 3rd day in a row of hiking attributed to the kids' disdain, but we trudged onward and upward. If the sheep can tough it out, so can we!

You park at Saint Peter's Church in Martindale and then just follow one of the paths up the fell. Fell: a high and barren landscape (from old Norse for mountain, fjall).

Up through the autumnal bracken

Once you reach the top of the fell, there is a beacon and views out over the lake. Beautiful for sure, but the views looking away from the lake were what took my breath away. I took a few (dozen) photos, though they never do a place justice. 

Oh to be that sheep, living with this view every day!

I loved the color of the green meadows in contrast to the amber bracken. 

Recovering from the uphill and also seeking shelter from the wind! 

Steamer boats have been in operation on this lake for 160 years, but we deemed it too windy to experience a ride ourselves. 

And then the kids took off running down the mountain, reward in sight. 

We drove back to Pooley Bridge, at the Northern end of the lake. I had yet to have a scone and tea and needed to rectify that! We feasted at Granny Dowbekins and then did some shopping in town. 

Our other big outing that day was to go see Lyle, Lyle Crocodile at the cinema back in Penrith. We had some time to kill so we drove to the Southern end of the lake at Glenridding. There was a hike here that our friends recommended, but I knew that was out of the question! It had also turned quite cold so we had a quick walk around and then headed home.