Perfect base to explore Cumbrian lakes

The Cumbrian seaside town is a short drive from the Lakes, and close to a host of family attractions and days out.

Our holiday home was set on a hilly road that overlooked the sea, out over the Edwardian resort’s town centre.

From this base, we spent a week taking in sights and experiencing family friendly locations.

Bowness-on-Windermere was a real highlight, on a beautiful Bank Holiday Monday, with the sun attracting holidaymakers to the Lake in their droves.

Hundreds, like us, opted to experience the water with Windermere Lake Cruises.

Mercifully the company run short cruises for those with small children in tow, that allow you to take in the beauty of Windemere and its surrounds without outstaying your welcome and wanting to send the little ones adrift in a dinghy.

One of the first truly hot. sunny days of the year was spent on the beach, the shadow of Heysham Power Station no deterrent thanks to a good expanse of sand and a multitude of rock pools for the kids to explore.

Not even a warning sign for the occasional unexploded bomb could put a dampner on the outing.

Closer to Grange over Sands, Lakeland Miniature Village in Flookburgh affords a fascinating insight into one man’s labour of love.

Edward Robinson has transformed his back garden into an attraction, with tiny, handcrafted versions of Cumbrian houses and farms.

Another reasonably short drive from our seaside home took us to Greenlands Farm Park.

Donkey rides, animal encounters, a play barn and decent sized playcentre kept all the group’s children entertained for hours on end.

For an afternoon of swimming fun, we took the youngsters to Dalton Leisure Centre which had a toddler friendly splash zone.

Without the kids, the Hare and Hounds Pub at Bowland Bridge provided the best meal of the holiday in one of the nicest environments. Well worth a visit, for the food and the ales on offer.

Leaving the cars at the house, we took a couple of forays into Grange over Sands itself, taking in the promenade and the well kept gardens in the town’s centre.

The town has somewhat of an old fashioned feel to it, more like a well-to-do countryside village by the sea, than your usual cheap as chips British seaside fare.

A bit of a trek up into the hills above Grange Fell Golf Club gave breathtaking views of the countryside for miles around, along with the sea.

The area still retains that unspoilt feel, and the tourism it attracts thankfully makes little visual impact or otherwise.

A region of outstanding beauty, Britain at its very best.

Fact Box

Property: Church Trees in Grange-over-Sands, Cumbria

Property ref: 27116

Provider: cottages4you

Contact: www.cottages4you.co.uk or call 0845 268 0760

Price: £709 for seven nights self-catered accommodation, based on arrival 20th June 2014. Sleeps 10 (from £10.13 pppn).