Fell & Family.
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About us

We're a Stanwix family who love being outside.

We're Dan and Julia, and we live in Stanwix, Carlisle, with our two children, who are six and seven. Dan grew up in the North East and Julia in Surrey, and Cumbria is where we chose to put down roots. We spend as much time as we can out in it: finding new paths to walk, good places to eat and the next small adventure.

Dan, Julia and their two children, six and seven, smiling together at a summer event in Cumbria.
The four of us, on a day out.

Why this exists

Neither of us is from here. Dan is a North East lad, Julia is from Surrey, and between us we have spent years working out where to go, what is on and which cafe will not mind a muddy six year old. Fell & Family began as the guide we wanted for ourselves: a place that tells us, without fuss, what is on this weekend, whether the weather will let us do it, and where we can get something good to eat afterwards.

First and foremost, this is our own guide to living in and exploring Cumbria.

We decided to share it because we think it is useful to residents and visitors alike. Cumbria is a big county with a lot going on, and much of it is easy to miss. If it helps you get out of the door, it has done its job.

What we care about

  • Small legs set the pace. A good day out is one everyone finishes. We say how far it is, how long it takes with children and where the toilets are.
  • The weather decides the plan. We read the mountain forecast first, then choose low, sheltered or indoor ideas when it turns.
  • Honest about the hard bits. Steps, mud, queues and parking all get a mention, so nobody is surprised.
  • Local first. We look for cafes, farm shops, pubs and makers that welcome muddy boots and small people, and we head out across the Lakes, the coast, Eden, Furness and the places just over the county boundary.
  • Leave it as we found it. Take litter home, close gates and give wildlife and livestock plenty of room.
  • Show our working. Every event and fact links to the page where we checked it. Here is how the guide is made.

Two editions, one calendar

  1. Weekend edition, Fridays at 7am. Family days out for the weekend ahead, for children of school age.
  2. Weekday edition, Sundays at 6pm. Walks, talks, gigs and gentler days out for the week ahead, for couples, friends and anyone with free weekdays.
  3. The Cumbrian Almanac. Everything we have found, updated weekly, with maps, seasonal knowledge and a link to add it to your own calendar.

Come along

Tell us about somewhere we should try, an event we have missed, or a correction. Messages go straight to our inbox, and you can reach us on the contact page.