Cockermouth food festival and a Gruffalo weekend. Buttermere for a proper walk.
Late September, so autumn colour starting, cooler and earlier evenings, and colder tops. We can't say what the sky will do, so check the MWIS Lake District forecast and pack waterproofs and a warm layer.
It's the last weekend of September, and Cockermouth is throwing its food festival while Walby Farm Park has the Gruffalo out. A proper autumn walk at Buttermere rounds it off.
7.5km full circuit, or a 1.5km out-and-back on the accessible section
Full lap is a long afternoon with six and seven year olds
Start: Buttermere village car park, CA13 9XA
The lake is ringed by steep fells, and the path stays close to the water. You can pick the short section if you want to keep it easy and turn round when someone gets grumpy, which is usually before the far end.
The accessible section has rough sections due to a washout, and some steep slopes up to 1:8, so it's a struggle for buggies. The Honister Rambler bus (77/77A) helps with a one-way walk, and it runs March to November.
Market Place, Cockermouth Most attractions free, All ages
The festival opens on Friday with a chill-out in the Market Place. Worth knowing if you're passing through Friday after work rather than after school. Details and booking
Main Street and Market Place, Cockermouth Most attractions free; fairground rides and some events charged, All ages
About 70 food producers, cooking demos, street theatre, children's activities and music stages. Most of it is free, but the fairground rides cost, so budget for those. Details and booking
Walby Farm Park, Crosby-on-Eden, near Carlisle CA6 4QL Included with regular admission, All ages
The Gruffalo and his child are out on both days, included with a normal ticket. The park has the county's largest indoor play area, so the weather won't ruin it. Details and booking
Garden 10am to 4pm, house by tour on selected days
Main Street, Cockermouth CA13 9RX Child (5 to 17) £3 at the time of writing, All ages
Wordsworth's childhood home with a walled garden of heritage vegetables and herbs. A quiet contrast to the festival, and it's on the same street. Details and booking
Eskdale, near Holmrook Check the organisers, All ages
The show for Herdwick sheep, with a World Champion Herdwick award. Check the show's website for times and entry, as we couldn't confirm them. Details and booking
Penrith Golf Hub, Redhills, Penrith CA11 0DR See website, All ages
Eighteen holes of adventure golf just off the M6 at Penrith. Quick to do, and Rheged is close by at Redhills if you need a cafe stop. Details and booking
Beatrix Potter's farmhouse. If you drive, pre-book because parking is very limited with a two-hour maximum stay. Details and booking
Book ahead
Tip. The deer rut in Martindale is mainly a mid-October to early November thing, so don't go hunting for stags yet. If you do go later, keep well back and don't get between the animals.