Family fun in the Lake District

The Lake District is a fantastic destination for lovers of active holidays and the great outdoors.

However, the area also offers some lesser-known family attractions as well as some of the best walking and cycling holiday opportunities in England.

Among them is Lake Windermere's the Aquarium of the Lakes, the only freshwater aquarium in the UK, and the Ravenglass and Eskdale steam railway.

The aquarium has recently announced it has an impressive array of new creatures to showcase, and families looking for a half-term getaway in the Lake District will be among the first to see them.

In the aquarium's Lakes of the World section there are now Red-Eyed Tree Frogs, Asian Tree Frogs, a Striped-Kneed Tarantula spiders and a Cuban Boa snake.

Brightly coloured fish varieties from lakes in Malawi, the Amazon and India are also new to the aquarium this autumn, offering a strong contrast with greys and browns of the species found in the surrounding lakes, bays and rivers.

As well as the new arrivals the aquarium has around 30 displays of animals including otters, British sharks, harvest mice and a resident lobster. There are also waterfall and rock pool displays and an underwater tunnel where visitors can see ducks diving.

For a more old-fashioned, historical day-out in the area, families can head to the western Lake District and travel on the Ravenglass and Eskdale steam railway, the longest in the country.

This autumn the narrow gauge railway is running services to the Roman fort of Hardknott, which is located on a dramatic peak.

The fort dates from 120 to 138 AD and was thought to be used to defend the Romans from the Scots and Brigantes. As well as the fort itself there are superb views of Cumbrian Fells and the north-western coastline from ancient site.

Holidaymakers can reach the fort with a seven-mile steam train journey and a luxury mini-coach ride, available as part of a package. The tour will be running on September 19th and 26th, and October 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th and 31st 2007.

For more information on visiting the Lake District see www.lake-district.gov.uk

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