If you really want to send your kids off on a memorable experience guaranteed to put smiles on the most jaded of little faces, check out Treetop Nets.
In a nutshell, Treetop Nets is essentially a series of giant trampolines in the trees. What’s not to love? A 1,500-square-metre expanse of enclosed walkways, slides and tunnels, made from safety netting and hand-sewn by French ex-fishermen. It is a child’s dream!
It’s the first of its kind in the UK, an enclave of netted canopies, hanging discreetly from the mighty firs and oak trees of the Lakes.
The kids will love this unique opportunity to frolic in the tree-tops without the requirement of a restrictive harness. There is also a series of rope-bridges and zip-wires (although a harness is required for these activities), that will excite and delight your young adventurers.
Safety is paramount at the centre and all the instructors are diligent about the safeguarding of participants.
Two-hour slots cost £16 for adults, £16 for children (5+), £11 for accompanying adults and £11 for under-5s. This charge does allow you to spend the rest of the day at the centre, free to use all the available facilities.
Located at the Lake District Visitor Centre at Brockhole, there is plenty of other activities to do at the centre once the kids are done with tree climbing. There is a range of water sports going on, if the kids aren’t tired out from the trees.
You can get to the Centre by boat from Ambleside (windermere-lakecruises.co.uk), or by bus (routes 555 and 599). Brockhole is off the A591, halfway between Windermere and Ambleside.