by Victoria Pollitt | Jan 14, 2020 | Advice, Top Story
Where to travel in March for the best family holidays with your children abroad in the sun or here in the UK
In March, the promise of warmth is coming and you won’t have to go quite as far to seek out the sunshine.
Here are our top picks for family trips in the third month of the year.
Morocco
Travel time from the UK: 3.5 hours
Temperature: 17-25C
Agadir, Morocco
Morocco is nicely warm in March.
You can choose the explosion of sights and smells in Marrakech or Casablanca.
But there are also more straightforward bucket-and-spade holiday options in a ready-made tourist resort like Agadir with sweeping beaches and large all-inclusive hotels.
Los Angeles, USA
Travel time from the UK: 10 hours
Temperature: 20C
Los Angeles
LA in California is hot and humid in the summer but ideal in early spring.
There’s a Disneyland Resort and Universal Studios of course but also the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the beaches of Santa Monica and museums with everything from dinosaurs to space shuttles.
Florida, USA
Travel time from the UK: 10 hours
Temperature: 20-26C
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Florida
Florida is at its best when it isn’t too hot to hit Disney World.
In spring it isn’t too hot to queue for rides but is warm enough to be on the beach.
There are so many activities for children and make sure you consider alternatives to Orlando and its theme parks, like the Tampa Bay area, the Gulf Coast from Naples or south to the Florida Keys.
Madrid
Travel time from the UK: 2 hours
Temperature: 16C
Madrid
The Spanish capital is warming up in March for a city break with a difference.
You can explore the parks and squares as well as sample some tapas.
Madrid also has an excellent zoo and aquarium, a cable car and on the outskirts there is the Warner Bros theme park.
Windermere, Lake District, UK
Temperature: 8C
Windermere
March means daffodils across the beautiful Lake District in the northwest of England.
Yes, it’s still cold but there is so much colour.
We visited Windermere in March where you can balance spring walks with indoor attractions like the World of Beatrix Potter and the Aquarium of the Lakes. Read our article here: Five family-friendly activities around Windermere in the Lake District
Where do you like to holiday in March? We would love to know!
by Victoria Pollitt | Jan 14, 2019 | UK days out, Windermere
Read our pick of the best options to keep children entertained in the heart of the Lake District
The World of Beatrix Potter
This interactive attraction in the heart of Bowness is great for small children. It isn’t big and won’t take more than an hour but the models are great, there is a charm about it.
Our favourite parts of the World of Beatrix Potter are Peter Rabbit’s Garden and the Virtual Walk section.
The World of Beatrix Potter
Lakeland Motor Museum
This museum has only been open a few years on this site, a few miles from the foot of Windermere. It is really good with 30,000 exhibits including all types of car and motorcycle.
There is also a Bluebird exhibition next door – telling the story of the Campbell speed record-breaking family – which is fascinating. There is a good cafe on site. For more information visit the Lakeland Motor Museum website.
Aquarium and train
You can arrive at this spot at the southern tip of the lake via car or via boat with Windermere Lake Cruises. Lakes Aquarium gives a small but comprehensive look at all the creatures you can find in the Lakes – and some from further afield.
Our children were pleased to see crocodiles and monkeys as well as cod and jellyfish, during our last visit.
You can combine this with a train trip on the Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway – a fabulous steam engine which runs from March until October. A combination of lake cruise, aquarium and railway makes for a fun-filled day.
Fell Foot Park
This lovely National Trust spot at the foot of Windermere is one of our favourites.
There’s a good playground, benches for a scenic picnic, a cafe and boat hire if you want to get on the water. A really good, safe place to explore with children.
Fell Foot Park
Walk above Windermere
The scramble up to Orrest Head is one of the most accessible Lakeland walks. At 783 feet, it is a good first summit for three and four-year-olds to conquer. In fact, I (possibly foolishly) managed this one at eight months pregnant.
Park on the main road above Bowness near to Windermere Railway Station. It takes about 45 minutes to reach the summit where you are rewarded with incredible views across Windermere.
What are your family’s favourite activities around Windermere? Please comment below, we would love to hear from you.
by Stuart | Jan 6, 2019 | The Lake District, UK days out
Our five favourite Lake District walks to keep children happy around Windermere, Coniston, Ullswater and Buttermere
Orrest Head
(90 minutes, suitable from aged three and over, no buggies)
You can walk this from the top of Bowness town centre near Booths supermarket, it starts across fields, then goes through woodland before a brief steeper bit as you reach the summit.
The reward is amazing views over Windermere and there are benches and space at the top.
You can descend along various different routes, some on roads. An ideal first ‘summit’ to do in the Lake District.
The view of Windermere from Orrest Head
Tarn Hows
(45 minutes, toddler friendly)
This is man-made but it looks as if it has been part of the Lake District for thousands of years.
There are glorious views around the lake, and the entire circuit is flat and gravelled, which makes it buggy-friendly and ideal for those learning to walk.
Youngsters will enjoy crossing the small bridge at the far end and sheep spotting.
There is a National Trust car park on site with toilets and normally an ice-cream or burger van too. As a favourite spot for families it does get busy in high season so try and go either early morning or late afternoon.
Tarn Hows is a simple walk for young children
Aira Force
(80-minute round trip, suited to children aged three and over, but keep children close as there are steep drops)
Just above the Western edge of Ullswater is the most famous waterfall in the Lakes.
The walk starts at a large car park with visitor centre, you go up through woodland, before passing open fields and then turning right to the falls.
Pause on the bridge for pictures before heading back down. Beware – the path is very open in places with steep drops so you need to keep an eye on little ones at all times.
Stop near the end to dip a toe in the babbling river or tackle some stepping stones before returning through woodland to the car park.
The streams and woodland of Aira Force
Howtown
(Two-hour round trip, suitable from aged four and above)
Catch the Ullswater steamer to Howtown on the sparsely populated Eastern edge of the lake.
Turn right at the pier, follow the signs around the lake – there is a nice stony beach near the start – and then head up.
The wide fields narrow to a small rocky path as you climb up. It isn’t steep but some parts are tight and there are drops, then skirt the lake around Hallin Fell.
There are great picnic spots with amazing lake views and a fun section of exposed sandstone which children can clamber on.
You can either turn back at the sandstone for a shorter walk or head right the way around Hallin Fell and back to Howtown.
There is a lovely tea room in the small town – but don’t forget to check the steamer timetable to catch your boat back.
Enjoy great views of Ullswater on this walk
Buttermere
(Two-hour round trip, suitable from aged four and above)
In the less visited and harder to reach Western Lakes lies Buttermere.
It is a spectacular spot for a gentle round-the-lake stroll with amazing views. You can park in the village and follow the footpath to the lake.
Head for the western shore, first through Burtness Wood, which is the easiest part of the walk and gives you the chance to stop at the shore for a picnic or paddle.
When you reach the far end you can either turn back through the wood or continue around the entire lake, which is about a four mile walk.
If you’re doing the entire circuit you will have to walk along the road for a short distance and then the shore path is quite rough but there is a fun tunnel towards the end on the eastern shore which does get quite dark.
Buttermere is below the Honister Pass in the quieter Western Lakes
Do you agree with our choices? What are your family’s favourite walks? Comment below, we would love to hear from you.
