Plan your perfect Adventure...

Family Cycling in Eden and the Lake District

Cycling at LowtherCyclists at Lowther Castle and Gardens

In a busy world, days out bring precious opportunities to spend time with family and friends. With its castle ruins, gardens, exhibition and huge adventure playground, Lowther Castle has plenty to offer young and old.

Now, in tandem with Arragon's Cycles of Penrith, Lowther Castle is offering cycle-hire - so visitors can add even more to their day out by hiring bikes and going 'Lowther alfresco'.

Arragon's Cycles is a well-known independent family business and has been part of the Penrith landscape for over 50 years.  It is Shimano Service Centre Accredited and in 2017, was a regional winner of Britain's Best Bike Shop. The team is highly experienced and well-positioned to equip you with the bike best suited for your adventure.

Family Cycling in Askham, photo by Tony West, courtesy of the Nurture Eden Photo Library

Kirkby Stephen

The dismantled railway line between Hartley and Stenkrith Park on the outskirts of the town, provides a level traffic-route for bikes, buggies and wheel chairs across to viaducts, thanks to the work of the Northern Viaduct Trust Ltd, find out more from their website. 

UllswaterChild on bike photo by Dave Willis, courtesy of the Cumbria Photo Library

Although not traffic-free, the lakeshore road between Pooley Bridge and Howtown offers a reasonably easy ride. It's 8 miles (13km) there and back, with the option of catching the Ullswater 'Steamer' between the piers at Howtown and Pooley Bridge for one of the legs.

The road is narrow in places and can be busy with other users, so better suited to families with older children. 

There is car parking available in Pooley Bridge and Glenridding.