There’s plenty to do in both the immediate local area and a short drive away, so you’ll never be short of activities and things to see.
Village Pubs
There are three pubs in Dalston village and just outside it, all serving food and drinks.
The Blue Bell is right in the village square so within walking distance of the campsite. It’s very picturesque with log fires for the winter and a beer garden for the summer.
Bridge End Inn is family run and serves traditional pub food with an Italian twist. It’s dog- and child- friendly and even has a play area in the grounds (alongside a beer garden). Takeaway pizza also available.
The Crown Inn is a little bit further away and is very cosy with a log burner and big portions. The huge burgers are particularly popular.
Carlisle
Carlisle is a small city just a short and easy drive away. It’s not your usual city, though, and feels much more town-like than places like Manchester and Liverpool. But it’s got plenty of shops and places to eat, as well as local attractions. Hadrian’s Wall runs through the city, and you can walk alongside it as well as learn more about it at Tullie House Museum & Art Gallery.
One of our favourite attractions – especially with the kids – is Carlisle Castle. You can learn about ghosts and raids, and walk the walls where there are old cannons. There’s a military museum inside too.
The Lake District
Who could visit Cumbria without popping into the beautiful Lake District? It’s right on our doorstep so you can be there in 20 minutes by car. We’ve got the advantage of being at the quieter northern end of the Lakes, too, so you can enjoy all the scenery without the crowds. Caldbeck is a lovely village with a riverside walk and good pubs, and Bassenthwaite Lake is our nearest lake, well known as the only lake in the Lake District! It’s surrounded by attractions like Dodd Wood, the Lakes Distillery and the Lake District Wildlife Park. Hilkers will enjoy a big walk up Skiddaw or Blencathra.
If you’re happy to travel further afield and keen to visit the most popular parts of the Lake District, Keswick is just a bit beyond Bassenthwaite Lake and is well-known for water activities and cruises on Derwentwater, Castlerigg Stone Circle, and indoor activities like archery, museums and the Puzzling Place. Or head to Ullswater where you’ll find more lake cruises, nice walks, Aira Force waterfall and pretty villages like Glenridding and Pooley Bridge.
The Solway Coast
We’re also really lucky to be so close to the coast. The Solway has lots of long sandy beaches and nature reserves. Silloth is just half an hour away in the car and has a traditional arcade, big village green that hosts lots of small festivals in the summer, a big Sunday car boot sale, and a great walk. You can see lots of birdlife and some military history at Skinburness and Grune Point, or more wildlife and the end of Hadrian’s Wall around Port Carlisle and Bowness-on-Solway.
Gretna Green
If you fancy some retail therapy and love a bargain, then pop over the border to Gretna Green (a 25-minute drive). You’ll find plenty of outlet shops here. Hopeless romantics will also be able to see the famous Blacksmiths and learn about the history of elopements in their museum.
More Attractions
There are too many attractions to list that can be included in a reasonable-length email, but here are a few others nearby that we think you’ll enjoy:
- Walby Farm Park
- The Solway Aviation Museum
- Wordsworth House
- Watchtree Nature Reserve
- Cumberland Bird of Prey Centre
- Lowther Castle
- Hutton-in-the-Forest (stately home)
- Talkin Tark Country Park
