Activities

Sykeside campsite and the Brotherswater Inn benefit from a central location in the Lake District and have a wealth of activities within easy reach.

Birdwatching

Ospreys can be seen at Bassenthwaite near Keswick (about 30 mins drive). 

Outdoor activities

Ullswater Kayak Tours – Tall Bloke Adventures https://www.tallblokeadventures.com/ullswater-kayaking-tours/  Ullswater is quite rightly considered by many to be the most beautiful of the big lakes. It features islands, bays & beaches, and lots of scenery. The ethos on the trips is always the same. Enjoy the scenery, have a chat, pass on a bit of knowledge and learn from people looking for a similar experience. There’s no set route, that will depend on conditions and group ability. We use Double ( Tandem ) Sea Kayaks for maximum comfort and stability.

River Deep Mountain High are an outdoor company who specialize in tailor made activity days and packages. They are mobile so most of their activities can be done at any suitable venue in the Lakes. Visit their web site www.riverdeepmountainhigh.co.uk to check online availability. Tel: 015395 28666

Boat trips

Coniston Launches offer boat trips on Coniston Water (30 mins drive).

The Keswick Launch company offers boat trips on Derwentwater from Keswick (30 mins drive). Tel: 01768 772263.

Ullswater Steamers offer boat trips all year round from Glenridding (10 mins drive). Tel: 01768 482229.

Windermere Lake Cruises (20 mins drive). Tel: 01539 443360.

Cycling

See the Mountain Bike Cumbria site for ideas of mountain biking routes, shops and other information.

Sailing and canoeing

Glenridding Sailing School (10 mins drive). Offers a range of sailing tuition and boat hire. Tel: 01768 482541.

Tennis Courts

Available to hire in Patterdale (10 mins drive) see https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/patterdaletennisclub for more information. 

Walking

There are about 30 walks starting from Sykeside itself from a leisurely stroll round Brotherswater for all the family, to the more challenging walks that take you over some of the spectacular fells that surround the site.

Aira Force (15 mins drive) is popular with many visitors to the Lakes.

Here are directions for three walks that start from the site:

• Sykeside to Angletarn Pikes and Angle Tarn
• Sykeside to Sheffield Pike
• Sykeside to High Street
• Caudale Beck walk from Sykeside
• Dove Crag

Another good resource is www.walkinginengland.co.uk/cumbria which has loads of walks to download and print for free. Ullswater and Hartsop are the local walks to us. 

Places to visit

Castlerigg Stone Circle (30 mins drive).

Dalemain House and Gardens (20 mins drive). Tel: 01768 486450

Keswick Theatre (30 mins drive). Tel: 01768 774411

Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway (30 mins drive). Tel: 01539 531594

Rheged (25 mins drive) – giant screen movies about Cumbria, Everest and Shackleton, the National Mountaineering Exhibition – and a ball-pool for children. Tel: 01768 868000

The Lakes Distillery (60 mins drive) – the largest distillery in England, producing award winning, world class spirits. Surrounded by the beautiful Cumbrian fells, the distillery offers visually stunning and educational distillery tours, with an onsite gift shop and the increasingly popular Bistro at the Distillery, available for light lunches and evening meals

Other accommodation near by

More information

If you need more ideas or information, try the Tourist Information Centre in Glenridding 01768 482414.