Lakeland Motor Museum

The Lakeland Motor Museum sits just off the A590 near Newby Bridge, and it's absolutely worth a stop if you're into cars or simply fancy something different on a rainy Lake District afternoon. The collection spans decades of British motoring history - everything from vintage motorcycles to classic cars you'll actually recognise, plus the sort of oddball vehicles that make you wonder what on earth people were thinking. Walking through feels less like a stuffy museum and more like rummaging through someone's garage who happened to have excellent taste and unlimited space.

This one works brilliantly for families who've overdosed on scenic walks. Kids engage with the vehicles themselves rather than reading panels, and there's enough variety to keep everyone entertained for a couple of hours without feeling forced. Serious petrol heads will lose hours here; casual visitors get their fill in ninety minutes.

Be warned - it's fairly hands-off, so younger children need to stay interested through looking rather than touching. The location between Newby Bridge Country Caravan Park and the cluster of sites around Park Cliffe makes it a convenient rainy-day option if you're staying put for a week. The A590 puts you close enough that you're not burning half the day on drive time, leaving the rest open for proper walking or lakeside pottering. Worth checking opening hours and admission prices before you visit, but if the weather turns grim and you're caravan-bound, this beats another wet afternoon sitting around the awning.