Port Haverigg Wakepark

The cable-tow system here cuts across a decent-sized lagoon just outside Millom, and if you've got any interest in wakeboarding or water skiing, it's worth knowing about. You get pulled round on a board by an overhead cable rather than a boat - means it runs all day without burning fuel and costs less than traditional tow sessions. The setup works for beginners right through to competent riders, and they've got instruction available if you're starting from scratch.

It's absolutely not a spectator sport unless you're genuinely interested in watching people learn to stay upright on a board. Kids who can swim will probably get more from it than younger siblings, and adults looking for something different on a rainy Cumbrian afternoon might find it more engaging than yet another lake walk. The venue sits right next to Harbour Lights Campsite, which makes it ridiculously convenient if you're basing yourself there - you could be on the water within minutes of breakfast.

Bring a change of clothes and dry off properly before you leave. Summer weekends get busier, so weekday sessions tend to be calmer if you're building confidence. It's the kind of place that transforms a standard park holiday into something with a bit more adrenaline attached - whether that appeals depends entirely on whether you're the type to have a go or the type to stay dry with a coffee watching from the side.