Sports Plaza

You'll find the Sports Plaza just outside Penrith, and it's the sort of place that works brilliantly if you've got active kids or you're after a proper workout while on a Cumbrian holiday. The facility houses indoor courts, fitness equipment, and various sports activities - it's functional rather than fancy, but that's rather the point. Local families use it year-round, which tells you something about what's on offer.

The real value here depends entirely on what you want to do. If you're camping at Crossfells Campsite or Howdy Glamping nearby and the Lake District weather turns grim - and it will - this is your escape plan. Kids can burn off energy without you having to load up the car and drive half an hour to find a leisure centre. A couple of hours is plenty of time to get through what you need; don't expect to spend your whole afternoon here.

Stay in the area for the walking and the outdoor stuff, but use the Sports Plaza as a backup. Penrith itself has the high street sorted for food and supplies, and you're well positioned for exploring the Eden Valley. It's not a destination in itself, but as part of a broader park holiday in Cumbria, it fills a genuine gap when the weather isn't cooperating or you need indoor activity. Check opening hours and pricing before you go - details online can be patchy for smaller sports facilities.