Address: Lake District National Park, Visitor Centre, The, Windermere LA23 1FF, United Kingdom
Phone: +441539446601
Rating: 4.6
based on 475 reviews.
Location and Scenery
Pros:
"We love going to Brockhole, it's in such a beautiful location."
"This is one of the most beautiful places I ever been in the UK!"
"The lake itself is beautiful and the view beyond absolutely breath taking."
"Adore the view on the edge of the lake, it's peaceful and a wonderful place to spend time!!!!"
"Lovely place on the shores of Windermere with stunning views across the lake."
"Amazing place in a stunning location. The kids park is fantastic and the tree play area was brilliant."
"The gardens were beautiful too, very well kept, very lovely to walk around."
Cons:
"Disappointing. After having driven past this place on the way to fell walking for 25 years I thought I'd actually pay it a visit... Very drab."
Activities and Facilities
Pros:
"The play park is fun for all ages and the walks are really nice and buggy friendly."
"Fabulous beef sandwich at the house."
"To top it off, they had a BBQ on the go. I highly recommend the burgers."
"Both gentlemen at the ticket office were very helpful and advised us where we could get on and get off again whilst visiting places around the lake."
"Brilliant venue with loads to do in a relaxed environment with helpful, friendly staff."
"Great place to visit with so many activities. Boat hire, tree top, archery, ferry."
"The adventure playground here is phenomenal, well worth the cost of the parking tickets for hours of fun with toddlers and bigger kids for no extra cost!"
Cons:
"All activities have to be paid for individually and are very pricey!"
"The shop is very expensive and staff are very slow to serve."
"Unfortunately for us we were unaware that activities need to be booked including smaller activities like tractor rides and go karts."
"A lot of the more popular ones like treetop nets were all booked up so might need some planning if you are going to the Lakes on holiday."
"Not good if disabled."
"Really disappointed today. The lack of gluten free options were apparent!"
"If you haven't pre-booked, don't bother going."
Value for Money
Pros:
"You can spend a lot or work around a budget."
"It's free entry with pay per use parking which in itself isn't overly pricey for such a great day out."
"We felt it was good value for money, the instructor was patient, knowledgeable and gave us individual feedback on our aim."
"Not cheap but still good value for money."
"Car parking was reasonably priced. Definitely worth a visit here."
"Parking is relatively expensive but then a fab adventure playground is free and there's beautiful views, lakeside access that make it an excellent value day out."
"Pay for parking is very reasonable. Free to enter and walk around and you can pay for the activities that you want to do (also reasonably priced)."
Cons:
"But why oh why do you have to pay for parking. You're already spending a lot by going anyway."
"It's a nice place but can work out very pricey for a family."
"Tree top nets were quite pricey. £52 for 2 children and the enforced additional adult."
"If you intend to go to this 'what looks on face value amazing place' be prepared to take out a loan from the bank. It's absolutely shocking the price they charge for everything."
"All the outdoor activities are eye wateringly expensive (£23 per child for the outdoor bouncy tree top area)."
"Prices are quite high."
"The cafe is over priced, the lake activities well priced."
Food and Dining
Pros:
"The cafe was also very good."
"The cafe and shop are also very nice tastey meals and nice gifts in the shop."
"Cafe/restaurant up at big house serves brunch/lunch..Scones yum!"
"Nice spot for lunch, dog friendly cafe in the main building serving a selection of food and cakes."
"Lunch was delicious, sitting on the terrace and cafe staff were friendly and helpful."
"Nice food from the cafe, big thumbs up for the falafel burger as well as the meat one."
"Really good cafe, options for brunch and lunch. Great cakes available too."
Cons:
"Cafe had limited choices of rather un imaginative food, but OK."
"I would say take a picnic and enjoy the gardens as the food was expensive, not a huge menu and absolutely huge waiting time."
"No available food at the playpark or at the cafe by the Lake."
"Shame there are no vegan options in the restaurant/cafe."
"The only let down was the extortionate prices for refreshments. Take a picnic!"
"Also take your own food & drinks as it is expensive to eat. Eg pack of chips £3.50 & bottle of coke £2.25."
"Parents will end up spending a small fortune for every activity their darlings want to do and if you've forgot your picnic there is awful food and equally extortionate prices."
Parking and Accessibility
Pros:
"The carpark had priority for those who had prebooked and the staff turned away cars without bookings."
"Big car park but I can imagine this gets full in summer holidays / weekends."
"Did the John West Great North Swim there and had a great experience. Big car park but for events you have to book in."
"Lovely place to visit. Plenty of car parking."
"The car park is large and tarmac and pay and display!"
"We arrived by bus today but there is extensive parking available."
"A huge amount to do at the site with good parking onsite."
Cons:
"Car park was also pricey so be advised."
"Can be difficult getting a parking space at peak times, difficult if you have an activity booked."
"We had to park half a mile away on the side of the road as parking places had to be booked in advance."
"Parking, like all of the Lake District, was yet another tax on the visitor."
"Onsite pay and display carpark, bit tight in places when busy especially near entrance to car park."
"Only problem with this is you book a specific time but in high season even when you go to the pre booked ticket queue it still took a while to be served."
"Don’t go at October Half Term. What seemed to be a decent activity centre was completely marred by Halloween clobber at every turn."