There is so much to see and do to keep children entertained in Cumbria this half-term, whatever the weather.

Recently voted as our nation's favourite place to holiday, the Lake District National Park is a landscape that has for centuries inspired great writers, artists, fell walkers and adventurers.

Many visitors remember holidays in the Lakes as children, re-enacting pirate fights from Swallows and Amazons on Coniston Water, fishing for minnows on Windermere, or mountain biking in Grizedale forest. Children can choose between swinging from the trees in a Treetop Trek at Brockhole Lake District Visitor Centre, or shelter from the rain at The World of Beatrix Potter in Bowness, which has all new displays devoted to the animal characters that brought Beatrix Potter’s 23 popular tales to life.

Half-term at Heron Corn Mill

Wednesday 17 and Thursday 18 February (10am – 12 noon)

Families are invited to drop in to the barn at Heron Corn Mill, near Milnthorpe, to join Science from the Start in their Creative Science sessions. Have a go at making butterflies from footprints, painting with lemon juice and making colour swirls in milk! Activities are FREE for families.

On Friday February 19, the mill reopens to the public with a Milling Demonstration from 11.30am (£5 adults children free) and in the afternoon (1pm – 4pm) there are free drop-in session for young people with Lancaster University’s Science Hunters. It’s free, there’s no need to book, simply queue up for a go at Minecraft. Visit: heronmill.org

Realism and Romance – Beatrix Potter, a life inspired by nature

13 February – 30 October

As part of the 150th anniversary celebrations, the Beatrix Potter Galley on Main Street in Hawkshead is staging a new exhibition exploring the inspiration Beatrix potter found in the natural world. Highlights of the exhibition include original illustrations from classics such as 'The Tale of Jemina Puddleduck' and some of Beatrix’s sketchbooks. To mark this special year, the National Trust will be hosting a year-long celebration of events, exhibitions and activities for all generations. Visit: nationaltrust.org.uk

Close Encounters at the Lakes Aquarium

Monday 15 February - Sunday 21 February

Get up close to bugs,reptiles and other amazing creatures and test your senses on one of the fun challenges at the Lakes Aquarium near Newby Bridge:10.30am and 3.00pm - Otter talk and feed; 11.00am - Lake Tunnel - Join the keepers for the lake tunnel and watch the feeding of the diving ducks; 11.45am - Rockpool Discovery - Grab a spotters guide and look for the creatures including starfish and hermit crabs; 12.45pm - Meet the reptiles; 2.30pm - Meet the creepy crawlies. For full details visit: lakesaquarium.co.uk

Vikings Revealed

Tullie House has been awarded funding of just over £50,000 from DCMS/Wolfson Foundation for an exciting and rare new display – Vikings Revealed. At the heart of the exhibition are artefacts, interpretation and microscopic analysis of the finds from the Viking cemetery at Cumwhitton, near Carlisle. Vikings Revealed includes finds and, where original finds are too fragile for public display, replica’s from the Cumwhitton cemetery. Themes include burial rites, the origins of Viking people, the role of women in Viking society and the Viking community in Cumbria. Visit: tulliehouse.co.uk

Fun at Wray Castle

Children will spend hours pretending to be medieval knights at the mock-Gothic Wray Castle, sitting on the shores of Lake Windermere with its imposing turrets and towers. Never a real castle, Wray came to the National Trust without its contents so the rooms tend to be full of kids having fun in the dressing up and castle-building spaces, perfect for a wet day in the Lakes! There’s plenty to do outdoors too, like rope swing, den-building and trails beside Lake Windermere, in the family-friendly gardens and grounds. Visit: nationaltrust.org.uk/wray-castle