Book Review: Lake District with Kids by David Atkinson

A thoroughly delightful guide to family travel in England's Lake District; well illustrated with lots of free diversions and off the beaten path suggestions. Fun to read before you go with excellent day trip suggestions for while you are there. Lots of tempting ideas that address the boredom threshold of adults as well as kids.

Not being a parent myself, I was a bit wary about reviewing a book entitled Lake District with Kids. I needn't have worried. David Atkinson's entertaining guidebook has so much for any young at heart traveler, it could easily be named Lake District with or without Kids.

The book divides the Lake District into four manageable chunks and describes things to do, places to stay and dine in short sparky text with lively pictures. There are sections on family favorites, fun and free and top tens, rainy day options, don't miss advice and offbeat suggestions.

Accommodation suggestions cover every category from camping and farm stays all the way to luxury country house hotels that are child friendly. I found one of my own favorites, Holbeck Ghyll, included. Dining ideas are similarly diverse from where to find the best ice cream and wholesome, child-friendly food to Michelin-starred eateries that make families welcome.

What I like best about this book is that it doesn't forget that grownups like to have fun too, and that family vacations are not just about chauffeuring kids from one exhausting and mind-numbing activity to another. There is really plenty of entertainment for everyone in this book.

Besides, any family guidebook that manages to cover a region as large as the Lake District and gets through nearly 200 pages of tempting text and pictures without mentioning a single theme park has my vote any day.

Disclosure: A review copy was provided by the publisher. For more information, please see our Ethics Policy.