Half term is the perfect excuse to get out and about with the children, and hopping on a Stagecoach bus makes days out easy, affordable and stress-free.

From historic castles and countryside escapes to parks, pools and hidden local gems, there’s plenty to explore without worrying about parking or traffic.

Whether you’re planning a full day out or a spontaneous afternoon adventure, we’ve come up with 10 ideas that are all about making the most of half term while letting Stagecoach do the driving.

And for just £3 for a single ticket per person - with the added bonus that up to three children under the age of five can travel for free - it won’t break the bank.

North Cumbria

Reged Centre

Décopatch workshops, Rheged, Penrith
Bus service: X4 & X5

Rheged is running Décopatch workshops every day through half term. With a selection of items to choose from ranging from farm animals, unicorns, masks, letters and more plus beautifully designed paper just take a brush and some glue and create your very own masterpiece. Booking is essential. Suitable for all ages over 2 years. More info here

Tullie, Carlisle

Tullie, Carlisle

Bus service: Multiple services into Carlisle city centre

Tullie has loads going on over half term. Each day from Saturday 14 February it is holding craft sessions with a Roman theme, from laurel crowns to a catapult challenge. Drop in from 1pm to 4pm, kids free. More info here

Lapwing Photo: Jim Higham Cumbria Wildlife Trust

Cumbria Wildlife Trust, Gosling Sike, Houghton Road, Houghton, Carlisle

Bus service: 64

Join Gosling Sike Wildlife Watch Group and like-minded friends to explore the natural world on Saturday 21 February. The group of 6 to 14 year-olds meets monthly for a variety of wildlife-themed activities, including nature walks, art and craft and conservation activities. Booking required. More info here

Carlisle castle Photo: Jack Alcock

Carlisle Castle

Bus service: Multiple services into Carlisle city centre

Carlisle Castle and Cumbria’s Museum of Military Life are open throughout the February half term, offering plenty of opportunities for historical adventure. Together they make a great day out for all the family, with engaging stories and fascinating displays to explore. Children under five can visit for free, and the sites are also dog friendly, making them an easy option for families of all kinds. More info here

Carlisle Cathedral Photo: Jack Alcock

Carlisle Cathedral

Bus service: Multiple services into Carlisle city centre

Each day during half term the cathedral is hosting Treasure Hunts and a Sensory Trail, and you can pick up an Explorer Backpack. There are also three events on Friday 20 February: Little Stars Toddlers Group with stories, songs and crafts, 10am; Angels' View Tours, 1.30pm and 2.30pm; and Plant Pot Painting and Flower Planting, 2pm. See here

Hammonds Pond

Hammond’s Pond, Carlisle
Bus service: 67
Hammond’s Pond is a much-loved Carlisle green space with a fascinating past. Named after Archie Hammond, who transformed a former brickworks into a leisure park known as Pleasureland around 100 years ago, it’s now a go-to spot for families. The park features play areas, football pitches, a miniature railway track and a café - perfect for a relaxed half-term outing. Best still, entry is free - but you’ll still need to wrap up warm. More info here

Bus and boat ticket for Ullswater

Bus and boat ticket for Ullswater
Bus service: 508
Ullswater offers a brilliant family day out with adventure at every turn. Stagecoach’s bus and boat ticket makes it easy to explore, combining scenic bus journeys through charming villages with a relaxing sail on a historic Ullswater Steamer. Along the way, enjoy breathtaking lake views, soaring fells reflected in the water and, if you’re lucky, spot otters along the shoreline. More info here

Penrith Library

Penrith Library, Penrith
Bus service: X4/X5, 104, 105, 106, 508 & 563

Two events at the library on Friday 20 February. From 10.30am to 11.30am there’s Rucksack of Rhymes: Winter for children up to five years old. Songs, play, crafts and a story while exploring the natural world in winter. Then drop in between 11.30am and 12.30pm for some fun, family crafts. More info here

Sands Centre,

Sands Centre, Carlisle
Bus service: Multiple services into Carlisle city centre

Swimming is a great way for families to stay active together, and the Family Fun Swim sessions at The Sands Centre in Carlisle are a popular weekend choice. Held on Saturdays and Sundays, they offer a relaxed, enjoyable environment for all ages. And over half term all schoolchildren aged up to 16 from the Cumberland area can go for a swim for only 10p. Swims at the Sands Centre are available from 10am-10.50am, Monday 16 to Friday 20 February and Sunday 22 February. More info here

Dobbies Garden Centre

Dobbies Garden Centre, Carlisle
Bus service: 300, 400, 554 & 600

Kids can eat for £1 with a half-term offer at Dobbies while joining the fun at the Little Seedlings Soft Play, where toddlers and young children can burn off energy. The soft play is located in the restaurant, where families can enjoy hot drinks, snacks, meals, and a Dobbies’ scone. The Kids Eat for £1 offer allows children under 16 to enjoy their food for £1 with every traditional adult breakfast and main course meal at lunch. More info here


West Cumbria

'orgotten-Comics Photo:Beacon-Museum

Comics: The Famous and The Forgotten, The Beacon Museum, Whitehaven

Bus service: 2, 3, 3A, 29, 29A, 30

If you know Dennis the Menace from Judge Dredd then hop on a Stagecoach bus to Whitehaven where The Beacon Museum is one of the first venues to host Comics: The Famous & Forgotten, the debut touring exhibition by The Cartoon Museum in London.

This celebration tells the story of comic art in Britain and answers questions such as how did comic strips first get popular in Victorian Britain, and who was the first British superhero?

The Beacon is also hosting a special comic competition, giving young creators in four age groups from four years old to 16, the chance to produce their own original comic. Selected entries will be printed and displayed at the museum. Full details, including how to enter the competition, here.

Egremont castle Photo: visit cumbria

Egremont Castle Walk

Bus service: X7, 22, 30 & 32

The weather is improving - hopefully - and days are certainly getting longer, so it’s time to get out walking again. This route, recommended by The Hiking Household, offers loads of trails and places to explore in and around the castle which dates back to the early 12th century. It was the first site in Cumbria to be awarded a Green Heritage Award in 2004. See here for more details.

Derwent Pencil Musuem

Derwent Pencil Museum, Keswick

Bus service: 78, 554, 555, X4 & X5

If there are young artists in the family, this museum makes an ideal weekend visit. Entry is through a replica graphite mine, before visitors follow the story of pencil-making from its beginnings as a cottage industry to the present day. Highlights include the impressive eight-foot colouring pencil, while the museum shop offers a tempting place for children to spend their Christmas money. Click here for details of opening hours over the holidays.

Workington Leisure Centre

Workington Leisure Centre pool

Bus service: 29, 29A, 30, 50, 51, 52, 60, 300, X4/X5

Workington Leisure Centre offers plenty of options for swimmers, with two pools to choose from. The main pool is 25 metres long and ideal for more serious swimming, while the teaching pool features a movable floor that allows the depth to be adjusted for different users. Swim For All sessions are well suited to families, and children aged 11 and over who want to swim lengths can take part in Swim For Fitness sessions. The centre also has a climbing wall.To find out more and to book, click here.

Soft Play and Clip ’n Climb, Maryport Activity Centre

Soft Play and Clip ’n Climb, Maryport Activity Centre

Bus service: 300, 30, 60

If children have plenty of energy to burn, a visit to a soft play centre can be a good option. Maryport Activity Centre is open throughout the holidays and features a three-tier adventure play area, along with a separate space designed for toddlers. The centre also offers Clip ’n Climb sessions, with supervised climbing available for children aged four and over. To find out more and to book, click here

Carnegie Theatre

Carnegie Theatre, Workington

Bus service: X4, X5, 300, 30, 31

Lots to do at the Carnegie over half-term. For younger music fans, there’s K-Pop Live, the ultimate tribute to the global phenomenon, on 14 February. Step into the dazzling world of K-Pop — where every comeback hits harder, every choreo is next level, and every stage is pure daebak. On 20 February, join our intrepid rangers on a quest to recover the data crystal, restore power to the island and save the dinosaurs in Dinosaur Adventure Live - Danger On T-Rex Mountain. Full details here

Theatre by the Lake

Theatre by the Lake, Keswick

Bus service: 78, 554, 555, X4 & X5

Two great shows for youngsters in Keswick this half term. First up is The Bubble Show 2: More Bubble on Monday 16 February at 2pm. Journey through the awe-inspiring legends of Bubbleland, featuring fire effects, poetic puppetry, light-displays, majestic music and brand-new bubble masterpieces. Then on Tuesday and Wednesday 17 and 18 February, watch Mr Sleepybum’s Dream Machine, the acclaimed kids comedy show by Jody Kamali.

Full details here

Florence Arts Centre

Florence Arts Centre, Egremont
Bus service: 22, 30

Join the Fair Folk Family Activity Sessions at Florence Arts Centre on Thursday, 19 February with sessions at 10am-12pm and 1pm-3pm. £3 per child. Tickets can be bought on the day. Enjoy nature trails, stories, cardboard car making, play with clay, Minecraft minerals and more. More info here

Lake District Coast Aquarium

Lake District Coast Aquarium, Maryport

Bus service: 30, 60 & 300

Wet outside? Take the littles ones to somewhere wet inside! Head to the Aquarium where they can view the ray pool, shipwreck and deep reef, plus the SeaLab extension with microscope, lobster hatchery project, jellyfish breeding tanks and huge coral display that the kids can climb inside. There’s also a 14-hole crazy golf course and an adventure playground, cafe, and gift and tackle shop.

More info here

Lake District Wildlife Park Photo: Visit Lake District

Lake District Wildlife Park, Bassenthwaite

Bus service: X4

Stroll around the two-acre park, based just outside Keswick, and marvel at more than 100 species, from snakes to zebras. Enjoy one of the magical bird of prey flying displays, or experience adventure with one of the park’s hands-on keeper experiences, when you can get up close and personal with meerkats, tapirs and lemurs. More info here

South Cumbria

Heroes of the Natural World

Heroes of the Natural World, Dock Museum, Barrow

Bus service: 2, 3, 5 & 6

Head to the Dock Museum on Friday 20 February for DNA demonstrations, fossil preparation, a tree of life scavenger hunt, ocean jenga, and more, as a celebration of the work and lives of some of the most important biologists of all time: Mary Anning, Charles Darwin, Rosalind Franklin, and Rachel Carson. If you have a dinosaur/explorer/Victorian outfit, please wear it! Free entry but you need to book a place. There is also a stay and play session from 1pm on Wednesday 18 February. More info here

The World of Beatrix Potter Photo: Visit Lake District

The World of Beatrix Potter
Bus service: 6, 555, 599 & 755

Loads to do at the home of the world’s most famous rabbit this half-term. Have breakfast with him from 9am every day from 14 to 21 February, and then explore the Attraction. There are also Valentine’s Day Crafts, the Jeremy Fisher Garden Trail from 16 to 19 February, and two performances daily of The Wind in the Willows, also from 16 to 19 February. More info here

Kirkby Stephen Walk Photo: Hiking Household

Kirkby Stephen Walk
Bus service: 563

The weather is improving - hopefully - and days are certainly getting longer, so it’s time to get out walking again. This route, recommended by The Hiking Household, is ideal for those with children of all ages, with a footpath alongside the River Eden and a beautiful backdrop. Starting at the Northern Viaduct Trust Car Park, it’s a distance of roughly 1.7 miles but you can go further if you wish. More info here.

Lakeland Wildlife Oasis

Lakeland Wildlife Oasis, Milnthorpe

Bus service: 755

This all-weather wildlife park caters for the whole family, with a collection of more than 100 animals. Visitors can get up close to playful meerkats, see majestic snow leopards – part of an important conservation programme – and learn more about a wide range of species. Interactive exhibits offer hands-on experiences and provide insight into wildlife preservation. Younger visitors can enjoy dedicated play areas, while parents relax with refreshments at the Wild Café. It’s a fun and educational day out for all ages. More info here

Sizergh Castle in the snow i Photo: National Trust

Sizergh Castle, near Kendal

Bus service: X6, 530, 555 & 755

Sizergh offers a classic National Trust experience, with a medieval manor, gardens featuring a mirror lake, and a 1,600-acre estate of woodlands and ancient trees. The site also includes a café, shop and second-hand bookshop. For those keen on a walk, there is a one-mile accessible circular trail passing through woodland, Westmorland orchards and farmland. While the house remains closed until April, the gardens, estate and other facilities are open to visitors. More info here

Fell Foot, Newby Bridge

Fell Foot, Newby Bridge, Windermere

Bus service: 6

The Lake District is known for its great walks, and this one doesn’t require the stamina of Alfred Wainwright. The Fell Foot heritage trail is a 1.6-mile circular route on well-made paths, taking in historic boathouses, ancient beech trees, Chinese rhododendrons, an 18th-century pleasure ground and, of course, mountain views. Afterwards, visitors can choose to enjoy a cuppa in the café, let the children loose in the adventure playground, or even take a swim in the lake. More info here

Lakeland Motor Museum Photo: Jon Lowe

Lakeland Motor Museum, Backbarrow, Ulverston

Bus service: 6, X6

A motor museum, but one you don’t need to take your own car to. Hop on the bus to find a large collection of cars, motorcycles and bicycles. Check out the true historic gems, such as the oldest surviving TVR and the Malcolm and Donald Campbell collection, and indulge in some pure petrolhead nostalgia, including a beige 1982 Ford Cortina and a red 1995 Vauxhall Corsa. The two-wheeled displays feature a wide range of bikes and scooters, ensuring both mods and rockers will find something to enjoy. Please be careful when crossing the A590 and make sure you use the pedestrian Island. Walking directions here

Grange-over-Sand

Grange-over-Sands and Eggerslack Woods

Bus service: X6, 530

Often described as the Jewel on the Bay, Grange-over-Sands has a long history as a holiday destination and still retains much of its Victorian character. The promenade offers wide views across Morecambe Bay, while nearby gardens include a children’s playground and a skate park. For those looking for a woodland walk, Eggerslack Woods, managed by Forestry England, features a maze-like network of paths through native trees, with holly, ivy and ferns, and is home to wildlife including deer. For more information about Grange, click here

Boat cruise Windermere Photo: Windermere Lake Cruises

Boat cruise from Windermere or Ambleside
Bus service: 6, 555, 599 & 755

A cruise on Windermere on board one of the many famous steamers or launches is the perfect half-term treat for the kids. Stagecoach has combined Bus & Boat tickets which are available for Coniston, Derwentwater, Ullswater and Windermere. Book your cruise here for a time and starting point that suits you best. More info here

Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway - Haverthwaite Station Image: Visit Lake District

Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway, near Ulverston

Bus service: 6 & X6

Travel back in time with this family-run steam train business in the South Lakes. Steam engines haul traditional 1950’s carriages through the countryside scenery of the Leven Valley, leisurely transporting passengers to Lakeside Station, where connections are available with Windermere Lake Cruises. At the Victorian Haverthwaite station you will find a tea room, gift shop, engine shed, woodland playground and walk. More info here