Top tips on the best places to visit

Here’s some top tips on the best places to visit and what to see over the spring months. Known as being one of the first signs of spring, snowdrops or ‘milk flowers’ have been out in force for a few weeks. The dainty blooms are so pretty, there’s a walk dedicated to them at Sizergh near Kendal where you can see them in all their glory. The original daffodils that were “fluttering and dancing in the breeze” in William Wordsworth’s famous poem are just along the road from Aira Force on the Ullswater lakeshore. It’s thanks to Wordsworth that daffodils have become the adopted flower of the Lakes and they are going to be celebrated by a new event this spring – The Ullswater Daff Fest. Taking place in and around Ullswater, you can try your hand at planting or painting some as well as enjoying scenic daffodil walks or even canoe trails on the lake. Now that the temperature is warming slightly, migrating birds are heading back to the Lakes. Catch sight of them, as well as seeing if you can spot the elusive hawfinch at the new wetland area and bird hide at Park End Moss on the Sizergh Estatenear Kendal. Meanwhile, at Acorn Bank near Penrith, kids love looking for the great crested newts in the sunken garden pond, which is a favourite breeding spot for wildlife. Red squirrels are always in danger from the greys but the gardens at Allan Bank in Grasmere make a popular home for them where they even get through around 100kg of nuts every year! It wouldn’t be officially spring without the National Trust’s Cadbury Easter Egg Hunts. From Good Friday, kids can get stuck into looking for clues in the gardens at Sizergh in Kendal and Allan Bank in Grasmere – but be careful not to be like Peter Rabbit and upset grumpy Mr McGregor at Allan Bank!