Too many to describe! Penrith has lots of good cafes, restaurants, a cinema, leisure centre. Keswick and Derwentwater lie 16miles West. There are castles nearby with Brougham Castle a mile walk from the house. Lake District National Park is now a world heritage site - visit http://www.lakedistrict.gov.uk There'll be plenty of information for you left in the house, along with maps and guides. Walking in the Lakeland Fells is one of the main reasons why people visit and there are also beautiful lakes where you can take a boat trip. Being on the Eastern edge of the Lake District (with Northern Ullswater 15 mins drive away) the location is also handy for the quiet and beautiful Eden Valley with lots of historic villages, ancient churches and riverside paths.