THE summer holidays have arrived and for many families it throws up the inevitable question: “what are we doing today?”

To make sure boredom is kept at bay and to take the stress out of planning a day out, our sister leisure and entertainment website, Cumbria Live has selected its top 10 things to do in south Cumbria over the next six weeks.

Have a flutter on the horses at Cartmel Races, with meets taking place tomorrow and on Monday, then again on August 29 and 31 bank holiday weekend. With its funfair and free entry for children, it’s relaxed and family-friendly.

Take a ride on the X12 bus route between Barrow and Coniston. Those travelling the full distance in either direction get a two-for-one return deal at just £11, and £30 for a family of four. With concessions and under-fives travelling for free, you can take all the relatives for an inexpensive day out in one of the Lake District’s most picturesque towns.

Climb aboard a restored steam or diesel engine at the rescued section of the historic branch line at Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway. The short journey also takes you almost to the door of another one of our favourite attractions.

Meet the creatures of the deep at Lakes Aquarium, Newby Bridge. Animals from around the world – both sea and land dwellers – make up one of Cumbria’s leading attractions. Discounts for both aquarium and train travel combined are available.

Take a trip back in time and see how a 19th century farm would have operated, at Old Hall Farm, in Bouth. Meet shire horses and see vintage machines in action, or have a go at hand-milking Jersey cows and making butter.

Follow the story of Barrow, from Viking invasions through the railway age, to the ups and downs of the steel and shipbuilding industries, with a trip to the Dock Museum. The Rugby League Heritage exhibition runs until the end of this month, and an animal handling day takes place on August 27.

Bowl a strike and drive to victory, on the same day, at Cumbria Karting and Bowling. State-of-the-art full-length bowling lanes and Cumbria’s longest race track make for an exciting day out whatever your age.

Meet some of the world’s most fascinating animals, including monkeys, tamarins, lemurs, kangaroos and capybaras, at the South Lakes Safari Zoo. Newly expanded and improved, Cumbria’s biggest animal attraction offers up-close encounters with lions, tigers, leopards and jaguar.

Get to know Stan and Olly at Ulverston’s Laurel and Hardy Museum. The 1930s Roxy Cinema building is a fitting home for this lovingly hoarded collection of letters, photographs and memorabilia celebrating the life and work of Ulverston-born comedian Stan Laurel.

See it all in a couple of hours at Lakeland Miniature Village, near Grange. From Beatrix Potter’s Hill Top to Little Langdale’s Clapper Bridge; more than 100 Lakeland buildings have been crafted in Coniston slate by Edward Robinson, who’s been creating this village and oriental gardens for 20 years.