Although the Lake District is one of the most popular UK destinations with around 20 million annual visitors, many people are put off by the thought of visiting the Lake District in winter.
Admittedly the weather can be challenging during snowy or stormy weather and this guide does not encourage you to visit and take risks during storms or inclement conditions. However, much of the Lake District in winter is characterised by rain, clouds and cold weather.
So if you’re someone who doesn’t mind a bit of rain and cold, as long as you pack appropriate clothing, Lake District winter breaks are actually a great time to explore this beautiful part of England.
With less crowds, lower prices and more accommodation choices, low season in the Lake District and Cumbria generally, can actually be an optimum time to explore this usually crowded tourist destination.
This guide was written after a visit to the Lake District in January and our trip coincided with Storm Malik, so this really is an accurate representation of what you can do during bad weather in the Lake District!
Whether you’re planning to visit the Lake District in December or January, or you’re visiting at another time of year but the weather happens to be bad (good old British weather!) there are still plenty of things to do in the Lake District in winter or in bad weather – as this guide shows!
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something. While clicking these links won’t cost you anything, they will help us to keep this site up and running! See the full disclosure policy for more details.
Lake District winter weather – how does it look?
Winter in the Lake District National Park is long, mostly cloudy, cold, wet and windy.
The coolest season generally lasts from November to March during which time the average daily temperature is 8o.C and the chance of rain varies between 37%-50% during this time.
Interestingly, the wet season in the Lake District is actually 8th August – 6th February.
Lake District in November – While October and January are the wettest months in the Lakes, this can continue into November too. Highs of 9oC, lows of 5oC. Chance of rain 49%
Lake District in December – Highs of 7oC, lows of 4oC. Chance of rain 45%.
Lake District in January – January is usually the coldest month, highs of 5oC and also one of the wettest months, with 14.5 days of rain on average. Chance of rain 50%
Lake District in February – Highs of 7oC, lows of 4oC. Chance of rain 39%
Lake District in March – highs of 9oC, lows of 4oC. Usually the windiest month. Chance of rain 37%
Lake District in Winter: things to do
Castlerigg Stone Circle
One of my favourite Lake District hidden gems, the Castlerigg Stone Circle is an outdoors attraction, however it’s right off the road – about 30 seconds walk from your car and it’s free to visit!
Being just 4 minutes from Keswick, this is a super easy spot to reach by car if you’re staying in Keswick in winter (or walk if you wanted!) and it’s probably one of the most dramatic settings for a stone circle in the UK.
Flanked by Helvellyn and the High Seat mountains, the view from Castlerigg Stone Circle is easily one of the best easy-to-reach views in the Lake District and a great Lake District winter activity even in poor weather!
Lowther Castle
Another fantastic spot for things to do in the Lake District in winter is Lowther Castle.
Located around 20 minutes from Ullswater, Lowther Castle is in the northeast corner of the Lake District.
Although the majority of the castle at the front is in ruins, you wouldn’t know it because of how well-preserved it is. In fact, it’s only in ruins because the roof was removed after it was used by the military during the war.
The castle has the ruins to explore, as well as the stunning gardens, stableyard, summer houses and ponds and woodland trails.
The site is operated by the Lowther Castle Trust and there’s also a cafe on site with plenty of parking and facilities.
Drive Kirkstone Pass
When the weather stops you exploring by foot, exploring by car is the next best option!
And fortunately there are plenty of epic driving routes in the Lake District, most famous is the Kirkstone Pass.
Kirkstone Pass is the highest pass in the Lake District at 1490ft elevation.
We drove this route in January in rainy and windy conditions, however we would not advise driving this in snowy, icy or low visibility conditions. The Pass is often closed in the winter if it does become blocked by snow, so please only attempt this if you have a fairly temperate winter day!
There is a pub at the top of the pass where you can enjoy a pint fireside, with stunning views in all directions.
Ambleside
The charming town of Ambleside is popular for a reason and being one of the main towns in the Lake District, it’s well connected even in the winter months.
Ambleside offers a charming high street, plenty of shops, cafes, pubs and accommodation, giving you plenty of things to do during your winter travels.
We love the Apple Pie Cafe and Bakery for breakfast. The nearby Ambleside Tap Yard has fantastic pizzas and craft beers.
Don’t miss the quirky Bridge House – the 17th-century stone house that sits over the river in Ambleside.
Drive up to Surprise View
What’s better than hiking in bad weather? A viewpoint you can drive up to!
The view from Surprise View overlooks Derwentwater and can be reached by car off the B5289. You’ll also cross the picturesque (and very narrow!) Ashness Bridge – an old stone packhorse bridge.
Visiting the Surprise View in winter is actually a better time to go as the road is mostly single track and you’re far less likely to meet oncoming vehicles due to it being the low season.
Wray Castle
Of course a stroll along the shores of Windermere can’t be missed, even in the winter! Being England’s longest lake, it’s a must-see during winter in the Lake District.
Thankfully there’s a well-maintained, flat, and relatively protected walking route along the shore of the lake which you can reach from Wray Castle.
Although Wray Castle closes for the winter, you can enjoy a stroll around the grounds to admire this significant castle on the lake shores. There is also a cafe open here all year round.
So grab a cuppa to warm you through as you walk along the shore of this stunning lake.
If you are visiting the Lake District at other times of year but are looking for things to do in the Lake District when it rains, the castle is usually open from the Spring until the end of October and it’s National Trust – so free to visit if you’re a member.
Rydal Hall and Gardens
With over 30 acres of gardens, the 19th-century Rydal Hall has plenty of outdoor space, woodland and paths to explore within the safe confines of its walls – even when it’s raining.
The beautiful gardens are perhaps most famous for the waterfall and The Grot, a small stone house on the edge of a pool where water cascades down the rocks from Rydal Falls. In fact, William Wordsworth loved this spot so much that the poem, ‘An Evening Walk’ speaks about it.
The gardens are home to a variety of sculptures and you can follow the Sculpture Path to see them, visit the Wild Pond and see the falls. Bluebells and wild garlic also grow in the grounds.
With the parking fee at Rydal, you get a £5 voucher to use in their tea room, so even on a rainy day, you can explore the gardens and warm up afterwards with a hot drink.
Aira Force
One of the most famous waterfalls in the Lake District and that means it’s also a well-maintained and accessible trail – even in the winter.
After a recent rain, we found the path sludgy in some parts but otherwise absolutely fine for tackling on a wet and windy day. The path to the lower falls was closed after a tree fall, so we only had access to the upper falls and the stone bridge that crosses the top of the waterfall.
You park at the car park and it’s a short 10 minute walk along a clearly marked trail to reach the falls. You can walk over the bridge and follow the loop trail which brings you back to the car park on the other side of the river.
We even saw a Red Squirrel here when we visited in January!
Visiting Aira Force is free but the car park is pay and display, or free for National Trust members.
Wordsworth Cottage
Just a short drive from Rydal Hall, you could easily do both of these stops in the same day.
Wordsworth’s Cottage is located in Grasmere and you can spend around 2-3 hours there if you visit the whole site. A ticket is £13 and covers Dove Cottage, the museum, the garden and woodland. Or you can buy a ticket for just the museum, garden and woodland. Tickets are valid for 12 months after purchase so you can return in the future.
Wordsworth moved to Grasmere in 1799 at the age of 29 with his family. The work he wrote during his time there went on to become his most famous pieces of poetry.
Drive Wast Water
Another great driving option if the weather is not favourable for outdoor activities!
Wastwater is the deepest lake in England at 74 metres deep and is flanked one one side by sheer cliffs, and on the other is a picturesque winding road, perfect for a dramatic and scenic drive.
If the weather is clear enough, you’ll see Scafell Pike towering at one end of the lake.
The lake is also very popular as a wild swimming spot, with some shallower beach-style areas along the southern end if you want to brave a swim!
Kendal
Although technically located on the edge of the Lake District, Kendal has plenty to offer during the winter in the Lake District in terms of places to stay, places to eat and pubs, bars and cafes to take shelter in.
Don’t miss the Kendal Museum, Fell Bar Kendal, Handsome Brewery, Ye Olde Fleece Inn, Comida food or Brew Brothers.
You’ll also find loads of high street stores and food chain restaurants in Kendal, plus the famous Booths if you enjoy a wander around a supermarket!
Visit Hilltop – Beatrix Potter House
Beatrix Potter’s Farmhouse is another famous writer’s home who lived in the Lake District and another of the historic houses you can visit.
Hilltop is a 17th-century farm which Beatrix Potter bought with the royalties from The Tales of Peter Rabbit – her first book.
She chose to leave a significant amount of belongings in the house, meaning you can see her personal possessions and how she lived her life very clearly, as well as features, possessions and views that inspired her writing.
Check the opening times before you visit as the Farmhouse usually only opens on weekends during the winter months, but if you’re visiting at other times of year and you’re looking for rainy day activities in the Lake District, this is another great option.
Lakeland HQ
This might be a bit of a niche recommendation but there are many people who love the wonderful, practical and fascinating home and kitchenware products from Lakeland and the Lakeland brand was founded right here in the Lake District!
The Lakeland Headquarters is located behind the train station in Windermere, there’s a large free car park for customers and the huge 12,000 sq ft store is full of must-have products. There’s also a cafe with panoramic views if you need a break from shopping and the bad weather!
The Falls Spa day
Why not treat yourself to a spa day at one of the most unique spa locations in England?
The Falls Spa is located on the edge of Derwentwater and its standout feature is the Outdoor hydrozone, an infinity heated pool with spectacular views of the Catbell Mountains and Derwentwater. Even in bad weather, there’s something spectacular about swimming in a heated pool in the rain with the dramatic low cloud hanging over the mountain.
There’s also a glass-walled Finnish sauna for you to enjoy the views, as well as luxury treatment rooms, thermal therapy rooms in the style of a Roman bath, a salt steam room, mud room and fitness studio.
You don’t have to be staying at the hotel here to get access either.
The spa offers day passes for a very reasonable rate, check them out here.
If you’re looking for a unique and memorable Lake District National Park winter activity – this is it! Just imagine spending Christmas here or another special occasion in winter!
Visit the Lakes Distillery
The Lakes Distillery is located in Cockermouth on the shore of Bassenthwaite Lake – the only actual lake in the Lake District! (All the rest are technically classed as Meres or Waters)
The distillery’s primary product is whisky, however they also produce gin and vodka.
In fact, Lakes Distillery is home to the World’s Best Single Malt Whisky 2022.
They follow a holistic whisky method to make unpeated whisky, of course using the pure, fresh water from the Lakes in the Lake District.
The distillery tours are great value for money for a rainy day in the Lake District, with 1-hour distillery tours running all day, every day for £18.
There’s also a Single Malt Tour and a Whisky and Chocolate pairing tour, both costing £35 and run at intervals throughout the week.
Find out more and book here.
Check out some breweries
If you’re more of a beer connoisseur, rather than whisky, then some of the breweries in the Lake District might be right for you!
We’re a big fan of local breweries as a way to meet locals and they always have great recommendations for the area too.
Breweries are also a great option to take shelter during winter in the Lakes or as a great way to enjoy a casual drink and possibly some food in the evening after a day of exploring.
Here are a few of our favourite Lake District breweries to check out:
- Hawkshead Brewery – Windermere
- Handsome Brewery – Kendal
- Fell Bar – Kendal
- Watermill Inn & Brewery
- Crafty Baa – Windermere
- Ambleside Tap Yard – Ambleside
Cathedral Caves
If you’re determined to do some walking in the winter weather, then the walk to the Cathedral Caves is one we definitely recommend.
It is safe, fairly flat, well maintained, no mountains involved and very close to the village of Little Langdale, so there’s very little that can go wrong even in bad weather.
This walk can be done as a loop or as an out-and-back.
Start from Little Langdale at the pub, walk up the hill and where the road splits in two, follow the road left. The road becomes a stone path that isn’t for cars to access. You can either follow this stone path all the way to the river where you cross the bridge then turn right – a short way up this trail, the Cathedral Cave gate will be on your left.
Or you can walk down the stone path that isn’t for cars from Little Langdale and look for a small wooden gate on the right hand side of the road which is a public footpath.
If you follow this path over the field, you’ll see the river at the bottom of the field and the way to cross it is across the Slater’s Bridge – a medieval stone bridge which was used by the works to reach the slate mine when it was in use.
Cross the Slater’s Bridge and turn left, walk along the trail and you’ll see the Cathedral Caves gate on the right hand side.
The Cathedral Caves are now maintained by the National Trust and are free to visit. They were once a slate mine and now you can walk through the entrance tunnel into the spectacular chamber where light shines through a hole in the ceiling and the cave is held up by a column of rock – making it seem like a cathedral.
The walk is short and definitely a doable option for winter walks in the colder months (we did it in January with some sideways rain and there were families with young children doing the route too).
It’s about 1 hour round trip – depending how long you spend at the caves, but you can always take shelter in the caves for a while if the weather isn’t favourable for the walk back!
Visit the charming villages
Of course English villages are known for their charm and cosy cottages, but the dramatic beauty of the Lake District often means the beauty of the villages and towns themselves get overlooked.
If you’re visiting the Lakes in winter and the weather means outdoor activities in nature are off the cards, why not check out some of the charming towns and villages, drive between them, check out their high streets, maybe grab a coffee or a snack and see what life is like in these places.
Honestly, winter is probably the best time to explore many of these, to see them without the crowds!
Here are some of our favourites:
- Ambleside
- Rydal
- Little Langdale
- Grasmere
- Coniston
- Hawkshead
- Keswick
- Wasdale
Drive the Coniston Water Loop
The Coniston Water Loop is most well-known as a cycling route that takes in the 19 mile loop around Coniston Water, with stunning views of the lake and Old Man Coniston towering over the west shore.
However you can also drive the loop around Coniston Water and enjoy these views from your vehicle if the weather is cycling weather!
Start from Coniston and follow the water until you reach Lowick, here you’ll be able to follow the road back up the eastern side of Coniston.
If you’re looking for things to do in the Lake District in the rain, this is a stunning option to still see and enjoy the beauty of the Lake District.
Stop by a Country Pub
When all else fails, there’s always the pub!
If the weather is really challenging on your trip to the Lake District in winter months, there are countless charming, warm and inviting country pubs to hole up in by a roaring fire and enjoy a pint with a hearty meal.
Here are a few to check out depending on where you’re staying:
- Queens Head – Hawkshead
- Hole in t’Wall – Windermere
- The Ship Inn – Bowness-on-Windermere
- The Bank Tavern – Keswick
- Royal Oak – Ambleside
- Ye Olde Fleece Inn – Kendal
Summary: Lake District winter activities
Don’t miss an opportunity to visit the Lake District, December or January-February can still be great times to visit the area with less crowds and lower prices.
If you’re a real outdoors-person and only want to visit the Lakes for hiking, camping and mountains then maybe waiting until the better weather is best. But if you want to visit to see the scenery, do some short walks, visit some attractions and explore the towns and villages, we really think that a visit to the Lake District in the winter months shouldn’t be written off!
Hopefully this guide has given you plenty of ideas and inspiration for things to do in the Lake District in bad weather – enjoy your trip!
Pin this for later to plan your future trip!
