Winter in the Lake District is magical. Tranquil lakes and snowy mountain tops make it the perfect winter retreat.
The Lake District is one of the most outstandingly beautiful places in the UK, even more so in the winter. Many people visit the Lake District for spring and summer breaks and miss the true magic of winter in this national park. A winter break in the Lakes may have cooler temperatures but nothing beats looking out to the snowy mountain tops, wandering around an array independent shops or sitting by the roaring fire of a country inn whilst feasting on a perfectly cooked steak.
If you leave the warmth and comfort of the open fire and explore the local area we’ve got our top winter attractions here.
Bowness is a picturesque village bursting with shops and eateries. After a coffee and a browse, why not take a wander along Bowness promenade and enjoy in the stunning views across the lake.
Windermere Lake Cruises offers a fantastic way to explore the Lake District. Choose the cruise that is right for you whether that is a steamer, traditional wooden craft or modern cruiser. There are several cruises to choose from in the Winter season, leaving daily from Bowness, Ambleside, Brockhole and Lakeside. Dogs are welcome on all the cruises and travel free. Enjoy the Captain's commentary explaining about the history of the area and pointing out places of interest.
If you’re feeling brave enough to brace the winter chill, this short walk offers stunning panoramic views of the lake. As Wainwright’s first fell, this short 20 minute walk to the summit doesn’t disappoint. Park in Windermere itself or in a layby just above the town. The track starts opposite the NatWest bank and has a large ‘Orrest Head’ sign.
Blackwell is the home of arts and crafts in the Lakes. This large house was designed Baillie Scott and built in 1901 as a holiday home for Sir Edward Holt, a well-off Manchester brewer. The house is filled with extraordinary arts including a rare hessian wall-hanging, leaf-shaped door handles, ornate window catches, stained glass and carved wooden panelling
Hugely popular with children and adults alike, The World of Beatrix Potter attraction takes you on a larger than life-size tour through the books of Beatrix Potter. Meet Peter Rabbit, Mrs Tiggy-Winkle and Jemima Puddleduck up close. The tour starts with a short film, before entering this make believe world of much loved characters. Outside, explore Mr MacGregor’s garden and find out where Peter Rabbit got caught in a net. There’s also a Gift Shop and Café to round off your visit.
Staveley is an undercover favourite with locals. Staveley Mill Yard, described as a ‘village within a village’, is a great place to visit and browse the purpose built shops and units. Situated on the banks of the River Kent with the sound of waterfall in the background, Staveley Mill Yard makes for a pleasant and picturesque shopping trip.
Amongst others, there’s the ‘More? The Artisan Bakery’ and coffee shop, Aiguille Alpine outdoor products, Wilfs Café, Wheelbase Cycles, The Blind Chocolatier and the award-winning Hawkshead Brewery.
The Armitt is a museum, library and gallery combined and is devoted to preserving and sharing the cultural heritage of the Lake District. Founded in 1912 to support exchanging ideas in the community, the Armitt has seen support from the likes of Beatrix Potter who gave some of her family’s books, her personal first editions of the ‘little’ books, and a large number of beautiful botanical watercolours. The Armitt also hosts one of the country’s most important collections of artwork by Kurt Schwitters, who influenced development of twentieth-century art and lived in Ambleside during his final years.
So much more than a garden centre! Hayes Garden World in Ambleside is a go to at Christmas, transforming much of their large site into a full scale winter wonderland with activities for children and a huge array of Christmas gifts, garden furniture, home interiors, as well as the myriad of plants and landscaping products you would expect.
A favourite amongst locals and visitors, Zeffirellis has a five-screen cinema featuring all the latest film premieres. Right in the heart of Ambleside, Fellinis is a stylish and comfortable venue that has an exciting programme of live satellite shows throughout the winter months. Watch theatre, music, opera and dance performances as they are happening in venues around the world. Enjoy a pre-performance drink in the lounge bar, then sink into plush cinema seating and be transported to the internationally acclaimed stage and music hall productions.
This beautiful cottage was the home of the well-known poet William Wordsworth and his sister Dorothy Wordsworth. They lived here from December 1799 to May 1808 and spent much of their time "plain living, but high thinking". The museum holds over 68,000 manuscripts, books, personal belongings and art relating to the Romantic era, the Wordsworth manuscripts are the centre piece.
Something of a Lake District icon, Grasmere Gingerbread is rather famous. From humble beginnings in Sarah Nelson’s Grasmere kitchen in 1854, this spicy sweet biscuit/cake has a reputation that has spread around the globe. Now run by third-generation owners, the gingerbread is baked freshly each day and sold alongside other award-winning products. Step into the tiny little shop and step back in time with shop-keepers clad in Victorian outfits and gingerbread wrapped in parchment or in a presentation tin.
This stunning historic house museum was once the home of John Ruskin, a famous writer, artist and social reformer. The house has extended gardens and overlooks the peaceful Coniston water. Guests can explore the house and gardens or visit the tea room.
The chocolate factory isn’t just for kids, they do a truffle making workshop with prosecco exclusively for adults. Get messy and creative whilst enjoying some bubbles.
For any car enthusiast this is a real treat. The motor museum has over 30,000 exhibits from motorcars, motorcycles, scooters, bicycles and motor accessories. The prize piece is Donald Campbell’s Bluebird replicas, dating 1935 – 1967, which are a tribute to his racing career.
An award-winning distillery which sits back from the beautiful Bassenthwaite Lake. Lakes Distillery offer several tours from whisky and tasting tours to meeting the alpacas. With an on-site bistro it’s easy to make an afternoon of it.
Ulverston's Dickensian Festival is a community event but attracts thousands of visitors from around the country. It’s quite a spectacle, with Goths and Steampumks, re-enactments and Victorian school events.The town is already a fantastic place to visit with cobbled streets, artisan shops, and great pubs and cafes. When the Dickensian Festival comes to town, it adds a huge variety of free entertainment for adults and children, costume competitions, music, dancing, a traditional fairground and a Christmas market with a huge array of unusual gifts and festive food. A great place to do your Christmas shopping.
Thirty displays of freshwater and seawater inhabitants, the Lakes Aquarium is great for introducing children to life below the water. It has species such as seahorse, salmon, trout, pike, rays and sharks. The underwater Lake Tunnel is a clear favourite. There’s also a good selection of wild fowl, as well as otters, snakes, tortoises, and a colony of leaf-cutter ants. Combine your visit with a Windermere Lake Cruises boat trip.
The home of the first ever pencil. Derwent Pencil Museum is a fascinating journey from the graphite mine ad cottage industry that it supplied three hundred years ago, to the worldwide enterprise that it is today. There are secret WW2 pencils, hidden maps, an 8 metre coloured pencil and miniature pencil sculptures and various artistic activities. Perfect for budding artists as all children are! Browse the Derwent Fine Art Shop and enjoy refreshments in the café.
Is this real life, or is it just fantasy? The Puzzling Place is a world of Optical Illusion. Five exhibits including three illusion rooms. Anti-gravity Room turns everything on its head. You will be standing at an impossible slant without falling, Balls will roll uphill and water will flow at an impossible angle. The illusions are in the mind but happening to everyone at the same time. Eyelusion Exhibition explores the best optical illusions through interactive exhibits, artwork and sculptures. Grow tall or shrink tiny in the Ames Room or do a 90 degree twist in the Sideways Room. The Hologram Room has 60 holograms or horror-grams that appear to come to life as you change your viewing angle.
A luxury Lake District Spa Hotel nestled on the Windermere shoreline, in the heart of the Lake District National Park
A traditional Lake District coaching Inn near Bowness on Windermere with a reputation for great food & hospitality
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