So, you’re here to visit The Cumbrian Lake District, and oh my, it’s raining! (I’ll let you in on a secret: it rains a fair bit here the Lakes… if you can believe it…)
Well, now you’re wondering what to do on a rainy day, fear not! Here is my guide for things to do on rainy days in The Lake District.
Embrace a thrilling activity like canyoning: https://www.lakedistrictactivities.co.uk/adventure-days/ghyll-scrambling-gorge-scrambling/
Take a boat tour: boats are covered and a great way to see any of the lakes from a different perspective. An ideal tour on Lake Windermere is Ambleside to Lakeside – there is a car museum at Lakeside that you can visit as part of a ticket deal: https://www.windermere-lakecruises.co.uk/cruises-fares/yellow-cruise-motor-museum
If you have smaller people with you, an alternative may be the aquarium instead of the car museum : https://www.windermere-lakecruises.co.uk/cruises-fares/freedom-of-the-lake-lakes-aquarium
A trip out to the West Coast may bring you some better weather; take a walk between Whitehaven and St Bees… wildflowers, birds and animals inhabit the area all year round, then you could grab some lunch at St Bees.
At Honister, there is a slate mine tour which goes underground, and you can always go to nearby Keswick afterwards for lunch or afternoon tea.
https://honister.com/
Visit the pencil museum in Keswick, afterwards, take a look at some of the many nice shops and cafes around Keswick town centre: https://www.derwentart.com/en-gb/c/about/company/derwent-pencil-museum?srsltid=AfmBOorRg3OJg5jqe-Kj0X8yyl3ctCGwE3AXJdzDVpGs_PwF-ezN4Pl8
Visit Lowther Castle: https://lowthercastle.org/
Holker Hall: award-winning garden outside and superb art and interiors indoors. The cafe serves beautiful food and there’s plenty of indoor seating: https://www.holker.co.uk/
Have a look at the National Trust’s website: Sizergh Castle, Allan Bank, Townend… there’s plenty to see and do both indoors and outside…
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/discover
Do as the locals do and get wet! Ideas include:
Gear up with a waterproof and head for a short walk around Blea Tarn in Great Langdale Valley. It’s beautiful in any weather but especially atmospheric when it’s raining. Afterwards, cosy up and dry off over a hearty meal at one of the Langdale Valley’s pubs: https://www.odg.co.uk/
Go waterfall chasing! The perfect time to do this is when it’s wet…
Here are a few ideas, but check them out first to see if the locations are suitable for you and your group or family because some of them are easier to access than others..
Aira Force, Ullswater
Stanley Ghyll Force, Eskdale
Lodore Falls, Keswick
Ritson’s Force, Wasdale Head
Rydal Falls, Rydal
Tom Gill Waterfall, near Coniston
We also have some great climbing walls which can accommodate all ages! Kendal, Ambleside and Keswick…its a great experience
Movie and Meal…yes yes yes!
There’s great pizza and pasta on offer at Zefferellis in Ambleside. It’s been here for over 40 years. They’re doing something right! You can catch a movie and enjoy a meal before or after!
Note, to save pennies, there is an early bird offer: https://www.zeffirellis.com/movie-deal
And if none of that takes your fancy, you can always just head to the local pub or cafe, eat, drink and smile…
Wonky has no affiliation with any of these links!
