Common Lake District Questions and Answers
Thinking of visiting the Lake District but not sure where to start? Planning on making your escape to the Lakes but no idea how to choose a destination? Read on for some of our answers to some of the most common questions visitors have when booking a Lake District holiday.
When is the best month to go to the Lake District?
If you’re looking for sunshine, then May and June are statistically the sunniest and driest months of the year to visit the Lake District.
If you’re on a budget then the best bargains are to be found during winter. November and January can be the cheapest times to visit the lakes. Another advantage of visiting this time of year are there are fewer crowds, and you can often feel you have the footpaths and mountains to yourself. The disadvantage is, you’ve guessed it, the weather. You may not fancy going wild-swimming in an icy mountain tarn during February. But on the plus side – you may find the summits are topped with snow, making the Lakes look even more magical than it does the rest of the year.
And finally, many people say that October is their favourite time to visit the Lake District due to the stunning autumnal colours burnishing the Lakeland fells and valleys in vivid reds, oranges and yellows.
Where should I go for the first time to the Lake District?
If it’s your first visit to the Lake District then our best advice is to stay somewhere central. That way, all the best bits of the Lake District are within easy reach. If you stayed on the fringes, or outside the National Park, then it would be harder to visit all the must-see places during your stay. Keswick, Ambleside, Windermere, Hawkshead and Coniston are all central Lake District locations where you have lots to do locally but also have the rest of the Lakes within easy reach.
What is the best base for the Lake District?
Not sure which part of the Lake District is the best to stay?
Where you choose to base your Lake District holiday can have a big impact on your stay. And where is best depends on what you want to do most while you’re visiting.
If you’re looking a bustling market town with lots of shops and pubs but with access to a lake and mountains, then the vibrant town of Keswick, with its busy high street, plethora of pubs and regular markets is a great base.
If you’re looking for lively nightlife, with a plentiful selection of places to eat and drink, then Bowness is a really good option.
If you’re coming by train, then Windermere has the only train station within the National Park, and with lots of connecting bus services to transport you round the Lakes it’s the go-to place for those exploring the Lake District via public transport.
If you’re looking for a quieter village, with direct access to the fells plus a lake for water-sports, paddle-boarding or cruising, then Coniston is an excellent choice. It also has some impressive waterfalls just a short walk from the village centre as well as being the started point for iconic walks such as Coniston Old Man.
Can I stay in the mountains in the Lake District?
Yes you can. If you’re looking to really get away from it and experience a true Lake District adventure, but camping isn’t for you, then are some great mountain-based accommodation choices. Coppermines Valley near Coniston has some great mountain accommodation on offer including self-catering cottages with hot tubs. If you’re on a budget, then staying in a Shepherd Hut can be a great cost-effective alterative. The Coniston Shepherd Hut Lodges have their own private bathrooms and kitchens and are located at the foot of the mountains with waterfalls close by, so they offer an authentic Lake District experience without costing the earth.
What’s the nicest town in the Lake District?
Hawkshead is one of the prettiest villages in the Lake District. It also has links to Beatrix Potter and offers Potter themed gift shops, art galleries & delis as well as some lovely cafes and traditional Lakeland pubs.
Grasmere is another picturesque village in the Lakes. Home to Wordworth’s Dove Cottage and the famous Grasmere Gingerbread it’s a quintessential Lakeland village with slate houses, babbling river and pretty church.
Ambleside, at the northern end of Lake Windermere, has the much-photographed Bridge House as well as the popular Apple Pie bakery and lots of shops and pubs to explore.
Coniston is smaller and quieter than Ambleside but also has a lakeshore with lots of public access points and excellent hiking straight from the village. It’s also home to The Black Bull Inn, consistently topping polls for the best pubs in the Lake District.
