Best time to visit the Lake District

One of the great things about the Lake District is that it’s beautiful all year round. Sure, some seasons are better for certain activities, but every season is special in its own way. If you want good weather (or a chance of it), plan your trip between June and August. The valleys are covered in green, wildflowers are in full bloom and there's plenty of daylight to explore.

The Lake District is busier in the summer due to the UK school holidays, so consider coming during a shoulder month (May or September) if you'd prefer fewer people on the trails.

Winter is also a beautiful time of year with snow-dusted fells, especially on a clear day. Just make sure you rug up! No matter when you visit, pack warm layers and a rain jacket as English weather is unpredictable.

Average temperatures in the Lake District

Month	Average high (°C)	Average low (°C)
January	4	-3
February	4	-3
March	6	-1
April	9	0
May	13	2
June	15	5
July	17	7
August	16	7
September	13	5
October	10	2
November	6	0
December	4	-2

Spring (March-May)

Best for: Easter events, walking, wildflowers

Spring is a pretty time of year as forests and gardens come back to life. Daffodils and bluebells blanket the valleys and you'll see plenty of baby lambs running around the fields. During the Easter holiday, the National Trust puts on some fantastic family events in historic buildings and gardens, such as Beatrix Potter-themed Easter egg hunts, so be sure the check them out.

Summer (June-August)

Best for: walking, hiking, food and art festivals, wild swimming

Summer offers the best walking conditions. On a clear day, the ;views from the fells seem to go on forever. It's also a great time to swim in the lakes, tarns and rivers. The Lake District's events calendar is in full swing with food and arts festivals, including Lake District Summer Music, Keswick Jazz Festival, Cumbria Sausage Festival and Keswick Beer Festival. July and August are the peak months as tourists flock to the District for their summer holiday... we don't blame them!

Autumn (September-November)

Best for: autumn foliage, mountain biking, walking

Crowds start to thin and forest foliage turns golden. The temperature can drop quite a bit by early October and the evenings can be chilly, so make sure you pack appropriate attire. Autumn still offers enough daylight to climb some of the higher fells and the evenings are cool enough to appreciate the cosiness of the pubs. By late autumn, it starts getting really damp and windy so take extra care if you’re out walking.

Winter (December-February)

Best for: cosy pub evenings, Christmas markets, magical winter scenery

The lower fells usually get a light dusting of snow between December to March, but there’s heavier snowfall at higher elevations. The days are short, cold and wet, but the scenery is incredible when the skies are clear with snow-covered mountains and frost-topped forests that look like a winter wonderland.

Come December, the villages are beautifully decorated and lit up for Christmas with plenty of markets and festive events, including bonfire night, Keswick Victorian Fayre and Carlisle Beer Festival. If it's too rainy to go walking, take refuge in one of the many cafes or pubs and enjoy some Northern hospitality.

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