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 offers something unique and special. The colder months are perfect for brisk strolls in the crisp winter air followed by cosy pub dinners around a log fire. The warmer months offer plenty of sunlight for exploring, food festivals and great conditions for hiking and walking around the fells. No matter what time of year you visit, English weather can be quite unpredictable so make sure you pack warm layers and a rain jacket.

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

When is the best time to visit the Lake District?

The Lake District is gorgeous all year round, but if you'd prefer to have the weather on your side, you should plan your trip between May and September. The valleys are covered in green, colour is everywhere with wildflowers in full bloom and the warmer weather gives you the best chance of experiencing all the Lake District has to offer. The only downside is the bigger crowds who head to the Lake District during the school holiday period to make the most of the good weather, so consider coming on the shoulder season at the end of spring or early autumn if you'd prefer a quieter atmosphere.

Let's take a closer look at what the Lake District has to offer in each season.

Spring

Best for: Easter events, walking, wildflowers

Spring is one of the most romantic times to visit as the cold weather fizzles out and the forests and gardens spring back to life in full glory. Blankets of daffodils and bluebells cover the valleys and you'll see plenty of fluffy baby lambs running around the farmland. During the Easter season, the National Trust puts on some fantastic family events in historic buildings and gardens such as Beatrix Potter-themed Easter egg hunts.

Summer

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

The peak season is from April to October, but things really heat up between July and August when large numbers of tourists head to the Lake District for their summer holiday to enjoy the drier and warmer weather. Walking conditions are excellent and views from the fells seem to go on forever. It's also a great time to enjoy a refreshing dip in the lakes, tarns and rivers. You might want to avoid visiting at this time if you’d prefer to explore the walking trails in solitude. The Lake District's events calendar is in full swing in the summer with food and arts festivals including Lake District Summer Music, Keswick Jazz Festival, Cumbria Sausage Festival and Keswick Beer Festival.

Autumn

Best for: autumn foliage, mountain biking, walking

Autumn is a glorious time to visit when crowds start to thin and forest foliage turns golden. The temperature can drop quite a bit by the end of September and the evenings can be chilly, so make sure you bring a warm coat. Autumn days usually offer great conditions for walking and there’s still plenty of daylight for climbing some of the higher fells. The evenings are cool enough to appreciate the cosiness of the pubs and sit with a brew around an open log fire. By late autumn, it starts getting really damp and windy so take extra care if you’re out walking.

Winter

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

The lower fells usually get a light dusting of snow for 20 days between December to March, but there’s much heavier snowfall at higher grounds with about 65 days of snow. The days are short, cold, wet and crisp, but the scenery is incredible when the skies are clear. Some people say it’s the best time for walking as the snow-covered mountains and frost-topped forests look like a winter wonderland. The villages are beautifully decorated and lit up for Christmas and it's a great time to visit markets and get into the festive cheer. The village tea rooms, cafes and pubs are even more inviting and allow you to appreciate the winter scenery from the comfort of a window with a piping hot cuppa in hand. Other events on the winter calendar include bonfire night, Keswick Victorian Fayre and Carlisle Beer Festival.

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