Five reasons to visit the Lake District in autumn

Posted on October 29, 2018 | Information

Visitors flock to the Lakes in summer but an autumn trip can be even more enjoyable

1. It’s quieter!
Summer in the Lakes is heavenly – but it can get a bit crowded in the tourist hot spots like Windermere, Bowness and Ambleside. If you’re lucky enough to be able to schedule a visit in the autumn, you’ll not only get to see the region clothed in a mantle of rich red and gold, but you’ll also have a better chance of wandering ‘lonely as a cloud’.

You should be able to take advantage of some tempting out-of-season accommodation deals. So, if you’ve been longing to try out some of the area’s up-and-coming restaurants, or to revisit old favourites, there’s no better time to visit. Expect Lake District specialities made from locally farmed and sourced ingredients.

2. Real pubs with real fires
Most visitors are drawn to the Lakes because of the unrivalled walks. The remarkable landscape of this area has resulted in the Lake District being awarded UNESCO World Heritage Site status, rubbing shoulders with the Great Barrier Reef and Grand Canyon as it takes its well-deserved place on the international stage.

We think that there’s no better end to a bracing autumn walk than taking a seat in front of a roaring fire in one of the Lake District’s characterful pubs. Thankfully, the region is packed with welcoming hostelries, many of which have amazing views to contemplate while you’re sipping a drop of your favourite tipple. Try the hiker’s bar at the Old Dungeon Ghyll in Great Langdale, near Ambleside or The Mortal Man, tucked away in tiny Troutbeck. How about stopping off at the Kirkstone Pass Inn between Ullswater and Ambleside – the highest inn in the county?

3. Early Christmas shopping
OK, so we know Christmas is weeks and weeks away and no one in their right mind is thinking about shopping for presents. But, when you’ve worn your soles out with country walks and maxed out your senses with the achingly beautiful views around every turn, it may just be time to indulge in a little light retail therapy.

The Lake District is famous for is food and drink, as well as arts and crafts, so it’s an excellent opportunity to bag a handful or so of festive gifts before the panic kicks in. If you’re really canny, you can enjoy a day out and return with half your Christmas list ticked off – try Ambleside, Keswick, Cartmel or Kendal for some super independent shops.

4. Foraging for fruit
It’s the perfect time of year to raid the hedgerows for their autumn bounty. The quiet lanes and byways are bursting with seasonal fruits like crab apples, sloes and berries that can be turned into glorious home-made jams, jellies and gins. Do make sure you know exactly what you’re picking – if in doubt, stick to the good old-fashioned blackberry. Whinlatter Forest is a popular picking spot.