Britain’s Lake District is the land of mountains and lakes, enjoyed by William Wordsworth, John Ruskin, Beatrix Potter and many other famous and prolific names.
It’s a great place for a holiday or minibreak and even better in wintertime, as you don’t have to tackle huge crowds. Follow our guide to great wintertime activities in the Lake District and you’ll know exactly where to head to to have the best trip possible!
Visit the Pencil Museum in Keswick…
Journey through the history of pencils in this fascinating and fun museum. Legend has it that graphite, the key ingredient to pencils, was discovered in the town in the late 1500’s after storms uprooted trees and uncovered this mysterious dark material. Today at the museum you can learn all about the story of pencils, see the world’s largest pencil and visit the drawing zone afterwards. There you’ll find activity sheets and a whole range of pencils for adults and kids alike to use and enjoy. And if you don’t fancy joining in (which plenty of adults do!) there’s a lovely café where you can sit and watch whilst sipping a cappuccino.
Journey through the Laurel and Hardy Museum in Ulverston…
The small market town of Ulverston is proud of its connection to the famous comedy duo Laurel and Hardy. This pride is made clear through the love and care put into the Laurel and Hardy Museum. From photos and memorabilia, to film clips you’ll find everything here to excite everyone from the most ardent enthusiast, through to those just wishing to learn a little more about this famous twosome. There’s a gift shop too and a whole range of cafes nearby where you can get a good coffee- we recommend the Hot Mango.
Take a trip to Brantwood House, Coniston, home of John Ruskin…
It’s worth visiting this place just for the view from the terrace- though we can assure you there is much else to draw you there as well. Brantwood House is a living time capsule back to the time of the Arts and Crafts movement. There are often exhibitions, concerts and courses taking place and other special events too so take a look before you go and get the most out of your trip. Jumping Jenny’s café in the stable yard is a great place to take afternoon tea, or to have a coffee with a generous slice of cake.
Go to the Lakeland Climbing Centre in Kendal…
If the weather doesn’t allow you to be outside but you still fancy a bit of adventure why not take a trip to the indoor climbing centre in Kendal? They have a wide variety of routes and walls to choose from, with an 18m wall, two separate bouldering areas and a beginner’s area. As this is a favourite with the local climbing community the routes are changed regularly to keep it fresh for everyone. The staff are always on hand to help out and there are drinks snacks and wifi available in the café.
If you are looking for a break in the Lake District and haven’t yet found anywhere to stay look for late availability cottages online. The Lakes has so much to offer at this time of year, so go for it and enjoy!