We absolutely love winter in the Lake District! Snow-capped fell tops, sparkling lakes, and crisp blue skies, all giving us that rosy-cheeked glow, and a great excuse to indulge in Cumbria’s famous hospitality: food, wine, craft ales, and all that goes with it. This year, travelling to Europe is complicated, and we know how you might be missing the ski season. Well, we can’t promise snow every time, but we can guarantee breathtaking landscapes, with unlimited walks and exercise, and of course, the famous Cumbrian warm welcome.
Here’s a quick round-up of some ideas of things to do:
Theatre by the Lake, Keswick
Travel in time this Christmas with this much-loved children’s classic. Theatre by the Lake is performing Tom’s Midnight Garden.
Tom is sent to stay with his aunt and uncle in a mysterious old house. Bored and itching to go and play, Tom counts the days until he can go home. He hears the grandfather clock strike 13 and sneaks outside to discover a magical garden where he meets Hatty. Together they explore this amazing place. But all is not as it seems in the garden…
Book a special Christmas treat with performances right through to Saturday Jan 15th.
Cockermouth:
This handsome Georgian town, once the childhood home of William Wordsworth and Fletcher Christian, the town is becoming a foodie-destination and the Christmas lights and festivities around all the shops, pubs and restaurants will certainly bring you good cheer. You are also handy for Loweswater, Crummock Water & Buttermere.
Ullswater, Pooley Bridge & Glenridding
These lovely villages have pubs and bars for local mouthwatering food and drink, local shops, and stunning walks. Choose from Aira Force, Helvellyn, and the lakeshore favourite that is Howtown to Glenridding all part of the Ullswater Way. Why not enjoy a trip on one of the Ullswater Steamers from its base here, to get the full atmosphere of this beautiful lake.
Dove Cottage, Grasmere
On Christmas Day it’s Dorothy’s Wordsworth’s 250th birthday!
Book a visit on Wed Dec 22 and join in with a very special celebration at Dove Cottage, Grasmere where she lived and enjoyed many birthdays. For one day only, you can get creative, learn a period dance and have a lot of family fun.
Or explore the exhibition Dorothy Wordsworth: Writer Sister Friend, her story, told in her own words from original manuscripts. More than William’s sister, she was a writer, friend, collaborator, aunt, pioneering walker, local philanthropist, inspiring gardener, and – perhaps most famously – author of the Grasmere journal.
Wordsworth Grasmere is open until 23 Dec, and again from 28 Dec – 1 Jan
Keswick – The ‘capital’ of the North Lakes.
Surrounded by majestic fells whichever way you look, you can enjoy great local shopping, eating, and drinking here, and the award-winning Keswick Market is on twice a week. One of the most dog-friendly towns in the UK your pooch will also be welcome.
You can also enjoy a cruise on the lake with Keswick Launches, or perhaps head up majestic Catbells on the lake, or Skiddaw, the backdrop to the town.
