Autumn in the Lake District is a wonderous time. The uninterrupted views across the hilltops give way to a darkened sky, crisp and cool air, and heather-grey clouds threatening the usual English weather for this time of year. But the weather shouldn’t be a reason to not take a trip to the Lake District; in fact, the colder and wetter weather is the reason you should go. Less people venture out for short trips and holidays in England during the rainy season, and in our humble opinion, visiting the Lake District in autumn is better than visiting in summer.
Quiet freedom
As we mentioned, there are less people. There are also less children running around, too. Kids are great, but they will be at school during this time of year, which means the whole area is quiet and peaceful. It’ll take you a while to run into anyone who isn’t a regular Lake District visitor while you’re out hiking, and you won’t be struggling to find a parking space.
Autumn events
From Beer Festivals to Bonfire Nights, Fireshows to Winter Markets, this time of year is absolutely atmospheric in the Lake District. Bonfire Night is a staple event of autumn throughout England, so we’ve found some information on a few different places you can go:
November 2nd 2019: Guy Fawkes Night Party, Beech Hill Hotel & Spa, Windermere. Cost is £49 per person, which includes food and entertainment.
November 2nd – November 3rd 2019: Firework Night, Lowther Castle & Gardens, Penrith. Cost is £10 for adults, £8 for children ages 3 – 15, and free for under 3s and carers on either day.
November 5th 2019: Bonfire Night, Wainwrights’ Inn, Ambleside. There’s no information about tickets, but the Inn will be serving food and there’s an outside bar.
There are, of course, plenty of annual firework shows all over the Lake District. Many football and rugby clubs host them, as well as various inns, schools, hotels, and even some of the castles in the area.
Fruity creations
Early autumn is a great time to pick various berries and fruits that are great for making homemade jams. Blackberries are easy to find and recognise, so even a kitchen novice could safely pick those. Both Whinlatter Forest and White Moss around Grasmere are popular blackberry spots. October is a little later than usual for foraging these delicious berries, but they’ll still be good if you can find some.
Relax by the fire
Spend an evening in a cosy Lake District pub, or spend the day staring out of the windows of a small café. Whichever suits you, you’ll find plenty of these types of places in the Lake District. As the weather turns colder, inns and pubs start up their fires for the long winter ahead, and even if you don’t drink, there’s nothing more relaxing than reading a book by an open fire. It’s the perfect end to a cold autumn day in the midst of the quiet hills.