The Lake District, in the North of England, is a beautiful place to visit. Although many people visit in the summer, it really is a year-round destination. There’s loads to see and do in the Lake District in the winter, and Christmas can be a really magical time to visit. Here’s my guide to visiting the Lake District, UK at Christmas – the ultimate itinerary for 5 days.
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How to get to and around the Lake District, UK
The Lake District is in the far North of England. To fully make the most of your time visiting the Lake District, UK at Christmas, I’d definitely recommend having your own car. Having your own car will give you the freedom to explore the more remote areas as your own pace. Public transport in the Lake District is limited and infrequent. Plus, the daylight hours are low in the winter – so you’ll want to make the most of any daylight hours on your trip and explore the area, rather than wait for buses. So a car is definitely the best option for your winter holiday.
What’s the Lake District, UK like in the winter at Christmas?
Visiting the Lake District, UK at Christmas can definitely be a slight risk in terms of the weather. Daylight hours are short in December, so you’ll generally have daylight from around 8/8.30am until 3.30/4pm. It’s definitely worth getting up early and heading out near the start of the daylight, so you have as much time as possible to explore each day.
The weather in the Lake District in December can be unpredictable and changeable. But it can also be beautiful. I was really lucky to visit during some good weather and had a few beautifully clear, sunny days. It was amazing to see the lakes and mountains in the crisp, clear sun. However, sunny weather in December often means that it’s extremely cold as well. It was well below freezing on my visit, meaning icy roads and frozen lakes. And it also meant I didn’t want to spent too many hours outside because it was just so cold. But the sunny, cold days were my favourite.
Rain is also frequently present in the Lake District at Christmas and all through the winter. Rainy days are often slightly warmer, as there is insulating cloud cover. But low cloud and rain storms can obscure the views of the tops of some of the mountains.
I’d recommend spending several days when visiting the Lake District, UK at Christmas. That way, you’ll have a better chance of having some good weather on your trip. And, unless you’re an experienced winter hiker, I’d recommend not planning any long hikes in the winter. Instead, plan to hop between viewpoints and shorter walks. That way, if the weather suddenly turns bad, you won’t be too far from your car. And then you can drive to the nearest pub to warm up!
Top things to pack for your trip to the Lake District in winter
Check the weather forecast before your trip, to make sure you’ve got all the correct clothes packed. Here are some general ideas of things you might want to take for wintery weather when visiting the Lake District at Christmas.
- Warm, waterproof coat
- Hat, scarf and gloves
- Waterproof overtrousers
- Thermal underwear
- Walking boots – ideally waterproof, and with ankle support
- Jeans, walking trousers, or leggings
- Tshirts, hoodies, and fleece jumpers – anything warm!
- One or two slightly smarter outfits for evenings – jeans are fine for most pubs
- Toiletries and medication
- Map of the area – and a compass if you’re planning to stray from the main trails
- Camera and many memory cards