Top 25 things to do in the Lake District, UK in the winter

The Lake District, in the North of England, is a beautiful place to visit all year round. It can be especially stunning in the winter, with fewer crowds and crisp, clear sunny days. Here are the top things to do in the Lake District, UK in the winter

1. Look out over Derwentwater at Surprise View

The first of my top things to do in the Lake District, UK in the winter is to head up to Surprise View to look at the view over Derwentwater. Surprise View is an easily accessible viewpoint in the winter, as it’s only just off the main road, up a short hill. If the road looks icy, you can park at the bottom of the hill and walk up, or park at Ashness Bridge and walk the rest of the way. It really is a stunning viewpoint. The trees just open up to reveal the most stunning view down to Derwentwater, and across the lake to the snow-capped mountains.

2. Take a winter boat trip on Lake Windermere

The boats on Lake Windermere run all through the winter, so it’s the perfect activity on a cold winter’s day. The boats run from Ambleside, at the far north of Lake Windermere, and go down to Bowness on Windermere, which is about halfway down the lake. Lake Windermere boats have inside seating, so you can stay warm, but you can always step outside for some photos of the beautiful snowy scenery.

3. Take photos of Ashness Bridge without the crowds of people

Ashness Bridge is one of the most popular photo spots in the Lake District. In the summer it can be really crowded here. But one advantage of visiting the Lake District in the winter is that there are fewer crowds of people. So you can get beautiful views of places like Ashness Bridge without any people. It’s a lovely area, with views down the river and across to the mountains beyond the bridge.

4. Admire the reflections in the lake at Ullswater

Ullswater is one of my favourite lakes in the Lake District, so it’s definitely one of my top things to do in the Lake District UK in the winter. Try to visit on a calm day when the water is still, so you can enjoy the beautiful reflections in the water. Ullswater is surrounded by impressively tall mountains, making it a beautiful place to relax and admire the views.

5. Feed the friendly robins

Another great advantage of visiting the Lake District in the winter is that the robins are super friendly. If you’re lucky, you might be able to get really close to one for a photo. When it’s really cold, robins fluff up their feathers, trapping air underneath that acts like an insulating layer. This can make them look like cute little balls in the cold weather!

5. Throw stones onto the ice at Derwentwater

You can walk right down to the lake at Derwentwater and stand on the pebbly beach looking out across the water. As well as getting a great view of the mountains beyond the lake, you can also play with the stones and pebbles here, throwing them onto the ice to see how strong the ice is. I definitely wouldn’t risk trying to walk on the ice as it could break, but I was surprised how strong it was when I visited!

6. Browse the shops in Bowness on Windermere

Bowness on Windermere is one of the slightly bigger towns in the Lake District. It’s definitely another of my top things to do in the Lake District, UK in the winter. There are plenty of shops, restaurants and cafes here. Even if the weather is bad, you can still have an enjoyable afternoon browsing the shops in Bowness on Windermere.

7. Eat gingerbread in Grasmere

The village of Grasmere has one important claim to fame. It’s the home of the Grasmere gingerbread. The small gingerbread shop, next to the Church, has been making the original, traditional gingerbread since 1854. It’s definitely worth buying some. It’s so different to the gingerbread you can buy in supermarkets, and a great way to warm up on a winter’s day in the Lake District.

8. Soak in the history at Castlerigg Stone Circle

Castlerigg Stone Circle is another great place to visit in the winter. Dating back over 3000 years, it’s a fascinating historical site. I loved walking around and through the stone circle and just imagining what life would have been like for the people living here all those years ago. The views are stunning up here as well, with impressive mountains all around.

9. Warm up next to a cosy fire in a cute country pub

Being outside in the Lake District in the winter can often be cold, and often wet and rainy as well. At some point in your day, you’re probably going to want to head inside to a pub to warm up. Luckily, there are many pubs to choose from all across the Lake District. Most villages and towns have several pubs, and many have open fires. You can sit next to the fire to warm up after spending time exploring outside, ready for your next adventure outside.

10. Watch Grey Wagtails on the edge of Lake Grasmere

Grasmere lake is a great place for birdwatching. You can stand at the edge of the lake and keep a look out in the trees and down by the lake to see what you can see. I was lucky to spot a Grey Wagtail at the edge of the water, and I really enjoyed watching it hop around as I tried to get a good photo.