The Lake District, in the North of England, is a beautiful place to visit. Winter can be one of the best times to visit the Lake District, with fewer crowds and beautiful winter scenery. Here’s your ultimate itinerary for visiting the Lake District in winter.
Updated: May 2025
The Lake District is a beautiful part of England. There’s so much to see and do here. I think the Lake District in winter is best – it’s my favourite time to visit the Lake District. There are fewer crowds than the summer, so you can enjoy the peace and tranquillity of the area. The views of the lakes and mountains covered in frost and snow are unbeatable. Even though you might not be able to do many challenging hikes in the Lake District in winter, there’s still lots you can do. So here’s my ultimate itinerary for 5 days in the Lake District in winter.
How to get to and around the Lake District in winter
The Lake District is in the far North of England. To fully make the most of your time visiting the Lake District in winter, 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 like in winter?
Visiting the Lake District in winter can definitely be a slight risk in terms of the weather. Daylight hours are shortest in December, where 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 winter 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 winter 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 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 in the region when visiting the Lake District in winter. 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 in winter:
- 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
Keep reading on page 2 for more of my guide to visiting the Lake District in winter, plus your ultimate itinerary for 5 days in the Lake District in winter.