What to Do in the Lake District in Winter

“The Lake District region and national park are one of England’s most picturesque locations and a popular traveller destination. The area is filled with ribbon lakes, rugged mountains and enchanting literary history.

Even in winter, the Lake District offers endless opportunities for sightseeing and adventure. If you’re planning a winter trip, take a look at these things to do in the Lake District to enjoy your holiday.

Explore the Puzzling Place
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If you’re travelling with the family, the Puzzling Place is a great place for fun with the kids. The entertaining attraction has interactive exhibits and curiosities for all ages, such as puzzles and gadgets, that challenge you to solve these brain teasers. The Puzzling Place also has the World of Illusion, a funhouse-type attraction with a hologram gallery, an anti-gravity room, an illusions exhibition and more. Best of all, the Puzzling Place is free.

Tour the Honister Slate Mine
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The Honister Slate Mine is the only working slate mine in England and is a fascinating historic attraction for a winter trip. During a mine tour, you can go underground to see its workings and learn all about the history of the mine. If you want more adventure and some time outside, you can try the Via Ferrata, a climbing journey that involves scaling a cliff face with a safety harness.

Visit the Armitt Museum
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When the weather gets chilly, the Armitt Museum offers a great escape with fascinating exhibits and artefacts. Founded by Mary Louisa Armitt as a way of stimulating intellect in the area, the Armitt Museum is home to a collection of works by German refugee artist Kurt Schwitters, a library of over 10,000 books on the history of the region and a vast collection of books and paintings from Beatrix Potter.

Marvel at engineering at the Lakeland Motor Museum
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The Lakeland Motor Museum is home to a massive collection of classic cars and other vehicles that chronicle the development of transport in the 20th century. Throughout the museum, you’ll see exhibits like a re-created 1920s garage, a World War II Willys Jeep and a 1913 Star 15.9. The museum also has an exhibit about Sir Malcolm Campbell and his son Donald, who hold many water and land speed records. The museum holds over 30,000 exhibits of cars, motorcycles, pedal cars, bicycles and memorabilia.

Experience the World of Beatrix Potter
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The World of Beatrix Potter is one of the Lake District’s most popular attractions. While visiting, you’ll take a self-guided tour of the exhibition and garden that tell the story of Potter’s writing and local conservation efforts. Kids will love the opportunity to meet the beloved characters from Potter’s little books, such as Peter Rabbit and Benjamin Bunny. You’ll also find a cafe and gift shop.

Venture into White Scar Cave
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If you want thrills in the outdoors, White Scar Cave should be on your list. The hidden subterranean world is one of the longest cave systems in Britain and features many unique natural features such as a glistening waterfall in a subterranean lake, stalagmites and stalactites and other unique natural formations. Many of the formations are believed to have supernatural origins, such as the Devil’s Tongue, a formation on the roof that drips water. The cave has its own folklore, such as the phenomenon of a strange murmuring voice that follows the last guide out of the cave at the end of the tour.

Get close to sea life at Lakes Aquarium
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Located on the southern shore of Lake Windermere, Lakes Aquarium is a great escape from the cold and the perfect place for the kids. The aquarium features aquatic and marine life from virtually every region of the globe, including the Americas, Asia and Africa. There are exhibits on native species in the Lake District and an interactive experience that takes you into the depths of Lake Windermere in an underwater tunnel. With such diverse habitats, a trip to the aquarium puts you up close to species like stingrays, piranha, otters, pufferfish and amphibians like poison dart frogs and skinks.

Visit the Derwent Pencil Museum
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Located in Keswick, the Derwent Pencil Museum is a fascinating museum within a replica graphite mine. The museum showcases the history of graphite and pencils from a cottage industry to modern-day usage. There are plenty of interactive experiences, such as searches for World War II pencils with hidden maps, a massive coloured pencil, miniature pencil sculptures and art workshops. The museum also has a coffee shop and a fine-art retail shop.

See raptors at the Lakeland Bird of Prey Centre
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Found within a walled garden near unspoilt parkland, the Lakeland Bird of Prey Centre is a unique attraction with an array of raptors such as falcons, hawks, buzzards, owls and eagles. During your trip, you can see birds on display in naturalistic aviaries and falconry demonstrations. Before you leave, you can visit the vintage tearoom for homemade cream teas and other dishes.

Ready to plan your trip?
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Even with the crisp winter air, the Lake District has a range of exciting attractions and experiences for all ages. If you’re planning a trip to the Lake District in winter, visit Expedia to check out Lake District hotels and get ready for a memorable retreat.

Looking for more trip inspiration? Take a look at 6 unusual places of interest in the Lake District and things to do for couples in the Lake District.“