When is the best time to visit Ennerdale Bridge?

Ennerdale is a beautiful place to visit all year round, however there are pros and cons depending on which season you visit…

  • Spring  (March- June)

Spring is a beautiful season in the Lake District; lambs are jumping around the fields and fells, daffodils are blooming and spring walks around Ennerdale are particularly beautiful…

  • Spring Hikes

Ennerdale is part of ‘Wild Ennerdale’; one of the longest running wild land restoration projects in the UK. Hikes around Ennerdale’s woodland during springtime reveals evidence that the plan in the valley to allow native species to re-naturalise the former conifer plantation is working. Spring flowers bloom from the dark forest floor and Ennerdale’s Galloway cattle return from the forest with their young. The areas black cows are vital for working the land and creating new open glades and microclimates that enable spring flowers such as violets, wood anemones and primroses to flourish on the land. A walk around Ennerdale in the spring may involve spotting new calves, red squirrels and fresh spring blooms!

- The community hub at the Gather Café often host spring events and workshops with past spring activities including spring wreath making, art exhibitions and poetry readings.

  • Summer (June- September)

Summer is the most popular time for visitors to the Lake District with warmer weather, longer days and public holidays encouraging tourists. Ennerdale is an ideal place to escape the crowds in the summer, as the valley tends to remain relatively quiet all year round!

  • Outdoor activities

Anything outdoors is best enjoyed when the weather is warm and dry! Although Ennerdale doesn’t have any outdoor activity centres, you can host your own activity days through launching your own kayak or canoe on Ennerdale Water. Hiking around Ennerdale is also a popular summer activity, visiting neighbouring fells such as Great Gable, Haystacks, Crag Fell, Great Borne, Green Gable, Haycock, High Crag, Pillar, Red Pike and Scoat Fell.

  • Camping

Ennerdale’s nearest campsite Fearon Place is only operates during the warmer months, re-opening during April- October. The warmer weather makes camping an ideal way to spend summer nights in Ennerdale and is often the cheapest way, due to hotels and accommodation often peaking in price during this busy time of year.

  • Summer Festivals

Ennerdale is a small, remote valley meaning there isn’t an abundance of summer festivals and events going on, however Ennerdale’s usually quiet valley is likely at its busiest during the last week of August when the Ennerdale Show takes place. The event brings local people and visitors together with agricultural displays, competitions and arts & crafts stalls and activities.

  • Autumn (September-November)

Autumn is a beautiful time in the Lake District, with summer crowds disappearing and autumn leaves falling, its time for wild, wrapped up walks, cosy pubs, hot chocolates and Halloween activities…

Autumn hikes

  • Ennerdale is home to one of Cumbria’s largest expanse of woodland, making autumn a beautiful season to explore the valley. The woodland boasts stunning autumnal colours with crispy, orange leaves blanketing the forest floors and red and yellow hues reflecting upon the rivers and Ennerdale Water. There’s over 20 miles of woodland trails to keep you busy during this beautiful season. Finish off your hikes with a warming hot chocolate at the Gather Café or a refreshing pint beside the fire at the Fox and Hounds. 

  • The Gather café is more than just a tearoom… it is also a community hub hosting all different kinds of events all year around. For autumn time, the centre launches music nights, film clubs and fun Halloween activities including arts and crafts and dress up to keep the kids entertained during October half term.

  • Winter (November- February)

Winter is likely the quietest time of year in the Lake District with closed amenities and cold weather keeping many tourists away. This doesn’t mean that Ennerdale is off limits; it’s a great way to explore and enjoy the valley and village without the crowds. Winter in Ennerdale can mean stunning snowy hikes, cosy pubs with a roaring fire and festive Christmas days…

Historic Hikes

  • Winter walks around Ennerdale often reveal secrets that summer growth hides. When the bracken has died, the archaeological sites in the Ennerdale valley show up most clearly. The Smithy Beck settlement is a series of remains aging over 600 years old and are often hidden under the plants and bracken in summer time. Take a stroll along the forest paths and river banks this winter and see what history you can discover. Keep an eye out for the heards of Galloway cattle too; they are often big and fluffy during the colder months, showing off their winter coats! Other winter wildlife to spot during the quieter seasons include red squirrels, deer and herons. After a long day of wildlife spotting, warm up beside the cosy fires and fill your belly with ale and home cooked food in the Fox and Hounds Inn and The Shepherds Arms. 

Christmas activities 

  • The Gather centre host an annual Christmas Art & Crafts fair towards the end of November, selling locally crafted Christmas decorations and gifts! The centre also holds Christmas Pantomime performances alongside many more exciting Christmas themed activities. 

  • Ennerdale Craft Brewery serves a beautiful Christmas menu at their bistro consisting of a classic Christmas Lunch alongside other seasonal dishes all created using local produce.