When is the best time to visit Penrith?

Penrith 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 Cumbria; lambs are jumping around the fields and fells, daffodils are blooming and tourists are returning following the quieter winter months. Penrith is still a busy place to be in the spring, with plenty going on for a solo or family trip.

  • Vibrantly coloured spring walks… 

Walks around Penrith’s gardens and woodland will provide endless opportunities to spot new wildlife and blooms including daffodils, bluebells and purple orchids. The gardens of Lowther Castle, Dalemain Mansion and Hutton-in-the Forest will be blooming with fresh, colourful spring flowers and are seen at their best during springtime. Acorn Bank is also a teeming with fresh flowers during the springtime.

  • Spring Festivals 

A number of festivals take place in Penrith during springtime, welcoming tourists back to the town following winter and celebrating the return of the warmer months. A great celebrating to get involved with is the Eden Escape Festival in May. The adventure themed festival takes place at Mains Farm on the banks of the River Eden and hosts a range of activities for all the family including wild swimming, fitness classes, trail running, camping, inspirational talks, yoga and various workshops.   The weekend also consists of live music and entertainment alongside street food, bars and adventure films!

  • Summer (June- September)

Summer is the most popular time for visitors to the Lake District and Cumbria with warmer weather, longer days and public holidays encouraging tourists. Penrith is often packed with people during the summertime making it a lively place to be!

  • Outdoor activities

Anything outdoors is best enjoyed when the weather is warm and dry, and lots of outdoor activity centres only host events in the summer. Ullswater is easily accessible from Penrith, with the Ullswater Steamers running a more frequent timetable in the summer, making it easier to explore the area and the lake. To get involved with outdoor activities such as kayaking, boating and ghyll scrambling, there are a range of nearby activity centres and businesses that operate regularly during the summer including Eden Outdoor Adventures, Ullswater Yacht Club, Rookin House, Tall Bloke Adventures and The Outward Bound Trust.

  • - Camping

Campsites around Penrith and Ullswater including Camp Eden are only open during the summer months, re-opening for the season in July. Other campsites including Side Farm Campsite and Gillside Farm re-open for the summer between March and October. The warmer weather makes camping an ideal way to spend summer nights in Penrith and is often a cheap alternative to staying in hotels which are often pricey during the summer holidays.

  • Summer Festivals

Summer is arguably the busiest time of the year in Penrith, which means there are plenty of events and festivals to get involved with! Lowther Castle hosts two summer festivals including the Great British Food Festival in July and the Lowther Show in August. The food festival is perfect for foodies including a range of food and drink stalls, guided foraging walks, chef demonstrations and cookery classes. The Lowther Show is an annual countryside event featuring Horse Carriage Driving Trails and the Lowther Hound Show alongside arena acts, local exhibition stands, crafts and antique fairs and local food and drinks stalls. Nearby Hutton in the Forest also host’s three summer events including Wannasee Music Festival involving a family-friendly weekend of live music in August, Potfest in the Park in July which is a ceramic festival featuring modern ceramics displayed by over 100 exhibitors from around the UK and the Plant and Food Fair in May.

  • 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 coloured hikes…

Hiking around Penrith, the Eden Valley and Ullswater during autumn is a beautiful time, with woodland walks being a great option to display the leaves changing colours alongside some of the grassier fells which showcase stunning purple heather and orange bracken. Some vibrant woodland walks to explore include the 180-acre park and woodlands surrounding Acorn Bank, the forest trails around Hutton-in-the Forest and the Gowbarrow Fell and Aira Force hike.

  • Halloween activities

Penrith is a fun town to be in during Halloween with plenty of things to keep the kids busy during October half term and maybe some scary activities for adults too! The town annually hosts the family-friendly Penrith Halloween Festival including live music and stalls in the market square such as scary face painting, street performers and acts, arts and crafts stalls, pumpkin carving and food and drink stands selling spooky themed treats!

  • Winter (November- February)

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

  • Winter walks…

Although short, dark days are common in winter, local walks can still be enjoyable with an early start, the right kit and skills. Nearby hikes that are particularly stunning after snowfall include walks around Lowther Castle and Dalemain Mansion plus mountain walks nearby Ullswater such as Glenridding Dodd and Place Fell. There’s no need to feel like you’re rushing home after a winter hike too, accommodation in Penrith is often at its lowest price during the winter months, so staying at a cosy hotel for a winters night is more affordable this time of year.

  •  Cosy pubs

Finding a cosy pub with a fire is a great way to end a winter’s day exploring Penrith and the surrounding areas. Local pubs including the General Wolfe, the George Hotel and the Druids Arms are all home to an inviting, roaring fire to cosy up next to with a well-deserved pint.

  • Christmas activities

Penrith is a beautiful, festive town around Christmas time, with plenty of local businesses and shops ideal for Christmas shopping, with a variety of cosy, small cafes and pubs for a mid-shopping coffee or pint. A range of shops extend their opening hours in Penrith from November staying open until 7pm for late night Christmas shopping. In early December, the town hosts an annual event for the Christmas light switch on in the market square which usually includes a special guest, local choirs plus food and drink stands. The Penrith Winter Festival also runs throughout December and includes the arrival of Santa’s Grotto to town, Christmas plays, carol concerts and Christmas markets. 

The nearby Askham Hall and Gardens also hosts a stunning Christmas market with stalls located both in the gardens and the medieval hall, selling a range of produce from local Cumbrian sellers. Father Christmas also makes a special appearance and the café sells seasonal favourites such as mince pies and mulled wine!