When is the best time to visit Windermere?
Windermere 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 tourists are returning following the quieter winter months. Windermere is a great place to be in the spring, with plenty going on for a solo or family trip.
Vibrantly coloured spring walks…
Walks around Windermere’s gardens and woodland will provide endless opportunities to spot new wildlife and blooms including daffodils, bluebells and purple orchids. Holehird Gardens and Brockwell House estate are ideal places to explore and spot new blooms during springtime. At Holehird, you can spot the National Collection of Menconpisis, large blue Himalayan poppies at their best in May. Other displays in the Walled Garden are replaced in springtime giving the garden a new fresh and vibrant display of daffodils, tulips, alliums and martagon lilies.
Spring Festivals
A number of festivals take place around Windermere during the springtime including the nearby Kendal Walking Festival in May. Hosted around 20 minutes away from Windermere in Kendal, the festival celebrates walking through a weekend of guided hikes amongst beautiful spring weather and surroundings. A programme of events is listed on the festivals website with over 200 walks taking places lead by experienced guides.
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. Windermere 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. Ferries and launches on Windermere run a more frequent timetable and host summer events and deals including parties and dinners on deck. The surrounding marinas on Windermere re-open for the season offering water sports activities and boat hires.
Camping
Campsites in and nearby Windermere such as Low Wray Campsite re-open for the summer season between March-October. The warmer weather makes camping an ideal way to spend summer nights in Windermere and often the cheapest way, due to hotels and accommodation often peaking in price during this busy time of year.
Summer Festivals
Windermere is an active, lively place during the summertime with the town and nearby areas hosting a range of festivals and events. The Windermere Tango Festival is held in the village during June celebrating the art of dance over three days. The weekend consists of dance workshops and Tango performances by professionals and enthusiasts. In the nearby town of Kendal, the music festival Kendal Calling is a popular summer event, taking place in July with shows from over 250 artists across 13 stages.
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 Windermere 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 near Windermere include Great Knott Wood, Claife Heights and Fell Foot Woods. Orrest Head is also a great autumn hike and stunning viewpoint over the lake, reflecting the season’s colourful hues on the water.
Halloween activities
Windermere 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! Brockhole annually host a ‘Halloween experience’ and ‘Skeletons Parade’ plus a range of activities such as a haunted forest trail, a pumpkin trail, scary shows and ghost storytelling, arts & crafts, a tent of horror and a witches brew and goblin cake making workshop! Brockhole is the place to be during Halloween in Windermere!
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 Windermere is off limits; it’s a great way to explore and enjoy the town without the crowds. Winter in Windermere 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 hills that are particularly beautiful in winter and snow include Orrest Head and Gummer’s How. There’s no need to feel like you’re rushing home after a winter hike, accommodation in Windermere 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 in Windermere. Local pubs including the The Crafty Baa and The Elleray both have cosy, roaring fires to warm up next to with a locally brewed pint and some seasonal pub grub.
Christmas activities
Windermere 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. The Windermere Christmas Celebration is a must-visit event held in Windermere Village on the run-up to Christmas. The event includes ice-skating, live entertainment, brass bands and choirs and market stalls selling gifts, festive food and mulled wine all surrounded by the village’s pretty Christmas lights!