Renowned for its drizzly weather, its important that you plan for things to do in the Lake District when it rains, just in case!
With an average of 200 wet days a year, the weather in Cumbria certainly isn’t boring. The phrase ‘all four seasons in one day’ applies here much of the time, and we never let a rainy day stop play.
We’ve compiled a handy list of things to do in the Lake District when it rains below. Keep reading to discover our favourite activities…
1. Indulge in a spot of retail therapy
Windermere, Bowness, Ambleside and Kendal are brimming with shopping opportunities, perfect for a mooch whatever the weather.
These bustling town centres are each lined with independent boutiques, high-street stores and cosy eateries. There’s lots of wonderful places to shelter from the elements!
Spend a few hours perusing the stores in search of a keepsake or gift to take home before retiring to a cafe to warm up with a steaming cup of coffee.
2. Soak in the sights of some of the Lake Districts best waterfalls!
Despite the wet weather, a two-foot adventure to discover some of the Lake Districts best waterfalls promises an experience like no other.
These wonderful waterfalls only seem to get better on a rainy day, with glistening waters cascading at extra force.
We recommend Stock Ghyll Falls and Aira Force, each reached by colourful woodland trails and rewarding visitors with truly enchanting views.
Board a heritage steam train at Haverthwaite Railway Sation and enjoy a scenic journey through the countryside to Lakeside, at the southern tip of Lake Windermere.
A short but sweet journey, you’ll take a step back in time to the steam age aboard the Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway. What’s better, your four-legged friends are welcome to join you for the ride free of charge!
Departing at Lakeside, you can continue your journey aboard a Windermere Steamer, traveling to Bowness or Ambleside, or enjoy the journey back to Haverthwaite.
4. Discover marine life at the Lakes Aquarium
Idylically positioned on the shores of Lake Windermere, the Lakes Aquarium is a family-friendly activity to enjoy when you’re stuck on what to do in the Lake District when it rains.
With more than 30 naturally themed habitats and hundreds of species, the Aquarium of the Lakes tells the story of the natural history of the Lake District.
Be sure to visit between 10:30am and 3pm, where you can catch sight of the friendly otters at feeding time.
This Lake District attractions offers a combined ticket with the Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway, so you can be sure to make the most of the Lake District in the rain.
Situated in Backbarrow, the Lakeland Motor Museum promises a facinating day out for motoring enthusiasts. And sitting within a converted mill, this is one of our favourite things to do in the Lake District when it rains.
Boasting a collection of over 30,000 exhibits, this popular Lake District attraction traces road transport history throughout the 20th century.
If you’re interested in vintage vehicles or finding out more about Donald Campbell’s Bluebird, you’ll be absorbed for hours here.
You can combine your ticket to the Lakeland Motor Museum with a cruise on Lake Windermere or a journey aboard the Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway.
6. Set sail on Lake Windermere or Ullswater
No trip to the lakes would be complete without a visit to its iconic bodies of water, and a rainy day wont stop these cruises from setting sail.
Ullswater Steamers and the Windermere Lake Cruises each offer magnificent tours, allowing guests to take in the surrounding beauty from a different persepective.
There are daily sailings from Bowness and Glenridding piers, with sheltered seats aboard to help shelter from the rainy weather.
7. Lose a few hours at the Rheged Centre
A short distance from Penrtih, the Rheged Centre is an award-winning, family-friendly, indoor day out. A haven of shops, eateries, art galleries and exhibitions along with a huge IMAX and 3D cinema, there’s plenty to see and do here!
Offering an alternative from the traditional experience, the cinema shows live streamings of theatre and ballet, along with the lastest blockbuster hits.
Run by the Westmorland Family, managers of renowned Tebay Services, the food halls are brimming with fresh, local produce. Great food is a given!
Popular on a wet day, the Rheged Centre is arguably one of the best things to do in the Lake District in the rain.
Its just a hop, skip and a jump to see Peter Rabbit, Jemima Puddleduck, Mrs. Tiggy-winkle and all their friends at the World of Beatrix Potter attraction.
Take a seat in the cosy film room, where you can learn more at the famous author and her character, or step through the interactive exhibit of Johnny Town-mouse and Hunca Munca.
If it’s only drizzling, step outside to find the Peter Rabbit Naturally Better Garden, where you can jump into the scenes of one of Potter’s famous stories, or seek shelter in the green house or potting shed if it’s too wet.
The inhouse cafe is a wonderful way to while away an extra hour or two. Indulge in a spot of afternoon tea, or appease the little ones with a tasty picnic basket!
It’d be rude not to finish off with a slice of Peter Rabbit’s freshly baked carrot cake.
If you’re wondering what to do in the Lake District when it rains, you need not look any further than a trip to Zeffirellis.
Comprising of an award-winning vegetarian restaurant, a multi-screen cinema and a jazz bar, there’s plenty to keep you entertained!
Enjoy a pre-movie dinner and choose from a menu of pizza, pasta, antipasti and insalata before catching a blockbuster hit at one of 5 cinema rooms.
If music is your thing, there’s a contemporary Jazz bar showcasing live music performances on Fridays and Saturdays. There’s even a joint meal and music offer available at £22.5o per person. You can find more information on this incredible deal here.
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10. Take a step back in time at The Armitt
The Armitt is a wonderful museum, gallery and library brimming with a superb collection of books, manuscripts, drawings and paintings, along with facinating memorabilia and archaeological objects.
Learn more about some of the most iconic Lake District characters, including Beatrix Potter and Canon Hardwicke Rawnsley.
Whether you’re a history buff or someone eager to learn more, The Armitt is the perfect place to visit when it rains in the Lake District.
An activity for any weather, a visit to the Honister Slate Mines is one to add to the list of things to do in the Lake District when it rains.
There’s a number of different adventures to be had here, each a little more exhilirating than the other.
Enjoy a fully guided tour through the 450-million-year-old volcanic green slate mine, or if you’re brave enough, complete the vertical climb through the cathedral sized cavern.
Not for the faint of heart, there’s a number of outdoor activities if you fancy battling with the elements. Get out on the fellside and experience the Via Ferrata, which is quite literally, breathtaking, or cross the infinity bridge set 1,000 above sea level.
12. Explore the four walls of Hill Top House
Jump aboard the ferry and depart at Near Sawrey to see the house that made world-renowned author Beatrix Potter famous.
Owned by the National Trust, Hill Top House has been open to the public for 70 years on the wishes of Beatrix herself.
The house contains hundreds of faciniating items of furniture and collectibles, each outlining the life of the author, and is very much in the state in which it was left.
Whilst you’re here, you’ll also be able to have a peek into Mr McGregor’s garden, restored to its former glory by head gardener Pete Tasker.
As the name might suggest, the Theatre by the Lake is a wonderful theatre sitting on the shores of Lake Windemere.
This popular Lake District attraction is perfect for missing the worst of the weather, with productions typically lasting an hour or two.
The theatre has two performance spaces: the main house and the studio. The smaller studio offers a more intimate experience, whilst the auditorium in the main house seats a staggering 389 guests.
14. Marvel at the Gothic Revival architecture of Wray Castle
The second National Trust property on our thing of things to do in the Lake District in the rain, a tour of Wray Castle is a must in the wet weather.
Although the interior is realively empty, much is left to the imagination at Wray Castle. Lose track of time fantasising about the families that once lived here, learning of their history through the artefacts and portraits that remain.
Should the weather brighten, there’s well-kept informal gardens and lakeside walks leading from the castle grounds.
15. Test your strength at an indoor climbing wall
Little ones climbing the walls at home whilst you’re stuck on ideas for things to do in the Lake District when it rains? Visit the Ambleside, Kendal or Keswick adventure centres and try your hand at something new.
Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned climber, an indoor climbing wall is a wonderful way to spend the day when the weather outside is less than ideal.
You’ll find a cafe in each of these adventure centres, providing fuel for the days activities!
This popular attraction sits in the coastal town of Maryport, and is a great choice for what to do in the Lake District when it rains.
There’s over 75 facinating displays of marine life to see here, and you can watch the fish being fed at 12, 2 and 3pm daily.
An aquarist will be on hand to share some fishy facts and answer any aquarium-related questions that you might have!
If the rain holds off, there’s a 14-hole mini golf course and an adrenalin-filled adventure playground to enjoy outside. If not, there’s a cosy cafe indoors overlooking the harbour. Warm up with a cup of coffee as you soak in the views across the Solway to Scotland.
Don’t let a rainy day spoilt your fun. Get wrapped up warm in your wet weather gear and get out and about.
And with our hand-picked guide on the best things to do in the Lake District when it rains, you’re sure to keep entertained, whatever the weather.
Browse our wonderful collection of Lake District lodges and secure your perfect getaway! And for more ways to spend your time in the lakes, give our guide on Lake District National Trust Properties You Must Visit a read!
Images courtesy of: Christine Matthews – (CC BY-SA 2.0); Christopher R Ware – (CC BY-SA 2.0); Ann Lee – (CC BY-SA 2.0); Richerman – (CC BY-SA 3.0)
This blog has been updated based on original content by Lake District Lodge Holidays
