Close Icon

What a lovely time of year – Spring comes with lighter days, sunshine and showers and blossom in the trees, spring flowers and lambs in the field.

We have such beautiful landscapes, gardens and places to visit in the county, you’ll be spoilt for choice, whatever the weather.

Read on to find out more about what’s on around Cumbria during Spring …

Our Favourite Gardens:

Our spring gardens are full of bulbs, daffodils, and later on, bluebells and blossom.

  • Holehird, near Windermere is run entirely by volunteers, and with open days and talks.
  • Hill Top garden at Far Sawrey is as near to how Beatrix Potter would have kept in when she lived in the village – informal and typical English cottage-garden style.
  • Acorn Bank at Temple Sowerby, near Penrith has a famous walled herb garden, orchard and fruit, and at this time of year swathes of daffodils all over the estate. They also have a Spring Walk until May.
  • Brantwood at Coniston has a series of unusual and experimental gardens laid out by John Ruskin who lived here from 1871 – 1886, with a magnificent display of field daffodils in early spring.
  • Holker Hall near Cartmel is the home of the Cavendish family, with fabulous spring gardens to wander in, a labyrinth and cafe and shopping in the courtyard. You’ll also find local produce, food and craft items in the courtyard, and a spring festival, Saturday 7th May 2022 & Sunday 8th May 2022. 

    Holker Hall Gardens in spring. c Holker Hall

Get out on a walk:

So much to choose from, a lazy amble around a lake, or a high fell climb we’ve got it all.

Moderate family walks include Tarn Hows, Easdale Tarn, Wray Castle and the shores of Windermere; around Grasmere & Rydal, and perhaps up onto Loughrigg;   footpaths along the shores of Ullswater,  Derwentwater. 

Check out some National Trust walks here

If  you love a waterfall, we reckon Aira Force on Ullswater,  is one of the most beautiful settings in the UK.  For an easy stroll up from Ambleside, try the waterfalls up to Stock Ghyll Force Waterfall and across High Sweden Bridge.

Take a boat trip:

All our boats are up and running (in fact some of them run all year round). Choose from Windermere Lake CruisesUllswater SteamersConiston Launch, or Steam Yacht Gondola (also on Coniston).

Ullswater Steamer

…Or a train trip

La’ll Ratty, or the Ravenglass railway along the west coast is one of the most scenic in England with 7 miles of spectacular scenery. Nearer to Windermere is the Lakeside & Haverthwaite steam railway, which travels a short, but exhilarating distance from Backbarrow up to Lakeside on the east shore of Windermere.

Indulge yourself:

Cumbrian food and drink is some of the best in the UK –  the hardest thing will be choosing where to go.  Whether you want warming home-made pub food; Michelin-star restaurants; sticky toffee pudding or Cumberland sausage – a cosy cafe or bistro, or even a sandwich to take away – we’ve got it all!  Check out our blogs about top pubs and cafes. for some ideas.

Go lamb spotting:

We love our sheep! Swaledale, Rough Fell, Lowland Mule and of course Herdwick – even Suffolks and Texel sheep – they all lamb at different times, and the Herdwicks are usually the latest – end of April and sometimes May.

Herdwick Sheep

Herdwick Sheep

Spring events:

Damson Day in the Lyth valley is an ancient local festival which celebrates the delicious damson in all its forms – Jam, Gin, pies and and crumbles are made from last years crop. It’s always held in April to acknowledge the blossom starting to show on the trees – look out for the frothy tiny white blossoms as you pass through the valley.

The Holker Spring Fair will bring together a fine selection of home, food, garden and gift exhibitors set in our bustling Courtyard and Piazza. Discover a spring showcase of delicious artisan food, glorious flowers and plants and beautiful handmade gifts alongside lively entertainment and the return of the Fun Dog Show!

 

Don’t wait around ! Check out our availability for Spring lodges here