Kim
07 March 2024
Easter is a lovely time to visit the Lake District. It’s the season of rebirth and renewal and you’ll see it everywhere, from newborn lambs to budding flowers and of course, carpets of daffodils.
Wherever you look, trees are budding, the landscape is changing from its winter garb of brown to fresh green, and the weather is warming up. Spring is palpable in the national park in Easter, which is why it’s one of our favourite times of the year.
If you’re planning a trip to Cumbria this Easter, then check out our selection of Lake District holiday cottages.
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Walking in the Lake District this Easter
The tops of the fells and mountains may well still be covered in snow, but you’ll find plenty of walking at lower levels.
Ullswater and Aira Force
Ullswater at Easter has to be on your list to visit. It was while walking here that Lake District poet William Wordsworth and his sister, Dorothy, happened upon the host of daffodils at Glencoyne Bay that inspired his famous poem. Walk the 20-mile Ullswater Way or pick a smaller section of it and see the beautiful blooms for yourself.
The waterfall, Aira Force, is also worth a visit and is less than 2 miles from the bay. It’s an easy walk to the falls from the Ullswater Steamers’ boat stop and there’s also a National Trust car park nearby.
Buttermere and Loweswater
The circular walk around Buttermere is relatively easy going and just 4.5 miles, so a leisurely pace should see you complete the route in around 3 hours. Neighbouring Loweswater is a good choice for families, with a walk around the lake meandering through woods as well as following the shoreline. Do be aware that there is some on-road walking if you do the full loop. Take a look at our Buttermere cottages.
Derwentwater
Derwentwater too offers a circular walk around the lake. It’s 10 miles, though, so not suited to everybody. But it takes in amazing views, meadows, marshes, bays and ancient woodland. For those who don’t want to walk the full distance, there are eight jetties around the lake so you can walk part of it and catch a boat the rest of the way round. Take a look at our Derwentwater cottages.
Family-friendly Easter walks
Wander around the lake at Grasmere with the family: it’s an easy walk at around 4 miles and the beach at the southern end of the lake is a great location for a picnic.
Or you could opt for the short stroll from Keswick to Friar’s Crag, less than a mile away. There may not be much walking, but this is a beautiful stroll and perfect for prams and those who have less mobility. You’ll be rewarded with amazing views across to the Jaws of Borrowdale. Take a look at our Grasmere cottages.
Country houses and castles to visit this Easter
There are plenty of lovely stately homes and castles to explore during a spring getaway. Plan your Easter escapades at one of these historic houses:
Discover William Wordsworth
William Wordsworth’s house, Dove Cottage, is open to the public. The Wordsworth Museum next door gives an exciting glimpse into his life, with exhibits of his original manuscripts, letters and journals. The poet wrote that his home and its gardens were “the loveliest spot that man hath ever found”.
Wray Castle
Wray Castle, on the north-western shore of Windermere, sits in grounds that are ripe for exploring. Kids can enjoy geocaching, or paddling in the lake, and boats stop at the jetty there, so it’s a great place to hop off during a cruise around the lake.
Brockhole House and Gardens
Arts and Crafts gem Brockhole House and Gardens overlooks Windermere and affords majestic views of the fells, including the Landgale Pikes, beyond. The Gaddum Gallery hosts exhibitions of work by local artists and on the ground floor, a permanent exhibition called The Lake District Story recounts the history of the national park. There's lots to see and do in the grounds, with a pier on the lake for various boating activities.
Blackwell
Blackwell is a stunning example of an Arts and Crafts House and preserves many decorative features of that style, as well as furniture, wall hangings and carvings. The gardens are terraced, offering beautiful views of the countryside and Windermere.
Brantwood House
Brantwood House at Coniston Water was the home of writer, artist and social reformer John Ruskin and is now a museum and exhibition space. The 250 acres of grounds surrounding it include gardens, ancient woodland, fells and meadows, so remember your walking boots.
Hop on a boat for an Easter sail
Taking to the water is a wonderful experience at any time of year.
Take a look at some of these Lake District boat trips for Easter:
- Windermere Lake Cruises operates boats across Windermere every day and by Easter, the summer timetable is in force so there’s more sailings to choose from.
- Opt for a short cruise of 45 minutes, or a longer three-hour cruise. You can even buy a Freedom of the Lake ticket and spend all day hopping on and off boats as the fancy takes you, exploring Ambleside, Bowness and Lakeside as you go.
- The Keswick Launch Company operates similar cruises around Derwentwater and the Ullswater Steamers around Ullswater.
- Alternatively, you can hire a motorboat on Windermere, Ullswater, Coniston and Derwentwater, as well as rowing boats, canoes and kayaks. Permits can also be purchased for boating on Bassenthwaite and Buttermere with your own kayak, rowing boat or canoe.
Family attractions this Easter
Head over to a family-friendly attraction for a fun-filled Easter holiday.Take a look at our family-friendly cottages in the Lake District.
Our favourite family-friendly attractions include:
- The World of Beatrix Potter at Bowness-on-Windermere is a firm favourite with children. They can explore Peter Rabbit’s Garden and meet characters from the author’s much-loved stories. There are also regular events, such as tea parties and craft workshops to keep youngsters entertained. The attraction operates a winter timetable (10am – 4.30pm) until Easter, and then is open until 5.30pm from April.
- One of Beatrix Potter’s former houses, Hill Top at Near Sawrey, is also open to the public and you can see how the beloved author lived and where she thought up many of her book characters.
- For exhilarating fun, check out Zip World Treetop Trek Brockhole on the shores of Windermere. There are high ropes, a climbing wall and a net adventure playground suspended in the trees.
- If the weather’s bad and your climbing plans go out the window, head to the Lakeland Climbing Centre in Kendal. It doesn’t matter if it’s raining outside, experienced climbers can still display their skills, while novices can enjoy an introduction to bouldering, or roped climbing.
Easter events in the Lake District
There are lots of family-friendly Easter events taking place in the Lake District this March and April.
Here are some of the best egg hunts and Easter trails:
- Muncaster Castle in Ravenglass is staging its popular egg hung again this Easter from 29 March until 1 April and families can also follow the Easter Spring Trail through the castle’s gardens. Youngsters can design a shield for their egg before dropping it from the castle roof in the Protect the Egg Workshop.
- Walby Farm Park is organising an Easter Eggs-travaganza and you can visit any time during the Easter holidays from Thursday 28 March until Tuesday 16 April. Ticket prices include all-day entry to the farm, a special Giant Easter Egg Hunt and the opportunity to decorate your own Easter egg. You can even watch lambing in the animal barn and meet the cute baby lambs.
- Explore the Easter trail at Wray Castle and take part in fun activities. You’ll receive an Easter trail sheet, bunny ears and a chocolate egg as a memento of your day. Join the trail from Saturday 23 March until Sunday 7 April.
- Brockhole always hosts an Easter Egg Hunt and last year there was a golden bunny to find, hidden in the grounds. This year the holiday promises to be just as fun-packed and the activities just as egg-citing.
- Explore Wordsworth House and Garden, the childhood home of poet William Wordsworth, with an Easter Egg Hunt. Find and complete the hidden activities along the way in order to claim your chocolate egg. You can also try your hand at Easter crafts any time between Saturday 30 March and Wednesday 10 April.
You'll also find Easter events taking place at National Trust properties throughout the Lake District, take a look at the guide below for more information on the best places to visit.
Lake District cottages for Easter
Roan Wood Cottage
For your home-from-home in the Lake District this Easter, take a look at our holiday cottages in Ullswater, Windermere, Grasmere, Keswick and Buttermere.
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing,
please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.