Ed / Julie
10 March 2020
For that special Easter getaway, the Lake District offers an exciting playground for both adults and children. Spring is in full swing, with daffodils and blue bells in the fields and woods, the trees are green with leaves once more and the weather clement. It’s a lovely time of year to explore one of the most fantastic regions in the British Isles.
Outdoor Adventures
There are mountains and fells to climb, forests to conquer and lakes to play in, on and around. Picnic on a tranquil lake-shore or high craggy fell top. Take to the water in a hire boat, or perhaps sail leisurely on one of the larger lakes on the National Park’s famous steamboats.
Waterfalls
Scale Force Waterfall, located part way up Scale Fell on the south-west banks of Crummock Water
See a waterfall that plunges sixty feet into a rock pool, a mountain ridge as sharp as knife, or drive along a high Winding Mountain pass that rivals any roller coaster ride. Try tree top trekking and forest mountain biking, or simply enjoy a leisurely walk around one of the smaller picturesque waters such as Tarn Hows or Blea Tarn.
- Aira Force is one of the most visited waterfalls in the Lake District with water cascading down an impressive 65-foot drop
- Walking along the tumbling Tom Gill stream is an alternative way to reach Tarn Hows from Coniston and there's a couple of very pretty waterfalls along the way
- Scale Force is the highest waterfall in the Lakes and is tucked away in a tree-lined gorge near Lake Buttermere.
Take a look at our guide to ten pretty waterfalls in the Lake District and decide which ones to visit this Easter.
Walking in the Lake District
There's an abundance of scenic Lake District walking routes to try for Easter whether you fancy tackling the Old Man of Coniston or taking a scenic stroll along the shores of Lake Windermere.
- Ullswater East Shore is a wonderfully scenic route and this area was the inspiration for William Wordsworth's Daffodils
- Grizedale Forest is filled with dog-friendly walking trails that range from family-friendly strolls to more challenging hikes
- Monk Coniston to Tarn Hows takes in two bodies of water and can be combined with a trip on the historic Steam Yacht Gondola
For more inspiration take a look at ten of our favourite Coniston routes and our guide to some of the best walks to try in the Lake District.
Dog-friendly Lake District
With acres of National Park countryside for four-legged friends to explore and lots of dog-friendly pubs where you can call in for refreshments, the Lake District makes a perfect getaway for canine companions.
- Dogs are welcome aboard on most Lake District boats including the Steam Yacht Gondola, Windermere Lake Cruises and the Coniston launch.
- Four-legged friends can explore the gardens of Lowther Castle and Muncaster Castle as well as taking a trip on the historic Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway.
- Dog-friendly Lake District pubs include The Flying Pig in Windermere, Coniston's Red Lion and The Golden Rule in Ambleside.
Read our dog-friendly guide to the Lake District to discover lots of things to do this Easter with your doggy in tow.
Easter Events in the Lake District
Look out for Easter parades and Easter egg hunts for the children at some of the most popular visitor attractions. There are a number of National Trust sites in the Lake District worth visiting during the Easter holidays with trails, activities and Easter egg hunts taking place within their grounds.
Take part in a Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt around the grounds of Sizergh Castle each day from the 9 - 13 April. There are also a number of outdoor challenges to tackle as part of this National Trust site's 'Spring Adventure'.
The egg hunt moves on to Windermere from the 14 - 17 April and children can follow a trail a clues around the grounds of Wray Castle to win a Cadbury chocolate egg. Arrive at the castle by boat for the perfect spring day out.
Enjoy a range of Easter events at Brockhole, a Lake District National Park centre on the shores of Lake Windermere. Children can take a pony ride through the extensive grounds, decorate some special Easter eggs, take part in a mini-beast nature hunt and track down some mischievous Herdy sheep that have gone missing from the Brockhole shop.
Children can bring along their teddies to gain free entry to Muncaster Castle from the 10 - 13 April. There will be lots of family-friendly activities taking place at this popular Lake District attraction including face painting, a special Easter trail and the famous Muncaster Giant Easter Egg Hunt with an array of chocolate goodies to be found within the grounds.
Springtime in the Lake District
Spring is in the air during the Easter holidays and there's lots to enjoy in the Lake District during this wonderful season.
- Grab some Grasmere Gingerbread and enjoy a perfect picnic on the shores of Tarn Hows
- Visit the stunning gardens at Holker Hall near Cartmel
- Find little versions of some of the Lake District's most well-known buildings at the Lakeland Miniature Village.
Springtime is also the season when the Lake District's famous bluebell woods start to bloom and the Rannerdale fell is awash with the pretty purple flowers.
The Lake District is filled with characterful gastropubs, cosy cafes, and excellent bistros that feature lots of local, seasonal ingredients on the menu. The whole area is a veritable feast for foodies - especially as there are a number of Michelin-starred Lake District restaurants to choose from.
For a special Easter treat: L'enclume is a Cartmel restaurant that has held two Michelin stars since 2013 and features seasonal tasting menus that showcase the best of local Cumbrian produce.
For hearty pub fare: The Drunken Duck Inn looks out over stunning Ambleside scenery and offers everything from traditional pub grub to something a little fancier. There's an on-site microbrewery so you can wash your food down with a local ale.
For a family-friendly lunch: The Cuckoo Brow Inn is a lovely family-friendly pub that's just a short walk from Beatrix Potter's Hill Top. The dining area is cosy and warm and there's a special children's menu for little ones.
Spend this Easter in the Lake District
If you've been inspired to head to Cumbria this Easter with the family, take a look at our family-friendly Lake District cottages in locations such as Coniston, Windermere, Ullswater, Keswick and Cartmel that make ideal bases for exploring this beautiful part of the world.
- Mill End is perfect for a peaceful family holiday with gorgeous grounds and a location that looks out over the river in Starnthwaite. Sleeps four people.
- Ducks Haven is a dog-friendly holiday home that looks out over a duck pond close to the popular village of Cartmel. Sleeps four people and three dogs.
- Tinkler Beck Farm is a traditional barn conversion located at the northern tip of Coniston Water with access to three private jetties. Sleeps six people and one dog.
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.