10 Things to Do in the Lake District When it Rains
What to Do on a Rainy Day in the Lake District
The Lake District is one of the most beautiful parts of the U.K., known for the highest peak and the deepest lake in England. It is a beautiful place to go hiking and sightseeing (it is almost a requirement to take a cruise on Lake Windermere). It’s also in the northwest of England, which means it rains.
What can you do in the Lake District when it is too wet to go hiking? The fact is that there are plenty of attractions for a rainy day. Here are some of the best.
1. The World of Beatrix Potter
A place to meet Peter Rabbit
Good for: Families
Kids of all ages will enjoy The World of Beatrix Potter. The beloved children’s author lived and worked in the Lake District, and this place honors her achievements.
The attraction has three-dimensional animatronics of all her characters in a walk-through exhibit that is mostly indoors (except, of course, for the Peter Rabbit Garden). There’s also an interactive display of the Lake District as Beatrix Potter would have seen it, a gift shop and a cafe. Check out the calendar for storytelling, workshops and more! While many of the events are aimed at children, some are definitely of interest to adults and the entire family.
Location: Crag Brow, Bowness-on-Windermere, Windermere LA23 3BX, United Kingdom
Open: Monday-Sunday 10am-5:30pm
Phone: +44 1539 488444
The World of Beatrix Potter
2. Wray Castle
Gothic Revival beauty at its finest
Good for: Families
Wray Castle is worth visiting on a non-rainy day, too. Here, you’ll enjoy the sprawling acres of lakeshore and grounds. But if the sky is dripping, step inside the Gothic Revival castle to see the exhibits.
The interior is mostly free of furnishings, letting you appreciate the architecture of the building. The lack of furnishings also makes this a particularly child-friendly attraction, as there is nothing for them to knock over or damage. And, of course, it has a cafe. If you don’t feel like hiking or driving, you can get there by boat from Bowness-on-Windermere. When the rain stops, enjoy the grounds and the beautiful views of the lake.
Location: Low Wray, Ambleside LA22 0JA, United Kingdom
Open: Monday & Tuesday-closed
Wednesday-Sunday - 10am-4:30pm
Phone: +44 1539 433250
Wray Castle
3. Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railroad
Take a ride to the lake, steam-powered
Good for: Families, Unusual
The Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railroad runs from Haverthwaite to Lakeside, where you can hop on a boat to continue your journey up the length of the lake. Or, of course, the other way around.
The railroad runs a variety of steam trains and historic carriages, including a royal sedan. In early winter, they run a Tinsel Train, where adults can get an appropriate beverage and kids a personalized gift straight from Santa’s Elves. Other than that, the railroad runs only in the summer season. Dogs ride free. There are also interesting attractions at both ends, including the Lakeside Motor Museum and, of course, a variety of shops and restaurants.
Location: Haverthwaite Station Nr, Ulverston LA12 8AL, United Kingdom
Open: Daily from 9am-5pm
Phone: +44 1539 531594
Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railroad
4. Rheged Center
Galleries, shopping and a huge movie theater screen
Good for: Families, Shoppers
If you want to do something cultural in a different way, go to the Rheged Center. Everything you want to do, all under one roof.
It has an independent gallery hosting curated and touring exhibitions, a movie theater with a 60-foot screen that shows art movies, a program of creative classes and boutique shops. The entire facility is fully wheelchair accessible, and if you need to get some work done, you can settle down with your laptop in a public meeting space. This is a great place to get some higher-class souvenirs, too, or new clothes more suited to the often cool and wet climate of the Lakes.
Location: Redhills, Penrith CA11 0DQ, United Kingdom
Phone: +44 1768 868000
Rheged Center
5. Ravenglass & Eskdale Railroad
A narrow-gauge railroad with class
Good for: Families, Unusual
The L’aal Ratty, as it’s affectionately known, is a seven-mile narrow-gauge railroad with a heritage fleet of steam and diesel engines.
Some of their carriages are open, which makes for great views, but may not be the best on a rainy day. They do not guarantee upgrades for people in an open carriage but suggest you dress appropriately. You can book at several levels, including their Pullman Observation Carriage. And if you want an experience, you can book a return journey that includes a cream tea (with or without Prosecco) at one of the terminal stations...or onboard in the Directors Sedan or Pullman Observation Carriage.
Location: Railroad Station, Ravenglass CA18 1SW, United Kingdom
Open: Daily from 9am-5pm
Phone: +44 1229 717171
Ravenglass & Eskdale Railroad
6. Lowther Castle and Gardens
Ruins, gardens and history
Good for: Families
Lowther Castle was built at the turn of the 19th century and partially demolished in 1957. At its height, the castle had a room for every day of the year and jealousy inducing gardens.
It’s still worth seeing for the gardens. The part of the castle still standing makes great shelter from the rain, with an exhibition showing the castle’s history and images of the previous houses on a site that has been occupied since at least 1150. If it’s finally stopped raining, hire bikes and explore the park. If it hasn’t, then appreciate the ruins from indoors and enjoy the atmosphere.
Location: Lowther, Penrith CA10 2HH, United Kingdom
Open: Daily from 10am-5pm
Phone: +44 1931 712192
Lowther Castle and Gardens
7. Sizergh Castle
An impressive paneled room and even more impressive portraits
Good for: Families
Another wonderful stately home is Sizergh Castle, the ancestral home of the Stricklands. Not actually a castle, but rather a medieval mansion (still occupied), the house contains treasured family portraits and art.
There’s also an Elizabethan inlaid chamber, and Jacobite relics. In the family dining room hangs the Catholic Royal Stuart portrait collection. It’s a pretty impressive collection of art. If the weather allows, the gardens are truly spectacular, including a wetland and historic deer parks. There is a cafe and shop. The house is partly accessible, on the first floor only. It’s well worth a visit on any wet day or even on a dry one.
Location: Sizergh, Kendal LA8 8DZ, United Kingdom
Open: Daily from 10am-5pm
Phone: +44 1539 560951
Sizergh Castle
8. Lakes Aquarium
Fish, more fish and other aquatic beings
Good for: Families
The Lakes Aquarium is home to a variety of creatures from Lake Windermere and around the world.
Go there to see what the fish in Windermere actually look like, as well as diving ducks. Every day you can go into the Lake Tunnel (under a simulated Windermere) and watch them feed these wonderful birds. They have a variety of unusual residents, too, ranging from otters and harvest mice to freshwater blind cave fish from Central America. They also have a virtual dive bell with realistic CG graphics.
Location: Lakeside, Newby Bridge, Ulverston LA12 8AS, United Kingdom
Open: Daily from 10am-4:30pm
Phone: +44 1539 530153
Lakes Aquarium
9. Muncaster Castle
A haunted castle and a display of birds
Good for: Families, History
Go to Muncaster Castle to see a historic building that is supposedly haunted by a jester named Tom Skelton. It was built in 1885 in the style of a Medieval castle.
The old Great Hall is still standing, as is the original fortified Pele tower. See beautiful furniture and artwork that span centuries of continuous occupation. Audio tours are available in English and Japanese and vary in length depending on how many stories you want to hear. But there’s something else too...the Hawk & Owl Center, home to a diverse variety of birds. Flying displays of both owls and raptors take place twice daily so you can learn about the ancient art of falconry.
Location: Ravenglass, CA18 1RQ, UK
Muncaster Castle
10. Theater By The Lake
Take in a play at a classy theater
Good for: Couples, Families
The Theater by the Lake in Keswick is a ten-minute walk from downtown and on the lake Derwentwater.
It has two stages as well as gallery spaces that contain regular (free) exhibitions that range from professional artists to the work of local schoolchildren. There is a restaurant where you can make reservations, as well as an outdoor terrace and a bar that is open before and after all evening performances. The restaurant menu changes periodically but typically includes burgers, soup and salad. Performances at the theater vary and include assorted plays as well as musicals. There’s always something interesting going on, and you will definitely forget about that English rain.
Location: Lakeside, Lake Rd, Keswick CA12 5DJ, United Kingdom
Phone: +44 1768 774411
Theater By The Lake
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