10 Things to Do on a Rainy Day in the Lake District

As we say in Cumbria, it has been 'hoying it down lately', with the weather being so bad on the last day of the Keswick Mountain Festival that some events were cancelled. Alfred Wainwright may have said, “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing” but even if you have the best waterproofs money can buy, sometimes you do want a break from the never ending onslaught of the Cumbrian rain. If you are looking for inspiration for some rainy day fun, then check out our top ten all weather attractions.

 1. The Lakes Distillery – Near Keswick

The Lakes Distillery

Photo thanks to The Lakes Distillery

The Lakes Distillery opened in 2014 on the former site of a derelict farm, near Bassenthwaite. Aiming to create world-class spirits, the distillery produces whisky, gin, and vodka. The distillery’s single malt whisky won’t be available for general sale until 2018, but it does have a blended whisky that uses whisky from across the UK to create a unique taste. You can take a tour of the distillery, learn about the production process, and enjoy a guided tasting session. After, tuck into a hearty lunch or scrumptious afternoon tea at the on site bistro.

2. The World of Beatrix Potter – Bownesss-On-Windermere

Outside of the World of Beatrix Potter

Photo thanks to The World of Beatrix Potter

Whether you have children of your own or are looking to delve back into your own childhood, The World of Beatrix Potter is a magical place to visit. The attraction brings Beatrix Potter’s best loved characters to life, including the cheeky Squirrel Nutkin, poor naïve Jemima Puddle-duck, and, of course, Peter Rabbit. An indoor woodland walk has been created with 3D scenes from Potter’s books. There is a lovely café, a gift shop and outside you can take a stroll through Mr McGregor’s garden.

3. Rheged Centre – Near Penrith

Outside of the Rheged Centre

The Rheged Centre (Christopher R Ware / www.geograph.org.uk)

The Rheged Centre is a large indoor facility with something for everyone. For the shopping enthusiast, there are shops selling beautiful gifts, clothes, art and delicious food. Art lovers will adore the cinema with a varied programme of films including, documentaries and children’s blockbusters, and an exhibition centre that hosts multiple exhibitions each year. For those needing a break, there is a tranquil spa offering a range of treatments. For children, you will find a soft play centre, a Lego play area, and an outdoor adventure playground. There is also a pottery painting shop for the whole family, two cafés, a delicatessen and an ice cream shop.

  • Cost: Entrance is free (Charges apply for the cinema, exhibition, soft play, outdoor play and pottery painting)
  • Website: www.rheged.com

4. Kong Adventure – Keswick

Kong Adventure

Kong Adventure (Oliver Dixon / www.geograph.org.uk)

Located in the heart of Keswick, the Kong Adventure centre brings the outdoors indoors, with numerous opportunities to try outdoor activities in the shelter of this large indoor centre. There is traditional style climbing and bouldering walls, as well as the latest addition to the centre called Krazy Kong, which has whacky climbing walls featuring brightly coloured walls and obstacles that resemble spaceships, trees and a knight’s castle. There’s a hard play area, an indoor ice wall and an artificial caving system. The centre is also home to a café and shop packed with outdoor gear.

  • Cost: Climbing and Bouldering: £6.50-£18 | Ice Cave £16-£35 | Indoor Caving: £8.40 | Hard Play: £2-£4.50
  • Website: www.kongadventure.com

5. The Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway and Lakes Aquarium – Lake Windermere

The Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway

The Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway

(Victor Maschek / Shutterstock.com)

For a whole day out consider taking the Lakeside & Haverthwaite steam railway from Haverthwaite up to the railway’s terminus at Lakeside. Adjacent to the terminus you will find the Lakes Aquarium, which celebrates the wildlife of the lakes and further afield, with otters, eels, and even piranha fish found here. You can combine tickets for the railway with entrance to the aquarium, at a discounted price.

6. Wray Castle – Lake Windermere

Wray Castle

Wray Castle (Mike Charles / Shutterstock.com)

Wray Castle is a mock-gothic castle akin to something out of a fairy tale. It overlooks the shore of Windermere and is in the care of the National Trust. Devoid of any original contents, the castle’s rooms have been stripped back and are filled with activities for children to explore. There’s a soft play room, a Peter Rabbit room, a dressing up room, and rooms where children can draw and do other crafts. There are games rooms for adults and older children, and if the weather does improve, there are large grounds with an adventure play area.

7. Hayes Garden World – Ambleside

Hayes Garden World

Hayes Garden World (Steve Daniels / www.geograph.org.uk)

If you are a keen gardener, or simply love to browse through plants, gifts and household items, then Hayes Garden World in Ambleside is a delightful place to visit. This is Cumbria’s largest garden centre, and is a family run business that has been operating for 200 years. There is mock crystal palace that is home to a plethora of exotic plants, and you will find plenty of inspiration here for your own landscaping.

The large aquatic area is a great section for the whole family with a huge collection of tanks brimming with colourful fish. The centre is also currently hosting “Fairy and Dragon World”, a ticketed event that will take you on magical trail through woodland, inhabited with fairies and dragons. There is a café serving lunch, snacks, and afternoon tea.

  • Cost: Entrance is free (Tickets for Fairy and Dragon World cost £10 per child and include a goodie bag and snacks)
  • Website: www.hayesgardenworld.co.uk

8. Honister – Near Keswick

Honister Slate Mine

Honister Slate Mine

At the top of Honister Pass that connects Buttermere with Borrowdale, south of Derwent Water, the Honister slate mine has been mined for slate since the early 1700s. Today, Westmoreland Green Slate is still extracted from the mine and used to create a whole host of beautiful and functional products. However, these days, the mine is better known for the various adventure activities it offers, including the exhilarating Via Ferrata. On rainy days, you can seek shelter from the elements inside the mine, where you can take a tour on foot or attempt to climb through some of the less accessible sections.

  • Cost: Mine tours cost £13.50 for adults and £8.50 for children; Climb the mine sessions cost £35 and are available for those aged 10 and above
  • Website: www.honister.com

9. Lakeland Shop – Windermere

Lakeland Shop

Lakeland Shop (Alexander P Kapp / www.geograph.org.uk)

Stocked with household goods you never knew you needed, the Lakeland shop in Windermere is the brand’s flagship store. What started as a family enterprise selling freezer bags from a garage in the lakeside town over 50 years ago has grown into a national chain with 69 stores and a reputation for providing good quality homeware.

The Windermere store has undergone a £1 million refit in recent months and has 12,200 sq ft of space with thousands of products for the home. This is a great place to spend a couple of hours browsing and watching product demonstrations, but beware, you are likely to be end up spending more than you intended! There is a café here and a small soft play area for children.

10. Aira Force – Near Ullswater

Aira Force

Aira Force

All waterfalls need rainfall, and Aira Force in particular is even better in the rain. The additional water makes it all the more dramatic and forceful, and certainly worth a visit. Once you’ve completed the stroll up to the falls, you can warm back up in the National Trust coffee shop that is located in the car park, or hop on a steamer to Glenridding, where there are pubs and cafés aplenty. Just make sure you pack your waterproofs.