Blog

With the summer solstice taking place on Monday the 21st of June, we are happy to see the days get slightly longer. The weather is also looking up in the Lake District this June with a slightly less rain predicted... we hope. Here we sum up some of the events happening in June, including great indoor and outdoor events perfect for the whole family. 

As the rules ease slightly, slowly but surely life returns, albeit to a slightly ‘new normal’. Whilst the government’s plan is open more indoor venues from the 17th of May, this, of course, greatly depends on the situation and whether or not it’s safe to proceed with this next step. Please bear this in mind when making your plans and be flexible as 2020 has taught us that nothing is set in stone!

We have reached the end of 2020 and what a strange year it has been. At the beginning of the year, here at thelakedistrict.org we were getting excited for all of the lovely events that were due to take place this year, including numerous food festivals, agricultural shows, and outdoor sports events. Sadly, almost all of those events were cancelled due to the Covid19 pandemic.

As Autumn turns to winter the Lake District landscape enters into hibernation. Trees have shed their leaves and the purple heather that once covered the fells slowly withers away. The days become shorter and only the hardiest of souls take to the fells. November in the Lake District is a time for visiting cosy pubs with fires and browsing independent stores for unique gifts, with the winter festival just around the corner.

October is a splendid time in the Lake District. It is when Autumn really takes hold and we are treated to a last colourful display from the national park’s forests before winter sets in. The end of October coincides with school half term holidays, and this year we expect many families will want to take a staycation in the UK, so if you are planning a trip around this time, it’s best to book accommodation as soon as possible.

Okay, so when it comes to pub quizzes, as a reader of this website you probably know a fair thing or two about the Lake District. You consider yourself well-versed in all the usual Lake District facts, such as the fact that it only has one official “Lake” or that it is home to the World’s Biggest Liar competition. But how many of these, more unusual, slightly wacky, facts did you know?

September bids farewell to the long and often hot summer that we have experienced in the Lake District, with cooler temperatures marking the change in season. Towards the end of the month, nature prepares for one more colourful and dazzling display before winter, with shades of red, gold, and orange taking over the forests. It is typically a somewhat quieter time to visit the Lake District after the summer crowds, but with this year’s Coronavirus pandemic bringing uncertainty to foreign travel, it is possible that many September holiday-makers will opt for a “staycation” bringing more visitors into the area than usual.

Here in the Lake District it has been wonderful to see so many visitors return to the National Park after a difficult few months. With restrictions still in place relating to international travel, many people are opting for a “Staycation” and are taking holidays here in the UK, including in the Lake District. Campsites and self-catered accommodation in particular are seeing a bit of a boom, with many sites fully booked for the next couple of months.

It’s been a while since we last produced a What’s On guide for the Lake District and the last few months have certainly been difficult for so many people and organisations in so many different ways. Whilst it’s fair to say that we haven’t returned to normality here in Cumbria, the hospitality sector across the Lake District has once more opened its doors to visitors and we’re certainly happy to see everyone back and enjoying this rich landscape once more.

We know that so many of you were disappointed to cancel your Lake District break this year due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Equally, many Lake District business owners and staff were devastated to see the effect this has had on the area’s economy. As one of the UK’s top tourist destinations, the area relies heavily on spending from tourists in independent, family owned businesses, and for many, the future is looking uncertain.