Spring activities to do in the Lake District

When the smell of wild garlic is in the air, the woods are covered with a dense carpet of bluebells, and the yellow heads of the majestic daffodils are bobbing in the breeze, it is a sure sign that spring has arrived. This means that it’s time to get out and about and enjoy what mother nature has to offer. The Lake District is an incredibly popular place to visit all year round, but it is particularly magical in the spring. It is little surprise that the poet William Wordsworth was so inspired by the beautiful landscapes, and mentioned them in his poems.

If you are thinking about taking a trip to the Lake District this spring, then here are our suggestions of just some of the incredible activities you may wish to take part in.

Woodland walks or the highest peaks

Without a doubt one of the best ways to truly appreciate the wonderful landscape and vistas that the Lake District has to offer is walking. Whether you are a novice looking for a gentle stroll or someone who prefers a challenge you will find something to suit you. A gentle walk around the edge of Derwentwater, with easy flat paths, offers a great route for families. Helvellyn, on the other hand, offers one of the most popular but difficult walks you will find in the region.

Visit Peter Rabbit

A popular choice with both young and old, there are a number of attractions to visit that are associated with Peter Rabbit and his creator, Beatrix Potter. Hilltop, in Near Sawrey, is the former home of the author and now a National Trust property that has been preserved to look exactly as it would have been when Ms Potter lived there. A visit to the gardens is certain to bring to mind the tale of the naughty rabbit himself and Mr Mcgregor. For those visitors with younger children, don’t forget to take a trip to The World of Beatrix Potter in Bowness-on-Windermere.

Outdoor activities

As the weather improves there are plenty of outdoor activities to keep you amused in the Lake District. Brockhole on Windermere is the place for family-friendly activities which include pony rides, cycle hire and, for the more adventurous individuals, the Treetop Trek, which will have you up in the trees on ropes, swings and nets. There are also plenty of activities for all the family in Grizedale Forest, and for those who really enjoy cycling, there are some spectacular tracks which wind through the forest and offer some great vantage points.

Literary inspiration

For poetry lovers, no trip to the Lake District is complete without a visit to the area around Grasmere. Rydal Mount, where Dora’s Field, named after the poet’s daughter who died aged just 42 is located; a blanket of daffodils in the Spring. The poet, his wife and sister planted hundreds of the flowers here to mark Dora’s death. There is also Dove Cottage, where the poet lived, and of course the churchyard in Grasmere where he was laid to rest. His grave is one of the most visited literary shrines you will find anywhere in the world.

Take a trip on a train

Finally, why not combine a walk in the Lake District with a trip on one of the steam trains you will find here? They offer a great way to reach some of those places where you will find fewer crowds. The Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway operates a narrow gauge railway, and the Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway offers a chance to imagine yourself back in the 1950s with their steam engine and 1950s coach combination.