Lake District Open for Business; 5 Things to do This Winter

You’re almost certainly familiar with what has been happening in the Lake District recently. Widespread flooding caused chaos over the Christmas period and beyond.

If you’ve been unsure about whether it’s safe (or even possible) to head back to the Lakes, be reassured that the area is most certainly “open for business” again.

The floodwaters have receded and rain has been replaced by snowfall in some parts – this is one of our favourite times to be in the Lakes, when a white blanket of snow turns the fells into a winter wonderland.

As ever, we recommend you take extra care if you’re heading out on the fells. If you are planning a walk, horse ride or a cycle trip, you should check out the Lake District National Park’s rights of way map. This shows where you can go safely and flags any localised issues you’ll need to be aware of.

We also recommend you take some time to look through our interactive guide, 101 Things to do in the Lake District, which rounds up all the best things to do in the area. And for our best deals on Lake District hotels, click here.

Just to get you in the mood for a Lakes escape, we’ve chosen five items from our 101 Things... guide that would make for a perfect winter activity.

See Ullswater on a Steamer - combine a classic lake cruise with a famous fell walk
Ullswater Steamers was one of the first businesses to reopen after the flooding. Hopping on board one of these traditional vessels (with routes linking Pooley Bridge in the north with Glenridding in the south), is a great way to see Ullswater and take in the snow-capped fells in the background. Check out the Ullswater Steamers website for more info.

Eat at the Drunken Duck Inn near Ambleside - renowned and well-reviewed gastropub with chic interiors
This 300-year-old inn, sitting on a remote hill between Ambleside and Hawkshead, is renowned for its hearty, contemporary fare and rustic-chic interiors. Throw in an open fire and you’ll see why this is the perfect place to retreat to after a bracing country walk. Check out the Drunken Duck website for more info.

Walk: Windermere to Orrest Head - just 20 minutes to the summit for spectacular 360 views
This short-and-sweet walk should fit the bill for most abilities, even in cold weather. At only 238 metres high, Orrest Head is reachable from Windermere station in about 20 minutes, yet it offers breath-taking 360-degree views, taking in Scafell Pike, the Old Man of Coniston and the length of Lake Windermere. Check out Where2Walk for a map and downloadable GPX file.

Discover Dove Cottage - Wordsworth's House in Grasmere - where poems were born and history was made
Dove Cottage is a great option for a rainy day. It's where poet William Wordsworth lived from 1799-1808 and it was during this time that he wrote most of his poems. Go on a guided tour of the house and gardens, and visit The Wordsworth Museum, which displays his original letters, journals and poems.

Spa Day at Lodore Falls - how about a massage & a glass of bubbly in the hot tub?
If you really need to get out of the cold, why not treat yourself to a visit to Lodore Falls. On the shores of Derwentwater, this hotel is the perfect place to relax, warm up and recharge your batteries. This Borrowdale hotel has a spa that offers massages, facials and beauty treatments. Get a spa day with two treatments and afternoon tea for £49, with this deal.

Want more? Check out the full list of 101 Things to do in the Lake District.