Lake District National Park
England's largest national park, home to its highest mountains, its longest lake and the places linked to Beatrix Potter and the Lake Poets.
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The Lake District, also called the Lakes or Lakeland, is a mountainous region in Cumbria, North West England, and it is England's largest national park. It holds England's highest mountains, including Scafell Pike at 978 m. Windermere, England's longest and largest lake, is about 11 miles (18 km) long. The area is also linked to writers such as Beatrix Potter, John Ruskin, Arthur Ransome and the Lake Poets.
Expect rain. The area is one of England's wettest, and Seathwaite in Borrowdale averages 3,300 mm (130 in) a year. March to June are the driest months and October to January the wettest. Snow is normally expected only from November to April, and fell tops see around 100 days of gales a year, so bring windproof and waterproof gear. Visitors walk most fells in summer, and several paths are steep and rocky. To get there, the A591 runs from Kendal to Windermere and on to Keswick, and the Windermere Branch Line links Kendal and Windermere by rail.
Lake District National Park in five
- There is no gate or entry feeThe park is free to enter and walk. You pay for car parks, lake boats and some attractions.
- Arrive by train to WindermereTrains from London and the north change at Oxenholme for Windermere. Buses run from there to Ambleside, Grasmere and Keswick.
- Park early or take the busCar parks at popular walks and lakes fill by mid morning in summer and on bank holidays. Buses and lake boats avoid the hunt.
- Plan for rain and fast weather changesThe fells are among the wettest places in England. Carry waterproofs, a map and a light even in summer, and check the fell forecast.
- Ask before you camp wildWild camping is not permitted without the landowner's permission, and fires are not allowed.Wild camping guidance
Things to do in Lake District National Park
See all attractions in Lake District National Park
Need to know
- Entrance
- Free; pay for car parks and lake boats
- Permits
- None for walking; landowner permission to camp wild Read more
- Season
- Open all year; best walking May–September
- Nearest town
- Windermere, Ambleside and Keswick
- Getting there
- Train to Windermere via Oxenholme, about 3–3.5 hours from London
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRain19 rainy days6 snowy daysHigh3°Low-1°Wet, short daysJanuaryRain
Poor
- High
- 3°
- Low
- -1°
- Precipitation
- 219 mm
- Rainy days
- 19
- Snowy days
- 6
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, short days
- FebruaryRain19 rainy days5 snowy daysHigh4°Low-1°Snow on topsFebruaryRain
Poor
- High
- 4°
- Low
- -1°
- Precipitation
- 236 mm
- Rainy days
- 19
- Snowy days
- 5
- Days with storms
- 0
Snow on tops
- MarchRain18 rainy days4 snowy daysHigh5°Low0°Cool, lambing soonMarchRain
Mixed
- High
- 5°
- Low
- 0°
- Precipitation
- 191 mm
- Rainy days
- 18
- Snowy days
- 4
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, lambing soon
- AprilRain14 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh8°Low1°Lambs, mixedAprilRain
Best
- High
- 8°
- Low
- 1°
- Precipitation
- 107 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Lambs, mixed
- MayRain15 rainy daysHigh11°Low4°Driest, long daysMayRain
Best
- High
- 11°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 112 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Driest, long days
- JuneRain18 rainy daysHigh14°Low7°Long daysJuneRain
Best
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 153 mm
- Rainy days
- 18
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Long days
- JulyRain19 rainy daysHigh14°Low9°Warm, busiestJulyRain
Best
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 186 mm
- Rainy days
- 19
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, busiest
- AugustRain21 rainy daysHigh14°Low9°Warm, busiestAugustRain
Good
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 233 mm
- Rainy days
- 21
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, busiest
- SeptemberRain19 rainy daysHigh13°Low7°Calmer, mildSeptemberRain
Good
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 211 mm
- Rainy days
- 19
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Calmer, mild
- OctoberRain21 rainy daysHigh9°Low5°Autumn colorOctoberRain
Mixed
- High
- 9°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 253 mm
- Rainy days
- 21
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Autumn color
- NovemberRain19 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh6°Low2°Wet, windyNovemberRain
Poor
- High
- 6°
- Low
- 2°
- Precipitation
- 220 mm
- Rainy days
- 19
- Snowy days
- 2
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, windy
- DecemberRain20 rainy days5 snowy daysHigh4°Low1°Short days, quietDecemberRain
Poor
- High
- 4°
- Low
- 1°
- Precipitation
- 261 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 5
- Days with storms
- 0
Short days, quiet
Average daily high and low in Keswick, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Lake District National Park
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
7
- Feels like
- 6°
- Humidity
- 89%
- Wind
- 8 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Lake District National Park
08:37 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today6°0°0%Monday: Cloudy. High 6°, Low 0°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue6°2°6%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 6°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 6%.
- Wed6°0°2%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 6°, Low 0°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Thu6°-1°4%Thursday: Drizzle. High 6°, Low -1°. Chance of rain 4%.
- Fri5°0°13%Friday: Drizzle. High 5°, Low 0°. Chance of rain 13%.
- Sat4°0°14%Saturday: Fog. High 4°, Low 0°. Chance of rain 14%.
- Sun4°-1°6%Sunday: Cloudy. High 4°, Low -1°. Chance of rain 6%.
Updated 05:54 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 0.7469 GBP
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Before you go to Lake District National Park
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Plan around Lake District National Park
Cities, rail, entry rules and money
Read the guideEdinburghTrains run north from Penrith in about 2 hours
Read the guideGlasgowThe other big city on the west coast line
Read the guideUK ETA explainedWho needs one, what it costs, how to apply
Read the guideTrains, buses and carsWindermere by rail and fell buses
Read the guideTravel insuranceWeather delays and fell injuries
Read the guideLake District National Park FAQ
Do you have to pay to enter the Lake District?
No. There is no entry fee or gate. You pay for parking, boats on the lakes and some houses and museums.
Can you visit the Lake District without a car?
Yes. Trains run to Windermere and Penrith, and buses and lake boats connect the main villages and walks. It takes more planning in winter.
Where should I stay in the Lake District?
Windermere or Ambleside for the train and lake boats, Keswick for the northern fells and Derwentwater, Grasmere for a quiet village base.
Is wild camping allowed in the Lake District?
Not without the landowner's permission. Use a campsite, and do not light fires.
What is the best month to visit the Lake District?
May and June are the driest months with long days. September is calmer and still mild, while July and August are the busiest and hardest for parking.