The Blog

Five top ways to discover the Lake District this Autumn

18 October 2018

Staff Blogger

Autumn is a wonderful time of year in the Lake District National Park. As the trees turn various shades of red, reflecting in the lakes and the bracken on the fellsides turn russet coloured there’s never been a better time to get out and about on walks, cycles, boat and bus rides. Here are a few of our favourites:

Set sail

Breathe in the fresh autumn air as you take an exhilarating cruise on a lake. It may be too cold for a dip but it’s still a fantastic experience to be on the water. There are public boat services on Coniston, Derwentwater, Windermere and Ullswater, ranging from historic steamers to modern launches. The views on the lakes are second to none and you can stop off at lakeside jetties for walks to enjoy the autumn colours or heat up with a comforting hot chocolate or bowl of hearty soup. Boat trips and boat hire.

Dig deep

Autumn is the ideal season to discover Coniston’s mining heritage. The ‘Coniston Copper’ project has uncovered and preserved a wide range of Coniston’s fascinating mining past. There are several picturesque walks around this area which are particularly scenic at this time of year, and guides can be downloaded here. You can travel to Coniston from Ambleside on bus number 505 or from Barrow or Ulverston on bus X112.

Get on your bike

There’s never a better time to get on your bike. Autumn may be cooler than during the summer months, but the vibrant seasonal colours you’ll see on many routes will more than warm your senses. We’ve created a range of off-road, easy cycle routes in the central Lakes - have a look at our easy cycling guide for some ideas, including the Langdale, Torver or Grasmere trails which wind their way through peaceful wooded trails with plenty of stop off points to enjoy a picnic with a flask of tea to warm you up.

Family enjoying autumn day

Scare away the chills

Another idea for an Autumnal day out is Brockhole, the Lake District’s Visitor Centre on the banks of Windermere. It’s especially lovely at this time of year. You can enjoy the beautiful gardens, eat in the fantastic Gaddum restaurant and there’s a wide range of activities for all the family to take part in. There’s even the Brockhole Halloween Experience … if you’re feeling brave! A novel way to travel here is to ride on top of an open top bus. You’ll be able to feel the wind in your hair as you enjoy the autumn colours during your journey. Find all the Stagecoach bus timetables here.

Take a Western Adventure

The Western Lake District, between the sea and the central fells, boasts some fantastic views and is well worth a visit at this time of year. The Cumbrian Coast line offers unsurpassed views as you cross estuaries on the edge of the national park from Lancaster to Ravenglass. At Ravenglass steam trains on ‘the Laal Ratty’ will carry you up the wooded valley of Eskdale to Dalegarth, for riverside and woodland trails or more challenging fell walks. Views here will be spectacular as autumn colours take over the landscape.