Visiting the Lake District in March

Unlike visiting the Lakes in February, just about everything is open by March but the larger crowds are yet to arrive.

The kids are still in school until Easter so March is an ideal time to visit the Lake District if you’re looking for a bit of peace and quiet – and, with more cottages available, do watch out for special offers on accommodation.

• What’s the weather like?
• What should I wear?
• How busy will it be?
• Getting around
• What activities can I do?
• What’s events are on?

It’s not tropical, but the temperature is starting to creep up a bit – 5-9°C on average, and there are a couple of more welcome hours of daylight to enjoy.

You can (always) expect some rain showers, and the odd frosty morning might still come for a visit.

Those extra hours of daylight do mean you can be out on the fells for longer, but still be wary of the weather – it can still change unexpectedly, especially if you’re higher up. Kit yourself out properly and check the forecast before you tackle anything too ambitious.

There may also still be some snow on the tops of the higher peaks

Typical weather

• 5-9°C on average
• Rain 11 out of 31 days
• Frosty mornings
• Cold clear nights
• Sunrise: 6-7am
• Sunset: 6-7pm

Much like February, you’re going to need to layer up to beat the chills, and your waterproofs will still be getting plenty of use.

Sturdy shoes are also essential because it may be slippery and muddy underfoot on the fells and fields and in the forests.

Bring a woolly hat too – it will keep your head warm when you’re out and about during the day and when you’re walking to the pub at night. Win-win.

What to wear

Read our guide to everything you need to pack for a happy trip to the Lakes

The roads will be relatively quiet in March so you shouldn’t encounter too many traffic jams.

The more popular parts of the Lake District are well served by the bus network – the 555 (operated by Stagecoach) runs all the way from Kendal to Keswick and stops at Windermere, Ambleside and Grasmere on the way. So, it’s easy to leave the car parked up at your cottage and make some real footprints rather than adding to your carbon one.

Fares are capped at £3 for a single journey, or £10 for unlimited journeys around the Lakes for the day (at time of writing, check here for up to date bus ticket pricing), which makes it an affordable and hassle free way to get around.

Park and explore

There’s also a park and explore offer where you can get up to 5 of you to a central car park, then leave the car and set off on bus to anywhere else.

It shouldn’t too busy, although there will be more people around at the weekends. It’s not holiday time in the UK so, although you won’t have any but the more remote fells and trails completely to yourself, you won’t be queuing to get to the top of Catbells and other popular fells either.

You also shouldn’t have too much trouble getting a table at pubs and restaurants  – although it’s wise to book ahead just to be on the safe side, especially if you want to visit one of the Lake District’s numerous Michelin-starred establishments.

Find the best Lake District:

• Pubs
• Restaurants
• Cafés
• Walks

Outdoor activities, inside

If it’s still a bit too cold for you to climb the fells, and you want to be ready for adventure when the weather warms a little, you can always check out one of Cumbria’s indoor climbing walls.

You can test your balance and grip in Kendal, Keswick (there’s the climbing wall and Kong Adventure to choose from), Ambleside, Ulverston and Carlisle.

Outdoor activities, outside

While it might not yet be warm enough to roll out your picnic blanket, there are lots of activities to get stuck into the Lake Ditrict Visitor Centre at Brockhole – everything from Archery to mini golf and a chance to take on some thrilling treetop adventures.

You can also hire a boat or a kayak and get out on the water. Or simply stroll around the grounds, relax in the café, take in an exhibition and pick up a souvenir at the gift shop.

Feeling hardy enough for a hike?

The fells are looking ever more inviting as the landscape thaws, so it’s a perfect time to chalk up some hikes while it’s not too crowded. You can get cracking on bagging some of the 214 Wainwrights – including Scafell Pike, England’s highest, or simply go for a pootle round Tarn Hows or a wander along the lakeshore of Buttermere or Derwentwater.

Or checking out some ancient history at Galava (a former Roman fort near Ambleside). And the ancient mysteries and mystical wonders of Castlerigg Stone Circle near Keswick will get you thinking.

Visit a waterfall or two

If the weather hasn’t been playing nicely, the extra rainfall can make for some spectacular shows of nature in full force.

In this guide to the best waterfall walks in the Lake District, we’ve rounded up a few of our favourites – a mixture of the well-known and not-so-well-known – to visit while you’re in our beautiful county.

March is an ideal month to go wildlife spotting!

The warming weather means that migratory birds will be flying back after their visit to warmer climes.

Head to Leighton Moss, an RSPB nature reserve to find out all you’ll ever need to know about bird migration.

Want to explore a lake?

Ambleside and Windermere boat trips, Keswick Launch, Coniston Launch and the Ullswater Steamers are open all year round, and what better way to take in emerging spring landscape than from a boat?

A host of golden daffodils

If you want to feast your eyes on a host of golden daffodils, then March is when you should visit Dora’s Field, next to Rydal Church.

Planted in memory of William Wordsworth’s beloved daughter, it puts on a spectacular show every year.

Come back in late spring when the daffodils give way to a brilliant bluebell display.

Historic houses and castles

Who doesn’t love a nose round an historic house or an impressive castle?

Blackwell, an Arts and Crafts gem near Bowness, is worth a visit at any time of the year.

As is Townend, a characterful 17th-century farmhouse in Troutbeck that’s full of fascinating objects and stories associated with the Browne family who lived there for generations.

Cosy up by an open fire

And of course, just like every month, the pubs are cosy and inviting in March – plonk yourself down by a roaring fire in a traditional hostelry and enjoy a pint or two and something tasty to eat.

Feeling in a more homely mood? Check out our cottages with log fires.