I am looking for some place with scenic walking/hiking to spend a few days (3-4) near the end of April. Is that too early for the Lake District? We don't mind cool weather, but if it traditionally rains a lot at that time it could spoil our fun.
Would Cornwall ( around St. Ives) be a better choice at that time? Or some other area with good walking paths ( not the Cotswolds, been there)?
Thank you. We actually don't mind rain if it is off-and-on, as we are quite accustomed to that here in Seattle, and have happily walked in the rain in Wales and New Zealand. But we would like to avoid all-day drenching rain, bone-chilling cold, and high winds.
The Lakes do sometimes get snow into April so you really need to be prepared for anything. People there hike all 4 seasons though so as long as you have the right gear you can still go! I've hiked there many times in spring, summer, and fall and you just have to be prepared with water-resistant boots, jacket, hood, and hiking pants. If you get there and don't have something you have George Fischer as well as a number of other outdoor gear stores in Keswick and several other towns.
You really can't avoid rain at any time of the year there. It rains on a fairly regular basis but that's why it is so very beautiful...and when the sun comes out, wow!! It's worth putting up with some bad weather just for those days.
There are some great Facebook pages for fans of the Lake District so that you can get an idea of what it's like...there are many, many pictures posted every day and it's fun for getting ideas of where to go next.
I Love the Lake District - mostly residents of the area and visiting fans! It's fun to watch the seasons go by.
Lakeland, Molly & Afar - run by a National Trust ranger and his dog Molly. Lots of pics of people's dogs but lots of the lakes too. He works the Buttermere area so there are many pics from around there.
Thank you, Anita. That is very helpful. We do have excellent rain gear ( jackets and pants) that kept us dry in three days of constant rain on the Milford Track in New Zealand. We had a good time ( except for crossing a high pass with 40-50 mph wind gusts) but I don't think my husband wants to repeat the experience of constant rain for three consecutive days of walking.
So I am curious whether the Lake District is "notoriously rainy" if that makes any sense. Here around Seattle, for example, there are areas that get much more rainfall than others ---Sequim with 15 inches a year is an example on the low end, while Quilcene, about an hour away, gets 40+ inches. Maybe there are no contrasts like that in England because there aren't high mountains like the Olympics to create a rain shadow effect.
But if there is an area known for nicer spring weather---and good walking paths---I would love to hear about it. We are looking at an HF Holiday lodge and they have them all over the UK.
March is on average the driest month of the year in the UK but can be cold - especially in the east.
In April, I would say that Cornwall is your best bet as spring comes early to this county. (You will find Magnolias & Camellias in flower in gardens).
Click this link to find a map of UK weather averages. Select April and then play around with the different categories. (You will need to click 'averages maps' - just above the map that appears).
http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/climate/gbuw75d29
Statistically late May is a sweet spot of most dry days per month, lower precipitation yet comfortable walking temperatures. That said averages are only averages and expect to get soaked if you are walking forca week or more.
http://www.lakedistrict-stay.co.uk/weather.html
Weather through the seasons:
January - March are the coldest months with a strong possibility of
snow fall on the fell tops. April and May are significantly warmer
months often with pleasant sunny periods. June, July and August the
driest period of the year and often signifies typical glorious English
summer, but take a rain coat for those predicable summer showers.
September and October brings beautiful autumnal days and the area is
particularly beautiful with the spectacular and vivid foliage around
the lakes and fells. The weather is also surprisingly pleasant at this
time of year. November and December is the rainy season although
difficult to predict year on year.
Both the Lake District and Cornwall are to the west of the country, which is the wettest side and which is why both areas have lots of lakes and green hills. Late April, as has already been highlighted can be OK or can be a complete washout. The ground is likely to be wet and muddy, being the end of winter.
The climate is changing and can no longer be accurately forecast. This week, we are getting temperatures of c 17 degrees when we should be getting c 10 degrees.
Once in the UK countryside, there are lots of good footpaths to walk anywhere. If you want a better chance of drier weather, stay east, such as Norfolk, Suffolk or Kent.
While not typical, a google of Seathwaite is interesting.
Last time I was in Lakes late April was t shirt hot up on Scafell Pike.Sprinkling Tarn (surely a Cumbrian in-joke) gets just short of 200inch of rain a year.Keswick is about 6 miles by the crow flies and gets 60" a year
This is great information---thank you! We will also have 4-5 days to devote to walking at the end of May, so perhaps we will head to the southeast area in April and save the Lake District for May----although I was thinking of Wales (Snowdonia) for that. But maybe even late May is too early for Snowdonia?
So many choices! Basically we are spending three weeks in in May in London and a few days in Paris at the tennis tournament. I would like to "bookend" the trip with two 4-5 day walking bases in different areas of the UK, without going as far north as Scotland. But if April is likely to be wet everywhere, we could choose an area with heritage and historical sites to see on rainy days. We haven't been to York and I have always wanted to visit.
