Hello,
Flying into Heathrow, I am planning a trip down to Cornwall in mid-October for about 10 days, then up to Northern Wales for about 10 days...then further up to The Lake District for another 10 days (probably arriving sometime first week of November). For the most part I will be travelling by train. Being from Seattle (Rick's part of the world), I do not let weather usually dissuade me from being outside and hiking (although there are limits to everything).
I have been to England several times, always renting a car so the train will be interesting change up. My main question is this....being that late in the year, I am concerned many places in the Lake District may be shut down for the "off-season" - particularly decent restaurants and the smaller more interesting hotels and Inns....should this be a significant concern?
As of now, Keswick will most likely be my starting base. Once there, I may rent a car to bounce around for various hikes/walks and see where I end up.
Any thoughts on any of the above would be great. I am trying to move it up, just can't at this time.
Thanks!
Posted by
Lake District, England
8134 posts
So you are in the Lake District mid to late November. Except for some of the smaller bed and breakfasts in Keswick, most places will still be open- hotels and inns certainly. And what you call "decent restaurants" that is a year round business. They cater as much for the locals as for the tourists.
January is the quieter month, although even then most you wouldn't have real problems finding places open. In some ways think the likes of Cle Elum and Roslyn as kind of comparators of what will be open/closed at that time of year.
The big difference being the lack of snow, here!! We are more likely to have Seattle levels of rain.
Also we are just transitioning into the festive season.
On 15 November there is the Keswick Christmas Lights switch on, 16 November the Ambleside Christmas lights switch on, the same in Carlisle on 17 November and Kendal on 21 November. And on 21 to 24 November there is the Kendal Mountain Festival, also 23 to 24 November the Ulverston Dickensian Christmas Festival- one of the better Dickensian markets. There may be other things happening- very early to know yet.
So there are events happening and people around, and thus people around.
If renting a car you do that from Kendal (probably the best idea, train to Oxenholme, Enterprise pick you up there for their Kendal depot), Penrith, Carlisle, Whitehaven or Workington.
As long as you are prepared for dreich weather and have alternative inside possibilities on your plan if the weather becomes too bad. Do look at the Fell Conditions report outside Keswick Moot Hall before setting off each day, and take it seriously. Early each day the assessors have been up the fells to compile that report, so it is highly accurate.
Posted by
OP
Seattle WA and Bend OR
2 posts
Thank you for the reply, extremely informative. I have spent time in Yorkshire - Dales, Moors, coast - so excited to finally visit the Lake District. In the end I guess, I am more adverse to crowds than difficult weather. For anyone reading this and planning to visit the Lake District, Yorkshire is a special place and well worth the time as well (if possible). Cheers -