I realize it rains in England. We don't mind some rain, but would like to hike in warm, sunny, dry weather. That being said, please tell me your favorite month to visit/hike in the Lake District. We plan to go to Kezwick for 10 days sometime next year. After checking Rick's books and the climate statistics, it appears April is the driest, albeit not the warmest month. Our travel buddies want to go in September, as it is traditionally a warmer month. Please give me your thoughts and did you find any seasonal 'thing' especially appealing--like the lambs in the spring or the autumn leaves? Thanks for your insight.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33585 posts
Nobody really knows. This year has, so far, been much warmer and dryer than most of history in England. After nearly the coldest and worst winter in history. Over 40 years ago Flanders and Swann wrote the following song about English weather. Its not a million miles away from reality (thanks to the website Flanders and Swann Online for the lyrics, so I don't have to type them): A Song of the Weather January brings the snow, Makes your feet and fingers glow. February's ice and sleet Freeze the toes tight off your feet. Welcome March with wintry wind Would thou wert not so unkind! April brings the sweet spring showers, On and on for hours and hours. Farmers fear unkindly May Frost by night and hail by day. June just rains and never stops Thirty days and spoils the crops. In July the sun is hot. Is it shining? No, it's not. August, cold and dank and wet, Brings more rain than any yet. Bleak September's mist and mud Is enough to chill the blood. Then October adds a gale, Wind and slush and rain and hail. Dark November brings the fog Should not do it to a dog. Freezing wet December, then Bloody January again! January brings the snow ... I hope that's been helpful to those of you planning your holidays. Now they're very useful, travel tips. Despite all you may have heard to the contrary, the rain in Spain stays almost invariably in the hills. Oh dear, what a weather this is. Still, it was very nice yesterday, wasn't it? Spring, I enjoyed that. Missed it last year, I was in the bathroom. Originally from the album 'At The Drop of a Hat'. . .
There is no "bad weather", just the wrong clothes.
Posted by
New York City, NY, USA
5678 posts
I went to the Lake District in September and had a wonderful time. Yes, it rained. I did not have proper rain gear. Since then I've visited Scotland many times and have a goretex jacket with a hood and some rain pants and some good waterproof boots. They clothes have made all the difference. Pam
Posted by
OP
Tualatin, OR, USA
123 posts
Thanks for your responses. We have plenty of gortex gear for wet weather, but were hoping for at least warm rain! Being from Oregon, we are used to hiking in the rain at all times of the year. I was just hoping for some positive reports on great weather in April or May. Deb
Posted by
West Coast
138 posts
I haven't been to the Lake District in the fall so can't speak to that, but have been several times in March/April, experiencing everything from light snow to warmish (slightly crisp) sunny days (perfect for hiking). I would vote for April just for the lambs and daffodils, but then I would prefer spring over fall just about anywhere.
Posted by
Olympia, WA, USA
6713 posts
We were in Keswick last weekend. It had been sunny for several days before we arrived, it was alternately sunny and showery while we were there, and it was torrential rain and 70 mph gusts when we left Monday. Our B&B host and others agreed that "changeable" is the best weather adjective. On that premise, I'd think any spring/summer/fall month is likely to be a good one. The lambs were all over the place in late May, though past the frisky spontaneous-jumping stage. Just bring proper clothing, be careful where you hike in bad weather, and take advantage of the sunshine when you have it (use the rainy spells for bathroom breaks). The effects of sunshine through rain, and cloud shadows on sunlit peaks, are magical.