Spring in the Lake District

Okay, so it’s currently still snowing sporadically and the less said about the icy wind the better- but Spring is certainly on its way in the Lake District! Flowers are beginning to poke their heads above the soil and the little furry critters of the Lakes are coming out of their burrows. The sheep are back out in the fields and on the fells, and the Lake District is coming alive again after a long, cold Winter.

We just love Springtime in the Lake District. There’s so much to see and do, and it’s humbling to witness the beauty of nature coming back to life in the Lakes. We’ve compiled a list of some of the best outdoorsy things to do in the Lakes this Spring, for everyone who loves this time of year as much as we do!

Bluebells are a Lake District specialty. You may associate the Lake District with daffodils and you’d not be wrong, but the Lakes is also host to the most spectacular display of the little blue flowers from mid-April to late May.

Check out these favourite spots, for swathes of blue, as far as the eye can see:

• Waterhead, Ambleside

Skelghyll Woods near Ambleside offers a true-blue experience. The ancient oak woodland is a carpet of snowdrops, followed by bluebells in the Spring.

• Rannerdale, near Buttermere

This is one of the most popular sites for bluebell bathing in the Lake District. The fells carry a coating of blue in early Spring- so head out on a fine day, to enjoy the beauty of this spot.

• Grasmere

There are plenty of spots around Grasmere village where bluebells abound! Follow one of the many lowland paths from the village and you’re sure to spot a patch or two of blue.

Spring is the most magical time of year in the Lake District. Lambs begin to be born from early Spring, right the way into Summer, depending on the breed of sheep. Our famous Lake District Herdwick lambing season begins in early April. You will see the little sprites bouncing around the fields all over the Lake District.

One of the best places to view the true beauty of Spring birth has to be the Borrowdale Valley near Keswick- where generations of dedicated farmers have been raising Herdwicks on the surrounding fells and a walk along the Borrowdale and Stonethwaite valley will give plenty of opportunity to see lambs up close.

A few simple rules for walkers concerning Sheep and Lambs:

• Remember to close and secure all gates behind you when entering and leaving fields or paths. But if a gate is being held open by a stone, leave it open, as this will be for the farmers to ‘drive’ sheep off the fells.
• Walk quietly and calmly – don’t make movements or noises that may startle the sheep
• Do not walk between a lamb and its mother
• Always keep your dog on a lead around livestock
• Always check carefully for sheep or cows before you enter a field with your dog
• Give the sheep a wide-berth to avoid causing stress, especially if they are still pregnant

It’s called The Lake District for a reason… Get out in a boat on one of the numerous bodies of Lakeland water, to discover the true wonder of the Lake District!

• Derwent Water – Rent a row boat down by the lake shore and paddle out to one of its many little islands- true Swallows and Amazons style.
• Ullswater – Ullswater Steamers offer fantastic round trips on this beautiful and tranquil lake, with the chance to hop of for a walk to Aira Force waterfall for a springtime picnic.
• Coniston – Hop on the National Trust’s Victorian ‘Steam yacht Gondola’ for an unmissable day out on Coniston Water.
• Windermere – Of course, this list wouldn’t be complete without mention of Windermere Lake Cruises. Enjoy a cruise around the Lake District’s most well-known body of water and take in the beautiful scenery of the surrounding fields, woodlands and fells. Going in the Spring is the best time to enjoy the beauty of blossoming nature, and a smaller queue on the docks to boot!

Let us know what you get up to this Spring in the Lake District by tagging us on social, so we can share your adventures!