Best time to visit the Lake District

Best for: Easter events, walking and wildflowers

Spring is a pretty time of year as forests and gardens return to life. Daffodils and bluebells blanket the valleys and you'll see plenty of baby lambs running around the fields. During the Easter holiday, the National Trust puts on some fantastic family events in historic buildings and gardens, such as Beatrix Potter-themed Easter egg hunts, so be sure to check them out.

Best for: walking, hiking, food and art festivals and wild swimming

Summer offers the best walking conditions. On a clear day, the views from the fells seem to go on forever. It's also a great time to swim in the lakes, tarns and rivers. The Lake District's events calendar is in full swing with food and arts festivals, including Lake District Summer Music, Keswick Jazz Festival, Cumbria Sausage Festival and Keswick Beer Festival. July and August are the peak months as tourists flock to the District for their summer holiday... we don't blame them!

Best for: autumn foliage, mountain biking and walking

Crowds start to thin and forest foliage turns golden. The temperature can drop quite a bit by early October and the evenings can be chilly, so make sure you pack appropriate attire. Autumn still offers enough daylight to climb some of the higher fells and the evenings are cool enough to appreciate the cosiness of the pubs. By late autumn, it starts getting really damp and windy so take extra care if you’re out walking.

Best for: cosy pub evenings, Christmas markets and winter scenery

The lower fells usually get a light dusting of snow between December to March, but there’s heavier snowfall at higher elevations. The days are short, cold and wet, but the scenery is incredible when the skies are clear with snow-covered mountains and frost-topped forests that look like a winter wonderland.

Come December, the villages are beautifully decorated and lit up for Christmas with plenty of markets and festive events, including bonfire night, Keswick Victorian Fayre and Carlisle Beer Festival. If it's too rainy to go walking, take refuge in one of the many cafes or pubs and enjoy some Northern hospitality.