How to spend Easter in the Lake District

For a special Easter getaway, the Lake District offers exciting days out and activities for both adults and children to enjoy during the holidays. Easter Sunday falls on 17 April meaning spring is in full swing; daffodils are blooming, lambs are jumping and the sun is beginning to shine over the fells. Whether you’re having a family holiday with the kids or a getaway with friends or a partner, here’s our list of springtime activities to explore in the Lake District this Easter….

Go on an Easter Egg Hunt

Lots of Easter Egg Hunts take place across the Lake District during the Easter holidays. Whether it be an outdoor National Trust trail or an event inside one of the Lake District’s many houses or castles, you’re guaranteed to have a fun filled day ending with a basket full of tasty chocolate eggs!

Acorn Bank

Close to Penrith, Acorn Bank consists of a 17th century sandstone manor, charming gardens renowned for their herbs and fruit orchids alongside lovely woodland walks. The National Trust owned attraction host a range of nature Easter adventures including an Easter egg trail, which runs everyday from Saturday 2 to Sunday 24 April, 10:30am-5pm. The trail explores the famous gardens and includes 10 nature-inspired activities. Once at the end, trail hunters can claim a Rainforest Alliance chocolate egg! Trails are priced at £3 each,

Wray Castle

Wray Castle is a Gothic Revival castle siting on the shores of Lake Windermere, surrounded by lakeside and woodland walks. The attraction is popular amongst families and is hosting a fun Easter egg hunt and nature trail from April 3 to Tuesday 19 April. The trail costs £3 and includes a fun pack filled with an activity sheet and pencil to use along the way. The trail winds through the Wray Castle estate and includes 10 nature themed activities, passing through the arboretum, West Lawn and the shingle beach. Explorers get a Rainforest Alliance chocolate egg at the end of the trail!

Brockhole

Sitting between Ambleside and Windermere, Brockhole is an 19th century Arts and Crafts villa set amongst 30 acres of magnificent terraced gardens and grounds. This Easter, the estate is hosting a Golden Bunny Easter Egg Hunt between April 2 and April 24 which consist of finding the Great Golden Bunny who has escaped from the house and is hiding in the grounds. Pick up a sheet from the Woodland Shop to start the hunt and remember to take a photo with the bunny when you find him to claim your prize! The trail costs £4.

Enjoy an Easter walk

Spring is a beautiful season in the Lake District, making Easter a great time for a picturesque walk. Whether you fancy a stroll along the lakeshore, a wonder around the park or gardens, or an exciting day in the hills, there’s a walk for everyone here…

Rannerdale Bluebells

Located between Crummock Water and Buttermere, Rannerdale Knotts is a low fell which is home to the famous ‘valley of the bluebells.’ Thousands of bluebells flower in the spring across Rannerdale. Appearing from late April to early May you may just catch a glimpse of them towards the end of the holidays.

A walk to the summit of Rannerdale Knotts is an unforgettable experience during this time of year. Keep an eye out for newborn lambs in the valley! Avoid the urge to walk amongst the flowers and stick to the designated paths to avoid damaging the blooms.

Dora’s Field, Rydal

A trip to Dora’s Field in Rydal is a must-do walk if you want to see an abundance of spring daffodils! The flower is often associated with the Lake District due to the famous poem ‘I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud’ by Lakes Poet William Wordsworth. The poem was inspired by a scene Wordsworth experienced when walking with his sister around Glencoyne Bay in Ullswater. Later in his life, the poet sadly lost his daughter, Dora and planted hundreds of daffodil bulbs in a field in her memory. A walk around the spring daffodils in Dora’s Field is a memorable one.

Ullswater

For some peace and quiet along the lakeshore, The Ullswater valley is nestled away from the hustle and bustle of the busy holiday season and provides plenty of peaceful lakeside walks. The second largest lake in England cuts through 9 miles of green countryside and rugged mountains. The full Ullswater Way can be walked in a 20-mile loop or you can explore shorter sections of the trail. During springtime, the most picturesque part of Ullswater has to be Glencoyne Bay and is also one of the best places in the national park to see daffodils. It was here in the spring of April 1802 where William Wordsworth was inspired to write ‘I Wandered Lonely As A Cloud,’ due to his amazement at the thousands of beautiful daffodils before him.

Meet a new born Lamb at Walby Farm

For the perfect family day out this Easter, join in with the ‘Easter Eggstravaganza’ at Walby Farm near Carlisle, which runs from Saturday 2 April to Tuesday 19. Children can get involved in Easter egg hunts around the farm, decorate their own egg, make and eat tasty treats in the ‘Chocolatier’s Kitchen,’ dig for eggs in the sandpit, see a live lambing and meet a baby lamb alongside a visit from the Easter Bunny!

Have a family fun day at the races

On Saturday 16 April, pay a visit to Carlisle Racecourse and get involved with their Easter Family Raceday. The afternoon consists of Jump racing action, an Easter Egg Hunt, an Easter craft workshop, balloon modellers, face paints, a ‘Pony Chase’, bouncy castles and an Easter Rabbit Mascot. Adults can enjoy the racing whilst children get involved with the fun Easter activities.

Visit Peter Rabbit at the World of Beatrix Potter

The World of Beatrix Potter in Windermere is an exciting attraction for children and a nostalgic experience for adults. Step into the stories of Beatrix Potter, with the attraction including interactive scenes from the tales of Peter Rabbit, Jemima Puddle-duck and Mrs Tiggy-winkle. Over the Easter weekend, the attraction often hosts events including a Peter Rabbit Tea Party and Mini Egg Hunt in the Peter Rabbit Garden. Keep an eye out on the website for dates for this Easter.

Take a cruise on the lake

Spring is a fantastic time to explore the lakes by boat and see beautiful surrounding countryside views you may not be able to see on foot. Launches operate lake cruises and boat trips on Windermere, Derwentwater, Coniston Water and Ullswater. Cruises operate throughout the year but increase frequency between Easter and November. If you’re feeling adventurous, take to the lake on a rowing boat, kayak or paddleboard, which can be hired from various marinas across the four lakes.

Become a detective at Holker Hall & Gardens

Holker Hall & Gardens is situated near Cartmel and has been the family home of Lord and Lady Cavendish for over 400 years. The family are welcoming everyone to their Victorian hall on Easter Sunday for their ‘Malice in Wonderland’ kids murder mystery afternoon. Lewis Carroll has been found dead and it seems one of the characters he brought to life has escaped the pages of Wonderland and taken his! Get your detective skills at the ready and prepare for a trip down the rabbit-hole to solve the mystery and uncover which of the Fairy Tale Villains committed the crime. Visit Holker Hall this Easter Sunday for an afternoon part mystery, part Scavenger Hunt and a Treasure Trail suitable for all family.

Laugh at the Theatre

The Theatre by the Lake in Keswick is a beautiful venue set on the shores of Derwentwater. The theatre showcases live drama and music performances all year round and is a great Easter activity for a rainy day. The theatre is also hosting an ‘Easter Holiday Theatre Week’ for children aged 11-14 between Monday 4 April and Friday 8 April from 10am-3pm. The week consists of theatre making, working alongside professional theatre makers!