When is the best time of year to visit Ulverston?

Ulverston is a beautiful place to visit all year round, however there are pros and cons depending on which season you visit…

  • Spring  (March- June

Spring is a beautiful season in the Lake District; lambs are jumping around the fields and fells, daffodils are blooming and tourists are returning following the quieter winter months. Ulverston is a great place to be in the spring, with plenty going on as the village begins to open up following winter…

  • Vibrantly coloured spring walks…

Walks around Ulverston’s nearby gardens and woodland provide endless opportunities to spot new wildlife and blooms including bluebells, snowdrops and daffodils. Ford Park and Priory Park are particularly beautiful during springtime as the woodland is carpeted with vibrant spring blooms.

  • Spring events…

- Ulverston WalkFest takes place usually in April or May and has been operating since 1999 celebrating a weekend of hiking in the beautiful Lake District and Ulverston area. One of the aims of the Walkfest has always been to respect and care for the environment and cherish the opportunities that nature gives us to enjoy ourselves. All walks can be accessed from Ulverston town to reduce the amount of travel guests use.

  • Cumbria County Council host a range of Easter Holiday activities in Ford Park for children including a mixture of multi-sports both inside and out and creative indoor crafts. The park also hosts a children’s Easter trail in the walled garden providing kids with an activity pack and free chocolate egg.

  • The Coro Easter Market takes place each year outside the Coronation Hall. Previous markets have included beautiful ceramics; lovingly-crafted pottery and woodwork; exquisite handmade jewellery; breath-taking Lake District photography; homemade books, calendars, home and décor items; and various assortments of tasty treats from cupcakes to vintage sweets.

  • Summer (June- September)

Summer is the most popular time for visitors to the Lake District with warmer weather, longer days and public holidays encouraging tourists. Ulverston is often packed with people during the summertime making it a lively place to be!

  • Outdoor activities

Anything outdoors is best enjoyed when the weather is warm and dry, with water sports and hiking being popular around Ulverston and WIndermere during summer. Water activities such as kayaking, rowing, wild swimming and boat trips are popular on the nearby Windermere Lake; activity centres offering hiring options are dotted around the lake.

  • Camping

Campsites in and nearby Ulverston such as Priory View and Urswick Campsite re-open for the summer season between March-October. The warmer weather makes camping an ideal way to spend summer nights in Ulverston and often the cheapest way, due to hotels and accommodation often peaking in price during this busy time of year.

  • Summer Events

Another Fine Fest is a festival of music, comedy, street theatre and art, in celebration of Ulverston and the birth of its most famous comedy son, Stan Laurel, taking place in June. 

Ulverston International Music Festival also takes place early June and is held at the Coronation Hall, celebrating classical music and opera. 

Furness Tradition is another music festival held at the Coro and is a weekend filled with the finest traditional contemporary folk music, song and dance.

  • Autumn (September-November)

Autumn is a beautiful time in the Lake District, with summer crowds disappearing and autumn leaves falling, its time for wild, wrapped up walks, cosy pubs, hot chocolates and Halloween activities… 

  • Autumn coloured hikes… 

Hiking around Ulverston during autumn is a beautiful time, with woodland walks being a great option to display the leaves changing colours alongside some of the grassier fells which showcase stunning purple heather and orange bracken.  Some vibrant woodland walks to explore near Ulverston include  Ford Park and Priory Park. Head up to Hoad Hill to see some stunning autumnal scenes across Morecambe Bay and towards the southern Lake District Fells.

  • Autumn activities

  • Ulverston Lantern Festival is a fiery festival taking place mid September each year the town centre. The event is an annual community gathering featuring a spectacular lantern procession through the cobbled streets of Ulverston. There is a new theme each year and people are encouraged to make lanterns with the theme in mind. Lantern kits containing willow withies, paper, glue, masking tape and wired candle are available to buy in the town from around August time.

  • Ulverston Beer Festival is held during early September at the Coronation Hall and provides guests with the chance to sample over 100 real ales and ciders from local brewers.

  • Ford Park host an Ulverston Candle Lit walk for Halloween including a spooky candlelit stroll through the woodland and various activities such as music, stories, fire performances and dancing!

  • Winter (November- February)

Winter is likely the quietest time of year in the Lake District with closed amenities and cold weather keeping many tourists away. This doesn’t mean Ulverston is off limits; it’s a great way to explore and enjoy the village without the crowds. Winter in Ulverston can mean stunning snowy hikes, cosy pubs with a roaring fire and festive Christmas days…

  • Cosy pubs

Finding a cosy pub with a fire is a great way to end a winter’s day in Ulverston. Local pubs including the Rose and Crown and the Bay Horse both have cosy, roaring fires to warm up next to with a locally brewed pint and some seasonal pub grub.

  • Christmas activities

The Dickensian Christmas Festival is one the biggest events in the Ulverston town calendar. The volunteer run festival began in 2000 and is now one the most busiest Christmas events in the area. As well as Ulverston's fantastic specialist shops, great pubs and cafes, cobbled streets and great atmosphere, there is a huge variety of free entertainment, free events for children , costume competitions, balloon modeling, horse drawn carriages, music and dancing. Plus a wonderful traditional fairground, complete with a Helter Skelter,and lots of music from Folk to Brass Bands.  There is also a pop up Christmas market filled with unsual gift and festive food stalls. Guests often get into the spirit of the traditional festival and dress up in Dickensian themed period costumes. There is a competition for the best dressed too!