Windermere in October? For someone that has never been to the lake district?

[Wiifitmama]

My dh and I are supposed to be in Budapest mid October for his 50th birthday which of course is not happening now. So we are looking for somewhere in the UK to go. We live in central London with no car. We have done lots of the seaside places so don't really want to do that again. Or a city. We have never been to the Lake District before but love lakes and mountains holidays in Austria so thought we might like it.

We are looking at Bowness on Windermere as the destination. Train from London. We will not have a car when we are there so would need to walk, take the ferries on the lake, etc. We are planning 4 nights, no kids. Are we mad? Will it just pour down the whole time? Is there enough for us to do?

Any thoughts before we book?

The lakes is very busy at the best of times. I would recommend the Yorkshire dales

I stayed in Ambleside two weeks ago and it was gorgeous, loved it. SO busy though, have to book for restaurants at least a day in advance to stand a chance. We got the ferry to Bowness which is nice but not as much so. Definitely feels a bit more 'touristy'.

If you're catching the train from Euston, it's timed to meet the LakesLine train from Oxenholme to Windermere. However, if the London train is very full (I guess that's unlikely at the moment) it goes slower & misses the connection & you have to wait 45/50 mins for the next one. This is fine unless you're on the 19:30 from Euston when you'll miss the last train...

Lakeside taxis do a special cheap fixed fare from Windermere station to anywhere in Bowness, if you organise it when you get to Oxenholme they'll be waiting for you.

We often go up for the weekend with no car, it's not a problem. I'd recommend The Old Stamp House in Ambleside for a special meal, but you have to book weeks in advance.

Surely it is so busy right now because it is still school holidays? We are going 13th October - right in the middle of term and before half term. I am thinking it will not be so packed then but maybe I am wrong. Good to know about the train and taxis, thanks.

@Wiifitmama

Surely it is so busy right now because it is still school holidays? We are going 13th October - right in the middle of term and before half term. I am thinking it will not be so packed then but maybe I am wrong. Good to know about the train and taxis, thanks.

It's busy all the time (even normally) right up until the end of October really. Our holiday cottages are fully booked until mid November and we are currently getting around 10 enquiries a day for after school holidays finish that we are having to turn down.

September up until Oct half term is traditionally a very busy time for us anyway and we were booked up for those week long before anyone had even contemplated a pandemic.

The Lakes seems to be attracting large groups of young people camping/ hiking etc instead of going on 'lads holidays' this year which is changing the vibe a bit but in fairness Bowness has long been 'a good night out' (or about as good as it gets in the Lakes) on a Saturday night.

If you don't have good waterproofs/boots etc already, there are of course loads of outdoors-wear shops in the Lake District.

I could easily spend 4 days without a car based in the places mentioned. I wouldn't have thought they'd be so busy by October outside of half term - especially if it's midweek rather than weekends.

If anyone is looking for somewhere accessible by train, significantly quieter and with a fantastic network of footpaths then may be worth taking a look at the Silverdale/Arnside area - they have stations (on the Lancaster-Barrow line). Or the next stop over the estuary is Grange over Sands.

You can always walk with alpacas near Derwentwater too, near Keswick. It’s magical.

I think you will find it quieter after the schools go back OP but not actually quiet, if that makes sense? There will obviously be less families with school aged children around, at least midweek, but there will still be loads of older people, couples without children, potentially groups of young singles etc who, like yourself I guess, are waiting til after the school holidays for lower prices and to avoid young kids.
We don't live actually within the Lake District but not that far away and we generally avoid the touristy places up until after October half term - its pretty busy until then.

Ok thanks. We are arriving on a Tuesday and leaving on a Saturday so will hopefully avoid the worst of any weekend lads nights out.

Yes, I would think it will mainky be couples midweek in October. Still "busy" but fairly peaceful. The biggest issue is often parking but that's one thing you wont be worried about!

You can get the bus to Ambleside as well if you like quaint villages and want to see another one. Also a good option if it rains.

Do book a meal at the Miller Howe for a treat - it has not failed us yet.

We stayed in windermere in october a few years ago, was lovely. V cold as soon as the sun goes down! If you're happy mooching and walking there is plenty to do.

And yes, it was busy! So do book a few restaurants in advance!
Also accommodation wise - might be worth booking somewhere that has a good cancellation policy just in case of further lockdowns... sorry to mention that!!

Personally I think it would be bonkers to go all the way to the Lakes and not explore a bit.

IMO Windermere is one of the least interesting lakes as it is not surrounded by the big fells. If you stay in Windermere, Bowness of Ambleside, do at least take a half day Mountain Goat tour and see some of the more majestic, spectacular sights, and just see ore than around Windermere. www.mountain-goat.com/Lake-District

Or take the bus into Langdale.

My 1st thought was the weather!! You may get lucky.... take appropriate clothing with you. If you dont drive you may be a bit limited?

Lakes is fabulous any time of year, and busy all year round! And Bowness/Windermere aren't the prettiest bits of the lakes. It's a bit like going to London, hanging round Trafalgar Square; beautiful but you'd miss out on so much.

Ambleside is a great base, there's a bus that takes you to langdales or up to Keswick with all the options on the way up.

Don't bother with the aquarium it's a bit pants.

There's fab walks from Ambleside across to Rydal water.

It'll be gorgeous op! It'll be like when people go to New England for the fall! The colours will be amazing. I'd make sure I had nice accommodation. You'll have a great, romantic break.

@Wiifitmama

Ok thanks. We are arriving on a Tuesday and leaving on a Saturday so will hopefully avoid the worst of any weekend lads nights out.

It'll be busier than you think. Like a PP, I avoid Ambleside up until November because it can get very, very busy. Not necessarily with families, but lots of older couples without children (or whose children are grown) will take advantage of the cheaper prices.

Don't be put off, though. Just be prepared to book restaurants etc. before you arrive or you may struggle to find somewhere, especially with social distancing and restrictions on numbers. Similarly with taxis, I would book several days in advance if possible - you may not be able to just ring on the day.

@Leo89

The lakes is very busy at the best of times. I would recommend the Yorkshire dales

I wouldn't without a car, unless you're a very serious cyclist.