Easter 2017 – All there is to see and do in the Lake District

With winter slowly receding and the spring buds beginning to appear, now is the time to start thinking about your next holiday to Lakeland country – and Easter might be the perfect time to visit this stunning part of the world. From the blooming daffodils that inspired Wordsworth, to the incredible spring blossom of the damson trees, not to mention adorable newborn lambs, this might be the time that the region is at its most beautiful. There is so much to see and do in the Lake District at this time of year that it can be a little daunting to know where to start – that’s why we’ve put together this What’s On guide to help you plan the perfect trip. Read on to discover our recommendations for a fantastic Easter in the Lake District – and should you be inspired, follow this link to check out the rates at our caravan and touring park, near the breathtaking Bassenthwaite Lake.

Witness Wordsworth’s Daffodils

daffodils lake district
William Wordsworth, one of Britain’s best-loved poets, was born in the town of Cockermouth, only 5 miles from our site. His most celebrated work, I Wandered Lonely As A Cloud, more commonly known as Daffodils, is perhaps the most famous poem in the English language, and it has been indelibly linked to the Lake District ever since it was first published in 1807. With the daffodils that inspired him in full bloom around mid-April, the Easter holidays are the ideal time to explore the man and see the ‘host of golden daffodils’ for yourself. Head to Cockermouth to visit Wordsworth House and Garden, his childhood home, which is now maintained by the National Trust. Further South, just over 20 miles from our site, is Dove Cottage in Grasmere, where Wordsworth lived at the time he wrote the poem, which has a museum dedicated to his life and work.
Of course, the main attraction is the daffodils themselves, which Wordsworth saw while walking by Ullswater lake way back on April 15, 1802. The daffodils still bloom there today, and there is an entire ‘Daffodil Fest’ running at Ullswater from March 28 – April 17 this year, so there is ample opportunity to take in the flowers for yourself – though it is naturally very popular with tourists and can be quite busy. A more tranquil daffodil experience associated with Wordsworth, though one with a tragic history, is at Dora’s Field in Rydal village. After Wordsworth’s daughter, Dora, passed away in 1847, William, along with his wife, sister and gardener, planted hundreds of daffodils in the field in her memory, which still grow there today.

Take in the best of the Easter events

easter egg hunt
There are, unsurprisingly, a whole host of Easter celebrations taking place in the region over the holidays. 8 miles down the road is the market town of Keswick, which is holding an Easter Egg Hunt at 11am on Easter Monday (April 17). Even closer, right next to us on the banks of Bassenthwaite Lake, the Lakes Distillery will be holding Easter egg hunts and face painting over the Easter weekend from April 14-17. They’ll also be holding a Gin Afternoon Tea on the first Saturday of the holidays (April 8). 30 miles South of the site is the famous Lake Windermere, where there will be an ‘Eggstra Special Easter’ celebration also running from April 14-17, with face painting, egg decorating and an Easter trail.
Perhaps the biggest event of them all though is the World of Beatrix Potter’s ‘Where is Peter Rabbit?’ Easter treasure trail, the biggest Easter egg hunt in the North of England. From 10am on Wednesday, April 12, children and adults will search for 100 limited edition ceramic eggs hidden across 2,600 square miles – 10 of which are linked with top prizes – using a live google map on their smart phone. You will have to register online prior to the event, which includes making a minimum donation of £4 to WaterAid – you will then receive an email to a link to the interactive google map and clues, which go live on the morning of the hunt. If that seems like a little too much ground to cover, the World of Beatrix Potter is also holding a much smaller scale Peter Rabbit Mini Egg Hunt in the garden of the attraction on Easter Sunday and Monday.

Experience a diverse range of Festivals

blues festival
If egg hunting and decorating isn’t your thing, there are a number of alternative events taking place across the Lake District over the Easter break. The weekend before Easter, at the very start of the holidays, is the Bowness Blues Festival, running from the afternoon of Friday, April 7 until the evening of Sunday, April 9. The festival has been described as a ‘flagship for the very best of British blues’, and this year 23 blues acts will perform 26 gigs at 10 different venues. Tickets for the festival range from £20 – £80, but it will also feature a free Fringe Festival at 4 different venues on Saturday from midday until 11.30pm, so casual music lovers will still be able to check it out.
A completely different festival taking place that is worth being aware of is ‘Teddy Fest’. For the duration of the Easter break, children will travel free at Ravenglass Railway and Ullswater Steamers when accompanied by their teddy – while Muncaster Castle is also running a ‘Teddies go free’ promotion from Good Friday to Easter Monday. The Muncaster gardens are at their best in spring, and although they peak in May, they will be a mass of spectacular colour and well worth a visit in mid-April.
Also running over the Easter weekend is the ‘Taste Cumbria’ food festival, which this year is being held at Kirkby Lonsdale, from 14-16 April. Showcasing the best of Cumbrian food, more than 40 producers will be setting up stall, while there will also be chef demonstrations, and a beer festival in the nearby Kirkby Lonsdale Brewery. Food lovers should also consider heading to Eskdale, where the Woolpack Inn is hosting a 3 day Cider and Sausage Festival from April 20-23 – featuring 25 varieties of sausage and 50 varieties of cider.
Celebrating the beautiful damson blossom, the annual Damson Day at Low Farm in the Lyth Valley will take place on April 22 this year. The day is a country fair featuring local traders, live music, and of course, all things damson – from damson produce to buy, to cookery demonstrations. Aside from the festival, the valley is the site of one of the most picturesque walks at this time of year, with the lush pink blossoms a sight to behold, especially when looking down from the wooded heights of Brigsteer Park to the East of the valley.
We hope these suggestions have helped you plan your Easter visit to the Lake District. Click here if you’d like to view our caravan and holiday park and book online. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us by calling: 017687 76241 or email: info@herdwick-croft.co.uk
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