Imagine quaint country cottages with their Christmas trees glistening through the window, frosty-leaved woodlands, crisp air, and snow-peaked mountains, these are all the magical things you can experience at Christmas time in the Lake District.
The Lake District is just a 2 and a half hour drive from Liverpool, making it the perfect Christmas getaway.
With the unmissable Santa’s Express and Taste Cumbria Christmas food festival, there are plenty of activities to do, places to visit, and of course, the most Christmassy hotels to stay at.
Where To Go In The Lake District For Christmas
Where To Go In The Lake District For Christmas There’s no wrong place to visit during the Winter months in the Lake District, from the cute festive town of Ambleside where you can see Hayes Garden World Christmas display or sing carols at the local church.
For families, enjoy a Father Christmas Lake cruise at Windermere taking in the winter wonderland scenery with a sherry and mince pie in hand.
We recommend paying a visit to these most popular places in the Lake District at Christmas –
- Grasmere – Picturesque Grasmere at Christmas is a sight not to miss, with panoramic mountains surrounding the village, the Grasmere Gingerbread Shop for some festive treats, and Georgian Christmas crafts at Williams Wordsworth’s Dove Cottage.
- Keswick – There are plenty of things to do in December at Keswick, with the Keswick Victorian Fayre or Christmas Carols at Keswick Market Square.
- Bowness on Windermere – Stroll down the streets of Bowness on Windermere and indulge in seasonal treats at the Homeground before a long Christmas hike or visit the World Of Beatrix Potter with the children.
- Ambleside – One of the most popular towns in the Lake District, Ambleside doesn’t disappoint at Christmas with the Rydal Mount Christmas Fayre, illuminated streets with Christmas lights and Santa cruises.
- Cartmel – Known to be one of the most Christmassy places in the Lake District, visit the famous Cartmel Christmas Market, look at the artisan treats, and stay in the quaint Christmas cottages.
- Hawkshead – A picture postcard setting for Christmas, you can’t miss the Hawkshead Christmas Fayre, indulge in a Christmas roast at the local pubs, and visit a Christmas grotto.
- Cockermouth – Taste Cumbria Christmas is one of the main Christmas foodie events in the Lake District and will surely get you in the Christmas spirit.
The 7 Most Christmassy Hotels In The Lake District
Now we know where to go, we move on to the most important part, the most festive places to stay in the Lake District, from gorgeous inns with incredible views to luxurious hotels with all the festive trimmings.
1: Inn On The Square – Keswick
This Scandinavian-designed hotel mixed with Cumbrian love is family-owned and the perfect Christmas hotel if you’re looking for glamorous cocktails, traditional gold-red-green Christmas decor, and Yuletide buffets.
Best of all, the Inn On The Square offers Christmas break packages spanning over Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day filled with festive food and activities from carol singers, Christmas treasure hunts, a guided Boxing Day walk, and more.
Staying at the Inn On The Square is truly that magical Christmas on the Lake District you’ve been looking for.
Learn more about the Inn On The Square here.
2: Victorian House Hotel – Grasmere
Nestled in the idyllic Grasmere area is the Victorian House Hotel surrounded by vast countryside and heritage sites, you’re not going to be short of festive crisp walks around the area.
The hotel is closed from the 22nd to the 27th of December but is open before Christmas for a winter getaway. Imagine going to the local pub for a roast dinner after a day of hiking, exploring the local shops of Grasmere with their Christmas goods, then finishing the day with a glass of red and sinking into a good book.
The rooms of this hotel are tastefully decorated with options for family, dog-friendly rooms, and even stargazer rooms.
Learn more about the Victorian House Hotel here.
3: Langdale Chase – Windermere
Langdale Chase is one of the most popular 5-star hotels in the Lake District situated on the shores of Windermere. It turns into a winter wonderland at Christmas with festive afternoon treats, mulled wine, river cruises to shake off the cobwebs on Boxing Day, and more.
Since 1891 the Langdale Chase has been welcoming visitors, an inspiration for artists and poets for centuries – they take Christmas very seriously.
If you want to splash out and have the most scenic winter in the Lake District, the Langdale Chase will not disappoint, especially if you indulge in their Christmas package over three days.
Learn more about Langdale Chase here.
4: Armathwaite Hall Hotel & Spa – Keswick
Set in 400 acres of deer park and woodland next to the Bassenthwaite Lake with a view of the Skiddaw mountain and Lake District Fells is the Armathwaite Hall Hotel & Spa at Keswick.
With 43 luxury bedrooms and an award-winning spa, this hotel offers a luxurious Christmas stay with gourmet food, log fires, seasonal decorations, and entertainment. Armathwaite offers a Christmas break package, and lots of activities such as guided walks, clay pigeon shooting, and even photography classes.
It’s ideal for those who want to be close to festive activities such as the Keswick Victorian Fayre while being near the lake.
Learn more about the luxurious Armathwaite Hall Hotel & Spa here.
5: Hare And Hounds Lake District – Bowland Bridge
The Hare and Hounds Inn at Bowland Bridge is just three miles from Windermere and is a quintessentially British country pub with a touch of modernisation.
The pub offers great food and drink and dog-friendly rooms, think The Holiday style cottage decor, perfect for those who want to curl up at the end of the day in a cosy room away from the winter chill.
Best of all, in 2024 the Hare and Hounds is set to have a giant alpine tipi decked out like a Swiss alpine chalet with mulled wine, fondue and a firepit. There will also be events such as how to cook the best turkey and fireplace garland making.
Learn more about the Hare and Hounds at Bowland Bridge here.
6: The Wateredge Inn – Ambleside
Located at Ambleside near the Rydal Mount Christmas Fayre is the Wateredge Inn. The hotel is part of The Inn Collection Group and is perched right on Windermere Lake serving pub food, comfortable rooms and stunning views.
It’s the ideal hotel if you want to be near hiking routes and they have special deal winter break packages too. It’s the perfect stay if you want roaring fires, festive cheer, great food and wine.
Learn more about the Wateredge Inn here.
7: The Trout Hotel – Cockermouth
The Trout Hotel at Cockermouth offers a wonderful Lake District Winter escape if you’re looking for things to do in December. The character building dates back to the 1600s and has peaceful riverside views with great dining experiences.
It’s ideal if you want to be near the Taste Cumbria Christmas event and have luxurious cottage suites with private gardens.
Learn more about the Trout Hotel here.
Not To Miss Activities In The Lake District At Winter
The Lake District turns into a winter wonderland at Christmas and has plenty of places to visit and indulge in Christmas delights. Get some inspo for a Lake District location here.
Some places that are must-visit are –
- Stop for Christmas Day lunch at Armathwaite Hall.
- Go Cumbrian Christmas Shopping at Cockermouth.
- Take a Santa express train to Santa’s grotto.
- Have a Father Christmas Lake cruise at Windermere.
- Visit to Ulverston Dickensian Festival.
- Take part in the Christmas Pudding 10K run.
- Have Yuletide afternoon tea at Lodore Falls.
- Warm up at the Choccobar hot chocolate house in Windermere.
- Visit the Christmas On The Lakes shop at Windermere.
- Take Winter walks around Grasmere and Rydal Lake or Tarn Hows circular walk among the backdrop of the Langdale pikes.
- Take a stroll through Lake District’s Christmas markets at Cartmel, Ambleside, Hawkshead, Cockermouth and Carlisle.