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  1. Rainy Day Ideas

You are here: Home > Ideas and Inspiration > Rainy day ideas

Rainy day ideas

It rains from time to time in the Lake District, but how else did you think we got our fabulous landscapes and those lakes? Still, we’re more than prepared for the occasional downpour, and there’s plenty to do while taking shelter from the elements.

The county’s collection of museums alone could keep you busy for a year, whether it’s visiting the homes of William Wordsworth or Beatrix Potter, learning about life on the lake at the spectacular new boat museum on Windermere, or uncovering the fascinating history of the humble pencil, which we-bet-you-didn’t-know was invented in Keswick back in the 16th century. Don’t knock it until you try it!

You can watch Beatrix Potter’s most memorable creations come to life in Bowness or explore the miner’s life deep in a mountain at Honister. The county’s waterfalls are best visited when there’s been a downpour – Aira Force and Stock Ghyll are powerful examples of nature’s extraordinary force and beauty.

Lake cruises depart in all weathers, as do Cumbria’s railroads – what better way of whiling away a wet day than aboard a 19th century steam train? And if you want to work up a proper sweat, there are indoor climbing walls in Ambleside, Kendal `and Keswick.

Cumbria’s towns are well worth a mooch in their own right: Windermere, Bowness, Ambleside and Kendal are beautiful places lined with independent shops and cafes, but you can go farther afield and while away a few hours in the shopping havens of Rheged, near Penrith (where there’s also an IMAX cinema); and Carlisle, whose busy centre is full of distractions (and there’s a pretty impressive castle and cathedral too).

Inspiration

  1. What's On
    Use our calendar to learn more about what's on in the Lake District and Cumbria. We have great events, concerts, festivals, and workshops on year-round!
  2. Farfield Mill, Sedbergh
    Museums
    Cumbria’s rich history is ever-present in every village and town, but if you need a little interpretation, then head for one of the county’s many museums.
  3. Old Laundry Theatre, Windermere
    Theatre & Live Performance
    A night at the theatre is always enjoyable, but in the Lake District we like to make things extra special.
  4. Keswick Alhambra Cinema
    Films & Cinema
    Enjoy a great film or screening at the best independent cinemas in the Lake District, Cumbria.
  5. Galleries and Exhibitions - Tullie House, Carlisle
    Galleries & Exhibitions
    In Cumbria you’ll find a range of art galleries and exhibition spaces that host a constantly changing menu of works in virtually every medium.

You may leave the Lake District, but once you’ve been, it’ll never leave you.

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  1. Participants in the Winter Droving Festival by Eden Arts in Penrith, Cumbria
    Participants in the Winter Droving Festival by Eden Arts in Penrith, Cumbria
    Marnie the Fell Pony being shown as part of the Epona Exhibition by Eden Arts in Penrith, Cumbria
    Participants in the Picnic Cinema by Eden Arts in Penrith, Cumbria
    Participants in the Winter Droving Festival by Eden Arts in Penrith, Cumbria
    Epona Exhibition by Eden Arts in Cumbria
    Participants in the Winter Droving Festival by Eden Arts in Penrith, Cumbria
    Participants in the Picnic Cinema by Eden Arts in Penrith, Cumbria
    Participants in the Winter Droving Festival by Eden Arts in Penrith, Cumbria
    Poster for the Epona Exhibition by Eden Arts in Cumbria
    Participants in the Winter Droving Festival by Eden Arts in Penrith, Cumbria
    Marnie the Fell Pony being shown as part of the Epona Exhibition by Eden Arts in Penrith, Cumbria
    Participants in the Picnic Cinema by Eden Arts in Penrith, Cumbria
    Participants in the Winter Droving Festival by Eden Arts in Penrith, Cumbria
    Epona Exhibition by Eden Arts in Cumbria
    Participants in the Winter Droving Festival by Eden Arts in Penrith, Cumbria
    Participants in the Picnic Cinema by Eden Arts in Penrith, Cumbria
    Participants in the Winter Droving Festival by Eden Arts in Penrith, Cumbria
    Poster for the Epona Exhibition by Eden Arts in Cumbria
    Eden Arts

    Address

    Eden Arts, The Old Fire Station, Bridge Ln, Penrith, Cumbria, CA11 8HY

    Telephone

    01768 899444

    info@edenarts.co.uk

    Bridge Ln, Penrith

    Based in Cumbria, Eden Arts are an artist led company dedicated to creating and facilitating change through culture and arts activities.

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    Tourism For All

    Tick for venues providing access information
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  2. Exterior at The Vault in Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria
    Exterior at The Vault in Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria
    Inside the cell at The Vault in Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria
    Lockers at The Vault in Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria
    Instructions at The Vault in Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria
    Exterior at The Vault in Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria
    Inside the cell at The Vault in Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria
    Lockers at The Vault in Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria
    Instructions at The Vault in Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria
    The Vault, Kirkby Lonsdale

    Address

    The Vault, The Old Bank Buildings, 29 Main St, Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria, LA6 2AH

    Telephone

    015242 97177

    29 Main St, Kirkby Lonsdale

    Step into The Vault and unlock the history of Kirkby Lonsdale through this interactive, and free to enter, exhibit located in the town’s former bank vault.

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  3. Hand crafted goods at Cumbria Crystal in Ulverston
    Hand crafted goods at Cumbria Crystal in Ulverston
    Cumbria Crystal Factory Shop and Demonstration at Cumbria Crystal in Ulverston
    Cumbria Crystal Factory Shop in Ulverston, Cumbria
    Gifts and hand crafted goods at Cumbria Crystal in Ulverston, Cumbria
    Cumbria Crystal Factory Shop at Cumbria Crystal in Ulverston, Cumbria
    Glassblowing experiences for children at Cumbria Crystal in Ulverston, Cumbria
    Cumbria Crystal Factory Shop at Cumbria Crystal in Ulverston, Cumbria
    Handcrafted crystal at Cumbria Crystal in Ulverston, Cumbria
    Cumbria Crystal as seen on TV in Ulverston, Cumbria
    Glassware and gifts at Cumbria Crystal in Ulverston, Cumbria
    Hand crafted goods at Cumbria Crystal in Ulverston
    Cumbria Crystal Factory Shop and Demonstration at Cumbria Crystal in Ulverston
    Cumbria Crystal Factory Shop in Ulverston, Cumbria
    Gifts and hand crafted goods at Cumbria Crystal in Ulverston, Cumbria
    Cumbria Crystal Factory Shop at Cumbria Crystal in Ulverston, Cumbria
    Glassblowing experiences for children at Cumbria Crystal in Ulverston, Cumbria
    Cumbria Crystal Factory Shop at Cumbria Crystal in Ulverston, Cumbria
    Handcrafted crystal at Cumbria Crystal in Ulverston, Cumbria
    Cumbria Crystal as seen on TV in Ulverston, Cumbria
    Glassware and gifts at Cumbria Crystal in Ulverston, Cumbria
    Cumbria Crystal

    Address

    Oubas Hill, Ulverston, Cumbria, LA12 7LB

    Telephone

    01229 584400

    info@cumbriacrystal.com

    Ulverston

    England's last luxury glassblowing factory making crystal for royal families & luxury stores worldwide. As seen on Downton Abbey, James Bond and even in the new Bentleys. Factory shop, live demonstrations and experiences available throughout the…

    Add Cumbria Crystal to your Itinerary

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    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 240 reviews240 reviews
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  4. Exterior of Tabitha Twitchit's Bookshop in Hawkshead, Lake District © National Trust Images / Steven Barber
    Exterior of Tabitha Twitchit's Bookshop in Hawkshead, Lake District © National Trust Images / Steven Barber
    Exterior of Tabitha Twitchit's Bookshop in Hawkshead, Lake District © Lakes Culture / Jill Jennings
    Exterior of Tabitha Twitchit's Bookshop in Hawkshead, Lake District © National Trust Images / Chris Lacey
    Exterior of Tabitha Twitchit's Bookshop in Hawkshead, Lake District © National Trust Images / Steven Barber
    Exterior of Tabitha Twitchit's Bookshop in Hawkshead, Lake District © Lakes Culture / Jill Jennings
    Exterior of Tabitha Twitchit's Bookshop in Hawkshead, Lake District © National Trust Images / Chris Lacey
    Tabitha Twitchit's Bookshop

    Address

    Tabitha Twitchit's Bookshop, Main St, Hawkshead, Cumbria, LA22 0NS

    tabithatwitchitsbookshop@nationaltrust.org.uk

    Hawkshead

    Step inside the charming world of Tabitha Twitchit's second-hand bookshop in Hawkshead, where every shelf holds a story. Come in and wander round, browse and lose yourself in the quiet magic of well-loved pages and forgotten treasures. Whether…

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  5. Exterior at Ennerdale Brewery, Tap & Bistro in Rowrah, Cumbria
    Exterior at Ennerdale Brewery, Tap & Bistro in Rowrah, Cumbria
    Ennerdale Brewery

    Address

    Ennerdale Brewery, Tap & Bistro, Chapel Row, Rowrah, Cumbria, CA26 3XS

    Telephone

    01946 862977

    info@ennerdalebrewery.co.uk

    Rowrah

    Situated on the western coast in the rural village of Rowrah, our beer is brewed with quality and consistency championing the highest quality of malts, whole cone hops and Lake District water, our in house yeast strain derived from traditional…

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  6. Interior seating and layout at Crooked River Tap in Keswick, Lake District
    Interior seating and layout at Crooked River Tap in Keswick, Lake District
    Crooked River Brewing Co

    Address

    Crooked River Tap, 7 Packhorse Ct, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 5JB

    Telephone

    017687 21705

    info@crooked-river.co.uk

    Keswick

    Crooked River Brewing Co is a craft beer brewery based in West Cumbria with a taproom based in Keswick

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  7. Brewer with Malt at Carlisle Brewing Co. in Carlisle, Cumbria
    Brewer with Malt at Carlisle Brewing Co. in Carlisle, Cumbria
    Carlisle Brewing Co.

    Address

    The Carlisle Brewing Company, 2, 12A Kingstown Broadway, Kingstown Industrial Estate, Carlisle, Cumbria, CA3 0HA

    Telephone

    01228 594959

    Kingstown Industrial Estate, Carlisle

    Carlisle Brewing Co is a small, family-run brewery based in Cumbria's capital city. We make beer because we simply love it - real ale is awesome! We've spent more years than we care to remember drinking real ale of all styles and flavours.

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  8. Advert for Indian Vegetarian Dining & Cooking Workshops with Dosa Chaska in Egremont, Cumbria
    Advert for Indian Vegetarian Dining & Cooking Workshops with Dosa Chaska in Egremont, Cumbria
    Dosa Chaska

    Address

    Egremont, Cumbria, CA22 2UH

    hello@dosachaska.com

    Egremont

    Master Indian vegetarian dishes like dosas and curries. Perfect for all skill levels, enjoy a cultural dining experience while learning sustainable, healthy cooking practices.

    Add Dosa Chaska to your Itinerary

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