Things To Do On A Rainy Day in the Lake District

“There’s no such thing as bad weather in the Lakes - just the wrong clothes!”

The weather in the Lake District is not always sunny , but without a bit of rain there would be no lakes would there! Limefitt in the rain is still a beautiful place.

There comes a time, though, when you want to go further afield and find some covered entertainment to keep everybody happy. Don’t worry - there’s plenty to do in the local area. Here’s just a few ideas for what to do on a rainy day in the Lake District.

We have also added many of these locations to the interactive map that can be found on our location page.

Please read our disclaimer at the end of these listings.

For a listing of local events please follow this link to the Go Lakes web site

Some of the many things to do in the local area when it's raining
Rheged - Penrith [21 miles] Tel: 01768 868000 An award winning family indoor day out. Named after Cumbria’s Celtic Kingdom, Rheged’s attractions include a cinema screen the size of 6 double decker buses, a major international mountaineering exhibition as well as superb shops and fabulous food.
The Puzzling Place - Keswick [ 26 miles] Tel: 017687 75102 The Puzzling Place is a Tourist Attraction that opened to the public in Museum Square, Keswick on the 7th of July 2001. It is the product of two years work by local brothers Tim and Andrew. Their aim was to open a gallery style exhibition that was different to anything experienced before, both in content and the relaxed, informal ambiance of the place that couples education with the elements of fun and surprise.
Troutbeck Bridge Swimming Pool [2 Miles] Tel: 015394 43243 “Alien invasion” inflatables sessions on Saturdays. For a full timetable click on the link
Zeffirellis Cinema and Jazz Cafe Bar - Ambleside [4 Miles] Tel: 015394 33845 Two separate multiscreen cinemas showing the hot films of the moment. Chill out in the cafe bar before or afterwards. You can find a what’s on link here
Royalty Cinema - Bowness [3 Miles] Tel: 015394 43364 3 screen multiplex in nearby Bowness. One screen is a traditional auditorium with 400 Pullman Seats in stalls and the circle. You can find a what’s on link here
The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction - Bowness [4 Miles] Tel: 015394 88444 Hop down the road to Bowness and see Peter Rabbit, Jemima Puddleduck, Mrs. Tiggy-winkle and all their friends at the definitive Beatrix Potter Attraction in the English Lake District
Windermere Steamboats and Museum - Windermere [4 Miles] Tel: 015394 45565 Windermere Steamboats & Museum offers a unique and historic collection of Steam and Motor Boats, Steam Launch Trips, Shop and Refreshments, "Swallows and Amazons" Exhibition and a Model Boats boat pond with frequent demonstrations.
The Armitt Museum - Ambleside [4 Miles] Tel: 015394 31212 A unique place combining Library and Museum, scholarship and fun, art and entertainment. The Armitt encapsulates all that is best about Lakeland and its people and preserves that essence for future generations to enjoy. This is achieved by the generosity of countless benefactors and volunteers who together have created the building, collection and exhibitions. The Armitt has a superb collection of books and manuscripts, drawings and paintings, memorabilia and archaeological objects relating to an extraordinary gallery of famous Lake District characters.
Honister Slate Mines - Honister [35 Miles] Tel: 017687 77230 A great day out. A fully guided underground tour into the mine itself is available several times a day, detailing the history and spectacular features of the mine.
Whitescar Caves - Ingleton [31 Miles] Tel: 01524 241244 Deep beneath Ingleborough Hill in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, lies a hidden world which has been sculptured by nature over thousands of years. Imagine a subterranean landscape, beautifully lit, with gushing streams and waterfalls, exotic cave formations, and a huge ice-age cavern adorned with thousands of stalactites. This is White Scar Cave,the longest show cave in Britain.
Aquarium of the Lakes - Lakeside Windermere [13 Miles] Tel: 015395 30153 More than 30 spectacular, naturally-themed habitats bring the natural history of the Lake District vividly to life. Enjoy close encounters with hundreds of amazing creatures including trout, eels, pike, perch, giant crabs, rays and many more.
Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway - Lakeside Windermere [13 Miles] Tel: 015395 31594 Travel through time in the Lake District - ride on the train and help to preserve steam on one of the last Furness railway branch lines
Cars of the Stars - Keswick [22 Miles] Tel: 017687 73757 The World famous museum of vehicles from film and television.
Pencil Museum - Keswick [26 Miles] Tel: 017687 73626 Journey through the history of pencils and pencil making, with in depth information on such topics as: the History of Graphite Mining in Borrowdale, including a replica of Seathwaite Graphite Mine, Machinery Displays, Video Shows of Pencil Making & Artistic techniques, Children's Drawing Corner and free Competition , Brass Rubbings, Artists' Workshops
The Lakeland Plastics Shop - Bowness [3 Miles] Tel: 015394 88100 Visit the recession beating Lakeland Plastics shop for a spot of retail therapy. Discover kitchen gadgets that you never even knew existed!
Cedar Gallery - Bowness [3 Miles] Tel: 01539 448009 This is where we got the prints of Windermere by Jeff Sudders that decorate the lodge.
Hayes Garden World - Ambleside [4 Miles] Tel : 015394 33434 More than just a garden centre, more like a small town, Hayes Garden World attracts in excess of a million visitors a year, with exciting new ideas and imaginative displays to enthuse the keenest gardener and shopping enthusiast alike.
Wetheriggs Pottery - Penrith [25 Miles] Tel: 01768 892733 All around Wetheriggs there is a lot to experience and many ways for you to express your own individuality and creativity... all far away from the madding crowd... and in every season and for every month of the year
A Cookery Course - Lucy’s - Staveley [7 Miles] Tel: 015394 32288 Discover a whole new approach to the preparation and cooking of food, in particular food produced in Cumbria, with an emphasis on food that is ‘sourced locally and cooked globally’. Whether you wish to learn the basics for life, find a new direction or simply escape the day to day routine, you’ll be thrilled at what Lucy’s have to offer.
The Keswick Climbing Wall [25 Miles] Tel: 017687 72000 The Keswick Climbing Wall and Activity centre has covered activities that will burn off some energy on those days when the weather means you don’t want to be outside.
Disclaimer Please note that these links are provided for your convenience. No endorsement of services or products is intended and no responsibility or legal liability for any problems incurred as a result of using services or products listed above will be accepted under any circumstances.	Return to the top of this page

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