An insider’s guide to the best events, attractions, special offers and walks during March in the Lake District.
If you’re anything like us, the arrival of spring on 1st of March is music to your ears. Don’t get us wrong, the Lake District is stunning at all times of year. But there is something quite splendid about visiting in spring. By the beginning of March, snowdrops have delicately appeared; lambs are prancing in the fields around us and the land is preparing to dispense the thousands of golden daffodils that transform the landscape each year. Spring is also a fantastic time to see rare wildlife, such as the charming red squirrel and red deer, as they start to become more active.
Yes, music to our ears!
March in the Lake District is a great time to head for the forest for a walk with the family or with a group of your favourite friends. And if you’re searching for a Lake District hotel break to celebrate Mother’s Day, the Trout Hotel has special offers that are hard to beat. What better way to earn some brownie points than by letting mum recharge her batteries in the Lake District?
With an average high of 10C during March in the Lake District, we wouldn’t advise digging out your sunglasses and flip flops just yet. But the longer days and blooming landscapes certainly signal the start of a glorious season for Cockermouth and the rest of the Lakes.
What’s On?
Malcolm Wilson Rally, Cockermouth | 2nd-3rd March
Whether you’re a seasoned rally fan or a first time spectator, the Malcolm Wilson Rally 2018 in Cockermouth will be a spectacle for all.
This will be the 43rd time that Cockermouth’s Malcolm Wilson holds his rally in the Lake District, but the first time that the crowd will get to view the preliminary round in the centre of town. Scrutineering will take place on Main Street from 2pm – 9pm on Friday where there will be an opportunity for you to see the cars as they go through the safety and compliance checks. M-Sport will also have their World Rally Championship car on display together with a merchandising unit and other attractions.
A 7am start on Saturday 3rd March will see the Malcolm Wilson Rally 2018 drivers begin their 140 mile loop, which will include 9 stages totalling approximately 40 miles of the classic forest stages of the Lake District.
If you are intending to spectate, please make sure to follow the Rally Code and stay inside the designated areas.
HSBC Cycle Ride, Buttermere | 11th March (free)
The scenic roads of the Lake District are known for their tremendous cycling opportunities. Experts enjoy the gruelling passes (some with a 30% gradient) and others enjoy the peaceful flat country roads. If strapping on your helmet and placing your feel on the pedals is your idea of an ideal day, then this bike ride might be the perfect way to spend a Sunday during March in the Lake District.
The ride is a mix of on road and off-road bridleways so mountain bikes are recommended. More details can be found on the website: www.letsride.co.uk/
Mother’s Day Lunch, Cockermouth | 11th March
Mother’s Day wouldn’t be Mother’s Day without a beautiful lunch and great company, don’t you agree?
The Trout Hotel welcome you and the family to join us for a decedent four course lunch where mum will be made to feel extra special. Dine in a wonderfully stylish setting and enjoy the AA Rosette menu, followed by a special gift for mum – as a little thank you from us. There is limited availability for this offer and we wouldn’t want you to miss out.
Reservations are kindly required | Served 12 – 4pm | £30.00 per person
Carmen (live streaming), Kirkgate Arts | 11th March
One of the most famous operas in the world is given fresh blood in this current Royal Opera House production. Composed by the French musical genius, Bizet, the opera deals with the love and jealousy of Don José, who is lured away from his duty as a soldier and his beloved Micaëla by the gypsy factory-girl Carmen. When it premiered in 1875, the opera was perceived as being too sensual and violent for the stage but today, it is one of the most well loved operas in history.
It will be streamed live to the quirky Kirkgate Arts centre at 7:15pm, where a cosy setting and refreshments create the feel of an old cinema. For more information, please visit: https://www.kirkgatearts.org.uk/Event/carmen-royal-opera-house-encore
Little Mermaid – The Circus Sensations, Theatre by the Lake | 23rd & 24th March
This new adaptation of the well-known fairy-tale The Little Mermaid is a brilliant family show for children 8 years old and above. Through spectacular circus acrobatics and wonderful songs, you will be told the tale of a mermaid who longs for life on land after she falls in love with a prince. Theatre by the Lake’s magical setting on the shore of Derwentwater contributes even further to this production’s appeal making it a family favourite that is not to be missed.
The show might contain haze and strobe lighting effects so please bare this in mind.
Fell of the Month
Burnbank Fell
Given it’s modest height of 475 meters, Burnkbank Fell is a beautiful and interesting walk that’s mostly bridleway and forest path. With views over Crummock Water and the stunning Buttermere valley, you can make the walk as short or as long as you like dependant on your schedule.
Start your day with a journey over to Fang’s Brow near the village of Mockerkin and find a parking space with enough space for a tractor to pass. From here, you’ll have the option of either doing a short hike to Burnbank or walking a longer loop that finished under the canopy of Holme Wood. This latter 7.7 mile walk will take you over Burnbank Fell, Blake Fell, Gavel Fell, Black Crag which is an impressive total of three Wainwrights.
Holme Wood is a delightful walk in itself, even without the satisfaction of ticking off a Wainwright. Sometimes in spring, before the canopy of the trees begin to shade everything below, flowers appear on the woodland floor. The trees are mixed conifers and deciduous.
During March in the Lake District, the path can get a bit swampy in part so make sure to have suitable walking boots.
Things to remember during March in the Lake District
With this insider’s guide to March in the Lake District, a weekend away in one of the best hotels in the Lake District could be the perfect way to welcome the spring term. If you are planning on visiting the The Trout Hotel during March in the Lake District, we very much look forward to welcoming you. However, to make your stay with us as enjoyable as possible, we ask that you consider these following points:
- Even though having a car during your break in a Lake District hotel is handy, many of the area’s best loved places are easily explored by bus, boat, bike or boot.
- If you’re intending on walking the fells, please consider the short day length in winter and make sure that you’re not caught out.
- Pack appropriately – there is really no telling what the weather is going to be like during March in the Lake District.
- We do not advise that you go out on the fells without the proper equipment, if the weather is unsuitable or you are feeling unwell.
- The Cockermouth Tourist Information Office is located at 4 Old Kings Arms Lane.
- The GEM Town of Cockermouth is somewhere that offers everything a visitor might want. With its charming Georgian architecture, it does not suffer from the overcrowding that is seen in other busy Lakeland towns.
We hope that something has caught your eye among our suggestions of what to do this March in the Lake District. If you are ready to book your spring holiday in the Lake District, you can search our full range of accommodation choices – from riverside suites to family rooms – here.