An insider’s guide to the best events and things to do during October in the Lake District.
Woodlands ablaze with autumnal colours. Crisp morning air. Leaves crunching underfoot and the fells cloaked in a layer of rusty red. For some, October in the Lake District is arguably the best time of year to visit.
A tonic after a busy summer, autumn is becoming an ever increasingly popular time to get away. It also provides a revitalising break before the hectic Christmas season and the year has, somehow, disappeared into thin air.
Known as the land of walking, October for many is the prettiest time of year to take to the Lake District fells. As well as the glorious scenery, you may well find yourself on a hillside with no one else around for miles. Tranquility goes hand in hand with beauty over in the Northern Lakes. And if walking doesn’t appeal, there’s also a world leading distillery, mountain bike centres, relaxing boat trips, top-class golf courses, loads of cultural attractions, exhilarating Go Ape obstacles, ancient landmarks, quaint shops and galleries to keep you busy for a good while.
Whether you’re looking for an action filled autumn adventure, an activity packed week of fun for the kids or a romantic wander in a spectacular rural location – the Trout Hotel has it all on its doorstep. And even though the unpredictable British weather may have unleashed its first frost, imagine yourself wrapped up and strolling along the shores of a shimmering lake before settling by a warm open fire. Sound good? Read on to learn more about the delights of October in the Lake District.
What’s On
A few highlight in the activity calendar during October in the Lake District are:
A Midsummer Night’s Dream – NT Live | The Kirkgate Centre | 17th October
A night filled with fairyland tales and mystical feuds, enjoy Shakespeare’s most famous romantic comedy, captured live from the Bridge Theatre in London. With a range of talented actors taking on the task to portray one of the most enchanting stories, it will certainly be a night to remember.
Transforming The Bridge Theatre into an a magical forest, capturing a dream world surrounded by a captured audience, you won’t want to miss it.
Starting at 7pm, head down to the Kirkgate Centre for a night of magical storytelling.
Guided Walk by Lake District National Park – Elterwater’s Slate Heritage | 8th October
The National Park host guided walks almost all months of the year and one of the best to join would be a gentle walk to Elterwater’s Slate Heritage. The walk will begin from Elterwater Common towards Chapel Stile, then you will have the chance to discover and explore a working slate quarry. After all that excitement, the walk proceeds to return through quiet byways through native woodlands.
If you are visiting from outside the area, the guided walks are a great way to get to know the local landscape and make the most of the knowledgeable guides.
For more information about how to book a place on the guidied walk, click here.
There is more information about this fell in the Fell of the Month section below.
Kids Eat for £1 – The Terrace Bistro & Bar | Half Term, 19th – 27th October
Kids eat for £1 during the school half term when they bring an adult! Each grown up ordering a main course from The Terrace Bistro & Bar menu can claim a children’s main course, dessert and drink for just £1 from the children’s menu.
Each adult ordering a main course from the Terrace Bistro or Bar menu can claim a £1 kid’s meal for an accompanying child from 20th – 28th October 2019.
This cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. Not available on specials menu. Children 10 years and under.
Autumn Whisky Festival, Lakes Distillery | 26th October
This September, one of the world’s must-visit distilleries is hosting a grand whisky festival… and it’s only 6 miles down the road from us!
If you haven’t yet visited the renowned Lakes Distillery and you’re a whisky enthusiast, this event is a must for you. The Distillery is set amongst picturesque Lake District views and has been named one of only eight must-visit distilleries in the world by World Whisky Day – making it the most perfect location for a whisky festival.
The event will run on the Saturday from 10 am until 7 pm in the evening where you can expect exclusive whisky tastings, whisky talks and whisky tours, plus live music in the Distillery’s stunning courtyard. Despite being a whisky festival, the event is family friendly and open to all – the alpacas are ready for your selfies!
Lakes Distillery Whisky Festivals are held throughout the year and tend to be very popular events so make sure to book your place well in advance.
For more details click here.
Live Music Night with Miss Cindy Hoten – The Terrace Bistro & Bar | 27th October
Come on down to the laid back Terrace Bistro & Bar to enjoy a wonderful night of live music in Cockermouth featuring the talents of local singer, Miss Cindy Hoten.
While you dine or sip on a refreshing cocktail, Cindy will be here to entertain with a catalogue of well-known songs spanning an array of genres and decades.
Our ‘Live Music Night’ acoustic sets are sure to include something for everyone and the relaxed atmosphere is just what you need to unwind after a long week and prepare for the one ahead.
The event is held between 7pm – 9pm in the Terrace Bistro & Bar. Reservations are recommended.
Rival Arts Autumn Fair – Rheged; Penrith | 28th – 29th October
Winter is just around the corner which means one thing, preparation for the festive holidays! Rheged’s Rival Arts Fair will definitely get you in the shopping mood a couple months early that’s for sure.
Take a trip to Rheged Centre near Penrith to explore all this artsy. Expect art, crafts, photography, jewellery and all things food! Get that head start you need to get those all important, thoughtful Christmas presents for your loved ones.
The event is a two day exhibition which promises to provide a diverse and interesting mix of exhibitors from across Northern England and Scotland. Head down on Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th, 10am-4pm to find some goodies.
The Rheged Centre is situated close to Penrith and is incredibly accessible from the A66 that will take you straight there from Cockermouth. The Rheged Centre also includes a cinema, shopping opportunities and kids play areas plus cafes, a thriving foodhall and an ice cream stand to ensure a fun-filled day.
Children’s Halloween Party – The Terrace Bistro & Bar | 31st October
This Halloween, The Trout Hotel has a number of spooky events that might just make your family holiday plans frighteningly easy. We extend a haunting welcome to Children under 12 who are all invited to attend our Halloween Party in our Terrace Bistro.
Children, monsters and spooks alike can take part in competitions, games and entertainment from 4pm – 8pm with spooky food served all night. Best of all, it’s free!
Be sure to wear your most frightening costume so you don’t upset the happy haunts who will be staying at the hotel.
Fell of the Month
Blencathra | 868m (2,848 feet)
Fancy a fell walk this October in the Lake District? How about this whopper…
Described as a “stunning walk of really outstanding contrasts”, Blencathra is known as one of the most enjoyable walks in the Lake District. The Ordnance Survey refers to it as Saddleback, but the name Blencathra was made popular by Wainwright and is thought to derive from old Cumbrian words for hill top (blain) and chair (cader). There are various ways up this fell, one of the most popular being via Sharp Edge – a knife-edged arête on the eastern side of the mountain that provides some good scrambling for those with a head for heights.
If you’re not a fan of sharp edges, a path via Blease fell on the western side of the fell is the easiest route up.
It stands apart from the other Lakeland fells and has five high points, with the highest point directly above the Hallsfell Spur, marked by concrete ring. If the weather closes in and visibility is poor, we don’t recommend that you do the walk as there is quite a lot of navigation involved over the common ground. You would also miss out on the stunning views from the summit, which are the main reason for climbing (for most!) during October in the Lake District.
Things to remember during October in the Lake District
- Half term week will be busier than usual during October in the Lake District, so remember to book your accommodation in due time. There are a few rooms still available at The Trout Hotel in the charming town of Cockermouth if you are looking.
- Having a car is very useful in the Lakes but many of the area’s best loved places are easily explored by bus, boat, bike or boot. Most of the travel information you will need is here: https://www.golakes.co.uk/travel/default.aspx
- Pack appropriately – there is really no telling what the weather is going to be like during October in the Lake District and even on a sunny day, our uplands can get very cold. Check the weather forecast before you set off for a long walk and always take some warm clothing and plenty of water and high energy snacks with you. Sensible walking boots is a must.
- The Cockermouth Tourist Information Office is located at 4 Old Kings Arms Lane.
- Cockermouth is a town that offers almost everything a visitor might want. Officially classified as one of England’s ‘Gem Towns’, it has a charming nature but does not suffer from the overcrowding that is seen in other Lakeland towns.
We hope that something has caught your eye among our suggestions of what to do this October in the Lake District. If you haven’t yet booked your autumn break, you can search our full range of accommodation choices – from riverside suites to family rooms – here.