There’s a running joke about the Lake District: if you can see the fells, it’s about to rain. If you can’t see them, it’s already raining.
A little unfair? Probably. We do get some absolutely lovely sunny days here. But if you’re planning a trip to Windermere, it’s always worth having a Plan B up your sleeve. Because, let’s face it, there’s a decent chance you’ll see at least a bit of rain.
The good news is that a rainy day in the Lake District really doesn’t have to be a write-off. In fact, there’s something rather nice about the Lakes when the weather turns. The clouds drop over the fells, everything feels a bit cosier and suddenly spending two hours over lunch seems entirely reasonable.
And you don’t necessarily have to stay indoors. If you’re already planning to get wet, a bit of rain isn’t always a reason to change your plans. Windermere, Bowness and the surrounding area have plenty to do whatever the weather. So, waterproofs at the ready. Here are some of our favourite rainy day activities in Windermere and the Lake District.
Save our Windermere Rainy Day Plan B
Want the quick version? We’ve put some of our favourite rainy-day ideas around Windermere into one handy guide.
Save it to your phone before your trip and you’ll have ideas ready if the Lake District weather has other plans – from museums and cosy pubs to coffee, shopping and, of course, wakesurfing.
What are the top-rated rainy day activities in Windermere?
If you like to check the reviews before deciding where to go, there are a few local favourites that regularly come up when looking for things to do around Windermere and Bowness.
Windermere Jetty Museum, The World of Beatrix Potter and Blackwell – the Arts & Crafts house are all popular choices, particularly when you need to escape the weather.
But reviews only tell you so much. The best rainy-day activity really depends on who you’re with – and whether you actually mind getting wet.
Here are some of our favourites.
1. Discover Windermere’s boating history at the Jetty Museum
You’re next to England’s largest lake, so you may as well find out a bit about the boats and people that have shaped its history.
Windermere Jetty Museum – Stories of Boats and Steam sits right on the shore and tells Windermere’s boating story through historic vessels, displays and exhibitions.
It’s a good way to spend a couple of hours when the rain has properly set in, but still feels very much like you’re experiencing Windermere rather than simply hiding indoors until it stops.
There’s also a café overlooking the lake, which is a pretty good place to watch somebody else getting rained on while you have a coffee.
Good for: families, couples, boat lovers and anyone interested in local history.
2. Try wakesurfing – you’re getting wet anyway!
Not every rainy-day activity needs to involve hiding from the rain. If it’s raining but conditions on the lake are suitable, you can still go wakesurfing on Windermere. After all, you’re going to end up wet anyway.
In fact, there’s something quite fun about ignoring the weather altogether, pulling on a wetsuit and getting out on the lake while everyone else is searching for somewhere indoors.
Never tried it before? Don’t let that put you off. Beginners are very welcome and sessions are tailored to your ability, with coaching to take you through everything from getting up on the board to finding your balance. We welcome all ages.
If you’re thinking of giving it a go, have a read of what to expect from your first wakesurf with us. You can also read about Claire’s first time wakesurfing on Windermere. Trying wakesurfing was how Claire decided to celebrate turning 40, despite never having done anything like it before.
You don’t need to turn up with all the gear either. Life jackets are provided and wetsuits are available to hire if you need one. And for the pro’s out there, you can browse our online wakesurf shop for boards, vests, ropes, clothing and other kit. We’ll make sure you’re kitted out for your rainy day surf.
Good for: couples, groups of friends, families with older children and anyone who’d rather embrace the rain than hide from it.
3. Step into The World of Beatrix Potter
If you’re in the Lake District with children, The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction in Bowness is a great rainy-day choice.
The indoor attraction brings Beatrix Potter’s stories to life, with Peter Rabbit, Jemima Puddle-Duck, Mrs Tiggy-Winkle and plenty of other familiar characters along the way.
It’s particularly good for younger children, although there’s a fair bit of nostalgia in there for grown-ups too.
It’s also right in the middle of Bowness, so when you’ve finished you’re only a short walk from plenty of cafés, shops and places to have lunch.
Good for: families and younger children.
4. Shelter in a cosy Lake District pub
There are few things more satisfying than getting caught in the Lake District rain and spotting a warm pub in the distance.
Wet coats off, find a table, order something good to eat and suddenly the rain doesn’t seem quite so annoying.
Windermere, Bowness and the surrounding villages have plenty of lovely pubs where you can settle in for a long lunch or simply wait for the latest shower to pass.
For a proper traditional pub, Hole in t’ Wall in Bowness is packed with character. Or venture a little further out towards places such as Troutbeck, where you’ll find the sort of old country inns that seem almost designed for wet Lake District afternoons. Take a look at our guide to Windermere where you’ll also find some of our favourite places to eat.
And, if we’re being completely honest, this is one occasion when a bit of rain actually helps. A cosy Lake District pub doesn’t feel quite the same when it’s 25 degrees and blazing sunshine outside.
So if the forecast has scuppered your afternoon plans, don’t be too disappointed. Find somewhere warm, order some proper pub food and watch the rain come down from the right side of the window.
By the time you’ve finished, knowing Lake District weather, the sun will probably be out again.
Good for: couples, groups of friends, families and anyone who’s had enough of their waterproofs.
5. Have a wander around Blackwell
Just outside Bowness you’ll find Blackwell – the Arts & Crafts house, a beautiful historic house overlooking Windermere.
It’s a completely different sort of Lake District day. Rather than pulling on your walking boots and heading for the hills, you can spend a couple of hours looking around the house, its interiors and exhibitions.
If you’re visiting the Lakes as a couple and wondering what to do on a wet afternoon, it’s well worth having on your list.
Good for: couples, adults and anyone interested in art, design or architecture.
6. Take a cruise on Windermere
Yes, we’re suggesting going on a boat when it’s raining, but hear us out. Many of the boats on Windermere have covered areas, so you can still get out on the lake without spending the whole journey sitting in the rain.
And on a grey day, Windermere can look pretty spectacular. Low cloud rolls over the surrounding fells and the whole place takes on a completely different feel.
From Bowness you can cruise towards Ambleside or Lakeside, and you can combine the journey with other attractions if you want to make a day of it.
Just check the timetable and conditions before you head out, particularly if the weather is especially bad.
Good for: families, couples and anyone who doesn’t want the rain to stop them seeing the lake.
7. Head to the Lakes Aquarium
At the southern end of Windermere, Lakes Aquarium is another handy indoor option, particularly if you’re visiting with children.There are plenty of creatures to discover and it’s easy to spend a couple of hours exploring.
You can also make getting there part of the day by taking a boat from Bowness down to Lakeside.
Good for: families and animal-loving children.
8. Discover one of Bowness’s smaller galleries
Not every rainy day needs to be filled with big tourist attractions.If you’d rather have a slower afternoon, Bowness and Windermere have independent galleries that are easy to dip into while exploring the towns.
It’s the sort of thing you might easily walk past on a sunny day when you’re rushing to get down to the lake – which is exactly why rainy days can sometimes turn up the best little finds.
Have a wander, take your time and then find somewhere nearby for coffee afterwards.
Good for: couples, art lovers and a quieter afternoon.
9. Go to the cinema
Sometimes the best rainy-day plan is also the simplest. Bowness has its own traditional Royalty Cinema, so if you’ve got a couple of very wet hours to fill, go and watch a film.
A little further north in Ambleside, you’ll also find Zeffirellis and Fellinis. A film followed by something to eat in Ambleside while the rain lashes against the windows is actually a fairly decent way to spend an afternoon.
Good for: couples, families and those days when it’s really raining.
10. Accept defeat and go for coffee and cake
There comes a point during some Lake District rainy days when the sensible thing to do is stop trying to beat the weather. Find somewhere warm. Order coffee. Add cake.
Fortunately, Windermere and the surrounding towns are very good at this.Windermere village and Bowness both have plenty of independent cafés, while Ambleside is only a short drive away if you fancy a change of scenery.
And you don’t necessarily need to rush on to the next attraction afterwards.One of the nicest ways to spend a wet afternoon in the Lakes is with a long lunch, a wander around the shops and perhaps another coffee somewhere else.
Good for: everyone.
11. Spend a few hours in Ambleside
Ambleside is only around five miles north of Windermere and is a good place to head when the weather isn’t quite on your side. The centre is packed with independent shops, outdoor shops, cafés, pubs and restaurants, so you can quite happily potter about for a few hours without having much of a plan.
There are indoor activities nearby too if you need something a little more energetic.
And if the rain stops, you’re already in a brilliant spot for exploring more of the Lakes.
Good for: couples, families and groups of friends.
12. Browse the shops in Windermere and Bowness
Not every rainy-day activity needs to involve buying a ticket. If the weather is more ‘on and off showers’ than ‘biblical downpour’, have a wander around Windermere and Bowness.
You’ll find independent shops, galleries, outdoor brands and plenty of places selling local food and gifts.
It’s also a good excuse to buy the waterproof you definitely thought you wouldn’t need.
Consider it a Lake District souvenir.
13. Make chocolate in Hawkshead
If you don’t mind heading a little further from Windermere, Hawkshead is another lovely place to spend a wet day. The village itself is worth a wander, and families can turn the trip into more of an activity with a chocolate-making experience.
Indoor activity. Chocolate at the end of it. Not a bad Plan B.
Good for: families and children.
What can you do in the Lake District in the rain with children?
If you’ve got young children and the forecast is showing several hours of rain, our advice would be not to overcomplicate it.
The World of Beatrix Potter and Lakes Aquarium are both good indoor choices, while Windermere Jetty Museum is another strong option if you’ve got children who like boats.
For older children, wakesurfing can be a much more adventurous option – particularly if they’re the sort who would rather get wet than spend the whole day indoors.
A simple rainy-day itinerary around Windermere could look something like this:
Morning: The World of Beatrix Potter in Bowness
Lunch: Find somewhere cosy in Bowness
Afternoon: Windermere Jetty Museum, a boat trip or wakesurfing if conditions are suitable
Later: Hot chocolate and cake.
Should you still go outside when it’s raining?
Of course – as long as the conditions are suitable. There’s a big difference between a Lake District shower and genuinely bad weather.
You don’t need to cancel every outdoor plan because your weather app has a rain cloud on it. Pack a decent waterproof, wear sensible footwear and be prepared to change your plans if conditions deteriorate. Take a look at our recommended 4 easy walks in Windermere.
For longer walks or anything higher up in the fells, though, check the proper mountain weather forecast and don’t take unnecessary risks.
What can you do in the Lake District in the rain for free?
Not every rainy day in the Lakes needs to cost money. If the weather is more drizzle than downpour, spend a few hours pottering around Windermere, Bowness or Ambleside. Browse the independent shops and galleries, explore one of the nearby villages or head out for a short, low-level walk if the conditions are suitable.
And sometimes you don’t need to do very much at all. Find a sheltered spot, watch the clouds roll across Windermere and wait for the weather to change.
Enjoy Windermere
Rain doesn’t have to ruin a day in the Lake District. Sometimes it just gives you an excuse to discover the places you might have skipped if the sun had been shining.And it certainly doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the lake.
If a bit of rain doesn’t bother you, come wakesurfing with us and experience Windermere from the water, whatever the British weather happens to be doing.
And if you’re planning the rest of your stay, have a read of Tony and Ed’s complete guide to Windermere for more of our favourite things to do, places to visit and places to eat around the lake.
