Our favourite festive villages to visit over Christmas and New Year

by Jane Watson / Food and Drink Things to do

The Lake District is blessed with many stunning villages and towns to visit, and the locals love to decorate for the festive season.

Here’s a few you may like to visit on your festive stay. Think twinkling lights, the smell of hot chocolate and perhaps some festive music playing, all in the backdrop of the beautiful Lake District.

Hawkshead:

This quant ancient village was almost made for Christmas! With white-painted houses, little pedestrianised streets and alleyways, homely warm pubs, and welcoming shops. You’ll find the small church atop the hill, and Esthwaite Water nearby. Plenty of walks all around, include Latterbarrow, and you can drive to the lovely Far Sawrey in 10 minutes with the atmospheric Tower Bank Arms another cosy pub, next to Hill Top, home of Beatrix Potter.

Hawkshead Village

Windermere and Bowness on Windermere:

Two of the busiest towns in the Lakes, these 2 are a mile apart, with Bowness sat on the lakeshore, and Windermere a mile up the road. Both are bustling with Christmas lights, festive eateries, great pubs, restaurants, and shops. They also have walks galore all around, and of course the famous Windermere Lake Cruises, offering beautiful views of the higher fells as you sail around England’s longest lake, perhaps enjoying a mince pie and a brew.

View of the boats on Windermere from Orrest Head

Glenridding:

on the shores of Ullswater at the south end, this lovely village has pubs and bars for food and drink, local shops, and stunning walks, from Aira Force, to Helvellyn, and the lakeshore favourite that is Howtown to Glenridding. There is the Ullswater Way which you can do all or part of. Why not enjoy a trip on one of the Ullswater Steamers from its base here, to get the full atmosphere of this beautiful lake and they are running various festive trips.

Ullswater Steamers just leaving Glenridding

Ambleside:

Another bustling busy town, with plenty of shops, pubs, cafes, and restaurants. A good vibe during the festive season, whether you are walking the fells all around, or just ‘ambling’ through. Great place to recharge yourself with great food and drink, meet friends, and even take in a film at Zeffirelli’s, or head up the climbing wall on a rainy day.

Pooley Bridge:

On the north side of Ullswater, you can approach from Penrith or drive up the Kirkstone Pass from Ambleside. A small bustling town with lots of pubs and eateries to keep you happy. Lovely walks include Aira Force nearby, as well as a lakeshore amble, and of course the Ullswater Way threads itself around the entire lake. and the breathtaking views of this wonderful lake.

Keswick:

The ‘capital’ of the North Lakes, sitting on the north end of Derwentwater, and surrounded by majestic fells whichever way you look. Enjoy great local shopping, festive eating, and drinking here, and the award-winning Keswick Market is on twice a week. One of the most dog-friendly towns in the UK your pooch will also be welcome. You can also enjoy a cruise on the lake with Keswick Launches, or perhaps head up majestic Catbells on the lake, or Skiddaw, the backdrop to the town.

Keswick Market

Cockermouth:

A handsome Georgian town, once the childhood home of William Wordsworth and stories abound about Fletcher Christian. This town is fast becoming a foodie-destination and the Christmas lights and festivities around all the shops, pubs and restaurants will certainly bring you good cheer. You are also handy for Loweswater, Crummock Water & Buttermere.

Cockermouth Christmas lights

Kendal

the friendly market town in the south of the Lakes, home of the famous Kendal Mint Cake. You’ll find a busy high street with shops, cafes and pubs to welcome you, along with the ruins of the Castle on the horizon, the fast-flowing River Kent, and one of the largest parish churches in the UK. Walks nearby include Scout Scar with views across Morecambe Bay and Arnside.