Lake District in September: Why It’s the BEST Time to Visit (2023)

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Visiting the Lake District in September? September is one of the best times of year to visit the Lake District for a number of reasons. This post explains why!

With the rising temperatures in the UK, September still brings warm weather, yet schools are back, the prices for accommodation are lower and hikes are quieter. In my opinion, September is the best time to visit the Lake District!

In the following post, I explain why September is a great time to visit this part of the UK, and what you can expect.

Other Lake District posts:

• Lake District for Couples: 31 Romantic Ideas
• Where to Stay in the Lake District: An Area Guide
• Best Breakfast in the Lake District: 10 Best Cafes
• 23 Things to do in the Lake District in Winter
• 13 Tips for Walking in the Lake District

Lake District in September: A Summary

You can visit the Lake District 365 days a year, and it is an ‘any kind of weather‘ destination to visit in the UK. But if you want the cheapest prices, shoulder season (autumn and spring) is the best time to visit. This is when accommodations are at their cheapest prices, and you still get mostly dry and sunny days!

The weather throughout the year in the Lake District is temperamental. There can be rain in the middle of summer, and sun in the middle of winter. Whenever you visit the Lake District, be prepared for sudden changes in temperature.

In general, the Lake District has four seasons, with the warmest being from June to August. September is a cooler month than August but is still known to have dry and sunny days.

❄️ During the winter months (November – February), the Lake District is known to get quite a bit of snow. If you’re visiting during the colder months, make sure you pack the necessary warm clothes (especially if you want to hike).

☀️ The summer months in the UK (June – August) are always the most expensive, and the busiest. I’ve visited the Lake District during this time, and although the weather has been amazing, you can expect to share your trip with a lot of other tourists!

Where to stay in the Lake District

If you’re only staying in the Lake District for a few nights, I recommend staying in Ambleside. Ambleside is known as the ‘heart of the Lake District’, and is one of my personal favourite areas, as it’s within walking distance of Lake Windermere.

If you’re only visiting the Lake District briefly, it’s an easy way to see some of the quintessential grey slate buildings, traditional pubs, and modern Lake District restaurants.

• If you’re a solo traveller in Ambleside, I recommend staying in the YHA Hostel. It’s a short distance from the centre of Ambleside, and you’ll be able to meet other solo backpackers. ➡ BOOK THIS HOSTEL NOW!

• Want a cute and cosy cottage in Ambleside? Our favourite is Grayling Cottage. It’s just a one-minute walk from Ambleside town centre and is beautifully decorated. ➡ BOOK THIS COTTAGE NOW!

• For a luxurious one-night stay in Ambleside, check out The Ambleside Inn. It’s an 18th-century hotel which will give you a true ‘English countryside’ experience. ➡ BOOK THIS HOTEL NOW!

Getting around the Lake District

If you can, take a car to get around the Lake District. If you only have one day, you don’t want to be spending hours waiting for public transport. Don’t have a car? We rent our cars in the UK from this company. They’re reliable, cheap and have car rentals all over the world! ➡ LOOK AT CAR HIRE PRICES IN THE UK NOW!

However, if you haven’t got access to a car, exploring the Lake District can still be done! The Lake District has amazing public transport (a lot better than some of the rest of the country), and you can whizz around on buses and boats. For more information about travelling around the Lake District without a car, you can check out my guide here.

➡ Need to hire a car in the Lake District? We rent our cars in the UK from this company. They’re reliable, cheap and have car rentals all over the world! 🚗 LOOK AT CAR HIRE PRICES IN THE UK NOW!

5 Reasons to Visit the Lake District in September

So why should you visit the Lake District in September? Here are five good reasons for visiting the national park during this month.

📚 Schools are back in term time

Whenever you’re backpacking or travelling, make sure children are in school to ensure lower prices and less busy tourist attractions. Transport, accommodation, tickets and pretty much everything is cheaper when schools are back. This is a great reason to visit the Lake District in September!

☀️ The weather

The weather in the Lake District in September is ideal if you like long, dry and hot sunny days. It’s not the peak heat of August or July where you have to cool off in air-con all the time, and it’s dropped a few degrees, but there’s still sunshine. Hiking is perfect in September, and you’re even greeted with a bit of rain to cool off every once in a while.

🌳 Wildlife and greenery

The landscapes in September are still rich with greenery, with a hint of auburn. It’s a sign that autumn is coming, but still with the heat of the summer and flowers rich in bloom.

🌅 The sunsets

Sunsets in the Lake District in September are just beautiful. As long as there’s a clear sky, you’ll see an incredible sunset in the Lake District during September.

👨🏼‍🌾 Local food is in excellent condition

As the late summer period in the UK is when we celebrate the harvest, the local food is thriving. It’s a great time to visit restaurants where local and seasonal food is used.

🏆 Overall, September is a great time to visit the Lake District for many reasons.

Weather in the Lake District in September

The temperatures in Lake District in September can become quite cold with average temperatures between 9°C and 13°C. But as the UK summers have become longer, there is a possibility for warmer temperatures (they’re just not to be relied on).

On average, September ranges between 8-15 days of rain, has 13 hours of daylight, and an 8 degrees Celcius minimum at night.

Rain in September in the Lake District

The Lake District has on average 8-15 days rain in September, but this can vary. March to June are known as the driest months in the Lake District, whilst October to January the wettest. With the rising temperatures in the UK, the Lake District has seen much more sun in September than expected. Take a lightweight waterproof jacket and an umbrella just to be safe!

We’ve been in the Lake District in September many times, and have experienced more sunny and dry days than rainy days. And if it does rain, it’s usually not for longer than an hour or two – with most of it being a light drizzle.

Events in the Lake District in September

So, what’s on in the Lake District in September? Here’s a list of local events you might want to pencil into your diary for future visits:

• Ambleside Jazz Festival (contemporary jazz festival): Find out more on the Ambleside Jazz Festival site.

• Hiking meetups: Hike Helvellyn as a group (via striding edge): Find out more info on Meetup.

• The Loweswater Show (annual show including ponies and horses for families): Find out more at the Loweswater Show website

• Holker Chilli Fest: (specialist chilli festival) Find out more information on the Holker website.

• The Westmorland County Show (voted as one of the UK’s favourite shows, with over 30,000 visitors every year.  A major livestock Show with cows, pigs, horses, alpacas and everything in between). You can buy tickets and read more on the Westmorland Show website.

• Lake District Walking Weekend: For more info, visit Meetup.com

• 21st Classic Cars in the Forest (motor show): Find out more on Facebook.

• Hazellous Lustre Nuts in a Cluster (wildlife, fungi and nuts of Fell Foot Wood in Late Summer Revelry camping-based live music event): Buy tickets here.

• The Cumbria Way Ultra, 30 mile or 73 Mile, Solo or Relay: Find out more on What Up in Town.

• Kendal Torchlight Carnival: (walking parades, music and theatre performances, fire sculptures, fun activities, and a huge party for all!): Find out more on the Kendal Torchlight website.

• Taste Cumbria Cockermouth (food festival): Find out more on the Taste Cumbria website.

• Royal Opera 2023/2024 Season: The Marriage of Figaro: Book tickets on the Keswick website.

Lake District in September: FAQs

1) Are there midges in the Lake District in September?

Yes, midges are common in the Lake District between June and September. Be sure to carry mosquito repellent on you for the duration of your trip. Avoid lakes at dusk, and wear long sleeves to protect yourself from midges in the Lake District.

2) When is the best time to visit the Lake District?

You can visit the Lake District 365 days a year; as it’s an ‘any kind of weather’ destination in the UK. However, if you want the cheapest accommodation prices, visit in the shoulder season (autumn and spring). During the winter months (November – February), you can expect layers of snow to be covering the trails and paths.

Summer months in the UK (June – August) are always the most expensive months to visit the Lake District, as well as being the busiest. But of course, it’s when you’ll get the best weather, with dry, hot and sunny days.

➡ Visiting the Lake District in winter? Check out this detailed guide on what to do during the colder months.

3) Do I need hiking boots for the Lake District?

If you’re someone who enjoys long, challenging walks at a high altitude, you’re going to need hiking boots for the Lake District. You’ll be walking on different kinds of terrains, as well as in different kinds of weather (and the Lake District experiences a lot of rain).

However, if you prefer to stick to easier, flat walks, you won’t necessarily need hiking boots. I recently visited the Lake District with my family, and they preferred to wear regular running trainers (but I will emphasise, they didn’t do any difficult hikes at any higher altitudes).

If you do want to invest in some hiking boots, I recommend these Brasher Women’s Country Walking Boots.

4) What do you wear in the Lake District in September?

Take a mix of both summer and winter clothes for a trip to the Lake District in September. Whilst most of the days will be sunny and dry, you may need a raincoat and extra layers for unexpected rain and high altitudes on mountains.

5) What are the best maps for walking in the Lake District?

If you are doing any kind of walking or hiking in the Lake District, you will need Ordnance Survey OS Explorer maps. Most of the hikes are not signposted and Google Maps is not accurate on mountain trails. The OS Explorer maps cover the whole of the Lake District but are broken down into different areas. Make sure you buy the right map for the area you would like to hike in.

➡ Buy your Lake District Ordnance Survey OS Explorer maps now!

6) Do I need a car to visit the Lake District? 

If you’re visiting the Lake District and are short on time, I recommend hiring a car. However, it is possible to get around the Lake District using public transport.

If you’re looking to hire a car in the Lake District, we rent our cars from this company. They’re reliable, cheap and have car rentals all over the world!  ➡ You can check out the prices for car hire in the UK now!

7) Do I need a SIM card to visit the Lake District? 

If you’re not from the UK, it’s worth downloading an eSIM on your phone to ensure you can use it for directions and avoid roaming charges as soon as you arrive. 

ESIMs are easy to download and ready to use within a few minutes of purchasing! Plus, there are eSIMs available for the entire continent of Europe, so there’s no longer a need to hunt down free Wifi! ➡ You can check out the prices and packages for eSIMs here!

Lake District in September: In a Nutshell

So, there you have it! Everything you need to know about the Lake District in September. When you’re planning a trip to the Lake District, make sure you let me know over on Instagram or in the comments below!

If you haven’t seen my blog before, I write posts aimed at first-time backpackers on a budget. I’m currently travelling around the world with my boyfriend (read more here!), creating guides and itineraries for you to follow in our footsteps!

Keep an eye out for more Lake District content, all written from a personal and realistic point of view. You can sign up for my newsletter and juicy travel updates here!

As always, thanks for reading and supporting the blog!

Happy travelling 🙂

Jennie x

Related posts:

• Best Hiking Boots for the Lake District (Review)
• BEST Walks from Ambleside, Lake District (Guide)
• 12 Easy Walks in the Lake District With AMAZING Views!
• Loughrigg Fell From Ambleside: Complete Beginner Guide

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