What to Pack for the Lake District: Ultimate First Timer Guide
Some links in this post contain affiliate links. I receive a small commission if you use the links at no extra cost to you! Happy reading 😀
Need some help with what to pack for the Lake District? You’re in the right place! This post explains what to pack for the Lake District for every season of the year.
If you’re visiting the Lake District for the first time, you’ll want to make sure you have all the right things packed in your backpack.
The Lake District is one of the adventure capitals of the UK, and is known for its stunning scenery, quaint traditional English villages and glistening lakes. As someone who has travelled all of the UK and Europe, the Lake District is still one of my favourite places to visit.
In the following post, you’ll find detailed packing lists for all seasons in the Lake District. From the harsh, snowy winters, to the great British summers, I’ve listed everything!
Need other Lake District information? Check these out!
- 9 Easy Walks in the Lake District (That Still Have Incredible Views)
- Wild Swimming in the Lake District: The Best Spots
- Where to Stay in the Lake District: An Area Guide
- 10 EPIC Things to Do in Grasmere, Lake District (2022)
- Scafell Pike From Langdale: Everything You Need To Know (2022)
- Things To Do In Ambleside In The Rain: 10 EPIC Ideas!
- Lake District Itinerary 1 Day Plan: The BEST Day Trip!
- Lake District for Couples: A PERFECT Romantic Break (2022)
What to Pack for the Lake District
🌎 Travelling for the first time? You’re in the right place! Check out my travel resources for EVERY type of trip, big or small! (It might even save you some ££!)
Do you need hiking boots in the Lake District?
Hiking boots are important in the Lake District if you are planning on doing any hiking or long walks.
Most of the climbs in the Lake District are made up of rocks, gravel and slippy loose stones. If you wear trainers, you’re going to hurt your feet and posture while walking.
Make sure you have boots that have an excellent grip, and are waterproof for any weather and terrain.
However, if you’re not much of a hiker or uphill walker, you CAN get away with wearing just trainers or hiking sandals. For example, my family are visiting the Lake District in September for the first time, and they won’t be wearing anything other than trainers.
BUT, they won’t be going anywhere near any high summits!
My recommendations for walking boots:
- Women: Colombia Hiking boots
- Men: Regatta Men’s Holcombe IEP Mid Rise Walking Hiking Boots
- Hiking sandals: Chacos
- Hiking trainers: adidas Women’s Zapatilla Terrex Skychaser
Skyscanner is without a doubt my go-to when booking flights. It’s the quickest, easiest to use and cheapest – ALWAYS!
Plus, if you’re struggling with where to fly to, you can enter ‘EVERYWHERE’ into the search bar. The cheapest flights to destinations all over the world will appear, and you can pick a flight with a budget suited to you!
Try it out for yourself on Skyscanner here!
What to pack for the Lake District in ANY weather
- Lightweight waterproof jacket – even in the middle of August, you can end up in a shower of rain (which has seemingly come from nowhere).
- An umbrella – for unexpected weather changes.
- A waterproof day bag – for swimming, rainy weather or boat trips.
- Swimwear for wild swimming
- A waterproof phone case (which can also be used for wild swimming when it’s sunnier)
- A portable charger – to make sure you don’t lose signal or charge on any of your walks or swims (especially if you’re solo travelling)
- A GoPro for amazing waterproof camera footage!
- A waterproof backpack cover – depending or not on whether you’re taking a backpack, but it can rain quite a bit. I’d recommend taking a cover to keep your backpack warm if possible.
- A chilly bottle to keep your water at a drinkable temperature. It can be used for hot or cold drinks!
- A Dry Robe, as it helps to keep you warm when entering and leaving the water (even if it’s raining!)
- Bug spray and midge repellent wristbands, especially if you’re prone to mosquito bites.
- Head torch if you’re planning on doing any camping.
- A MAP! This is super important, especially if you are doing local hiking and walking. You won’t find any signposts on the mountains, so you’ll need to make sure you’re prepared if you become lost!
- Suncream – because who knows, you might get lucky and see some sun in the Lake District!
What backpack should I take to the Lake District?
Main backpack
If you’re like me and HATE lugging around a 20kg backpack on your back, I recommend a wheelie backpack. I’m a huge fan of Osprey and always have been, and the Osprey 65L wheeled backpack is dreamy for trips and when you need more than a carry-on.
Want more information on this backpack? Check out this post: Best Backpack For Interrailing: Ultimate Europe Backpack Guide.
Day backpacks
For during the day, it will really depend on what you’re doing.
If you’re not hiking for miles, you can use a tote bag to hold your belongings like a camera, notebook, purse and Microfibre towel. It’s easier to pack away than a big bag, and can be neatly tucked away when you don’t need it!
But if you’re hiking, I’d recommend a 20L backpack like this Osprey. They’re just unbeatable when it comes to space, durability and being able to carry everything you’ll need.
Bonus packing item: A hanging wash bag: to make sure all your toiletries are kept in one place, and won’t get confused with anyone elses!
What clothes do I need in the Lake District?
When deciding on what clothes to take to the Lake District, it’s best to think about the kind of activities you will be doing first.
For example, a week in the Lake District may include:
- Hiking or walking
- Wild swimming and days spent by the lake
- Pub lunches and dinners
- Morning coffee stops
- Evenings in restaurants
- Museum trips
- Mini or crazy golf
- Watching the sunset/sunrise
- Nights around the log fire or watching the stars
So, think – what kind of clothes would you normally wear for these activities? It’s no different!
Whether you’d wear a dress and trainers, or gym leggings and a hoody, this is totally up to you and whatever you’d feel comfortable in.
Jeans, dresses, skirts, leggings, joggers – you name it, you can wear them in the Lake District!
Most accommodations will also have blankets you can use to keep warm if you wanted to watch the sunset outside.
Even if you want to go out for an evening meal, it’s quite rare that you’d need to bring heels and a fancy dress out. Overall, the Lake District has a laidback adventure vibe, so you’ll find most people in the pub in their mucky boots and checked shirts!
However, there are some extra clothes you may want to think about when visiting the Lake District.
- Breathable layers and base layers – especially if you’re hiking summits like Scafell Pike
- Walking trousers or comfortable (gym-like) leggings – for long hikes and walks
- A dry robe – for entering and exiting the lakes
- Hiking boots – as previously mentioned, these are important if you’re hiking for a long time in the Lake District!
What to pack for the Lake District in Winter
Merino Wool Base Layers
If you’re packing for the Lake District in winter, I recommend buying some Merino wool layers. They might be expensive, but they’ll keep you warm even on extremely cold days.
When we visited Lapland in Finland, we wore our Merino wool layers in temperatures of -30 degrees Celcius and they were the only thing that would keep us warm!
A bit of an over-packer? I have the answer! I use these handy packing cubes for every trip, meaning I can pack nearly 2 times as much as I could without! They are so worth investing in!
Insulated gloves and hat
The temperature in the Lake District in winter can drop right down to -2°C, so make sure you keep your hands and head warm when hiking.
🗺️ My hiking must-have: If you’re out on a long hike and run out of water, you can use a filter water bottle to drink any water you may find along the way. From puddle to lake water, it purifies in seconds so you can safely drink and stay hydrated! It’s a must-have for visiting the Lake District.
Fleece, hoody or oversized jumper
For cold nights around the fire! Just layer up if you’re visiting in the winter to make sure you keep warm.
Need insect repellent? As well as using spray, we have midge repellent wristbands. They definitely help when travelling the UK and standing by still water on a summer evening!
Is the Lake District muddy?
It can be, although it really depends on what time of year you visit.
It’s important to know that the Lake District is one of the wettest parts of the UK, so expect puddles and muddy terrains, especially in the autumn and winter months!
Plus, when it rains in the Lake District, it pours.
Don’t forget your rainjacket, umbrella and dry bag!
Are you going on a Lake District road trip? Don’t forget to take a phone holder for your car. If you need to follow GPS to get around the lakes, you’ll need to prop your phone up somehow! We bought ours a few years ago and have used it on every road trip. Trust me – they never supply one!
What to pack for the Lake District: In a Nutshell
So, there you have it!
A complete packing list for the Lake District, especially if you’re visiting for the first time.
Even I use this list to help me pack when I’m prepping for a week in the lakes!
As always, if you have a question about the Lake District (or anything else travel or blogging-related) you can contact me over on Instagram or on my contact me page.
Happy travelling!
Jennie 😀 x
Not sure what to do in the lakes? Check out my epic 3 Days in the Lake District itinerary!
LIKE THIS POST? PIN IT!📍
Hey you! 🙋♀️ I quit my job in 2021 to become a full-time travel blogger + visit as much of the globe as possible. Come and join me on my chaotic and hilarious travel journeys!
📷 Instagram: @jennie_wanders
🎥 Youtube Channel: Jennie Wanders
📍Pinterest: Jennie Wanders Travel Blog
Pssst! Want to know a secret on how to travel for free?!
Yes, you read that right. FREE!
There IS a secret we travel bloggers use to be able to travel for free (or at a very low price).
Drumroll please…
WORLDPACKERS.
Worldpackers is one of the best and cheapest ways to travel the world for a very small price (or even free!).
With volunteering opportunities all over the world, you can immerse yourself in the local culture and make a real difference in a country of your choice.
From farming to teaching, content creation and photography, there are volunteering jobs to suit just about anyone!
And the best thing? It’s CHEAP!
Most opportunities are work exchange programs (where you work for accommodation), OR you pay a small fee of under $10 a day to stay. Sign me up!
We’ve booked in for a Worldpackers experience in Colombia in 2022 (follow along here!), and have so many other volunteering plans up our sleeves.
From the Amazon Rainforest to the heart of the African savannah, Worldpackers is the BEST way to travel on a budget.
Like the sound of it?
***Use my code: JENNIEWANDERS for $10 off your membership! (click here to join) ***
Oooh, and don’t worry, it’s super cheap to join, and your fee lasts an entire year!
It’s perfect for budget backpackers and solo travellers, and I just wish I had found Worldpackers sooner!
