The Best Activities To Make The Most Of The Lake District This Autumn

If you’re looking for a hotel in The Lake District to enjoy the beautiful turn of autumn this year, The Yan is the perfect place to be. A base for family walks, coming back to bespoke rooms and hearty meals freshly cooked with local produce. This is our guide to everything The Yan can offer you this autumn.

Walks For Autumn Leaves

The Yan is tucked away at the base of many Lake District favourite walking routes, so we often get asked to recommend the best places to see autumn leaves in The Lake District. These are our top picks for the best walking routes in Grasmere this autumn.

A family friendly stroll that is an easy climb for stunning views, Helm Crag has a well-marked and regularly trodden path with many friendly folk passing by along the way. This walk can be done straight from the door, so you can get the most out of the autumn weather. Covered with different foliage, Helm Crag will give you a wide array of autumn colours from the ground up.

Easedale Tarn is home to some of the most breathtaking waterfalls in Grasmere, which keep you company through the ramble along the valley, before the trail opens out to reveal the stunning view of the tarn. The orange and red colours are reflected in the water, giving a beautiful surrounding atmosphere. The trail begins near to the infamous Grasmere Gingerbread Shop, which is a great spot for a delicious local snack. 

For more recommendations and information about our top pickles for walks from The Yan, check out our Fell Walks near Grasmere Guide.

Cozy Autumn Activities 

For many, September is when autumn begins. With October approaching and autumn decorations starting to appear, the mood for more festive activities begins to set in.

One of the best events in The Lake District for getting into the spirit of autumn is the apple picking weekend at Beetham Nurseries. Running through the first weekend of October, this event is packed with live music, farmers markets, a fruit themed cafe menu and the chance to win your own apple tree. This is a free, family event that also has kids colouring competitions and a magical fairy hunt through the grounds. 

For a slightly more relaxing weekend experience, wander along to Faeryland Boats on the north end of Grasmere water. These individually named rowing boats are a beautiful way to explore the scenery in a different way, gliding along the still waters for a romantic weekend afternoon. They also have a tearoom to warm up in afterwards, specialising in delicious local loose leaf teas. 

Finally, Kendal has a great opportunity to explore the annual Lake International Comic Arts Festival. Hosted from the first Friday to Sunday of October, this festival is packed full of exciting events. From live draws, comic signing, marketplaces and exhibitions, this festival is an international hub that brings in some of the biggest names in the comic creator space. 

Whether you’re looking for a family friendly, festive day out, an exciting day exploring the best in comic creation, or a romantic boat ride on the picturesque Grasmere water, you don’t want to miss The Lake District in autumn.

Making Memories At Family Dinner

The Yan knows how to do good grub, all year round. With seasonal menus that reflect the changing of the leaves, the meals are made-to-order and always fresh. In the autumn, we lean more towards classic nostalgic favourites that remind you of a cozy fireplace and a full tummy. 

One of our most famous staples, especially in the colder months, is Our Now Famous Shepard’s Pie. Made with slowly braised Grasmere Herdwick lamb, cheesy mash potato, cured ham and parsley garden peas, it truly is the authentic Lake District menu. Pair that with our log-fire crackling in the corner and curation of quality wine pairings, and you’ve got our perfect autumn evening.

We also offer a children’s menu, so that the whole family, any age, can enjoy great food. As a family restaurant, our menu has been designed with our son, Oscar, in mind. With a range of options to cater to dietary requirements, we hope that everyone can enjoy those large family dinners together, and we can play in part in providing those memories that last a lifetime. 

No trip would be complete without your furry friends, who are more than welcome at The Yan. With dog-friendly rooms that pamper your pups as well as yourselves, your dog will also have the opportunity to eat great food and, after a long day exploring, cozy up next to our Bistro fire and relax along with the rest of the family.

The Best Seasonal Cafes

Enjoying great coffee and freshly baked sweet treats is one of the highlights of any trip, but we really know how to do it right in Grasmere. These are our favourite spots of a warming drink or fresh pastry as the weather gets a little cooler.

Mathilde’s Cafe is a Scandinavian inspired cafe that really comes alive through the autumn and winter-time. With features in The Good Food Guide for the last three years running, we don’t really need to convince you that the food is incredible and the coffee is just as good. Inspired by a long history of amazing cooking, their seasonal specials are just that, special.

Baldry’s Tearoom centres on a more vintage-style, village cafe. Whether you’re looking for a light lunch or a delicious home baked cake, this place has been serving in Grasmere since 1982. However, they are most known for their wide selection of speciality loose-leaf tea. With a dedicated tea menu, you will be spoilt for choice in Baldry’s.

Freda + Ray Cafe is our final recommendation, a true local favourite. Offering a range of delicious lunches and freshly baked light bites, this cafe is the perfect place to stop in after an autumn stroll in the surrounding hills. With a warming atmosphere and big cups of coffee, you’ll struggle not to get into the autumn spirit with this local gem. 

Toddler-Friendly Trips

We love seeing everyone enjoying The Lake District, so these are our family-friendly favourites. All of these activities are located in the nearby town of Grasmere and are toddler friendly! 

If you’re picturing golden leaves, stone cafes laden in fairy lights and beautiful landscapes, Grasmere is the place for you. Nestled in the heart of The Lake District, it has great access to rambles and walks, but we’re also going to give you our top three picks for the classic things to do in Grasmere this autumn.

Starting off with a year-round recommendation and local gem, Grasmere Gingerbread. Coined the world’s best, this shop has been supplying The Lakes with world class gingerbread for over 170 years. Whether you’re looking for a snack to take with you on a stroll or a sweet treat that the whole family can enjoy, you won’t be able to get enough of Grasmere Gingerbread. 

We also have claim to Dove Cottage and Wordsworth Museum, where William Wordsworth lived for a time and wrote some of his most famous poetry. You can look around the cottage and learn more about his life and experiences living in Grasmere, as well as visiting Wordsworth Museum for an in-depth exploration of his life as a whole. 

For a more scenic day out, picture gorgeous gardens, a historic villa and a slower based exploration of exhibitions, Allen Bank is the perfect place to add to your list of things to do. The gardens truly come alive in autumn, with the hidden passages and orange pathways leading to new adventures for everyone to explore. Looking through all the rooms of this villa is an adventure you can’t miss, providing panoramic views of Grasmere and beyond. 

We recommend making the most of Grasmere’s local attractions, so you can get the authentic autumn experience.