Seathwaite is listed as having 3,552 mm (139.8 in) of rainfall annually; this figure makes it the wettest place with rainfall statistics in England. The rain gauge used for this measurement is on the slope of Seathwaite Fell above the hamlet.
Argyllshire tops the list with a soaking 2,274mm of rain each year and western areas in Scotland hold most of the top 10 spots with the exception of Merionethshire in Wales in at number 4 and Caernarvonshire at 6. The highest listed English place is the north west county of Westmorland in at 9.
Winter: The wettest months run from October to January. Snowfall typically falls from November to March. The valleys of the Lake District receive around 20 days of snow and 200 days of rain per year.
Landscape Photography // The Wettest Place in England // The Lake District
Is Cumbria the wettest county in England?
Cumbria and its Lake District are on the north-west coast of England. This is affected by the North Atlantic Drift which, together with the mountainous landscape, makes it the wettest part of England.
What month has the best weather in the Lake District?
If you want warmer, drier weather, plan your trip during the summer (June to August). The valleys are also covered in green, wildflowers are in full bloom and there's plenty of daylight to explore.
Why does it rain so much in the Lake District? The prevailing westerly winds cross the Atlantic Ocean picking up large amounts of moisture. The air hits the Lake District hills and is forced to rise where it cools and the moisture condenses to form rain. This is called relief or orographic rainfall.
While "gloomiest" is subjective, Bradford was frequently cited in 2023 studies by Betway as the UK's gloomiest city based on low sunshine, high wind, and rainfall, despite local defenses highlighting its cultural vitality. Other contenders often mentioned for dreary weather include Aberdeen, Blackpool, Glasgow, and Preston, though different metrics (sunshine vs. rain) yield varied results, with some recent surveys also pointing to places like Havering or Slough in terms of overall "miserable" living conditions.
Mawsynram of Khasi Hills in Meghalaya, North East India, has the title of being the wettest place in India and of the world. It is located on the top of a hill in the middle of a valley. It has a recorded 11, 872 mm. of rainfall during peak monsoons in India.
Loch Lomond (7073ha) is the largest in Scotland; Windermere is the largest natural lake in England; Llyn Tegid or Bala Lake is the largest lake in Wales with a surface area of 415ha; Rutland Water is the largest reservoir by surface area in the UK (though Kielder Water holds more water).
It's separate from the town of Bowness-on-Windermere, which is one of the busiest place along the shoreline and the main jetties for cruise boats. Ambleside is one of the most popular towns in the Lake District, sitting at the north end of Windermere lake its a great place to start some of the best know fell walks.
Derwentwater. With stunning views into the “jaws” of Borrowdale, small islands to explore, and boat hire available, there's lots of excitement to be had on Derwentwater. ...
The next most dangerous is Barrow-in-Furness, and Carlisle comes in as third most dangerous. There are safer parts of Cumbria, identified using the same Crime Risk measurement, starting with Egremont which ranks as the safest area in Cumbria, followed up by Ulverston in second place, and Cockermouth in third place.
Where should I go for the first time in the Lake District?
To start in the Lake District, base yourself in a central, accessible hub like Ambleside (great for transport & walks), Windermere/Bowness (popular, lake activities), or Keswick (mountain access & market town), then explore nearby areas like Grasmere (Beatrix Potter), Ullswater (scenic), or the Langdale Valley (classic hikes), using the excellent bus network to connect your adventures.
