Lake Windermere is the largest in the Lake District and England. Undoubtedly the most well-known and popular lake within the Lake District.
Lake Windermere is 10.5 miles long (18 kilometres) and at its deepest point is 219 feet (66.7 metres) As a first time visitor to the area it was good to know that beautiful as the lake is, there are plenty of things to keep myself engaged.
We found a wide range of activities and things to do during our four-day stay. Walking is a popular activity with over 3100 kilometres of rights of way in which you can walk, cycle or run.
There are a lot of water-based activities in which you can engage from hiring a boat, canoeing, kayaking, swimming or just enjoying a trip on the scheduled boats which visit the towns located on the lake.
As well as all its natural beauty to enjoy the area is well known for its association with some literary giants including Beatrice Potter and William Wordsworth. There are many picturesque towns to visit which are conviently connected by the ferry service
For someone who associated Lake Windermere with its lakeside location, there was certainly a lot to discover in this southern corner of the Lake District National Park
Accommodation at Lake Windermere
We were staying in the resort town of Bowness-on-Windermere, where you will find a variety of accommodations to choose from. From simple campsites and hostels through to self catering cottages, Airbnb rentals, lodges, holiday parks , hotels and traditional b&b’s. You will find a variety of accommodation to suit your budget.
We choose the more traditional b&b option. Fair Rigg guesthouse situated just a short walk from Bowness-on-Windermere and conveniently located to discover all that Lake Windermere and the Lake District National Park has to offer.
Our accommodation was a beautiful period guest house which was located in an idyllic location, with views of Lake Windermere from our bedroom window, what’s more, there were even views from the bathroom window, just make sure the blinds are down before you start bathing 🧽
Breakfast was included during our stay. We were fortunate to have the table by the large bay window which allowed us to enjoy the natural surroundings while enjoying our home cooked breakfast. My only problem was deciding what to order.
Beside the lake at Bowness-on-Windemere
Due to its dramatic location on the southern shores of Lake Windemere, the town has become something of a honeypot, acting as the main visitor hub for Lake Windemere.
Although the area is the main tourist area, it hasn’t been developed out of hand. The town is in a very pretty location with the lakefront area particularly so.
Victorian influence can be seen all over the town. From the architecture of the main town down to the lakefront where you will find a Victorian Pier, traditional steamers plying their trade on the lake and formal rowing boats moored ready for rental.
There is a modern marina at the far end of town. It is a popular place to participate in watersports of all kinds from hiring a boat on the lake to kayaking and canoeing. You will find many outdoor adventure companies located here.
Windemere
Situated next to Bowness-on-Windemere you will find its slightly less photogenic neighbour Windemere.
Unlike most towns in the area, Windemere is a relatively new town, only developed in the latter part of the 19th century. Confusingly named Windemere although it’s not located on the lake. It was built for the railway to bring visitors from Lancashire.
Although it runs into Bowness-on-Windemere it does have a distinct town centre. Not as pretty as Bowness-on-Windermere the town is not devoid of charm and if in the area it’s certainly worth a short stop as it is the main town in southern Lakeland.
Park Run at Fell Foot
As a sporadic member of a local running club, park run tourist is a popular activity. We will run a different Park Run while on our travels,with over 1100 situated all over the UK I won’t be short of locations.
At Lake Windemere, the nearest park run was at Fell Foot located on the southern end of the lake. This is a National Trust property a popular spot to explore relax and enjoy some time beside the lake.
The park run itself takes in a section of the lake as well as some cross country sections. As far as park runs go you could do a lot worse in terms of it’s location.
Park Run is accomplished with some fabulous views of the lake at the finish line. A big thanks to the many volunteers who give up their time in order for these runs to go ahead.
With the park run completed, it allowed us to explore this part of the lake. With some great open spaces, this used to be the location of a Victorian House and is now a country park.
There is a waterside cafe at the park, where we were able to get a post park run coffee with a beautiful view of Lake Windermere a very welcome bonus.
Ferry to Ambleside
Probably the most popular attraction at Lake Windermere is a trip on the iconic ferries.
We were staying in Bowness-on-Windermere which is the main ferry hub on Lake Windermere. There are also ferry main terminals located at Ambleside and Lakeside.
We were heading for Ambleside looking to take another ferry over to Wray Castle and walk the western side of the lake. For this, we booked the rather aptly named walkers ticket using the car ferry to get us back to Bowness-on-Windemere. You can buy tickets at the terminal or pre-book online.
Although rather touristy it is still a very enjoyable way to explore what Lake Windermere has to offer both on and off the water, with some beautiful views of this idyllic location.
Our journey was coming to its conclusion and we were arriving at Ambleside Pier. With our view of the rather grand terrace houses overlooking the water.
We have docked at Ambleside Pier where you will find pubs, cafes, hotels, tourist shops and lots of boats. However, this isn’t Ambleside, the town is a mile walk away from the pier which does come as a shock to some people, so allow time if you want to visit the town to coincide with ferry sailings.
Ambleside
This small town on the northern end of the lake is now a major visitor hub on Lake Windermere. A popular base for outdoor adventures to explore the national Park.
It is a pretty place despite being very busy. One of its main attractions is the Bridge House over Stock Ghyll beck. Which surely must be one of the most photographed buildings in the area, who was I to turn down the opportunity.
You don’t have to venture far from the centre of Ambleside and you feel like you have entered a different world, where you will find water wheels and other buildings that highlight the areas once industrialised past, which have now been reclaimed by nature once again.
Ferry over to Wray Castle
A brief walk back to Ambleside Pier and it was time to take our second ferry journey of the day over to Wray Castle.
Just a quick 15-minute ferry journey will bring you across the lake to Wray Castle, complete with its very own hidden jetty and Victorian boathouse.
This impressive-looking building complete with turrets and towers is not a castle at all but a Victorian neo-Gothic house, designed to look like a castle built by a wealthy family from Liverpool.
The castle has been owned by the National Trust since 1929 but has only recently been open to the public, it had had several uses over the years including a naval college for the Royal Navy.
The inside of the castle is also very different as you won’t find any traditional furniture or family history on display. I think this castle is best viewed from the outside where you can enjoy the vast gardens and impressive lakeside location.
Lakeside walk to Claife Viewing Station
It’s a fantastic location to enjoy a walk and that’s what we decided to do, walking the four miles to Claife Viewing Station. There will be no shortage of walks to take at this location.
The western side of the lake is much less developed and very naturalistic. This beautiful lakeside trail which is managed by the National Trust connects Wray Castle with Claife Viewing point and it has cafes, located at either end of the walk. That’s good to know.
Along the way, there are several places to stop and admire the lake and its surroundings in relative solitude, in comparison to the much busier northern and eastern sections of Lake Windermere.
Claife Viewing Station
A four mile walk and we reached our destination with no sat nav required. The beautiful but rather unusual Claife Viewing station.
Built-in 1790 this was one of the first lakeside attractions built to attract people to visit the area as at the time the lakes were seen as an unattractive wilderness.
The stained glass was designed to give viewers the impression of different seasonal variations when viewed through the glass. A popular place with photographers a Victorian Instagram location if you like.
By the end of the 19th Century, the viewing station fell out of favour and fell into disrepair. This early example of a Lake Windermere tourist attraction is certainly a very magical location and its ramshackle appearance adds to its charm.
Keswick
The busy market town of Keswick is situated just north of Lake Windemere and is the commercial hub of the area.
In the centre of Keswick, you can find Moot Hall. Built-in 1813 this is a Grade II listed building and dominates the town centre. The market in the town dates back to 1276 and is still going to this day.
Keswick is not short of green spaces with not one but two parks. Hope Park and Fitz Park, offer beautifully planted gardens and other amenities.
Derwentwater Lake is only a ten-minute walk away from the town. It also has wait for it a pencil ✏️ museum, it was home to the world’s first manufactured pencil. For a small town, it is certainly well worth a visit.
Lake District National Park
Our final day in Lake Windermere and the weather hasn’t been kind. It was raining although we are in the Lake District and it’s one of the wettest parts of the UK 🇬🇧
Luckily we had pre-booked a 10 lake tour with a local tour operator, so we were not reliant on the weather for this trip.
We passed by some of the southern Lake Districts’ most prominent local landmarks. This mountain is known as Cats Bells one of the most popular fells (mountain) to climb in the area.
The tour took us through the National Park as well as the lakes. This Valley is known as Newlands Pass a three mile road that runs along the ridge of the valley.
At the top of the valley which is 1093 feet 333 meters above sea level, we found the Moss Beck Waterfalls. Even with a very dry period, the waterfall was still a very impressive sight.
We also visited the ten lakes which make up the Lake District. I will highlight the more prominent ones we visited. Derwentwater is 3 miles long and is fed and drained by the River Derwent.
Ullswater Lake is the second largest lake after Lake Windermere. Ullswater is seven miles long. It is famous for its Ullswater steamers and is a popular centre for sailing and outdoor activities.
It is also the location where Malcolm Cambell broke the water speed record on July 23 1955 piloting a jet-propelled boat to a speed of 202 miles per hour (325.5 kilometres)
Castlerigg Stone Circle
I knew about Stonehenge but this was certainly a discovery to me. One of the earliest stone circles in the UK it was completed about 3000 years ago.
An extremely spiritual and atmospheric location. Dramatically situated with fabulous panoramic views of the mountains as a spectacular background. Stonehenge seems rather underwhelming in comparison and what’s more entry to Castlerigg is free.
Dining in Lake Windermere
As part of the breathtaking Lake, District Windermere is a very popular destination. The culinary centre is Bowness-on-Windemere. To avoid disappointment if there are any restaurants you particularly want to dine at pre-booking would be advised.
You will certainly not be found wanting in terms of choice or quality. From fish and chips on the lakefront, traditional pubs, bistros, tea houses, tapas, and Indian and Chinese. Bowness-on-Windermere caters for all tastes and budgets.
Another refreshing change in Bowness-on-Windermere although it is the main resort on Lake Windemere, it certainly doesn’t feel that way with little in the way of fast food outlets and chain restaurants that seems to have proliferated most British towns and cities.
Bowness-on-Windemere is full of many independently owned restaurants and many of the pubs are owned by Robinsons a local brewery which supports many of the small scale local producers. Numerous restaurants are situated in beautiful locations as well.
We were born to do more than go to work, pay bills and die. See the world while you are alive and kicking 