Windermere is England’s largest natural lake, stretching for more than 10 miles through the Lake District National Park. Its 18 islets, wooded shores and surrounding fells are best seen from the water: cruises run from Bowness-on-Windermere, Ambleside and Lakeside, with trips ranging from 45 minutes to three hours. You can also hire a boat, walk or cycle beside the lake, or try watersports. Bowness and Ambleside make useful bases for food and other attractions, though parking is limited and lakeside dining can be costly.
A lake shaped by glaciers
Windermere formed around 13,000 years ago, when water from melting glaciers collected behind moraine rock left by the ice. It stretches for more than 10 miles and is about a mile across at its widest point. The lake has 18 islets, including Belle Isle, and its shoreline shifts between wooded stretches and open views towards the fells.
The Lake District received UNESCO World Heritage Site status in 2017, recognising the area’s natural beauty and cultural significance. Windermere has long drawn visitors, and Victorian entrepreneurs built large homes and gardens along its eastern shore. Towns and villages around the water, including Bowness-on-Windermere and Ambleside, remain convenient places to stop for food and local attractions.
See Windermere from the water
Cruises are a practical way to take in more of the lake than you can from one stretch of shore. Boats leave from Bowness, Ambleside and Lakeside. Options include short journeys to nearby towns and longer sightseeing trips, with cruise durations reported from 45 minutes to three hours. Some boats have indoor and outdoor viewing areas. Dogs are welcome on Windermere Lake Cruises.
For a slower outing, hire a rowing boat, canoe or kayak. Paddleboarding, sailing, windsurfing and waterskiing are also among the activities available on the lake. Covering the full length by kayak is a long undertaking and is recommended for experienced paddlers, so choose an outing that suits your ability and time.
Walks and stops around the shore
Walking and cycling routes follow parts of the shoreline, with picnic spots along the way. The western shore route from Harrow Slack to Wray Castle is roughly seven miles one way. Orrest Head, reached from the Windermere area, is another option for a viewpoint over the lake and surrounding landscape.
Fell Foot, at the southern end, has grassy picnic areas, rowing-boat hire and a children’s adventure playground. Nearby, the Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway and the Lakes Aquarium can be combined with a lake visit. At Bowness, Windermere Jetty Museum displays historic boats and tells the story of boating on the lake; it is also a stop on the Red Cruise. The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction is another family-oriented stop in town.
Häufige Fragen
How long are Windermere cruises?
Cruise options range from about 45 minutes to three hours. Boats depart from Bowness-on-Windermere, Ambleside and Lakeside.
Can you hire a boat on Windermere?
Yes. Rowing boats, canoes and kayaks are among the hire options mentioned for the lake. Sailing, windsurfing, paddleboarding and waterskiing are also available.
Can you swim in Windermere?
Swimming spots include Borrans Park, Fell Foot, Miller Ground, Low Wray and Harrow Slack. Stay out of the water if you suspect a blue-green algae bloom, as some blooms can be harmful.
Is Windermere suitable for a family visit?
Family stops around the lake include boat trips, picnic areas and the adventure playground at Fell Foot. Bowness also has the World of Beatrix Potter Attraction and the Lakes Aquarium nearby.
