Windermere, United Kingdom: travel guide
At the heart of the Lake District National Park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Windermere is England's largest natural lake, surrounded by fells, Victorian boathouses, and the landscapes that inspired Beatrix Potter and Wordsworth.
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Currency
- GBP
- Time zone
- Europe/London
Top places to visit in Windermere
Lake Windermere
Nature · 4.8 rating · about 3 h
England's largest natural lake (18 km long) in the Lake District UNESCO World Heritage Site. Ferry crossings, white-knuckle sailing, kayaking, and sedate steamers all operate from Windermere and Bowness piers.
Hill Top — Beatrix Potter's House
Heritage · 4.7 rating · about 1.5 h · entry GBP 15
The beloved 17th-century farmhouse near Hawkshead where Beatrix Potter wrote and illustrated many of her famous tales. The National Trust cottage is virtually unchanged since her death in 1943.
Dove Cottage & Wordsworth Museum
Heritage · 4.6 rating · about 1.5 h · entry GBP 11
The tiny, intimate cottage near Grasmere where William Wordsworth lived from 1799–1808 and wrote many of his greatest poems. The adjacent museum houses original manuscripts and portraits.
Windermere Steamer Cruise
Heritage · 4.7 rating · about 1.5 h
The Windermere Steamer Cruise — Lake Windermere's spectacular Victorian steamboats (the world's oldest still operating), with the iconic Bowness-Ambleside-Lakeside service.
Windermere Brockhole Park
Nature · 4.7 rating · about 3 h
Brockhole-on-Windermere — the Lake District's spectacular visitor centre, with the iconic Treetop Trek high ropes, the famous adventure activities, and the rich Lakeland heritage.
Windermere Orrest Head Walk
Viewpoint · 4.8 rating · about 1 h
The Orrest Head walk — Windermere's spectacular 30-minute hike to the iconic 240m viewpoint, the first hill Alfred Wainwright climbed, with the famous panoramic Lakeland views.
Windermere Aira Force Falls
Waterfall · 4.8 rating · about 8 h
A day trip from Windermere to Aira Force Waterfall — the spectacular 65-foot Ullswater waterfall, with the iconic Wordsworth daffodils heritage, and the famous Lake District beauty.
Windermere Lakeside Aquarium
Wildlife · 4.5 rating · about 2 h
The Lakes Aquarium — Windermere's spectacular freshwater aquarium at the southern end of the lake, with the iconic underwater tunnel, the famous otters, and the family-friendly attraction.
Windermere Hawkshead Village
Heritage · 4.7 rating · about 8 h
A day trip from Windermere to Hawkshead Village — the Lake District's spectacular 15th-century village, with the iconic Beatrix Potter Gallery, the famous Grammar School (Wordsworth's).
Windermere Wray Castle
Heritage · 4.6 rating · about 2 h
Wray Castle — Windermere's spectacular 1840 Neo-Gothic castle on the lake's west shore, where Beatrix Potter holidayed (1882), with the iconic National Trust experience.
Things to do
- Lake Windermere Canoe Hire Activity · 2 h · from GBP 33 per person
Day trips and tours
- Beatrix Potter Country & Hawkshead Village 5 h · from GBP 35
- Coniston Water Steam Gondola Cruise 6 h · from GBP 39
Where to stay in Windermere
- Bowness-on-Windermere about GBP 140 per night
The heart of Lake District tourism. Direct lake access, ferry terminal, and wide range of accommodation.
Hotels
- Lindeth Howe Country House Windermere 4-star · GBP 150 to GBP 450 per night
Where to eat
- Francine's Restaurant Windermere Modern British, Cumbrian · about GBP 50 per person
Getting around
- Boat main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Bus main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Walking main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
Safety and scams to avoid
Fake Lake District Parking Officials
Bowness-on-Windermere car parks
Individuals in unofficial clothing issue fake 'parking penalty notices' requesting online payment to a fake website. Real notices are issued by official wardens from the local authority.
How to avoid it: Legitimate parking notices are issued by uniformed council officers and are printed on official forms. Check the number plate printed on the ticket to confirm it's your vehicle.