Windermere, United Kingdom: travel guide
The Lake District's largest lake, ringed by fells and Beatrix Potter country
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.
About Windermere
Windermere is both a lake and a small town in the Lake District National Park, in Cumbria. The lake is the largest natural lake in England, long and narrow, with wooded shores and fells rising behind. The surrounding landscape is a World Heritage Site.
You can take a steamer cruise on the water, walk up Orrest Head for an easy and rewarding view, or visit Hill Top, the farmhouse home of Beatrix Potter. Dove Cottage and Wordsworth's Grasmere are close by, and Brockhole is a lakeside visitor centre with gardens. The towns of Windermere and Bowness offer cafés, boat hire and pubs.
Windermere suits walkers, families and couples. Late spring to early autumn is the busiest and driest period, while autumn colours are particularly good.
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Currency
- GBP
- Time zone
- Europe/London
Last updated
Top places to visit in Windermere
Lake Windermere
Nature · 4.8 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate
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 £15 (≈ ₹1,830)
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 £11 (≈ ₹1,390)
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
victorian-steamer · 4.7 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
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
visitor-centre · 4.7 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate
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
famous-viewpoint · 4.8 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
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
famous-waterfall · 4.8 rating · about 8 h · check the fee at the gate
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
aquarium · 4.5 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
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
medieval-village · 4.7 rating · about 8 h · check the fee at the gate
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
neo-gothic-castle · 4.6 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
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 to Windermere
Nearest airport: Teesside (MME), about 97 km away in a straight line. The road or rail journey is longer.
Getting around
- Boat
- Bus
- Walking
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.
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Frequently asked questions about Windermere
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Windermere?
- The highest-rated places in our Windermere guide are Lake Windermere, Windermere Orrest Head Walk, Windermere Aira Force Falls, Hill Top — Beatrix Potter's House, Windermere Steamer Cruise.
- Where should I stay in Windermere?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Windermere: Bowness-on-Windermere.
- How do I get around Windermere?
- Ways to get around Windermere covered in our guide: Boat, City bus, Walking.
- What scams should I watch out for in Windermere?
- Scams reported to us for Windermere include Fake Lake District Parking Officials. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.