Windermere in the Lake District is England's largest lake at 10.5 miles long, that's just over 18 km. At its deepest point is 219 feet, that's 66.7 m.
Windermere is also the name of a small town, which lies just over a mile from the lake shore. 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.
Windermere and the surrounding area is arguably the most famous and popular area in the whole of the Lake District. There are a range of activities, attractions, places of interest and things to do around the lake, and on it!
Things to know before you go, tips to plan a great trip and help us look after the landscape you love.
Take a boat cruise along part of all of Windermere lake.
Beatrix Potter's former home Hill Top
Brockhole house and gardens, the perfect spot for a picnic.
Sunset over Windermere lake.
Wray Castle on the shore of Windermere
Enjoy Windermere on the water at Brockhole.
Stott Park Bobbin Mill.
Windermere jetty museum.
Blackwell House on the shore of Windermere
Our Windermere lake guide shows you where to park, where to catch ferries and hire boats, footpaths and cycle routes to explore and lake shore towns with facilities like toilets and cafes.
Sit back and enjoy a cruise on the lake, with optional hop-off points, or hire a canoe, kayak, paddleboard or motor boat.
A mile inland from the northern tip of Windermere lakeshore, Ambleside is a bustling town of outdoor equipment shops, bookshops, gift shops, cafes and restaurants and a cinema. Nestled in the valley between various fells, it's the start and end point for many classic lakeland walks.
At the northern tip of the lake, you can take a launch from the piers here south down towards Bowness. There are also some cafes and hotels.
Half way down Windermere, and a mile and a half downhill from Windermere village and its railway station. Pop into our Bowness Bay Information Centre, shop, eat, get an ice cream and watch the bustle of the steamers arriving and departing from Bowness Bay. You can also hire rowing boats.
Windermere is just over one mile from the lake and is where the Oxenholme to Windermere railway line terminates. It is a busy little town with a good variety of local shops. The flagship store for Lakeland is situated close to the railway station. There is also a branch of Booths supermarket.
Right at the southern foot of Windermere's Western shore, you can find the Lakes Aquarium, one end of the Haverthwaite Steam Railway or take a launch north.
There's a great variety of walks, from low-level lakeside ambles to fell top hikes where you feel on the roof of the world! Browse through some ideas here:
Book your place on our free guided walks near Windermere and Ambleside
A collection of walks in Rusland, an area that stretches between Winderemere and Coniston Water to the south of Grizedale forest.
Enjoy the famous adventure playground, paddle in the lake, and explore the fabulous Mawson designed gardens with good pushchair and wheelchair access. Hire a boat on the lake, with motor boats, rowing boats, kayaks and paddle boards for hire. Challenge yourself with archery, laser clay or inside caving. Gift shop, cafe, and The Gaddum restaurant on site. Free admission. Pay and display car park.
Buses stop at Windermere train station, Troutbeck, Waterhead, Ambleside, Lakeside and Newby Bridge. See Traveline.info for timetables.
Oxenholem the Lake District is on the main West Cost mainline and from here there is a branchline to Windermere. Oxenholme to Windermere takes approximately half an hour. Windermere station is about a mile and half from the lake, which takes about half an hour to walk, or you can catch the #599 bus. See nationalrail.co.uk for timetables.
Try out pedal power for a whole new perspective of Windermere! Hire bikes from:
The Windermere Ferry links Ferry Nab on the eastern shore of Windermere with Ferry House, Far Sawrey on the west. It's a handy shortcut for Hawkshead, Grizedale forest and Kendal. It is a drive-on, drive-off service where car passengers stay in their cars, with space for 18 cars.
We can help you with booking tickets and attractions, ideas for walks places to visit, and we've got a range of guidbooks, maps and gifts. See us on the south side of Bowness Bay, home to Bowness Information Centre.
