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10 Things To Do In Lake Windermere

paddleboard-in-Lake-District

Windermere, England’s biggest lake, is a gleaming diamond in the Lake District’s crown, with plenty to see and do along its lengthy shores. There are several reasons to visit Windermere, whether you choose to spend your time on the water or simply stare out over the lake from dry ground.

Explore a fairy-tale castle, take a launch boat from one town to another, go hiking in the Lake District, or simply rest and take in the view. Lake Windermere has something for everyone, so we’ve put together a list of ten of our favourite things to do in Lake Windermere to help you plan a trip to this stunning region of the Lake District.

wray-castle

Wray Castle, owned by the National Trust, is on the northern shore of Lake Windermere, and with its array of towers and turrets, it seems like something straight out of a fairy tale.

There are other areas to explore inside the castle, including the Peter Rabbit Adventure Rooms, which will keep little children entertained on a rainy day. There are regular discussions about the history of Wray Castle, which goes back to Victorian times and was built by an important nineteenth-century surgeon.

Outside, the expansive dog-friendly grounds provide plenty of opportunities for strolling, riding, playing, and exploring. If you want to bring your bike, there’s a unique cycling track that leads up to the Claife Viewing Station, with stunning views of Lake Windermere along the way. Wray Castle has its own jetty on Lake Windermere, allowing you to arrive by boat in luxury.

2. Explore by boat

boat-in-Lake-District

It would be a pity to visit the Lake District and not take a boat excursion, and happily, there are several picturesque boat trips available. Jetties are accessible in Bowness, Ambleside, Lakeside, Brockhole, Fell Foot, and Wray Castle, so exploring by water is a breeze, especially because you can hop on and off at many stopping locations.

A leisurely round tour of the water during the day or a special buffet cruise where you can enjoy live entertainment while watching the sunset over the lake are both available from Windermere Lake Cruises.

The Windermere Ferry, which runs from Bowness to Sawrey and across the lake, allows you to bring your car with you; it’s the only auto ferry in the Lake District and has been in operation for almost 500 years. Today, the trip takes around ten minutes, making it a convenient and rapid method to go from one side of the lake to the other.

3. Take a Scenic Walk in Windermere

There are a variety of picturesque Lake Windermere treks to choose from, ranging from leisurely strolls along the water to more difficult excursions.

Loughrigg Tarn Circuit – Located a few miles north of Lake Windermere, this ‘Miles Without Stiles’ circuit offers superb vistas of both the Langdale Pikes and Loughrigg Tarn itself. It’s around 1.7 miles long, and you may stop for refreshments at the Talbot Bar in neighbouring Skelwith Bridge thereafter.

West Coast Stroll – An easy-to-access walk that follows winding paths along Windermere’s tranquil west shore. The path begins at Ferry House and leads you along the water to Red Nab and back; alternatively, if you are feeling strong, you may continue all the way up to Wray Castle. The Claife Viewing Station and lovely woodland coastline parts where you may pause for a picnic are highlights along the trip.

Orrest Head – Orrest Head was the first Lake District mountain to catch Alfred Wainwright‘s interest, and it’s still a terrific first Wainwright climb for tourists of all ages. The round walk from Windermere is 2.7 miles long with a 152-metre elevation, making it one of the simplest Lake District summits to reach, and the view from the top is spectacular.

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4. Try out some water sports

Lake Windermere provides a variety of water sports activities, from stand-up paddleboarding to kayaking, whether you are a complete novice or a seasoned pro.

Windermere Canoe & Kayak is located at the Ferry Nab Marina and offers a variety of water sports classes, ranging from fast taster sessions to equipment rental and more in-depth customised instruction. A guided paddle trip of Lake Windermere is available, as well as a spectacular sunset stand-up paddleboard experience. Paddleboarding has grown in popularity in recent years and is a fantastic way to stay healthy while spending time with family or friends in the great outdoors.

If sailing is more your style, hire a yacht from OB Sailing in Bowness for the day and become a skipper. Windermere’s flat waters are ideal for sailing, and there are a variety of classes available to get you started.

paddleboard-in-Lake-District

5. Go on a family outing

The Lake District National Park Authority manages Brockhole on Windermere, which has 30 acres of grounds, including 10 acres of formal gardens, as well as a visitor centre and cafe.

This family-friendly attraction has a play area as well as 1500 metres of treetop netting with large trampolines, slides, tunnels, and pathways hung safely above the ground.

The Brave the Cave experience at Brockhole is a network of indoor tunnels intended for youngsters aged 5 and above who want to go on a nighttime adventure. Using a headlamp to illuminate the route, cavers face progressively tough trials, with all successful cavers receiving a badge.

6. Explore Beatrix Potter’s World

Beatrix-Potter’s-World

This had to be on our list of things to do in Lake Windermere. Beatrix Potter had been a long standing fan of the Lake District, having spent many vacations there as a child. There are several locations in and around Windermere where you may follow in her footsteps and discover more about the author’s life, from seeing her former home to seeing some of her renowned creations brought to life.

Beatrix Potter purchased Hill Top with the revenues from her debut book, The Tale of Peter Rabbit, and drew inspiration for many of her later works from the grounds of the 17th-century farmhouse. You can view real Beatrix Potter artefacts, walk through the grounds that inspired her, and soak up the ambience of this remarkable place during a visit to this National Trust site.

The World of Beatrix Potter – In this delightful Bowness-on-Windermere attraction, Peter Rabbit and his companions are wonderfully brought to life. Mrs Tiggy-Winkle may be visited in her kitchen, Jeremy Fisher can be seen on his lily-pad, and Mr McGregor can take a tour of the Peter Rabbit garden. 3D sceneries from Beatrix Potter’s books, a self-guided display of her works, and a virtual tour through the region that inspired the renowned stories are among the attractions.

The Beatrix Potter Gallery – Located near Hawkshead, this gallery hosts exhibitions related to the author and features numerous original works by Beatrix Potter.

7. Go on a steam train ride

Lakeside-Haverthwaite-Railway

The Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway goes down the picturesque Leven Valley on Lake Windermere’s southern shore. From Lakeside Pier at the foot of the lake to Haverthwaite Station near Newby Bridge, traditional steam locomotives whistle their way along a 3-mile heritage route. Although the ride is brief, it is incredibly scenic, and the ancient railway carriages have been lovingly restored to their former splendour.

Spend some time at the Haverthwaite Station Tea Room, where you may have afternoon tea in antique settings – the perfect nostalgic treat for your elderly family members.

8. Go to a Fell Foot park for a picnic

In the Lake District, there are several beautiful spots to picnic, including the magnificent Fell Foot Park on the beaches of Windermere. Fell Foot has its own jetty, so you can take a steamer to the lakeside park, rent a traditional wooden rowing boat for a leisurely paddle on the water, and dine alfresco while taking in the wonderful mountain views.

The National Trust owns Fell Foot, which features gardens, native flower meadows, and a Pinetum that you can visit on a leisurely hour-long history walk. There are also a variety of kid-friendly nature trails, an adventure playground, and plenty of open areas where you can fly a kite, throw a frisbee, or play a game of rounders with your family.

9. Visit the towns and villages of Windermere

Around Lake Windermere, there are a number of attractive towns and villages that are well worth seeing on a trip to the Lake District.

Bowness on Windermere

The Fizzy Tarte cocktail bar, the high dining Porto Restaurant, and the traditional pub The Flying Pig are just a few of the many venues to dine and drink in this renowned Lake District town. A mini-golf facility, the Old Laundry Theatre, the Beatrix Potter World, and a boating port are among the attractions in Bowness.

Ambleside is one of the Lake Windermere settlements.

Located at the very top of Windermere Lake. Ambleside is one of the most centrally positioned Lake District villages, making it a perfect starting point for exploring the area. The town, which was formerly a major centre for the mediaeval woollen trade, is now home to a variety of shops, galleries, cafés, and pubs. The mighty Stock Ghyll Force, one of the Lake District’s most beautiful waterfalls, is just a short walk from the centre of Ambleside.

Lakeside, the towns and villages of Windermere

This little Lake District community is best known for its pier, steam railway station, and the Lakes Aquarium, which holds the country’s biggest collection of freshwater fish. It is set at the base of Lake Windermere, near the serene Lyth Valley. The damsons of the Lyth Valley are well-known, and the landscape is awash in their white flowers in the spring.

Hawkshead

Hawkshead’s courtyards and passageways are lined with ancient buildings, attractive white-washed cottages, and charming tea houses, making it one of the most charming Lake District settlements. A cobblestone plaza in the village’s heart is car-free, making it simple to meander about Hawkshead’s friendly bars and modest stores. The Beatrix Potter Gallery and the Hawkshead Grammar School Museum, which was originally home to William Wordsworth, are both must-see attractions in the area.

10. Visit Holehird Gardens

Holehird-gardens

If you are a big fan of the great outdoors and the beauty that can be found in nature, then a visit to Holehird Gardens has to be a must on your list! Holehird Gardens, a 10-acre facility in Windermere, Cumbria, England, is open to the public. The Lakeland Horticultural Society calls it home. The garden has a wide range of plants, particularly those that are adapted to the area’s high rainfall environment. It consists of a walled garden with herbaceous borders, vast rock and heather gardens, alpine homes, and a walled garden with extensive rock and heather gardens, alpine residences, and a walled garden. It was formerly chosen as one of the nation’s favourite gardens by BBC gardeners.

Hopefully, these lives keep you full of ideas on your trip of things to do in Lake Windermere, there’s plenty to look forward to for your next motorhome trip. To start your journey, apply for motorhome finance today. 

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