Welcome To Windermere
Introduction To Windermere
Windermere is the largest lake in England located in The Lake District National Park in the county of Cumbria. Lake Windermere is 18 km long, 1.5km Wide and has a depth of 67 m.
Windermere is also the name of a small town, located a little over a mile from lake Windermere's shore. The town Bowness-On-Windermere Is a separate town which is located on the shore of lake Windermere, Bowness-On-Windermere is where you can catch all the ferry and cruise lake tours of the famous Lake Windermere.
Windermere and the immediate area inclusive of all towns Lakes and fells are some of the most popular places within the Lake District National Park.
The Towns of Windermere and Bowness are based south east of the Lake District they are both incredibly popular and have been since the Victorian times theu have a combined population of around 8359 people. Windermere is an easily accessible location within the national park which has panoramic views of the lake Windermere and surrounding fells.
Things To Do In Windermere
Brockhole on Windermere
Brockhole on Windermere is the Lake District National Parks visitor centre. The visitor centre offers a range of activities for families such as tree top adventures, Lake activities such as kayaking and boat hire and even woodland activities such as archery and laser tag.
Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway
The Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway was build in 1973 and is now a family run railway. Th lakeside steam train is in a qaint little area near Windermere, the Victorian railway route takes you through the Lake Districts outstanding natural beauty and has connections to the Windermere Lake crusies.​
Windermere Cruises
Lake cruises on windermere offer a wide range of journeys acrross and around Lake Windermere you travel all around the islands of Lake Windermere and catch crusies to other nearby towns connected the lake Windermere.
Visit Fell foot park to enjoy a nice walk around the meadows with the stunning lake view. At fell foot you are able book to do orienteering lessons and take yoga classes. Fell foot hires water equipment out for water activities such as kayaking and paddle boarding.​
The World of Beatrix Potter is a colourful family Attraction which unfolds the history of the famous Beatrix Potter’s stories in an enchanting recreation of the stunning Lake District countryside.
Wray Castle
Wray Castle is an astonishing building with 360 views of the Lake District. T Castle was build 180 years ago and was open to public visitors in 2011.
Places To Stay In Windermere
Windermere is an amazing town located in the centre of the Lake District National Park. Windermere has is surrounded by lakeland fells and the largest lake in England, Windermere. The town of Windermere and Bowness on Windermere have many different types of accommodation in many different areas around the town such as lakeside properties of stunning fell views properties.
Visit the link to find your desired property and your desired location in Windermere for your wonderful stay in one of the Lake Districts greatest locations.
Walks In Windermere
Windermere is a very popular area in the Lake District with plenty of people passing by and staying every day. The Lake District is one of the best places in the UK for adventurous activities hiking being one of them. Windermere is surrounded by rolling hills and fells with dramatic scenery. There is a variety of walks around windermere varying in difficulty and length to suit beginner hikers and more experienced hikers. Below are some of the breathtaking walks within the Windermere area that the Lake District has to offer.
Windermere Hiking Trails
1. Orrest Head Circular
Distance - 4.5 km
Time - 1 h
Elevation - 158 m
Difficulty - Easy
This small circular walk over Orrest Head has amazing views over Lake Windermere and the surrounding fells which make the uphill climb worth while. On a clear day from the top of Orrest head you are able to see the sea and the highest mountain in England, Scafell Pike. Orrest Head is most well known as Alfred Wainwright's first indroduction of walking in the Lake District. This trail is easily reachable from the Windermere Railway Station. Find this route here
2. Bowness On Windermere Circular
Distance - 9 km
Time - 2 .20 h
Elevation - 230 m
Difficulty - Moderate
This is stunning circular trail starts at Bowness and ends in Bowness. The further part from this cicuclar walk has amazing views over looking the bustling town of Bowness On Windermere before return to the start. Starting at a car park on Glebe Road, the trail heads through the town centre and past Biskey Howe viewpoint, then out into the countryside where you can enjoy lovely views over the fields and the water of Scout Beck. This route finishes with views of Post Knott before looping to the start. Find this route here
3. High Wray And Wray Castle Circular
Distance - 9.8 km
Time - 2 .40 h
Elevation - 287 m
Difficulty - Moderate
Starting at the Red Nab Car Park on the west shore Windermere, the trail winds along the lakeside path to Wray Castle, a Gothic Revival castle where there is a cafe and toilets. The trail then continues through the woods and over the open hillside past Blelham Tarn, before going through the farmlands and along the road to High Wray. The trail then returns to the start point. Find this route here
4. Sour Howes And Sallows Circular
Distance - 8.5 km
Time - 3 h
Elevation - 452 m
Difficulty - Moderate
Take in great views as you make your way up these two wainwrights which look over the valley and surrounding fells into the kentmere horseshoe. Starting in Troutbeck, the trail quickly climbs, reaching the first top at Sour Howes before continuing on to Sallows. The trail then sweeps round and joins Garburn Pass, winding down past Applethwaite Slate Quarry and back to the start. Find this route here
5. Kentmere Horseshoe Circular
Distance - 18.7 km
Time - 7 h
Elevation - 1053 m
Difficulty - Hard
This epic 8 wainwright walk has stunning views in which you can see many areas of the Lake Distirct as you hop from summit to summit. starting in kentmere you make your way up to the first summit shipman knotts and follow your way along to the next two summits. If you want to make this walk longer you can add high street to this route to bag 9 wainwrights. When you reach Thornthwaite crag head back on yourself towards kentmere and over the last 3 summits. Find this route here
Windermere History
The History of Windermere dates back 5000 years from the first early settlers, the area quickly became the source of stone for axes and the sites of stone circles. The geological formations around the area take their name from the town. They are called the Windermere Group of sedimentary rocks.
Dating back further the development of the Townend House in Troutbeck began between the 15th and 16th centuries, this building is still standing and is grade 1 listed and is highly protected. By the 18th century, canals were constructed to allow for easier access for visitors and transportation of the coal mining, iron ore and steel industries.
Windermere is historically a part of the county of Westmorland before it changed to Cumbria, Windermere town was once known as Birthwaite before the arrival of the Kendal and Windermere Railway. ​ Windermere has been a popular holiday destination since 1840 when the first railway was introduced, connecting London to Kendal and providing a faster way of transportation for the wealthier members of society.
The introduction of the Windermere railway also encouraged local businessmen to begin forming their own enterprises which by the mid 19th century the Lake District was home to many successful established businesses.
The origins of both Windermere and Bowness were fairly different in their evolution. Bowness was long established village, which was populated around late medieval parish church where as Windermere is fairly modern in history mainly dating back to 1840 when the Windermere railway was build. Before arrival of railway, main sources of wealth in Windermere were from cattle and sheep farming and then stone quarrying, woodland industries and fishing a bit later in the development of Windermere.
How To Get To Windermere
There is a vast amount of people who visit Windermere every year and there are multiple transport options on how to get to Windermere. Windermere is one of the most easily accessible location of the Lake District with a train station that connects all the way to Manchester airport and the A591 which runs through the centre of the Lakes connected to the M6 by just a short 5 - 20 minute drive.
1. Train To Windermere
The Windermere train station is the end of the train line which terminates at Windermere with only a short walk into the town centre and about a half an hour walk to Bowness on Windermere. The Windermere line runs directly to Manchester airport this is as far south the trainline travels without changes. If travelling from the west coast of Cumbria you can catch a train to Oxenholme and then change to get onto the Windermere Line. If travelling from the north of the Lake District , England or even Scotland, you will have to make changes to get on the Windermere line as Windermere is the northmost point of this line.
2. Car To Windermere
Windermere is fairly accessible by car in comparison to many other areas in the Lake District, most likely tourists would be taking the m6 north or south bound to the Lake District. If coming from the north you would then join the A66 then onto the A591 which connects Keswick to Kendal right through the centre of the Lake District. If coming from then south then you would join the A590 then follow onto the A591 until you reach Windermere. The time it will take will vary depending on your Location.
3. Bus To Windermere
The buses in the Lake District are fairly efficient and priced. The Bus stop at Windermere stops at Windermere train station this bus (555) connects to other popular towns an villages in the Lake District. This main route travels up the A591 and stops at Kendal, Windermere, Ambleside, Grasmere and Keswick. From Windermere you can catch the 599 bus to Windermere on Bowness.
4. Ferry To Windermere
If travelling to Windermere by ferry you will most likely be coming from Isle Of Man, Northern Ireland or Ireland. From Isle of Man you would arrive in Heysham port and drive from Heysham to Windermere which is approximately an hour long journey. If travelling from Northern Ireland or Ireland you would catch a ferry to Liverpool which is then approximately a 1 hour 30 minute drive.
5. Flight To Windermere
The nearest airport to Windermere is Manchester airport, from Manchester airport you can get a direct train straight to Windermere or drive from Manchester airport which is approximately a 1 hour 30 minute drive.