Windermere
Cedar Manor
Hotel · Windermere — Individually designed rooms and suites in peaceful gardens near town.
The Lakes / Windermere
WINDERMERE · CRUISES, WALKS & LAKESIDE STAYS
Lake Windermere
England’s largest natural lake stretches through the southern Lake District, linking busy waterfront villages with wooded shores and Lakeland scenery. Come for a boat trip, a walk or a few days exploring at your own pace.
Last updated: 24 October 2026
Around the lake
Bowness-on-Windermere is a popular starting point, with piers, places to eat and shops close to the waterfront. Windermere town lies inland and has the railway station, making it a useful base for visitors arriving by train.
At the northern end, Waterhead is the lakeside starting point for exploring Ambleside. Lakeside, at the southern end, connects a visit to the water with nearby attractions and the heritage railway.
Windermere is around 10.5 miles long. Choose the part of the shore that suits your plans rather than trying to see everything in one visit.
Boat trips and time on the water
A cruise is an easy way to enjoy the lake’s mountain backdrop, wooded islands and bays. Windermere Lake Cruises offers routes from Bowness, Ambleside (Waterhead), Brockhole and Lakeside, with different journeys and combined attraction tickets available.
Check the timetable for your travel date, departure pier and last return sailing. If you want to combine a cruise with a walk, allow enough time to reach the correct pier for your return.
For independent boating, kayaking or paddleboarding, check local access arrangements and hire conditions. Our paddleboarding guide offers further reading.
Walks and nearby places to visit
Choose a short waterside outing or make a longer day of exploring the surrounding hills. Public access varies around the shore, so plan your route using rights of way and allow for the weather and daylight.
Bowness is home to The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction. Around Ambleside, explore the town and Stock Ghyll Force, or head into the Langdale Valley for a different view of the central Lakes.
Nearby Grasmere adds village shops, literary connections and more walking options to a longer stay.
A landscape shaped by ice and tourism
Windermere is a ribbon lake, formed in a valley shaped by glaciers. Its long, narrow outline and surrounding hills create a changing view as you travel along the shore or out onto the water.
The arrival of the railway in Windermere in 1847 helped establish the area as a major visitor destination. Boating, lakeside houses and village life remain part of its appeal today.
Enjoy Windermere responsibly
Help care for the lake by taking litter home, using public paths and avoiding disturbance to wildlife. Follow local signs and access guidance, particularly around private shores and sensitive habitats.
Conditions on the lake can change quickly. Check current weather, access information and any notices before water activities, and choose plans suited to your experience.
Visiting this Christmas?
Explore seasonal markets, lights and festive breaks in our Christmas in the Lake District 2026 guide.
Where to stay around Windermere
Choose Bowness for lake cruises and waterfront restaurants, Windermere town for rail access, or the Waterhead area for exploring Ambleside. The wider area also offers village stays around Grasmere.
Browse the guides below to compare settings, see the full galleries and check availability.
Bowness
Lakes Hotel & Spa
Hotel · Bowness-on-Windermere — Rooms and suites, spa facilities and dining near the lake.
Grasmere
The Daffodil Hotel and Spa
Hotel · Grasmere — Lakeside setting, contemporary rooms and spa facilities.
Ambleside
The Samling
Hotel · Windermere — Country-house setting, individually designed accommodation and lake views.
A look around Windermere
Banks of Windermere in Lake District, England, UK
Banks of Windermere in Lake District, England, UK
Lake Windermere
Beautiful sunset over Windermere, Lake District National Park, Cumbria, England, UK
Bowness waterfront at Lake Windermere in the Lake District in Cumbria in the northwest of England in
Places to visit nearby
Make the most of your visit with a lake cruise from Bowness-on-Windermere, explore the shops and walking routes around Ambleside, or plan a scenic day out in Grasmere. The attractions below offer more ideas for places to explore around the lake.
Ambleside
Locations / Ambleside EXPLORE THE LAKE DISTRICT Ambleside Last updated: 24 October 2026 Visiting this Christmas? Explore Christmas lights, festive markets, family experiences and accommodation in our Christmas in the Lake District 2026 guide. Ambleside is a small town located in the
Bowness-on-Windermere
Locations / Bowness-on-Windermere EXPLORE THE LAKE DISTRICT Bowness-on-Windermere Last updated: 24 October 2026 Planning a festive Lake District break? Explore Christmas lights, seasonal markets, family events and places to stay in our Christmas in the Lake District 2026 guide. Bowness-on-Windermere is one
Stock Ghyll Force
AMBLESIDE • WATERFALL GUIDE Stock Ghyll Force A woodland waterfall on the edge of Ambleside, Stock Ghyll Force makes an appealing addition to a day in town. The usual walk climbs through trees to viewpoints above the gorge. Plan your visit View