The largest natural lake in England stretches for 10.5 miles through Cumbria's hills. Victorian mansions and stone-built inns line its shores, while steamers cruise its waters.
Lake Windermere stretches 10.5 miles through Cumbria's Lake District, making it England's largest lake. You can sail across the water on a Victorian steam gondola, climb to Orrest Head for views across to the Langdale Pikes, or examine the 1850s steam launches at the Windermere Jetty Museum. The area includes Beatrix Potter's 17th-century Hill Top house with its original furniture and gardens, and the 1900-built Blackwell House with its intricate wood carvings and stained glass windows.
Getting Around Lake Windermere
Three main settlements line the lake: Ambleside at the northern end, Bowness in the middle, and Lakeside in the south. Boats connect these points every 45 minutes during summer and hourly in winter. The Windermere Ferry carries vehicles and pedestrians between Ferry Nab and Far Sawrey in 10 minutes. Buses run every 30 minutes between the towns, while direct trains link Windermere station to Manchester Airport and London Euston.
Walking Routes and Views
You'll reach Orrest Head's summit in 20 minutes from Windermere town center, following stone steps and gravel paths. At 784 feet high, the viewpoint looks out over the entire lake and central fells including the Langdale Pikes. At Brockhole, you can follow 30 acres of flat, paved paths through terraced gardens. The western shore path runs 4 miles from Ferry House to Wray Castle, winding through oak woodland and past rocky beaches.
Museums and Cultural Sites
The Windermere Jetty Museum displays boats dating back to the 1850s, including steam launches, racing boats, and early motorboats. Watch restoration work in progress and sit in the glass-walled cafe overlooking the water. At Hill Top farm near Sawrey, walk through Beatrix Potter's 17th-century house, where you'll find her original furniture and objects that inspired her book illustrations. The 1900 Blackwell House contains carved wooden panels, peacock-themed stained glass, and original Arts and Crafts furniture pieces.
Water Activities
Rent rowing boats, motor boats, kayaks, and paddleboards from Brockhole Activity Center or Bowness Bay Marina. Cruise boats depart from Bowness Pier every hour, with some routes stopping at Ambleside, Ferry House, and Lakeside. You can swim at designated spots including Millerground Bay and Fell Foot Park. The Great North Swim in June draws 10,000 swimmers to the lake. Winter temperatures rarely drop low enough to freeze the lake, and boats operate year-round.
Historical Background
Glaciers carved out Windermere valley during the last ice age. The 1847 arrival of the railway brought the first major influx of visitors. Beatrix Potter bought multiple local farms with her book earnings, later donating them to the National Trust. In 1945, 300 Jewish children who survived concentration camps found a new home near the lake's shore. UNESCO recognized the Lake District as a World Heritage site in 2017.
