Things to do in Windermere…

Windermere is a popular town in Cumbria set beside Windermere Lake and the neighbouring town Bowness-On- Windermere. Windermere Lake is the largest natural lake in England winding over 11 miles and 66 metres deep.  The lake and the town are both popular amongst tourists with a number of different activities to enjoy; here are a few to get you started!

  • Water sports and boat tours

Windermere is less than a mile away from the shores of Windermere lake, providing endless opportunities for wild swims, kayaking, canoeing and boat tours on a number of Windermere Lake Cruise’s steamers and launches.  Boat tours operate the full length of the lake calling at Waterhead, Bowness and Lakeside, with some boats stopping at Brockhole. A return cruise between Bowness and Waterhead takes around an hour and a half, with a return cruise circling the whole lake taking about 3 hours.

  • Hiking

Although Windermere isn’t surrounded by large mountains, the village Windermere is home to little hikes and hills including Orrest Head; Alfred Wainwrights very first Lake District walk that sparked his love of the area and the mountains. Other popular hikes starting from Windermere include walks along the lakes shoreline, hikes to Wray Castle and Brockhole and woodland trails in Great Knott Wood and Claife Heights.

  • Cycling

Exploring Windermere by bike is the perfect, healthier travel option for both your body and the planet. Bike hire chalets and shops are available in Windermere village and along the east shore of Windermere lake including Total Adventure bike hike, Country Lanes bike hire, Lake District bike hire and Brockhole on Windermere bike hire. Enjoy a relaxed ride on the lakeshore or explore further with most lake boats and cruises allowing bikes on-board.

  • Brockhole House

A trip to Windermere must include a visit to the stunning house and gardens of Brockhole. The 19th century house sits within stunning woodland nearby Windermere lake. The home once belonged to a wealthy silk merchant called William Gaddum and his wife Edith Potter, who was a cousin of famous author and artist Beatrix Potter. The house is now a beautiful arts and crafts villa surrounded by extensive gardens designed by famous historic landscape designer Thomas Mawson. At Brockhole, you can explore the house and gardens, eat at one of the houses three cafes and bring home a souvenir from their varied gift shop. There’s also a range of outdoor family activities including go carts, an archery site, a woodland faerie trail, mini golf, boat hires and a ‘Treetop Trek’ centre.

  • Lakes Aquarium

Situated at Lakeside on the southern end of lake Windermere, the Lakes Aquarium is home to hundreds of different wildlife both local and exotic including species of fish such as Pike, Arctic Charr, Clownfish and Piranhas, mammals including otters and mice, and reptiles such as frogs and axolotl. Colourful groups of fish can be observed swimming over your head by walking through the aquariums glass tunnel; other interesting displays include a high waterfall plunging into a stream of salmon.

  • Holehird Gardens

In a stunning setting overlooking lake Windermere, Holehird Gardens is beautiful place run entirely by volunteers of the Lakeland Horticulture Society. The gardens are maintained through donations from members and garden visitors with a donation of £5 recommended for guests. The gardens boast an extensive list of native and rare flowers, a walled garden, rock gardens and a small pool and cascade.

  • Windermere Jetty Museum

An award-winning museum dedicated to the boats, people and rich history of Windermere, Windermere Jetty Museum is situated in Bowness Bay a short distance away from Windermere village. At the museum, all the family can explore Windermere’s 200 year-old boating history through interactive displays, boat trips and sightseeing historical boats and equipment. A collection of boats are displayed in the museums gallery built right over the water including a rowing boat once owned by Beatrix Potter; she frequently used the boat to fish on Moss Eccles Tarn beside her home in Near Sawrey.

  • Lakeland Pony Treks

A pony trekking centre located on the edge of Limefitt Holiday Park in Troutbeck, around two miles away from Windermere, Lakeland Pony Treks is a fun, family day out exploring stunning Lakeland surroundings on a pony. The centre is home to a number of calm and friendly horses and ponies to join on a countryside ride welcoming new riders and experienced ones! Treks range from 30 minutes to an hour and are supervised by the centres professional staff.

  • Wray Castle

A historic, Gothic Revival castle sitting on the shores of Lake Windermere, Wray Castle is a must visit Windermere attraction for history lovers. The castle has a unique design of turrets and towers surrounded by acres of grounds, gardens and lakeshore paths. The castle differs from most due to it being originally built as a private house in 1840, it was passed on to the National Trust in 1900s unfurnished and bare. Visitors are only allowed on the bottom floor of the castle however the gardens are definitely worth exploring, boasting unique specimens of trees including a mulberry tree which was famously planted by William Wordsworth in 1845.