Windermere (Lake)

At over 10 miles long, Windermere is the largest lake in both the Lake District and England. The major settlements in the area are Ambleside, Bowness and the town of Windermere (which rather confusingly doesn’t border the lake itself).

The best way to see the lake is by taking a cruise with Windermere Lake Cruises.

Hotels

Name	Location	Notes
Beech Hill Hotel	Eastern shore	Boasts an indoor swimming pool, with sauna and solarium, and a private beach with jetty.
Broadoaks Country House	Troutbeck	Small boutique hotel.
Brown Horse Inn	Winster Valley	19th century coaching inn.
Damson Dene Hotel	Lyth Valley	Nestled in the Lake District’s Lyth Valley, a tranquil area to the east of Windermere famous for its damson orchards.
Wild Boar Hotel	Crook	Takes its name from the legend of Sir Richard de Gilpin of Crook who is said to have killed the last wild boar in the area here.
High Fold Guest House	Troutbeck	Small bed and breakfast with excellent views of the surrounding countryside.
Holbeck Ghyll	Eastern shore	Actress Renee Zellweger stayed here during the making of the film Miss Potter.
Knoll Country House	Western shore	Secluded retreat in the woods near Lakeside.
Landing Cottage Guest House	Lakeside	Small guest house at Lakeside.
Langdale View Lodge	Eastern shore	Log cabin available for rent at the White Cross Bay Leisure Park.
Lindeth Fell Country House Hotel	Eastern shore	Fantastic garden setting and views of the lake.
Lindeth Howe Country House Hotel	Eastern shore	Once owned by Beatrix Potter.
Linthwaite House Hotel	Eastern shore	Set in 14 acres of woods and gardens.
Low Wood Hotel	Eastern shore	110-room hotel with leisure club and watersports centre.
Mortal Man, The	Troutbeck	17th century inn with spectacular views of the Troutbeck Valley.
Newby Bridge Hotel	Newby Bridge	Elegant Georgian mansion set in Mediterranean-style gardens overlooking Windermere.
Queens Head	Troutbeck	Atmospheric coaching inn.
Storrs Hall	Storrs	Elegant grade II listed Georgian mansion set in 17 acres of landscaped grounds and woodland.
Swan Hotel	Newby Bridge	This former coaching inn dates back to the 17th century.
Whitewater Hotel	Newby Bridge	A tasteful conversion of an old mill.
Windermere Lodge	Troutbeck	Luxury self-catering log cabin.

Attractions & Activities

Name	Notes
Ascent Training	Offers climbing, caving and mountaineering courses.
Blackwell	Gallery showcasing high quality arts and crafts.
Country Lanes	Cycle tours and hire.
Fell Foot Country Park	Victorian Park on the shores of Windermere.
Lakes Aquarium	Recreates more than 30 naturally themed habitats.
Lakeside	Here you'll find the Lakes Aquarium, Country Lanes, the Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway and Windermere Lake Cruises.
Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway	Take a trip on a steam engine through the beautiful Leven Valley.
Windermere Lake Cruises	Cruises around Windermere.
Windermere Steamboat Museum	Unique collection of steam and motorboats.

Restaurants, Pubs, Bars & Cafes

Name	Type	Location	Map	Notes
Brown Horse Inn	Pub	Winster	[View Map]	Whitewashed 19th century coaching house in the Winster Valley. Offers local ales and a mainly British menu. Also offers accommodation.
Dining Room	Restaurant	Lindeth Howe Hotel	[View Map]	Offers a 5-course seasonal, fixed price dinner menu. Enjoy pre-dinner canapés and drinks in the lounge or terrace. Smart casual dress code and no children under 7.
Eagle & Child	Pub	Staveley	[View Map]	Traditional pub with slate floor and period features. Offers a constantly changing selection of real ales. Riverside beer garden. Accommodation available.
Linthwaite House	Restaurant	Linthwaite House Hotel	[View Map]	Terrace offers afternoon tea with fantastic views of Windermere. Four-course fixed price menu offered in the evening (changes daily).
Mortal Man, The	Pub	Troutbeck	[View Map]	17th century inn with breathtaking views of the Troutbeck Valley. Name derives from the verse on the inn’s sign ‘"O mortal man that lives by bread what is it makes they nose so red? Thou silly fool, that look'st so pale,'Tis drinking Sally Birketts ale.’
Punch Bowl Inn	Pub	Crosthwaite	[View Map]	17th century inn with beautifully refurbished interior. One of the Lake District’s finest dining pubs. Offers a seasonally changing British menu. Situated in the village of Crosthwaite in the Lyth Valley. Sister pub of the famous Drunken Duck. Accommodation also available.

Review / Comment / Additional Information

Jeff

A 10 mph speed limit on the lake was introduced in 2005.

Sonia Mills

A boat trip on Windermere should be on everybody's itinerary.