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 |
Hotel Star | Prices From |
| Beech Hill Hotel |
Eastern shore |
Boasts an indoor swimming pool, with sauna and solarium, and a private beach with jetty. |
3 | £59.00 |
| Broadoaks Country House |
Troutbeck |
Small boutique hotel. |
5 | £94.00 |
| 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. |
3 | £90.00 |
| 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. |
3 | £111.60 |
| High Fold Guest House |
Troutbeck |
Small bed and breakfast with excellent views of the surrounding countryside. |
4 | £98.00 |
| Holbeck Ghyll |
Eastern shore |
Actress Renee Zellweger stayed here during the making of the film Miss Potter. |
4 | £198.00 |
| Knoll Country House |
Western shore |
Secluded retreat in the woods near Lakeside. |
5 | £90.00 |
| Landing Cottage Guest House |
Lakeside |
Small guest house at Lakeside. |
3 | £58.00 |
| Lindeth Fell Country House Hotel |
Eastern shore |
Fantastic garden setting and views of the lake. |
3 | £150.00 |
| Lindeth Howe Country House Hotel |
Eastern shore |
Once owned by Beatrix Potter. |
4 | £120.00 |
| Low Wood Hotel |
Eastern shore |
110-room hotel with leisure club and watersports centre. |
4 | £132.00 |
| Mortal Man |
Troutbeck |
17th century inn with fantastic views of the Troutbeck Valley. |
3 | £49.50 |
| Newby Bridge Hotel |
Newby Bridge |
Elegant Georgian mansion set in Mediterranean-style gardens overlooking Windermere. |
3 | £78.00 |
| Queens Head |
Troutbeck |
Atmospheric coaching inn. |
4 | £110.00 |
| Storrs Hall |
Storrs |
Elegant grade II listed Georgian mansion set in 17 acres of landscaped grounds and woodland. |
4 | £153.00 |
| Swan Hotel |
Newby Bridge |
This former coaching inn dates back to the 17th century. |
4 | £99.00 |
| Whitewater Hotel |
Newby Bridge |
A tasteful conversion of an old mill. |
3 | £97.50 |
Attractions & Activities
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. |
| 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. |
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