Just over a mile from England’s largest lake, Windermere, stands Windermere town. While not on the lake shores itself, it combines with the nearby lakeside town of Bowness-on-Windermere to form one urban area.
Windermere enjoys easy access to lake Windermere, whether by foot; car; bike; or bus. This stunning lake, surrounded by rolling hills, offers a serene escape for water activities, leisure boat rides, and lakeside strolls.
Windermere’s rich history is reflected in its historic roots and the growth spurred by the Victorian era. The arrival of the town’s train station in 1847 boosted tourism to the area; today, it is popular thanks to its location, and the abundance of places to eat, drink, and visit.
Indulge in the diverse offerings Windermere presents, from enjoying local food and drink in welcoming establishments to discovering local attractions and experiences. There are excellent accommodation options nearby as well, whether you’re looking for a cosy inn or a luxurious spa hotel.
See & Do
- Visit St Mary’s Church: Here, you’ll find St. Mary's Church, standing proudly since 1848. This architectural gem, adorned with stained glass windows, reflects the town's Victorian legacy.
- Walk up Orrest Head: this short, popular walk can be enjoyed from the centre of Windermere town. It takes you along a clearly signposted path to the top of Orrest Head Fell, where you’ll find a viewpoint with panoramic views over Windermere and the central fells. It is also one of 50 accessible ‘Miles Without Stiles’ routes as part of an initiative by the Lake District National Park Authority (LDNPA).
- Eat & Drink: Windermere is home to a wide variety of great places to eat and drink - from excellent cafes to pubs and restaurants. You can also pick up local produce and cooking equipment, and enjoy some retail therapy.
Nearby Towns
- Ambleside: Nestled on the northern shores of Lake Windermere, Ambleside is a picturesque town renowned for its charming streets, great walking opportunities, vibrant local shops, and fantastic food and drink.
- Bowness-on-Windermere: Adjacent to Windermere, Bowness offers a lively atmosphere with lakeside attractions, diverse dining options, and opportunities for boat trips on the lake.
- Grasmere: Known for its idyllic setting and as the final resting place of poet William Wordsworth, Grasmere invites visitors to explore its literary and natural wonders.
Surrounding Areas
- Orrest Head: Hike to the summit of Orrest Head for breathtaking vistas of the Lake District, a vantage point that inspired Alfred Wainwright.
- Troutbeck: Immerse yourself in the charm of Troutbeck, a quintessential Lakeland village with ancient stone buildings and scenic walking routes.
Getting Here
- By car: Windermere is located along the A591, which runs through the central lakes from Kendal to Keswick and provides easy access by car to this Lakeland town.
- By bus: Several buses serve the town of Windermere, including the Stagecoach 555, 505, 599, 755, and 6 bus services.
- By train: Windermere Train Station is centrally located, and is served by Northern Rail services from Manchester; connections are also available from locations across the country via Oxenholme The Lake District train station
Did you know?
ST MARTIN'S CHURCH
Built in 1483, this is one of the earliest surviving churches in Cumbria. Its spacious interior with hand-painted biblical texts on the walls and roof beams immediately captures attention. The magnificent east window contains remnants of stained glass from Cartmel Priory (brought here after the Dissolution of the Monasteries) and is believed to be among the oldest surviving traces of stained glass in Britain.
HILL TOP
Step into the world of Beatrix Potter in this 17th century farmhouse, which provided the inspiration for 13 of her books including The Tale of Tom Kitten and The Tale of Jemima Puddleduck. It remains much the same as when she lived here, with many of her paintings, furniture and china on view.
ORREST HEAD
The short walk to Orrest Head is well worth the uphill effort, for at the top is an outstanding panoramic view of the lake and surrounding mountains. There are a number of ways of getting to the top all passing through Elleray Woods, noted for its varied bird and insect life (booklet available from the Tourist Information Centre in Windermere).
BROCKHOLE
The gardens at Brockhole, stretching down to the shores of Windermere, were laid out by Thomas Mawson, the internationally acclaimed landscape gardener from Windermere. A wide variety of interesting trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants can be seen against the dramatic backdrop of the lake.
THE DALES WAY
An attractive walk that starts at Ilkley in West Yorkshire and finishes in Bowness-on-Windermere following ancient trackways and riverside paths and passing through many interesting villages on its 80 mile (129 km) route and taking in the best of the natural enviroment along the way.
HOLEHIRD GARDENS
This 17-acre hillside garden, managed by the Lakeland Horticultural Society since 1971, has been transformed from an abandoned rock garden into a ‘garden for all seasons', with specimen trees, a walled garden with herbaceous borders and displays of alpine plants.
WRAY CASTLE
An imposing mock Gothic castle built by James Dawson in the 1840s. Beatrix Potter stayed here in 1882 while on holiday with her parents.
WILLIAM WORDSWORTH
William Wordsworth came here in 1779. His adolescent experience of the natural world had a lasting effect, and was recalled in his poetry of later years.
BEATRIX POTTER
Beatrix Potter’s traditional Lakeland farm at Hill Top was a special place for Beatrix, and was the inspiration for the setting in many of her books.
THE CRIER OF CLAIFE
In earlier times it was the custom to call for a rowing boat when one was required. One stormy night, a call was answered by a ferryman who rowed across the lake to Bowness only to return in a state of shock. The next morning he developed a rapid fever and died. Thereafter, on stormy nights whenever there were strange calls for a boat from Ferry Nab, no-one would dare go. Eventually a priest exorcised the Crier of Claife to a quarry on Claife Heights, but occasionally the ghostly calls for a boat can still be heard.
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