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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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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 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’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.
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.
When Shakespeare died, he famously left his wife Anne only one thing – the second best bed. This…
The Macdonald Old England Hotel & Spa stands right on the shore of Windermere and boasts unrivalled…
Nestled in the heart of Graythwaite Estate, 5,000 acres of managed woodland, parkland and lake…
TransPennine Express runs regular services to Carlisle, Penrith and Oxenholme for the Lake…
Tariff type: Multi Tariff. Public toilets on site.
Musical – Tommy (1975) Ken Russell's flamboyant rock opera follows a "deaf, dumb and blind" boy who…
Nestling in the hills of the Troutbeck Valley, a place for walkers and pilgrims to pause, reflect…
Car park with 94 general spaces and 7 disabled spaces. Motorcycle spaces: Can use any of the…
Discover 200 years of Windermere’s boating history and the stories of the people involved - from…
Cumbria's biggest comedy club, Planet Mirth (est 2010)! Featuring four award-winning, Edinburgh…
Nestled on the slopes of ancient woodland, Hill of Oaks is an award-winning 5 star holiday park…
Our three warm and cosy pods are situated behind the main farm steading in a quiet setting away…
Cumbrian produce with a French Twist. Set within 7 acres of landscaped gardens, with our expertise…
Every hospital, medical-based, Doctors-and-Nurses cliche-ridden drama onstage in a comedy mash-up…
The house is in an elevated position with views of the Langdales in the distance. Shops are within…
Just outside the front of the The World of Beatrix Potter™ Attraction is our boutique nursery Shop…
Enjoy an unforgettable holiday and stay in one of Sykes Holiday Cottages in the Lake District.…
Hardwicke Circus - Live in Concert @ The Royalty (Bowness)- 21 March 2026 Get ready for one of…
We developed our bespoke canoe sailing boats to make an easily accessible boat for people with…
This tour visits Windermere's neighbouring villages of Staveley and Troubeck, making use of the…
Short - Easy (6.2km)/ Off-road and Bridleway. Family Route
Ursula Leveaux, bassoon | Martin Hughes, violin Fay Sweet, viola | Deborah Findley, cello …
38 Self catering dog friendly properties, from Lakeside to Woodland views. A romantic break for…
Relaxing with our afternoon tea experience, less than a stone's throw away from the water's edge of…


The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
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Number of results: 236
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Windermere
Our modern hard standing touring caravan and motorhome pitches have been tastefully landscaped into our surrounding countryside and have lovely views of Moor How and the surrounding fells.
Lake Road, Windermere
Hill of Oaks occupies a prime position on the shores of Windermere, making it extremely popular with people looking for lakeside holiday homes. The park is nestled in an ancient woodland of mature oak trees, offering over a mile of private…
Bowness-on-Windermere
Visit BAHA and enjoy LIVE MUSIC on Fridays & Saturdays all year round!
Windermere
Enjoy a superb traditional afternoon tea at Lindeth Fell which includes a selection of delicious home made sandwiches and sweets along with a selection of leaf teas. Licensed bar. Wi-Fi. Parking.
Newby Bridge
The Swan Inn, nestled within The Swan Hotel, is a charming pub that serves as the heart of our wonderful establishment, providing a warm and inviting space for both guests and locals alike! It's the ideal cosy hub where you can unwind and reconnect…
Cumbria
A family friendly ride from Windermere to Staveley on quiet roads with stunning views to the southern Lakeland Fells. In Staveley the workshops, galleries, brewery, plant nursery and eateries offer food for both eyes and appetite. Return along the…
Bowness-on-Windermere
Shakespeare found dozens of different ways to kill off his characters, but how realistic are these deaths, and did Shakespeare have the knowledge to back them up?
This talk turns a scientific eye towards the Bard and the varied and creative ways…
Bowness-on-Windermere
A magical indoor attraction that brings to life all 23 Beatrix Potter's Peter Rabbit tales. Meet all your favourite characters and find out more about Beatrix Potter herself.
Hawkshead, Lake Windermere
Adjacent to our clay pigeon shooting site, nestled in the heart of Graythwaite Estate, is where our archery and axe throwing adventures takes place. Enjoyed as individual experiences or bookable together with the chance to exercise your archery…
Whether you would like to rent an Electric Bike or join a Bike Tour or Holiday, we organise everything and provide self-guided tours with tailored routes to suite you.
Windermere
Green Man Survival provides survival and bushcraft training and experiences in the Lake District National Park. Our experiences are suitable for all including families, couples and friends, and we also offer group training courses that are suitable…
Cumbria
A walk around the shores of Lake Windermere and over the wooded fells of Claife Heights to the villages of Sawrey and Hawkshead to take in the sights and sounds that inspired the works of Beatrix Potter. Along the way you will be able to walk…
Bowness-on-Windermere
A one day introduction to navigation and map reading suitable for beginners. If you have never looked at a map or would like to learn more about planning and following a route using paths and tracks then this is the course for you.
Electric Bike Hire - E-Bikes delivered directly to your accommodation in the South Lakes by E-Bike Safaris. Experience cycling through the Cumbrian countryside, visiting all the attractions and having the comfort of the electric assistance.
Windermere
Join Green Man Survival in our private woodland on the shores of Windermere to discover the ancient art of archery. We will learn a little about the history of this primitive skill and have the chance to experience how tricky it must have been for…
Newby Bridge
Anyone Can is an inclusive adventure company. We welcome those with additional needs and those without. We have a wide range of adaptive and inclusive equipment to make adventure possible for our clients.
Lake Road, Windermere
In an enviable position, perched on the shores of Windermere, The Waterbird Boathouse is an impressive lakefront apartment offering a truly memorable stay.
Windermere
Nestling in the hills of the Troutbeck Valley, a place for walkers and pilgrims to pause, reflect and find their eternal bearings.
One of only two churches in England dedicated as Jesus Church. Built to serve two settlements, yet sited in neither,…
Windermere
If you can't decide which one of our kick ass experiences to choose, don't, and just do them all! This experience includes fire lighting using natural materials and sparks along with how to build a shelter with materials provided by nature in our…
Windermere
Low Wood Watersports and Activity Centre, with it's large lake frontage and extensive range of equipment, is a great location for waterskiing, wakeboarding, sailing, kayaking/canoeing and boat hire.
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Cumbria Tourism, Windermere Road, Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 9PL