Windermere in the Lake District

Windermere is quite rightly famous. Not only is Windermere the Lake District's largest lake but it is the largest lake in the whole of England too.

From its most northerly point up in Ambleside it stretches approximately 10.5 miles (16.9 km)to its southerly point at Newby Bridge. The width of the lake varies, the widest being at Millerground where it is 1 mile (1.6 km) wide. At its deepest it is approximately 220 feet (67 m).

Windermere Village

Windermere Village ..... Don't be mistaken .... if you are looking to dip your toes into the lake then head down to Bowness on Windermere rather than Windermere village itself.

The map on the left here shows the relation of Windermere village to Lake Windermere and to the tourist honeypot Bowness-on-Windermere.

Although busy, the village of Windermere has a slower pace than Bowness. Originally named Birthwaite, the town took the name of the Lake when the Railway opened a station here, bringing the first visitors to Windermere and this part of Cumbria in 1847.


An easy Windermere Walk giving panormaic views of the Lake is Orrest Head. This is also the walk which so inspired Wainwright all those years ago.

Windermere Railway Station

Windermere Railway station is at the top of Windermere village just off the A591 and around a mile and a half from the busy lakeland hub Bowness on Windermere. Windermere station played a huge roll in bringing visitors to the Lakes, prior to the days of family cars. Nowadays the upmarket grocer Booths supermarket occupies the old railway station and Lakeland Plastics occupy former railway land.

The station is still in use however and they are currently promoting some very good fares for those who still want to use public transport to get to Cumbria. Read more about Windermere Fares and Timetables here.

Cycle Routes Windermere

Just adjacent to the Railway Station Country Lane - Windermere Cyles hire out high spec mountain bikes and tandems as well as tag-along-trailers for children. They can supply you with well worked out and easy to follow routes and offer a range of cycle tours lasting from 3 days to 7 days.

The Windermere Ferry

The Windermere Ferry has crossed at the same site for over 500 years! Taking you from just south of Bowness-on Windermere off the A592 over to the Beatrix Potter country of Far Sawrey and Hawkshead.

The ferry can get busy during peak periods, but it is normaly possible to buy an ice cream whilst you wait. Why not out the Windermere Ferry webcam. (Note the ferry is closed 25/26 Dec : Timetable is here.

Windermere Lakeland

Formerly Lakeland Plastics, the huge Lakeland store is a magnet for cooks. If you are looking for a bite to eat then the cafe at Lakeland has a very good reputation, my parents particularly like the Bobotie when it is on the menu!