Lake Windermere
Lake Windermere: Hours, Address, Lake Windermere Reviews: 4.5/5
Lake Windermere
Lake Windermere
4.5
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
About
More than ten miles in length, Windermere is England's largest lake that offers a wide variety of summer recreation including cruises, fishing, boating, sailing and scuba diving.
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience Lake Windermere
The area
Best nearby
Restaurants
156 within 3 miles

Folk Tap
285
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Brew Pub • Bar • Cafe

Boardwalk Bar & Grill
502
433 ft$$ - $$$ • Steakhouse • Bar • British

Jackson's Bistro
2,349
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • European • British • Vegetarian Friendly

The Easy Breeze Piano Bar & Restaurant
265
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Bar • Pizza • International

Hole in t' Wall
1,669
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Bar • British • Pub

Porto Restaurant
2,618
0.3 mi$$$$ • European • British • Contemporary

The Country Hut
336
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Cafe • International • British

Villa Positano
1,801
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Pizza • Mediterranean

Graze
337
0.4 mi$ • Cafe • Contemporary • Fusion

Shahib's
1,699
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Indian • Asian • Fusion
Attractions
73 within 6 miles

St Martin's Church
73
0.2 miChurches & Cathedrals

The Lakes Gallery
26
0.3 miArt Galleries

The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction
2,821
0.3 miSpeciality Museums • Children's Museums

Old Laundry Theatre
77
0.3 miTheaters

Brant Fell Above the Bustle
167
0.7 miHiking Trails

Windermere Jetty, Museum of Boats, Steam and Stories
188
0.6 miSpeciality Museums

Blackwell - The Arts & Crafts house
834
1.4 miHistoric Sites • Art Museums

Orrest Head
1,722
1.9 miHistoric Walking Areas • Lookouts

Claife Viewing Station
173
1 miHistoric Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks

Holehird Gardens
471
2.6 miGardens
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
4,098 reviews
Excellent
3,016
Very good
867
Average
154
Poor
33
Terrible
28
T B
York, UK1,052 contributions
Oct 2021
If you make it past the giant white swans acting as bouncers at the ticket office then out on the Great Lake you’ll be treated to an amazing, autumnal adventure.
The 45 minute islands tour is just long enough in this October weather and £10 a person could be better value but kids under 5 are free which made up for it slightly. Some interesting points of interest announced over the tannoy also. You’ll also get to see where the other half live. Enjoy!
The 45 minute islands tour is just long enough in this October weather and £10 a person could be better value but kids under 5 are free which made up for it slightly. Some interesting points of interest announced over the tannoy also. You’ll also get to see where the other half live. Enjoy!
Written October 26, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Hardeep B
London, UK25 contributions
Jul 2021 • Couples
We booked a luxury private boat with Windermere Boat Cruises for 2 hours for £70 for 2 of us.
The boat was clean and presentable, the life jackets were also clean and you could see someone wiping down the returned life jackets with a sanitising solution which filled me and my partner with confidence.
We arrived earlier then required and the guy at reception Ahmed said we had 20 mins before our safety briefing and pointed out a ice cream bar called Choc dip ice cream. The ice cream was 10/10.
The boat was self drive and was self explanatory to drive although a thorough how-to briefing was given.
All in all a really nice experience and would recommend this to anyone staying in the area.
The boat was clean and presentable, the life jackets were also clean and you could see someone wiping down the returned life jackets with a sanitising solution which filled me and my partner with confidence.
We arrived earlier then required and the guy at reception Ahmed said we had 20 mins before our safety briefing and pointed out a ice cream bar called Choc dip ice cream. The ice cream was 10/10.
The boat was self drive and was self explanatory to drive although a thorough how-to briefing was given.
All in all a really nice experience and would recommend this to anyone staying in the area.
Written July 13, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Honest Reviewer
Penkridge, UK131 contributions
Jun 2021 • Couples
We visited Lake Windermere in July and were really impressed. Bowness is a nice little town with plenty of establishments. We used Windermere Lake Cruises to hire a self-drive boat for a 2 hour period. This was really enjoyable and only cost us £70 for two people.
Written July 6, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
RaynesMark
Wimbledon214 contributions
Jul 2021 • Solo
Windermere may be the largest, most famous and most popular of the lakes, but I must say it is was underwhelming. The lake is portrayed on TV as peaceful and relaxed and this is rather misleading for it is choked with tourists and does not have the same mountainous backdrop of the other lakes. Much of the lake district is inaccessible to the general public as much of the land is privately owned. While this may benefit the environment it confines tourists to small, crowded pockets on some but not all of the lakes.
Ambleside - Lake Windermere
Please note there are really two Ambleside's, the village and the part of the town that sits on the lake. Ambleside village is well worth a visit in its own right, with a decent little bakery, some decent cafes, shops and a quirky old stone house bridging a little river (almost runs dry in the summer). The Ambleside by the lake you see on Country file is a good 25 minute and ugly walk from the village. If you want a parking space here you had better start out early in the day. This is where the boats and ferries depart from and parking is pretty limited. Please note pre-booking on-line of boat trips seems to be required at the moment. There is a decent cafe on the shore, a chip shop that charged me well over £1 for a can of coke, a couple of decent pubs, a shell and trinket shop run by a guy from Blackpool and for some reason a pet shop. Now all of this activity is in a very confined space, even if you include the adjacent lake side park and fields beyond. My tip would be to visit Ambleside by the lake in the evening, it is easier to park and has a real nice ambience about it around the pubs as the sun goes down
Ambleside - Lake Windermere
Please note there are really two Ambleside's, the village and the part of the town that sits on the lake. Ambleside village is well worth a visit in its own right, with a decent little bakery, some decent cafes, shops and a quirky old stone house bridging a little river (almost runs dry in the summer). The Ambleside by the lake you see on Country file is a good 25 minute and ugly walk from the village. If you want a parking space here you had better start out early in the day. This is where the boats and ferries depart from and parking is pretty limited. Please note pre-booking on-line of boat trips seems to be required at the moment. There is a decent cafe on the shore, a chip shop that charged me well over £1 for a can of coke, a couple of decent pubs, a shell and trinket shop run by a guy from Blackpool and for some reason a pet shop. Now all of this activity is in a very confined space, even if you include the adjacent lake side park and fields beyond. My tip would be to visit Ambleside by the lake in the evening, it is easier to park and has a real nice ambience about it around the pubs as the sun goes down
Written July 25, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
dnowland_12
Leeds, UK4,344 contributions
May 2021
Lake Windermere is a wonderful place to visit if the weather is favourable, the scenery is second to none. Most of the activity is on the eastern side of the lake around Bowness and Ambleside but be prepared to mingle with lots and lots of tourists.
Car parks are not the cheapest, and that's if you can find a space, but it is still a wonderful area to visit and enjoy, cameras at the ready folks!!
Car parks are not the cheapest, and that's if you can find a space, but it is still a wonderful area to visit and enjoy, cameras at the ready folks!!
Written May 14, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Angus Chan
Bristol, UK66 contributions
Jul 2021 • Family
It looks great and easily holds proud as the largest lake in the Lake District however it is so busy with tourists it's quite a hectic environment. Parking was a pain to find it took hours! Also loads of birds so it's a bit messy too.
I'd recommend some of the neighbouring lakes that are a bit smaller and are very very quiet with people so it's much more relaxing.
I'd recommend some of the neighbouring lakes that are a bit smaller and are very very quiet with people so it's much more relaxing.
Written July 18, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
mannygl73
Margate, UK62 contributions
Sep 2020 • Couples
We are staying in Windermere in a private cottage so went to the lake today and were surprised by how many people were there. Not much social distancing happening and even less masks. The shops all followed guidelines as did the restaurants and cafes. Decided to come back in a few days when it is expected to be a bit quieter. One thing that has taken my full attention is being able to hire a boat I can drive myself, at £50 for two hours seems like a great deal
Written September 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Kim
Derby, UK96 contributions
Jul 2021
The size of this lake is quite spectacular, however, it was very disappointing. Before visiting the lake, my partner looked at the reviews and was laughing at someone saying that it was very touristy, when the person was a tourist themselves. However, I completely get what they meant and were saying. It really is touristy. instead of feeling like I was in a rural peaceful setting, it felt like I was down Bournemouth beach (not that there is anything wrong with Bournemouth beach but not the setting I would expect at the Lakes). The plan for the day was to walk around part of the lake, find a nice spot, relax and have a bit of a paddle. However, it is very difficult to actually reach any part of the lake. It is either privatised or used for boats. We did get a boat tour to Lakeside, so we could see just how large the lake is, but other than that, there really is not much to do unless you have pre-booked some private boats or to do water sports, which this place would be good for. However, for walking I would definitely recommend the many other lakes int he surrounding area.
Written August 5, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
places2seeplaces2go
England, UK4,600 contributions
Apr 2021 • Couples
We visited The Lakes, staying a few miles away from Lake Windermere. We therefore visited or drove through a few times on our weeks holiday.
As others have commented it is the most touristy area (particularly Bowness, where you get the boats) lots of cafes & restaurants. As lockdown 2021 restrictions hadn’t been fully lifted at the time of our visit it felt quite quiet. In fact many places were not yet reopened.
Lake Windermere though is the largest of The Lakes so if you travel a bit further around it, away from the main tourist spots you can find some quieter areas.
It is very picturesque & a boat trip on it is a must.
As others have commented it is the most touristy area (particularly Bowness, where you get the boats) lots of cafes & restaurants. As lockdown 2021 restrictions hadn’t been fully lifted at the time of our visit it felt quite quiet. In fact many places were not yet reopened.
Lake Windermere though is the largest of The Lakes so if you travel a bit further around it, away from the main tourist spots you can find some quieter areas.
It is very picturesque & a boat trip on it is a must.
Written June 12, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Greta H
9 contributions
Oct 2021
Never been before but will go back. The lake views are spectacular on a good day, not so great in the rain. Lake is so big with wonderful walks to choose from. Not many places to park for free and it's quite expensive but worth it to get the experience
Written October 23, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Annabel
2 contributions
Me and my friend are coming to Lake Windermere and the surrounding area for a few days. We enjoy hiking but i have back injury at the moment so not looking for anything to intense! We also are interested in the villages and other things local to the area! Any suggestions?
acocallis
North Shields, UK63 contributions
It is flat around the lake so no problem walking, the shops are pretty flat as well. We were only there for the day so can't help you with the hills
I'll be staying 2 hours away from Windermere and want to make sure I have time to get there, explore, and get home before it gets too late. How long does it take to explore this area?
Amanda H
Youlgreave, UK27 contributions
There is more than enough to occupy you for a week depending on your interests! I suggest you contact Windermere tourist information centre website and select 1 activity that makes your fancy. Can't go wrong with a boat trip though.
lorilou-190
Macclesfield, UK59 contributions
Can you take dogs on the motor boats?
yes, dogs are welcome aboard our self drive motor boats but we do advise you to keep them on a short lead at all times

Fred Appleton-Kerry-Eed
Serbia
Nothing to do with the lake itself but there is a frequent debate in my household as to if water is wet? What is your opinion? Please debate in the answers, many thanks. Looking forward to finally solving this argument
Cumpston
Kendal, UK483 contributions
Just google the question and you get this answer 😉
Answer 1:
Being a liquid, water is not itself wet, but can make other solid materials wet.
Wetness is the ability of a liquid to adhere to the surface of a solid, so when we say that something is wet, we mean that the liquid is sticking to the surface of a material.
Whether an object is wet or dry depends on a balance between cohesive and adhesive forces. Cohesive forces are attractive forces within the liquid that cause the molecules in the liquid to prefer to stick together. Cohesive forces are also responsible for surface tension. If the cohesive forces are very strong, then the liquid molecules really like to stay close together and they won't spread out on the surface of an object very much. On the contrary, adhesive forces are the attractive forces between the liquid and the surface of the material. If the adhesive forces are strong, then the liquid will try and spread out onto the surface as much as possible. So how wet a surface is depends on the balance between these two forces. If the adhesive forces (liquid-solid) are bigger than the cohesive forces (liquid-liquid), we say the material becomes wet, and the liquid tends to spread out to maximize contact with the surface. On the other hand, if the adhesive forces (liquid-solid) are smaller than the cohesive forces (liquid-liquid), we say the material is dry, and the liquid tends to bead-up into a spherical drop and tries to minimize the contact with the surface.
Water actually has pretty high cohesive forces due to hydrogen bonding, and so is not as good at wetting surfaces as some liquids such as acetone or alcohols. However, water does wet certain surfaces like glass for example. Adding detergents can make water better at wetting by lowering the cohesive forces . Water resistant materials such as Gore-tex fabric is made of material that is hydrophobic (water repellent) and so the cohesive forces within the water (liquid-liquid) are much stronger than the adhesive force (liquid-solid) and water tends to bead-up on the outside of the material and you stay dry.
Answer 2:
To answer this question, we need to define the term "wet." If we define "wet" as the condition of a liquid sticking to a solid surface, such as water wetting our skin, then we cannot say that water is wet by itself, because it takes a liquid AND a solid to define the term "wet."
If we define "wet" as a sensation that we get when a liquid comes in contact with us, then yes, water is wet to us.
If we define "wet" as "made of liquid or moisture", then water is definitely wet because it is made of liquid, and in this sense, all liquids are wet because they are all made of liquids. I think that this is a case of a word being useful only in appropriate contexts.
Anthony s
Chester, UK4 contributions
Hi I visit Bowness-on-Windermere and the other surrounding attractions on a regular basis . I on my last 3 visit been very disappointed in the attitude of some of the hotels and businesses in the Bowness-on-Windermere area . On my last visit I was shocked when I saw security persons who were intimidating and rude , the site of these arrogant bouncer was stop anyone entering the pup restaurant to go to the toilet.i saw a large number or persons with children refused entry to the toilet unless they purchased a drink and food before, I can see a point the some pubs restaurant do not want the public to use there toilets yet the expect customers from all over the world to spend there money . My question it why when so may people visit the Bowness-on-Windermere area is there not additional toilet facilities provide. There is only one public toilet I know of the was locked out of order , I the it about time the businesses , council , and locals started treating multi cultural people in a respectful way , before in turns out like Blackpool, so my question is why on a busy weekend is the public toilet not working and why do business treat customers so bad, they sell products food drink , but don’t allow person young old and disabled to use a toilet how bad dose that look to all visitors, I was also shocked when asking the boat staff where the nearest toilet no one knew or could be bothered . The council should take notes and show more respect to visitors
Jim & Bea
Southern Pines, NC930 contributions
Our experience is that the availability of loos in general are limited in certain parts of the UK. So, we are always on the lookout for a local Tesco, Sainsbury, etc. where we KNOW there will be toilets. Do your research first. We don't mind going to a pub for a drink just to have access to their toilets. I do agree that local councils should be more proactive in meeting the needs of tourists, especially in high trafficked areas such as the Lake District.
poyinchung
Hong Kong, China4 contributions
I am traveling from Hong Kong.
I am planning a short trip of 2-4 days in the Lake District in early September this year & will be driving to the region. I am interested in the scenery of the lakes. However, I and my wife are not keen on trail walking.
Would anyone suggest the best base and the duration of the trip?
Thanks!
Po
Hello - obviously we're going to say come to Windermere!! But for easy car-free transport, range of cruises and option to visit other attractions, we offer a broad and frequent service. Have a look at our website for more info! enjoy your visit!
from manchister.. pls can i go there with a train?? how can i do pls??
AV H
Liverpool, UK107 contributions
I agree with Mark B. However please be aware that Windermere Town And Station are 1- 1.5 miles from Lake Windermere. The nearest access point on the Lake to the station is Bowness on Windermere.
Frequently Asked Questions about Lake Windermere
- Lake Windermere is open:
- Sun - Sat 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
- We recommend booking Lake Windermere tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 27 Lake Windermere tours on Tripadvisor
- According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Lake Windermere:
- 8 Lakes and Magnificent Scenery - Afternoon Half Day Tour (From $80.33)
- Lake District Rail Day Trip from London (From $299.42)
- Private Tour: Ultimate Full Day Scenic Tour visiting 10 Lakes (From $587.02)
- The Lake District from Manchester (From $70.44)
- Film & TV Locations - Full Day - Up to 4 People (From $432.54)
- Hotels near Lake Windermere:
- (0.03 mi) Cozy Room with Double bed close to Lake Windermere_7
- (0.09 mi) Ruskin's
- (0.22 mi) Bay House Lake View
- (0.24 mi) New Hall Bank
- (0.24 mi) Bowness Bay Suites
- Restaurants near Lake Windermere:
- (0.08 mi) Boardwalk Bar & Grill
- (0.11 mi) The Ship Inn
- (0.06 mi) The Lakeview Restaurant
- (0.11 mi) The Bluebird Cafe on the Bay
- (0.06 mi) Driftwood Fish and Chips
- Attractions near Lake Windermere:
- (0.02 mi) Bowness Bay Marina - Windermere Boat Hire
- (0.08 mi) Windermere Lake Cruises
- (0.08 mi) Lakeland Adventures
- (0.16 mi) Sail 'N' Dine
- (0.09 mi) Windermere Boat Hire