subject: Lake Windermere: England's Largest Lake And Its Surrounds [print this page] Lake Windermere: England's Largest Lake And Its Surrounds
At ten and a half miles long, and less than a mile wide at its widest, Lake Windermere is not enormous compared with some of Europe's biggest lakes (such as those in Sweden). But Windermere is England's largest lake and there is a great deal of diversity along its length.
Ambleside
At the head of the lake is Ambleside. This bustling tourist town has a great deal to offer the visitor. It has loads of shops and cafes, snuggled below the mountainous hills and mountains that hint of the awesome scenery of the rest of the Lake District, northwards of the gentler scenery of Windermere and the southern Lakes.
Close to the town are the lower, easily-accessible peaks of Todd Crag and Wansfell, both of which afford astonishing views of the whole length of Windermere. There is also Stock Ghyll with its beautiful waterfalls.
In the centre of town there is the famous 'Bridge House' and there are plenty of places to eat and things to see and do. Zefferelli's movies and pizzeria is an excellent concept and amongst places to eat, tapas from Lucy 4 U is another good option.
The part of Ambleside closest to the lake is known as Waterhead. Here there is a pleasant park, a sheltered bay, some hotels, cafes and a youth hostel, as well as the piers for the cruises on the lake. From here you can take one of the old, traditional boats (such as the Swan or the Tern) to Bowness-On-Windermere, or Lakeside, or a smaller puddle jumper on a round trip, or to Wray Castle or Brockhole.
Bowness-on-Windermere
The main tourist centre on the lake is Bowness (which is attached to another village called Windermere). Bowness Bay is always busy with tourists, even in the off season, and pleasurecraft of various sorts power, sail, steam and row around the host of islands that scatter this part of the lake (made famous by Arthur Ransome in his Swallows and Amazons series of novels for children).
Another writer for children who often visited this area was Beatrix Potter, and the 'World of Beatrix Potter' is one of many places of interest in the village. Across the intriguing little chain ferry from Bowness, you can also visit Beatrix Potter's house at Hill Top Farm.
Also nearby is Blackwell House - a beautiful home designed in the Arts and Crafts style and featuring a wonderful collection of Arts and Crafts items.
Brockhole
The National Park visitor centre at Brockholes is perfectly situated. What was once a private home and gardens is now an informative and enjoyable visitor's centre, with extensive grounds housing an adventure playground, attractive gardens, a woodland walk, a long stretch of lake shore and a small steamer pier.
Lakeside
At the foot of the lake is Lakeside. Here you can visit the Aquarium of the Lakes. One of the highlights of the aquarium is the presence of wild diving ducks (such as tufted ducks) who frequent one of the tanks and can be seen from underwater.
Also at Lakeside there is the beautiful scenery of the quieter south end of the lake and relaxing Fell Foot country park, there is a steam railway. The pleasant village of Newby Bridge is also just minutes away.
The West Shore of Windermere
Apart from Lakeside, which is essentially at the foot of the lake, the western shore of Windermere is largely undeveloped and mostly unpopulated. This is totally different to the bustling tourist areas of the eastern side.
The section of the western shore most people see is just across the ferry from Bowness. There is a car-park here, and on sunny days people park further up the road that heads north from here towards Belle Grange house. Along the grassy lake shore, people have picnics and look out across the islands in the middle of the lake.
Much of the lake shore to the north and the south of this small, populated strip can be accessed by foot but is often very quiet. It can be an oasis of calm on a warm summer holiday when Bowness and Ambleside's car parks are full and the roads are jammed with cars.
The Belle Grange shore can be reached from the other side. Driving from Ambleside towards Hawkshead, turn off for High Wray, then follow the signs for the lake (a sign states that the road is unsuitable for motor vehicles after one mile). It feels like a long mile, through the woods, but suddenly one arrives at the lake shore and there is a small car park.
One can walk north along the lake shore to the dramatic Wray Castle (where again, one of the lake's many pleasure boats can carry visitors back to Ambleside or Brockholes). Alternatively, the walk south beside the lake, through a forest rich with red squirrels, jays and other gems of local wildlife, leads back down towards the Windermere ferry. It is also possible to turn aside from the lake and explore further paths through the wild, wooded (and reputedly haunted) Claife Heights.
So if you are seeking a family day out, a floating adventure, good nosh, or a quiet peaceful amblel, Lake Windermere offers it all.
For suitable Windermere Hotels you can try this site for all the information relating to how to select a Hotel on the shores of Windermere.
Lake Windermere: England's Largest Lake And Its Surrounds
