Hannah
18 January 2021
The Lake District is once again on the small screen over the coming weeks thanks to ITV’s new mini-series, Deep Water.
Based on the Windermere series of books by Paula Daly, the drama follows three very different women - played by Sinead Keenan, Rosalind Eleazar, and Emmy-award winner Anna Friel - as they navigate family life and big decisions.
The whole series is filmed with the stunning backdrop of the Lake District and, if you’ve watched the show and are dreaming of visiting yourself, keep reading for our short guide to some of the filming locations where you see the story unfold!
Windermere
It’s no surprise that a TV show based on a set of books called ‘The Windermere Series’ is shot around England’s longest lake! The creators were very keen to use the dramatic landscape to complement the story and some of the shots are absolutely breathtaking!
Stretched across 10 miles between Ambleside and Newby Bridge, Windermere is one of the Lake District’s most popular locations amongst visitors, and it’s not hard to see why! Such an expanse of water offers plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities including kayaking, cruising, paddleboarding, windsurfing, and much more! In Deep Water, Joanne (played by Faye Marsay), is seen wild swimming and you can check out our Top 9 wild swimming spots in the Lake District if this is something you fancy giving a go!
Windermere doesn’t just offer water sports either. Dotted around the lake are all sorts of fascinating attractions including a Victorian folly, Wray Castle, the Lakes Aquarium, the Lakeland Motor Museum and the Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway.
Enjoy the scenery for yourself from one of our holiday cottages around Windermere.
Bowness-on-Windermere
The most popular town on the most popular lake, Bowness, is a bustling hub of activity and a fabulous place to visit. There are lots of lovely shops to explore as well as The World of Beatrix Potter and a pier from where you can catch a Lake Cruiser and view your surroundings from the water.
To make the most of the views without too strenuous a walk, head up to Orrest Head. This is the summit from which Alfred Wainwright first viewed the Lake District!
Find your perfect cottage near Bowness-on-Windermere.
Hawkshead
A lakeside house is an absolute dream for many of us, but it’s a reality for Deep Water character, Kate (Rosalind Eleazar)! The house from the series is really set on the west shore of Lake Windermere, close to the pretty village of Hawkshead.
Hawkshead is a very special place that is free from cars. You can drive to a car park on the outskirts and then enjoy a peaceful walk into the picturesque cluster of houses amongst cobbled streets, archways, and narrow alleys. Hawkshead was a favourite of both William Wordsworth – who went to school in the village – and Beatrix Potter, whose husband had an office there. The office is now owned by the National Trust and hosts a collection of Beatrix Potter’s original drawings and regular exhibitions.
From Hawkshead, you can take pleasant walks in several directions. Why not head to Sawrey and Hill Top, Beatrix Potter’s home, or stop off at pretty Esthwaite Water? The village is also equidistant from two popular Lake District lakes: Coniston Water and Windermere.
Browse through our cottages in Hawkshead.
Kendal
Known as the gateway to the southern Lake District, Kendal is a popular hub for shopping and culture. There are pedestrianised streets and independent boutiques that sit in harmony alongside big brands. There are also several museums, castle ruins, an art gallery, and excellent events and festivals throughout the year!
Be close to the action at one of our holiday cottages near Kendal.
Staveley
The three main characters of Deep Water have little in common other than children of a similar age. As a result, they are often seen congregating outside the school gates.
The school, as well as the homes of several of the characters, are filmed in Staveley, close to the eastern border of the national park.
Set in rolling countryside at the entrance to the Kentmere Valley, Staveley has a rich history of industry from wool, cotton and wood. A train station links the village to both Windermere and Kendal, giving you easy access to the Lake District if you want to leave the car at home!
Staveley is a fabulous place both for those of you seeking adventure and those of you looking for a peaceful break. The surrounding countryside offers fabulous walking and biking opportunities, whilst the village itself has a variety of shops to browse. Fishing is also a popular pastime in the area!
Take a look at our holiday cottages near Staveley in the South East Lake District.
Coniston
Another popular meeting place for the women in Deep Water is at a lakeside café, which is filmed at the real-life Bluebird Café on Coniston Water.
Coniston is the lake where Donald Campbell sadly died during one of his attempts to break the world water speed record. The Bluebird Café is named after his boat, Bluebird K4, a replica of which can be seen at the Lakeland Motor Museum.
Surrounded by gorgeous scenery, you could sit in the Bluebird Café all day – or one of Coniston’s other eateries - and just take in the views. If you want to be a bit more active, though, you can explore the hundreds of walks and cycle routes in all directions.
Brantwood, previously the home of John Ruskin, is another must-see attraction. The house maintains many paintings and beautiful furniture that belonged to the Victorian thinker, and the eight gardens are also wonderful to explore.
For more literary connections, take a cruise on a Steam Yacht Gondola. These were used as inspiration for Captain Flint’s houseboat in Arthur Ransome’s Swallows & Amazons!
See all of our holiday cottages in Coniston.
We hope you enjoy seeing the beautiful Lake District on Deep Water scenery as much as we do! To experience it for yourself from your ideal holiday cottage, take a look at our Cottage Search!
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Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing,
please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.