Content Team
23 January 2021
Windermere is probably the most popular tourist destination in the Lake District. The town takes its name from Lake Windermere just over a mile away and was first developed in the 1800s when the railway station was built.
We have a growing number of Lake District cottages in Windermere. The town is eternally popular along with its close neighbour Bowness-on-Windermere and it is easy to see why. The lake is a huge draw for visitors. At over 11 miles long it is not only the longest in the Lake District but also the longest in England. A boat trip on Lake Windermere is one of the main visitor attractions in the south Lakes. A trip around the lake takes in the beautiful lowland scenery and views of the distant high fells. Unlike all the other lakes in the Lake District, Windermere does not sit directly below high mountains but remains justifiable popular.
So what else is there to do in Windermere when you are staying in one of our self-catering cottages? Enjoy some of the walking trails such as The Dales Way finishes in Bowness. There is a very pretty section between Bowness and Staveley that can be enjoyed as a linear walk making use of the railway stations at Staveley and Windermere. Undoubtedly the most famous walk is to Orrest Head following in the footsteps of famous guidebook writer Alfred Wainwright. On his first visit to the Lake District, he climbed to the top of Orrest Head in 1930 and surveyed the view declaring ‘those few hours on Orrest Head cast a spell that changed my life.
Aside from walking, Windermere and Bowness both have thriving town centres where you can browse the shops to your heart’s content. The famous kitchen and homeware giant Lakeland is right next to the railway station. Windermere and Bowness are both filled with a variety of independent shops selling everything from books, antiques and crafts to speciality food, crafts and of course outdoor clothing. The Crook Road just out of Bowness is famed for the selection of high-quality places to eat including The Wild Boar, Gilpin Lodge and Linthwaite House.
Stay at one of our self-catering holiday cottages in Windermere
Click on the link for details on things to do in Windermere. Before you set off and go touring this vast and beautiful region of England, take a look at our range of self-catering holiday cottages throughout the Lake District. Find the perfect holiday property to provide the right backdrop for your Ambleside adventure, whether you plan to go boating, hiking or mountain climbing. Search our collection today.
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.