Windermere is the largest lake in England measuring 10.5 miles long, one mile wide and 219 feet at its deepest point. Of all the lakes and tarns it is the only one where you can effectively use a powerboat for water sports. However, as of 2005 the new by law restricts speed limits to a maximum of 10mph with the obvious consequences to water sport enthusiasts.

The name Windermere comes from a Norse hero, Winand or Vinandr, and until the 20th century was a busy highway for ferrying iron ore and passengers. To day it is very much for pleasure, with a mix of sailing and rowing boats, speed boats and wind surfers, the odd swimmer and a spot of fishing.

The main lakeside town is Bowness, where the shops and inns spill down to the busy bay. The lake is very much a part of the village life, providing employment in the boatyards, on the steamers and in the shops and cafes. During summer the waterfront bustles with people enjoying the view, feeding the host of swans and ducks and boarding boats for lake trips.

Windermere Lake Cruises operate the graceful old Lake Steamers, the Swan, Teal and Tern, and will take you on journeys around the lake, departing at Lakeside down in the southern basin, Bowness to the mid west and Waterhead at the northern reach. The smaller glass topped boats also stop at the Windermere Steamboat Museum and the Brockhole Visitor Centre.

Windermere Lake Cruises also hire rowing boats and little electric power boats from Bowness Bay and Waterhead, great fun for a summers day out on the water under your steam. Low Wood Watersports currently offer water skiing, windsurfing and lots more fast, exciting water activities. Windermere Outdoor Activities, below Bowness, are an excellent centre for courses in sailing.

The car ferry runs from Bowness to Sawrey on the west shore, and is a scenic way of cutting out Ambleside if you need to get to across the lake, keeping alive the fact that Windermere is still officially a public right of way.

For those visitors bringing their own craft there are a number of launch sites available and a fee is payable. All private power boat users are required first to register their craft with the Lakes Admin Officer at Ferry Nab, or with the National Parks Authority in Kendal. You can call for forms to be sent prior to your holiday or go along when you arrive. To get the best enjoyment from the lake with your boat it is wise to get hold of a free copy of the rules and reg’s.

For the fishermen there is plenty of opportunity to fish in all styles, course, fly and from boats. Windermere is renowned for her fine brown trout, a superb silvery fish with pink flesh. Rainbows are abundant along with perch, roach and eel. Pike
fishing has undergone a renaissance and the lake offers some of the best pike fishing in the country. A local speciality is the Windermere Charr. An ancient species, this fish has beautiful markings, tastes excellent but is very bony and requires special techniques for a successful catch. For more information on where to fish you can contact the Tourist Information Centre who hold details on day passes to both the public sites and those run by the Windermere, Ambleside & District Angling Association.

A fair amount of the water frontage is private, however there is a nice long stretch of lakeside walking from just above the west ferry terminus running north to Red Nab, at the foot of Claife Heights where you can scramble up for some fantastic views. The heights are wooded with many trails and it is vital to have a compass and good map or you may well get lost.

At the north, just above Waterhead, is Glava Park where you can see the remains of the old Roman Fort. The park goes down to a sweeping shale beech and is perfect for a picnic and paddle. At the southern reach is Fell Foot Park. Restored by the National Trust, the gardens are peaceful and there is a nice cafe. The park offers row boat hire and moorings for non powered craft or you can simply paddle or swim from the waters edge.

Between Waterhead and Bowness is Brockhole, the National Park Authorities Visitor Centre. You can arrive by road or one of the smaller boats. The park offers a great insight into the work of the NPA and there are always exhibitions and things to do. The grounds are pleasant to explore, with a huge children’s adventure playground and for refreshment, a good cafe in the main building.

AMENITIES

Launching sites (Please call first to check rules and costs)
Public Slipway, Ferry Nab - Telephone: 015394 42743
Low Wood Watersports - Telephone: 015394 34004
Waterhead Marina - Telephone: 015394 32424
Claife Warden - Telephone: 015394 44746
Fell Foot Park - Telephone: 015395 31273
Lakes Admin Office, Ferry Nab,Sth Bowness - Telephone: 015394 42753
National Parks Auth’, Oxenholme Rd, Kendal - Telephone: 01539 724555

Fishing Information, Tackle & Permits
Bowness TIC, Glebe Road - Telephone: 015394 42895
Ambleside T I C, Market Cross - Telephone: 015394 32582
Waterhead Car Park - Telephone: 015394 32729

Parklands and Attractions
Fell Foot Park - Telephone: 015395 31273
Brockhole - Telephone: 015394 46601
Windermere Steamboat Museum - Telephone: 015394 45565

Steamers and Boat Hire
Windermere Lake Cruises, Lakeside - Telephone: 015395 31188
Bowness - Telephone: 015395 43360
Waterhead - Telephone: 015494 43415
Windermere Out Door Adventure - Telephone: 015394 47183