With so many lakes to choose from, having a mini tour of each lake respectively sounds like a good idea for those looking for some day trip inspiration when discovering the Lake District National Park! And perhaps no better place to start than with Lake Windermere, one of the most popular lakes of the area that has become a thriving tourist honeypot in it’s own right. At ten and a half miles long and 219 feet deep, Windermere is officially Britain’s biggest lake, and certainly manages to pack in a lot of sites, activities and stunning scenery around it’s immediate vicinity!
In terms of the lake itself, Windermere is a long ribbon lake, not dissimilar to a finger. It dates back to over 13,000 years ago, and was formed by two glaciers. One from the Troutbeck valley and the other from the Fairfield Horseshoe, which both melted and formed a lake thanks to rock material deposited by the glacier at the time. The lake is punctuated by islands, a total of 18. The largest of these islands in the privately owned Belle Isle, which lays opposite the town of Bowness and is about a kilometre is length. The smallest is Maiden Holme, which contains just a singular tree. Another island, Lady Holme, was the former site of a church, and takes it’s name from the church itself. The remaining islands are Bee Holme, Blake Holme, Crow Holme, Fir Holme, Grass Holme, East and West Lily of the Valley, Ling Holme, Hawes Holme, Hen Holme, Ramp Holme, Rough Holme, Snake Holme, Thompson Holme and Silver Holme.
The origins of Windermere’s name are slightly disputed. One story says Windermere comes from the Scandinavian “Vinandr”, with “mere” added to describe the lake itself. Another story suggests the lake was named after the local name “Winder” which dates back to a Norman settler in the area. Whatever the origins, Windermere has now become synonymous with the Lake District itself. With several of the regions most popular villages and towns nestled along the sides of the lake, there is plenty to see and do – and plenty of places to stay in the area – which make it an ideal location for many visitors to the area.
Ambleside lies a half mile north from the shore of Windermere, and is a typically bustling town filled with restuarants, tea shops and outdoor equipment. To the north end of the lake lies Waterhead , a pretty stop which offers numerous cafes and a garden centre. Brockhole has it’s own Lake District Visitor Centre, a beautiful Victorian house situated right on the lake which also has picturesque gardens, shop, cafe and playgrounds. The eponymous village of Windermere lies a mile inland from the lake, and is a good stop for amenities including numerous B&B’s, supermarket and train station.
On the east shore of the lake lay Bowness and Ferry Nab. Bowness is a stop filled with shops, restuarants, amenities and amusements as well as plenty of accommodation options, making it popular amongst tourists. Going south, you will find the town of Newby Bridge, which has plenty of hotels and cottages to offer. And in between, you’ll find Lakeside, with it’s famous Aquarium of the Lakes attraction, and Fell Foot, a National Trust spot which boasts particularly lovely views of Windermere.
Boating, cruising and water-sports are obviously popular on the lake, and steam train journeys another favourite. For an unbeatable sense of the hustle and bustle of Lakeland and the area, taking a trip around the lake by boat is a must do for many people. Discovering Windermere provides you with a great day out, and an ideal location for a lively trip to the Lake District.
Add a Comment