Windermere

Windermere is located in the South Lakeland District of Cumbria, England. Situated close to the lake with the same name, Windermere is an attractive destination for travelers who enjoy the lure and excitement of water activities. The area is known for sailing, fishing and boating. However, the location lends itself to quiet repose and solitude for others. It's easy to tuck yourself away in the landscape of tall trees and mountain hideaways. The city was called Birthwaite until 1847 when the railway was built to reach the area. With the inception of railway transportation, the town grew by leaps and bounds. Children's author Beatrix Potter once called this area home, as did poet William Wordsworth. Local shops carry Beatrix Potter merchandise and an exhibition runs in the nearby town of Bowness. Today, tourism is a hot commodity with an estimated annual 14,000,000 visitors. The area has hotels, dining, shopping and entertainment designed to suit a variety of tastes and needs.

Windermere Holidays

The area is excellent for holidays due to the wide range of activities available. Persons of all ages can have fun in Windermere. Tourists enjoy the variety of tours available around the South Lakeland District. Most of the tours are narrated by professional guides where guests travel by minibus, car or coach. You will have opportunities to take pictures as most of the guided tours make stops at special destinations. Other tours are self-guided. Additional types of holiday you can take may include a fishing or sailing excursion from the marina. Some people simply enjoy the easy access to the lake, which is within walking distance. The city is family-friendly and pets are allowed in some accommodations.

Windermere Accommodation

Hotels, along with inns, bed and breakfasts, and guest houses, abound in the city. Whether you are looking for a small, cozy establishment that offers an intimate environment or a larger accommodation complete with tours of the surrounding area, there are accommodations to fulfill your needs. Many offer banquet, wedding and reception services, too. Some hotels have taxi services for guests and most have a restaurant on the premises. Hotels near downtown are within walking distance of many local attractions. Whatever your budget, there is a room to meet your needs.

Windermere Dining

When you get hungry, a variety of choices await your palate. It's easy to relax in one of the family-run pubs and breweries for an afternoon or pop over to a restaurant to begin sampling traditional foods of the area. If you prefer fine dining, the city and surrounding Lake District offer that, too. Many restaurants utilize produce fresh off the farm from local growers. From modern English cooking to historic sausages, jams, and jellies, the variety of dining establishments offers culture and ethnic diversity.

Windermere Activities

The majority of activities in the town are centered around the lake. However, shoppers will be happy with the selection of quaint stores and merchants offering unique gifts. The best part is if you don't find what you want locally, neighboring towns, some of which are only ten miles away, also offer excellent shopping opportunities. If you travel through the entire Lake District Area, you will find a plethora of shops from simple grocers with fresh produce to designer clothing stores and antique resale shops.

Windermere Cycle hires are available as local tour guides around the city and surrounding countryside. You can also rent a bicycle for solitary excursions. Children and families are welcome.

Windermere Lake cruises are a popular pasttime for residents and visitors. Some offer day long trips around the lake while others are for shorter time frames. Boats can also be chartered. Many of the lake cruises are dog friendly. Motor boats and row boats are available for private rental.

Blackwell, The Arts and Craft House regularly hosts traveling and permanent exhibitions, and is conveniently located in the city. This historic venue is a turn of the century home surrounded by well-manicured gardens. Exhibitions have included a variety of art forms that focus mostly on furniture, textiles and wall art. Blackwell, The Arts and Craft House supports emerging artists as well as historic ones with a special focus upon the Arts & Crafts Movement.

Windermere Outdoors

The area's scenery is lush and attractive. Weather conditions are good, albeit damp, with mild temperatures ranging from an average of 37 degrees Fahrenheit in January to about 80 degrees Fahrenheit in July. Rain totals can be up to 80 inches per year. In spite of frequent, wet weather, there are many things to do outdoors.

Lake District National Park is one of the largest national parks in England. The park contains a portion of the Cumbrian Mountains, which is the highest mountain range in the country. Visitors enjoy observing wildlife, birding and hiking along the trails. The majority of the park is privately owned with certain parts held by the National Trust, but the public is welcome to visit. Marked areas with signage are available for hiking.

The lake wraps around the mountainous area and contains a total of 18 islands. Ferries offer visitors and residents opportunities to view the landscape from the water. Some ferries carry vehicles as well as passengers. Typically the ferries and launches depart from the railway area in the city. They then make their way to land on the north side of the lake at Waterhead Bay.

Several boat clubs call the area home. Sea racing is a highly popular sport and the boat clubs vigorously organize events throughout the year. While there are limits on how fast boats can operate, the lake has been used to set boating speed records.

Walking routes are available through the mountains to many areas around the lake. Map and guides are readily available, and you can schedule to walk with a group or to go alone. If you enjoy a long hike, mountainous trails are mapped out for you. For those who prefer a less strenuous hike, soft footing trails are available on even ground.

For the more adventurous traveller, horseback riding, wind sailing, abseiling, and paint balling activities are available. On the other hand, if you need a break and seek a quiet, low key destination, there are also retreats that include massage, wine tasting, and bird watching.

Windermere Nearby

If you want to check out other areas, travel to nearby Keswick for the Lake District's only year-round theatre. You'll see live performances featuring dance, comedy, music and more. Dining is available at either the theatre's cafe or restaurant.

The Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery is located in Carlisle. This is an excellent choice for a day trip featuring area history and culture.