Windermere Central Lake District Tourist Information

Windermere, Lake Windermere, Fishing and Arthur Ransome

Windermere is Ransome Territory, and scattered with features which appear in Arthur Ransome's classic children's novel, 'Swallows and Amazons', and also in the BBC film 'Swallows and Amazons'. Come on, said Titty, and all that. If you're new to the Lakes, then Windermere is still the perfect starting point, with ample campsites near Lake Windermere.

Busy and bustling, and not recommended for swimming in these days, you're likely to collide with a boat or two - hundred. 'Swallows and Amazons Forever' pilgrimage can take in features on the lake such as Belle Island/aka Long Island, and check out Captain Flint's boat in the Windermere Steamboats and Museum.

Around Lake Windermere, it's the quieter West Shore, managed by The Windermere, Ambleside & District Angling Association (WADAA), which provides the best fishing spots. Early morning and evening fly fishing couldn't be better here for native Windermere Trout.

Various fish are on the increase, including Windermere wild brown trout (a silvery fish with pinky flesh usually about 1lb weight), perch, charr and roach. The eel population of Lake Windermere is on the increase. Pike fishing has also improved massively on Lake Windermere.

• Windermere Hotels
• Windermere B&B
• Windermere Accommodation

Coniston Water, John Ruskin and Bluebird

Coniston Water is well served for boat trips by Coniston Launch, which has jetty stop offs all round the lake and offers themed cruises such as 'Swallows and Amazons' and a trip focusing on Donald Campbell's fateful attempt to break the 300mph record. Coniston Water and surrounds is 'Ruskin' territory, and his house, Brantwood, is situated on the North East side of Coniston Water and is one of the jetty stop offs conveniently.

Wainwright is on good form where Coniston Old Man, and the climbing of it is concerned, depicting tourists on the summit looking for Blackpool Tower, whilst the 'solitary fell walker' sits to the side, 'bless him'. The fells in this area have been heavily mined for copper, so you're guaranteed to see the odd copper mine or two!

There are various ways up to the summit, but Waintwright's favourite is via Boo Tarn rather than the well worn and trod Quarry Road up past Low Water.

• Coniston Hotels
• Coniston Bed and Breakfast
• Coniston Holiday Cottages

West Lakes

The Western Fells, some have said, are the most striking in the Lake District. Here you'll find England's highest mountain, Scafell Pike. Scarfell is an enormous circular cairn which is now crumbling and has a boulder-ridden summit. Spectacular views of course to be found at the top! Also in the Western Fells are eleven of the 28 National Nature Reserves in Cumbria.

No less than two RSPB Reserves can be found at Haverigg and St Bees. At St Bees you can view one of the largest colonies of seabirds in England, and here the Black Guillemot breed. Nape's Needle is found on Great Gable. The ascent of this magnificent outcrop in 1886 heralded the birth of rock climbing in Britain.

The glacial sculpting of the Wasdale valley has formed an amphitheatre with the views back down the valley stretching to the coast and beyond, right to the Isle of Man across the Irish Sea. Each valley has its own look and atmosphere; from the austerity and moods of Wasdale and the welcoming green of Eskdale, to the peace and quiet of the Buttermere Valley and hidden gems like Crummock Water and Loweswater.