iKnow Lake District
- Ambleside
- Near Ambleside
- Bowness on Windermere
- Windermere
- Coniston
- Grasmere
- Hawkshead
- West Lake District
Windermere Accommodation
Lake Windermere
Lake WindermereWindermere Lake District Lake Windermere Tourist Information
Lake Windermere is Ransome Territory (and Fly Fishing Territory!) and is 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. Busy and bustling, and not recommended for swimming in these days as you're likely to collide with a boat or two - hundred. However, fly fishing on Lake Windermere is thriving, despite the heavy pressure of tourism.
A '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 & Museum, Blake Holme, aka Wild Cat Island . There's an excellent little Arthur Ransome Lakeland map available from the Museum of Lakeland Life and Industry in Kendal, so you can pre-plan your Ransome trail! Windermere is the largest lake in England, being 10.5 miles long, and 200ft deep.
Views of Windermere from Orrest Head - It could change your life! Walking With Wainwright
Some may be aware of famous fell wanderer A.W.Wainwright's passion for this particular walk, Orrest Head near Windermere. Indeed, he wanted his ashes scattered here. This short walk offers the best superb panoramic views of Windermere Lake, so a must if you're staying in the area and it benefits from being really family friendly, not too long for younger children.
The walk begins easily enough at Windermere, adjacent to the Windermere Hotel and opposite the Nat West Bank on the main A591 road. It's all clearly signposted, and it's only a 20 minute walk to the top! Keep to the right of the signpost (above right) and follow the track gently uphill and into some woodland. If you go off track, local dog walkers will usually point you to the top. The path is well marked so no chance of getting lost. The higher you go, the more spectacular views of Windermere Lake you get.
Such marvellous views for probably what amounts to the least effort in fell walking. When you reach the top of the woods, pass through a metal kissing-gate and then on up the stone-stepped slope towards the viewpoint indicator near the summit of Orrest Head. Once you're up, marvel at the views as Wainwright did in his first trip up here in the 1930s, spotting not just Lake Windermere, but Coniston Water, The Old Man of Coniston, Wetherlam, Crinkle Crags, Scafell Pike, Bowfell and the Langdale Pikes.
If you're new to the Lakeland Fells, start here at this 360 degree panorama, guaranteed to push you onwards and upwards. For such little effort, and possibly one of the best viewing positions in the Lakes. Choose early to mid-April for your walk up and you'll catch the stunning Bluebells carpeting the woodland floor.
Click Search
