The Best Things To See and Do Around Lake Windermere
At just under 11 miles in length, Lake Windermere is the largest lake in England and an iconic destination brimming with scenic beauty, quaint villages, and rich heritage. In this article, I will outline 5 of the best destinations to visit, some of the best hotels, and some of the best places to eat.
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Top 5 Things to Do
1. View Lake Windermere from Orrest Head
"Quite suddenly, we emerged from the shadows of the trees and were on a bare headland, and, as though a curtain had dramatically been torn aside, beheld a truly magnificent view." - Alfred Wainwright.
To include a photo of the view from Orrest Head would spoil the surprise, so no Googling! The view of Lake Windermere from the top of Orrest Head is simply breathtaking and it's a perfect place for a picnic.
How To Get There
The Orrest Head routes start just to the left of the Windermere Hotel (postcode: LA23 1AD). There's no need to buy any hiking gear for this trip; you can be on top of Orrest Head in around 30 minutes, and it's a leisurely stroll. Most of the route is covered by a winding road, and it's only the last 100 metres or so that are off-road, but it's still an easy walk. Follow the road (the blue route) for about 20 minutes until you reach Steve Hicks Blacksmith. The road ends here, and you'll transition to a footpath. Go through the kissing gate, walk up the hillside, and enjoy!
"Those few hours on Orrest Head cast a spell that changed my life." - Alfred Wainwright.
Local tip
Park in the Booths supermarket car park for 2 hours of free parking (there's EV charging points as well), postcode: LA23 1QA. If you're planning on having a picnic up on Orrest Head - which I highly recommend - you can always pay for additional parking. Once you've parked, go into Booths and pick up some food and drink for your picnic and exit via the gift shop. Turn left and cross the road by the Windermere Hotel.
The best type of picnic hampers for the Lake District are the insulated backpack hampers: click here.
If you're travelling with kids, or if you're a big kid yourself, a couple of hours in the World of Beatrix Potter Experience will be quite memorable - it's also a great spot to visit if it's raining. Located in Bowness-on-Windermere, this immersive experience brings Beatrix Potter’s beloved characters to life through recreated scenes from her tales, complete with sound effects and detailed models. The World of Beatrix Potter Experience is a great alternative to visiting Beatrix Potter's actual house, which is located on the opposite side of the lake, but is still worth a visit. The journey time to Hill Top House is about a 30-minute drive if you don't stop to take in other sights. You can also catch a ferry across to the other side (Ferry Nab, postcode LA23 3JH), which will give you a great photo opportunity from the middle of the lake.
Movie Trivia: Despite looking like a typical Lake District house, the house in the 2018 Peter Rabbit film is actually located in Australia! The train station used to depict Windermere train station in the movie is also located in Australia. However, some street scenes were shot in Windermere and in Ambleside - our next stop.
Local Tip: If you're visiting Bowness-on-Windermere in July-August, or on a sunny Bank Holiday, don't travel through Windermere and Bowness town centre. Instead, come off the A591 at the Plumgarth Roundabout (LA8 8QJ) and take the B5284 Crook Road (a quick stop at the Plumgarth Farm Shop is also recommended).
The B5284 and A592 will take you straight into Bowness and will avoid all the slow-moving traffic that always builds up in Windermere and along the popular route into Bowness. This is also the route to take if you choose to stay at the Gilpin House and Spa - see Where to Stay.
3. Travel by Cruiser to Ambleside
Windermere Lake Cruises operates a range of boat trips from Bowness Pier, offering breathtaking scenery and a variety of experiences. Choose the Red Cruise (75 mins) for a scenic journey to Ambleside with stunning mountain views, or choose the classic Yellow Cruise (90 mins), a round trip to the southern tip of the lake. For those who want to explore at their own pace, the Freedom of the Lake ticket gives you unlimited boat hopping for 24 hours. For visitors short on time, the scenic Island Cruise (45 mins) offers a brief tour of the central part of Windermere, complete with fascinating commentary.
There is a stunning 16th-century circular house on Belle Isle, so have your camera ready. However, the honour of the most photographed house in the Lake District probably goes to the Bridge House in Ambleside.
4. Visit The Bridge House, Ambleside
A family of 8 used to live here!
At the side of the A591, perched over the Stock Ghyll Beck (a Northern word for stream), sits one of the most iconic and widely photographed buildings in the Lake District. Members of the Braithwaite family originally built this tiny 17th-century stone building to avoid paying land tax and to connect different parts of their land. Despite its modest size, the Ambleside Bridge House has had many uses over the centuries, including: an apple store, a weaving shop, a cobbler's shop, a chair maker's workshop, a tearoom and, unbelievably, a home for a family of eight. The Bridge House is now owned by the National Trust and is currently a tourist attraction. The Bridge House is open from 9 a.m - 4 p.m and is located in the northern part of the town at LA22 9AR.
If you're not going to continue north towards Grassmere and Keswick, head south again, but this time towards the opposite side of the lake to visit an impressive neo-Gothic castle.
5. Visit Wray Castle
Despite its appearance, Wray Castle is less than 200 years old. This neo-Gothic castle was built between 1840 and 1847 (only 7 years to build a magnificent castle without vehicles and machinery and they've been working on a roundabout near where I live for 3 years now!) Wray Castle is located on the western shore of Lake Windermere and is surrounded by lush woodland and lakeside trails. Though never intended to be a defensive structure, its turrets and towers evoke a fairy-tale charm and images of knights in armour.
History: Wray Castle was built as a private residence for retired Liverpool surgeon James Dawson. Designed in the Gothic Revival style, the castle was never intended as a defensive structure but rather as a statement of wealth during the Victorian era. When James Dawson died in 1875, his nephew, Preston Rawnsley, inherited the castle. In 1877, Preston's cousin, Hardwicke Rawnsley, took up the appointment of vicar of Wray Church. Hardwicke Rawnsley became a founding member of the National Trust, who now manage the castle.
How To Get There: Low Wray, LA22 0JA.
Fun Fact: Beatrix Potter stayed in the castle as a teenager on a family holiday from her home in London. The experience cemented her love of the Lake District, where she'd eventually spend the last 30 years of her life. While you're on that side of the lake, and if you didn't visit the World of Beatrix Potter in Bowness, Beatrix Potter's old home is only 5 miles away at LA22 0LF.
2. Visit The World of Beatrix Potter - Bowness-on-Windermere
Langdale Chase Hotel - Location, Location, Location!
Rated 9.3 - Superb, with a location rating of 9.7 on Booking.com, the Langdale Chase Hotel is the best place to stay in this part of the Lake District. The hotel, the location and the food are all simply fantastic. Sitting at the high-end of the price range, a stay at the Langdale Chase Hotel may be more suitable for anniversaries, birthday treats or a surprise for someone special, but it will definitely be an experience you will never forget.
Location
The Langdale Chase Hotel is located on the eastern shore of Lake Windermere, approximately 2 miles from Ambleside and 3 miles from Windermere, so it's ideally located for visits to both towns.
Gilpin House Hotel, Lake and Spa - Secluded Pampering
Tucked away in the scenic heart of the Lake District, just a short drive from Lake Windermere and Kendal, AA 5 Red Star-rated Gilpin Hotel & Lake House offers an exquisite blend of modern luxury and timeless tranquillity. Family-run and set within 21 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens and woodlands, this award-winning haven is the perfect destination for those in search of peace, privacy, and a little spa time indulgence.
The main hotel features 30 individually designed rooms, including lavish Spa Lodges and Spa Suites that boast private hot tubs, saunas, and expansive windows that offer stunning views of the surrounding countryside. Each space is thoughtfully designed to reflect both comfort and elegance, offering guests a restorative stay.
For an even more secluded experience, the Gilpin Lake House—just a mile from the main hotel—presents six exclusive rooms nestled within 100 acres of private grounds. Guests can enjoy access to a private lake, the serene Jetty Spa, and an indoor pool, making it an ideal choice for romantic getaways or peaceful retreats.
Dining at the Gilpin is an experience in itself. The Michelin-starred Source restaurant, led by Chef Ollie Bridgwater, serves a refined tasting menu that showcases the region’s finest produce.
Beyond the food and luxurious rooms, guests can enjoy a variety of unique experiences, from strolling the croquet lawn to meeting the resident alpacas and llamas. With complimentary access to a nearby health club and the stunning Lake District at your doorstep, the Gilpin Hotel & Lake House promises a truly unforgettable escape.
Location
Gilpin House Hotel is located along the B5284 Crook Road, approximately 3 miles from Lake Windermere and 7 miles from Kendal at LA23 3NE.
Rated 8.2 - Fantastic on Booking.com
The Lakes Hotel and Spa - Luxury with a View
With a Booking.com rating of 9.2 - Superb and a location rating of 9.7, the Lakes Hotel & Spa offers the perfect blend of luxury, comfort and spa pampering. Ideally situated, the hotel places guests within a 5-minute walk of Lake Windermere’s tranquil shores and Bowness's charming boutiques and restaurants, making it an ideal base for exploring the Lake District.
Accommodation options range from inviting double rooms to lavish suites. The standout Bowness Suites feature private balconies with two-person hot tubs overlooking the serene gardens and Lake Windermere, perfect for romantic evenings or peaceful retreats.
For ultimate relaxation, the hotel’s on-site spa is a sanctuary of calm. Guests can enjoy the sauna, steam room, indoor pool, and a stunning outdoor hot tub with countryside views. The Lily Rose Spa offers a full menu of treatments, from rejuvenating massages to indulgent facials, ensuring a deeply pampering experience.
Food lovers are spoiled for choice. The Terrace Restaurant serves up locally sourced cuisine with breathtaking lake views. Meanwhile, The Conservatory offers classic British dishes in a laid-back setting, and Mizumi delights with innovative Asian fusion flavours.
With exceptional amenities and a picturesque location, the Lakes Hotel & Spa is a must-visit destination for anyone seeking a luxurious Lake District escape.
Location
The Lakes Hotel and Spa is just a 5-minute walk from Bowness Bay on the A592 Lake Road at LA23 3HH.
Where to Eat
Did you know sticky toffee pudding and Cumberland sausage were created in the Lake District? As well as other delights such as Grasmere Gingerbread and Keswick Ketchup, Cumbria is the county with the most Michelin stars outside London. With its ready access to high-quality ingredients and focus on the hospitality industry, the Lake District is a foodies paradise.
Toast, Windermere - A Small Place Making a Big Impact
Located on Windermere’s Main Road, Toast is a small café with a big reputation. Renowned for its inventive toasties crafted on house-baked shokupan (Japanese milk bread), the menu features standout options like Korean shredded chicken and pulled pork. Their French toast, often hailed as “unreal,” is a must-try. Complementing the food is their speciality coffee, praised as the best in town. The café’s cozy atmosphere and friendly staff enhance the dining experience. Open daily from 9 AM to 3 PM, Toast tends to sell out early, so arriving promptly is advised.
Parking in Windermere can be a bit tricky, so I suggest parking in Booths car park (see the Orrest Head post) and walking down the hill to enjoy a delicious, Asian-inspired breakfast or lunch.
The Old Stamp House, Ambleside - Best Restaurant in the World - Twice!
Situated in the heart of Ambleside on Church Street, The Old Stamp House Restaurant is a hidden treasure that offers an unforgettable fine dining experience. Set within a historic building once occupied by poet William Wordsworth, this intimate, Michelin-starred restaurant is the creation of brothers Ryan and Craig Blackburn. Since opening its doors in 2014, it has become a must-visit destination for food lovers from around the globe.
The Old Stamp House is more than just a restaurant—it’s a culinary journey through the heart of Cumbria. Named the best fine dining restaurant in the world by TripAdvisor in 2021 and 2022, as well as being voted the Best Restaurant in England by the AA in 2023, it continues to receive acclaim for its inventive tasting menus, which are deeply rooted in the region’s heritage and natural bounty. The multi-course, Journey Around Cumbria experience showcases locally sourced ingredients with dishes like Allerdale cheese from Thornby Moor, Herdwick hogget from Yew Tree Farm, and Bay crab.
What truly sets this restaurant apart is the attention to detail and storytelling. Diners receive a wax-sealed welcome letter from the chef explaining the origins and inspiration behind the ingredients, creating a personal connection to the landscape and traditions of Cumbria. The setting enhances this narrative, with its cosy interiors featuring exposed stonework and artwork that reflects the local culture.
With its dedication to honouring the culinary roots of the region, The Old Stamp House is a testament to the richness of Cumbrian gastronomy. Whether you’re a local or simply exploring the Lake District, this celebrated restaurant offers a dining experience that’s both sophisticated and soulful—an essential stop for anyone seeking to taste the true spirit of the Lakes.