A Day in Windermere

Want to spend a day in Windermere? The whole of the Lake District is on our doorstep. That means, the whole of the most beautiful part of England.

Stay Local: Top Tips

We’ve got lakes and mountains and waterfalls and adventures galore. But sometimes it's good to stay local. You might be tired after a long hike, or you might want to have a car-free day.

So here’s our five top tips to spend a day in Windermere.

Five Top Things To Do

A stroll to the lake: After breakfast, take a stroll down through town to the lakeshore. Windermere is England’s largest lake, 10.5 miles long, and has 18 islands. The largest is the privately owned Belle Isle opposite Bowness. If you’re feeling really lazy, you could book a trip on a steamer with Windermere Lake Cruises that would take up most of your morning.

Jetty museum: Wander along Rayrigg Road to the Windermere Jetty Museum. Here is the history of boats and steam, in a beautiful new centre right on the water’s edge. The exhibits are fascinating, and they have special events too, like a day-long reading of Arthur Ransome’s story, Winter Holiday. The last time the lake froze was in 1963.

Afternoon tea: Stroll back in the direction of the station, and instead of a late lunch, call in at the Cedar Manor for an early afternoon tea. This is such a tradition, with savouries, finger sandwiches, scones, cream, and cakes. You will need to book in advance.

Climb for a view: Cross over the road and hike up Orrest Head. It might be tiny in height compared to the giants all around, but the view from the top is the best you’ll find. There’s a newly installed map and active compass, and some new seats as well.

Take in a movie: The round trip won’t take much more than an hour, so why not rest your feet and take in a movie at the Royalty cinema? It’s a fascinating art-deco building with three modern screens and a regularly-changing programme of the best new releases. Occasionally there are concerts, too, featuring the restored rare Wurlitzer Pipe Organ.

Where to Eat in Windermere

So that’s how you can spend a perfect day in Windermere. The evening lies ahead, and we want to recommend our three favourite Windermere restaurants.

The Lamplighter Dining Rooms: The same family has run this place for 35 years, and it has kept a fabulous reputation all that time, thanks to the quality of the food, locally sourced and imaginatively presented. And the excellent customer service.

Francine’s: A continental-style bistro that’s relaxed and friendly. There’s an a-la-carte menu and daily addition boards with a great wine list and a large selection of local speciality ales.

Hooked: The place to go if you love fish and seafood. The menu is based on a mixture of classic British and Mediterranean dishes, updated regularly to meet seasonal availability. And everything is sourced sustainably.

Bon appetit!