Best Places to Sail in the Lake District
We have lakes galore, and if you want to take to the water we know the best places to sail in the Lake District. We're using the term sail loosely, because we know that some of you would rather row, or have a motor on board. So whatever you want to do on the water, here's our guide to the best places to sail in the Lake District.
Learn to Sail a Yacht
The Royal Windermere Yacht Club is our local venue, and while it's a members-only club, they do run a wide range of courses for adults and children to learn sailing. All the training is done by the club's in-house chief instructor.
The Yacht Club is an RYA approved Training Centre. The Royal Yachting Association is the UK's national governing body for sailing, dinghy sailing, yacht and motor cruising, sail racing, RIBs and sportsboats, windsurfing and personal watercraft. So they have everything you could possibly want to know. There are club dinghies available if you don't have your own vessel, for private tuition. And there's also two-day RYA courses which must be done in club boats, and are run on demand; if their diary has space they will get you booked in. You can also apply to join the club.
Sailing on Ullswater
Over at Glenridding you will find the Sailing Centre where you can get sailing tuition and boat hire on beautiful Ullswater, possibly our favourite lake.
From a stunning lakeshore location, they too offer a wide range of RYA sailing courses. They also provide activities for children, corporate team building, group activities and even stag and hen activity days. There's also boats for hire, launching facilities and boat storage. So whether you are new to water sports or a seasoned sailor, their friendly and experienced team will be able to get you out on the water. This is definitely one of the best places to sail in the Lake District. There is no better way to enjoy the stunning views on arguably England’s most beautiful lake. The hire fleet includes double and single kayaks, Canadian canoes, and a choice of sailing dinghies. They also have popular gaff-rigged traditional boats which are more sedate to sail and perfect for those wanting a more traditional sailing experience.
Bowness Bay Marina
Our local marina, only a short walk from us here at the Cedar Manor, is Bowness Bay Marina. This is the place to go if you want self-drive boat hire. There's a wide range of boats available catering for all sorts of excursions. Or maybe you just want to potter about on beautiful Windermere and give your family a trip to remember. The company also offers annual berthing for those with their own craft, winter storage, along with boat sales and service through Windermere Boat Sales.
Explore the Lake
Everyone has seen the big steamers that carry passengers up and down Windermere, on cruises or as a convenient way to get around the lake itself. But Windermere Lake Cruises can also let you explore at your own pace with your own motor boat or electric boat. No boating experience is necessary as they provide full safety instructions, a sailing guide to the lake and buoyancy aids for everyone on board. You can hire boats for one or two hours from the jetties at Bowness Beach, Bowness Dock or Ambleside (Waterhead). The company also has everything from small rowing boats for hire, to the big launch cruisers which can be rented for weddings and other special occasions.
Sail Away with the Fairies
One of the loveliest and most romantic quiet locations is the magical Faeryland at Grasmere. Here, from a sheltered bay, you can hire an easy-to-row boat (all in jolly colours, with personal names) to take out on this gentle lake. The boats are available throughout the year, depending on weather conditions of course. They can be taken out for a maximum of one hour, for up to four people (including children).
Buoyancy aids are available and full instructions and information on rowing technique and the lake itself will be given before you set off. On shore beside the boat landings is a delightful tea garden and here you can try teas from a very wide range indeed (or coffee, if you prefer).
You can also buy teas to take home with you. Our favourites are Romany Tea, a blend of Rooibos from Cedarburg, South Africa, with hedgerow highlights, which also makes a wicked iced tea for sunny summer afternoons! And Organic Gypsy Rose, which is based on a Japanese Sencha green leaf with subtle cherry and rose hints.