Windermere is England’s largest natural lake that was formed after ice retreated from a glacial trough at the beginning of the last inter glacial. Being geographically located in the Lake District National Park, Windermere comes under the Cumbria County.
The Lake District has hundreds of attractions where you can spend some great time with your family or friends. Holehird Gardens are located on the Patterdale Road, and you can visit the place any season. However, the best time would be to visit when the azaleas and rhododendrons look amazingly lovely. Orrest Head offers scenic walking locations around Windermere. In fact, this is one vantage point that you don’t want to miss, as it gives you a spectacular view of lake and countryside. It wouldn’t take you more than 20 minutes to reach this spot from Windermere.
The largest lake in England has a lot of things to offer to all types of visitors, from all age groups. You can engage in walking or trekking activities around the lake, go for lake cruises or if you want to relax and enjoy the scenic beauty of the place, there is the 19th-century steam-powered train that would give you a lakeside view. It would take you from Lakeside to Haverthwaite to Newby Bridge and return back.
Brockhole Tree Top Trekking
One of the most interesting activities to engage in would be to go treetop trekking offered in Brockhole. You can climb, swing, fly and balance your way over the woodland canopy and experience splendid view over the horizon that cannot be enjoyed from anywhere else.
4x4 Adventure
The rough terrain in and around the Lakes make you think why not go on a 4x4 adventure across its length and breadth. There are a few local adventure-oriented firms such as Kankku in Victoria Forge that can make it possible to explore the Lake District from behind the wheels. Equipped with a walkie-talkie and the map, you can go about negotiating the byway with a guide at the other end helping you navigate through the wilderness. You will come across shallow waters, rocky projections and steep drops. This is one of the best ways to see all those hidden parts of Lakes.
Lake District Food
The Lake District has around a hundred eating places where you can enjoy contemporary or British food, seafood, and Italian or International cuisine. When in Windermere, make sure to enjoy the local seafood. Don’t forget to check the grilled sardines with cherry tomatoes and a balsamic reduction.
If you want to enjoy some sumptuous breakfast, the Cedar Manor on Ambleside Road is the perfect place to be. You can opt from a variety of breads and then there is the unique homemade flat bread. For dinner, you can check Grey Walls Steakhouse or The Hideaway Restaurant on Phoenix Way. Miller Howe on Rayrigg Road offers exquisite European and British food, and makes the ideal place to enjoy a lunch or afternoon tea.
If you love Asian food, The Golden Mountain Chinese Restaurant offers budget dining options. Contrary to expectation, they don’t offer food covered in sauce or something that looks too greasy. In addition, you would get the option to choose vegetarian food as well.
Windermere Lodges
Windermere Lodges is the perfect place to stay in the Lake District. They offer memerising log cabins and you can engage in a wide range of activities - from sailing to walking to doing nothing but observing the beauty and slow-progressing life in Windermere. Their Troutbeck View, Kingfisher Lodge and Otter Lodge are some of the most charming places you can find to live in. And they also offer dog-friendly lodges.
Transportation
If you want to come to Windermere by air, there are 5 major airport options. The Manchester airport is the nearest one as it takes less than two and a half hours to reach Windermere. The Blackpool airport is a few more minutes farther away and the Liverpool airport can is around 2 hours 50 minutes away.
If you get down at Manchester airport, you can take a train to Oxenholme Lake District and from there you can get a train to Windermere. Windermere is well connected public transport. There are regular busses and mini-busses between towns. Even though, taxis are also available, the bus service would be a better option.
