Windermere

Windermere has long been one of the Lake District's most popular bases, and its hotels reflect that heritage, ranging from grand Victorian lakeside houses with private jetties and spa facilities to small family-run guesthouses tucked into the hillside between Windermere town and Bowness. Many of the larger hotels sit on the wooded slopes above the water, taking full advantage of views across the lake towards the Coniston and Langdale fells, while others cluster closer to Bowness Bay, putting the piers, cruise boats and waterfront restaurants within easy walking distance. Expect a strong choice of country house hotels with restaurants open to non-residents, along with more modest bed and breakfasts around Windermere's railway station that suit walkers heading straight out onto the fells.

Booking ahead is strongly advised, particularly for weekends between spring and autumn when the town's popularity as a Lake District gateway pushes demand well above the available rooms. Many hotels offer packages that combine a stay with a Windermere Lake Cruises ticket or afternoon tea, and several are dog-friendly, reflecting how many visitors arrive ready for fellwalking. Whether you want a spa weekend overlooking the water or a simple, comfortable base for a few nights of walking and lake cruises, Windermere's hotel scene has grown around exactly that kind of visitor for well over a century.

From lake cruises to literary pilgrimages, Windermere and Bowness pack a lot into a small area.

• Lake Windermere — England's largest natural lake, stretching over ten miles, ideal for sailing, kayaking, paddleboarding or simply watching the water from the shore at Bowness Bay.
• Windermere Lake Cruises — Regular steamer and launch services run from Bowness Pier to Ambleside and Lakeside, including the popular Islands Cruise around the lake's wooded islets and evening cruises in summer.
• The World of Beatrix Potter — A family attraction in Bowness recreating scenes from Peter Rabbit and Beatrix Potter's other tales, with a garden and tearoom themed around her stories.
• Orrest Head — A short, well-marked climb from Windermere town centre leading to a viewpoint with panoramic views over the lake and surrounding fells; famously the walk that inspired Alfred Wainwright to fall in love with the Lake District.
• Blackwell, the Arts & Crafts House — An outstanding Arts and Crafts era house above the lake near Bowness, with period interiors, changing exhibitions and lake views from its terraces.
• Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway — A preserved steam railway running from Lakeside at the southern tip of Windermere, often combined with a lake cruise for a full day out.
• Wray Castle — A mock-Gothic Victorian castle on the lake's western shore, now cared for by the National Trust, with grounds that run down to the water and a beach popular with families.
• Fell Foot Park — A National Trust lakeside park at the southern end of Windermere with lawns, a boathouse and rowing boat hire, a relaxed spot for picnics.

Bowness Bay is lined with cafes and takeaways serving fish and chips and ice cream to eat by the water, while the town has a strong crop of independent restaurants a step up from the tourist trail. Jerichos and Hooked have both built strong local reputations for modern British and seafood cooking respectively, Homeground Coffee Roasters is a popular stop for specialty coffee near the railway station, and the Angel Inn in Bowness offers a classic Lakeland pub setting with views towards the lake. For something more formal, several of the lakeside hotels open their restaurants to non-residents, making the most of their elevated views over Windermere towards the western fells.

Windermere sits at the heart of the Lake District National Park, and its campsites make the most of that setting, with pitches tucked into wooded valleys, fellside fields and, in a few cases, grounds running down almost to the lake shore itself. It is worth remembering that wild camping without the landowner's permission is not legal in England, unlike in Scotland, so campers should stick to recognised sites, of which the area around Windermere, Troutbeck and the Kentmere valley has a good spread, from simple farm campsites to larger family-oriented parks with facilities. The terrain here is properly hilly, so many sites are set on sloping or terraced ground, and access roads can be narrow, so it is worth checking a site's suitability for larger caravans or motorhomes before booking.

The camping season around Windermere runs broadly from Easter through to late October, with July and August the busiest and most reliably warm months, though the Lake District's weather can turn at any time of year, so it pays to come prepared for rain even in midsummer. Spring brings fresh green fells and newborn lambs in the surrounding fields, while autumn offers golden woodland and quieter sites once the school holidays end. For those who prefer a roof over their head without giving up the outdoor feel, glamping has grown quickly in the area, with safari tents, shepherd's huts and wooden pods available on several sites around Windermere and neighbouring Troutbeck, many offering views towards the lake or the surrounding fells that a conventional hotel room simply cannot match.