02.06.2025.
Visiting the English Lake District has been a dream of mine since I saw the fabulous images on Instagram. The North of the UK covers such a picturesque scenery, popular not only for locals. While Windermere Lake is the largest and full of attractions, there are 16 lakes and almost 200 tarns (small lakes).
With the numerous hikes and museums, you have plenty to choose. Reaching the Loughrigg Peak from the lovely Ambleside town offers incredible views to admire. Even the Scaffel Pike as the highest summit in England (978m) can be a challenging adventure.
Wandering around the charming towns like Ambleside or Grassmere will inspire you to visit the astonishing Cotswolds. Very similar architecture is a one of the reasons to absorb its tranquility to the fullest. If you want to explore the English South, Bath is a stunning town to choose, even as a day trip from London.
Let me take you to the wonderful Windermere Lake, the heart of the Lake District and inspire marvelous hikes.
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A bit of history of the Lake District
Lake District has a UNESCO World Heritage status from 2017. Britainโs fascinating National Park offers more than you can imagine, established as such in 1951.
William Wordsworth published the Guide to the Lake in 1810, which was very popular in the area. In that time also, the railway lines expanded its reach. In the late 18th century, tourism in the region began, as it was previouslyconsidered a wild region.
Where is Windermere Lake
Windermere Lake is the best choice if youโre visiting the Lake District for the first time. Surrounded by several lakes, it offers scenic hikes and numerous attractions.
If youโre flying into Edinburgh, your train ticket to the town of Windermere is much cheaper than London. From London, I paid a return ticket about 150โฌ with 2 stops and a very comfortable train. Buying the tickets at the Northern Railway directly gives you the best option for the most affordable choice. Even offering you automatically the best solutions is a pleasant surprise.
The Avanti trainline connects Oxenholme and Penrith with London and Manchester directly so you can plan it effectively.
How to move around Windermere Lake
Moving around Windermere Lake and even further is easy as the buses are quite frequent. You can hop on-hop off and use the daily, 3-day or even a weekly ticket for any bus around. For 10ยฃ a day, check out your best options at the Stagecoach Bus.
Cruising around the Lake District
Cruising around the lake will let you experience the scenic landscape most instantly. The Green Cruise is the most affordable one, leading you to the charming Wray Castle and its tranquil trails. With the Red Cruise youโll visit the largest town on Windermere Lake- Bowness. Yellow Cruise is a scenic ride towards the southern shores on the lake. Visiting the islands on Windermere at the Blue cruise is a picturesque way to know the lake, staring from Bowness.
Itโs also possible to experience the unlimited boat travel for 24h and take any cruise. See my Instagram reel and get transferred to the Windermere Lake cruise.
When to visit the Lake District
Any time of the year is fantastic to retreat at beautiful Windermere Lake. Youโll have no limits, considering the cruises are mostly open year-round.
Bursting with colourful blooms, spring is your ticket to the tranquil oasis of the English North. In the fall, enjoying the marvelous changes of seasons will give you the heavenly feelings. Summer is a refreshing time to take some baths and camping adventures, just like the locals.
Where to stay around Windermere Lake
Ambleside is a lovely choice, close to the wonderful hiking trails. Itโs probably your best choice as you can enjoy the variety of cruises and hikes in this charming town. The chain of YHA Hostels offers amazing opportunities to pick up your destinations and enjoy the comfortable stay. Windermere town is close to the train station, lying in the middle of the lake.
For main towns- Bowness, Windermere, Ambleside and Keswick- offers plenty of accommodation to choose. ย
I stayed in YHA Ambleside with an incredible lake view, cozy rooms, amazing breakfast and kitchen to cook. Though itโs about 25 minutes from the centre of Ambleside, its stunning lake view compensates the lack.
Hiking the Loughrigg Summit
Such a picturesque view, where you can admire four lakes during the trail, is your reward at Loughrigg Fell. Starting in Ambleside, follow a circular route to Loughrigg Summit, then return towards the Rydal Caves.
The whole trail is very pleasant, taking about 3-4 hours to complete, not including the breaks. Ascending to the Loughrigg Summit is quite cozy and mostly straight. On the way down, you will need to cross the chain of tricky stairs.
With its breathtaking views, Loughrigg Fell is one of the best hikes in the Lake District. As the Windermere Lake starts to unfold from above, the rolling hills will take your attention.
On the Summit, you can admire the Elter Water on one side, the unmissable Windermere Lake and the charming Grasmere Lake. There will be plenty of people around whom you can always ask for the best way.
How hiking to the Loughrigg Fell looks breathtaking, see on my Instagram reel.
About the Grasmere Lake
A lovely promenade around Grasmere Lake stretches after your descent from the Loughrigg Fell. You can either follow the route to Grasmere or continue towards the Rydal Caves.
From the crossroad to Ambleside, itโs about 1h walking to Grasmere town and 20 minutes to Ambleside.
In the town of Grasmere, visit the Gingerbread House, an awesome bakery with its local delicacies. Itโs here where the marvelous gingerbread arose its production.
Grasmere is a place where the famous poet William Wordsworth lived and donโt miss the opportunity to visit the museum. Thereโs also a daffodil garden at the museum entrance.
Visiting Rydal Mount and Gardens
Returning from the Rydal Caves, there are several attractions in Rydal Village. A birthplace of William Wordsworth is a pretty house in a tranquil garden bathed with poems.
Rydal Mount and Gardens is an awesome property belonging to the church and free to visit. Enjoying the pretty gardens will let you absorb its tranquility. Thereโs even a possibility of camiping for your best adventures.
The top 5 hiking trails on Windermere Lake and around
Loughrigg Summit definitely deserves to be on the list of the most stunning hikes in the Lake District. As mentioned above, Loughrigg Fell will captivate you with its incredible views.
Orrest Head
Orrest Head above the town of Windermere is a cozy hike, taking about 45 minutes from the center. With such a picturesque view, it will make you wonder is Windermere a lake or a river. Itโs a 3,5 km round trip giving amazing directions to reach the top. Below the Orrest Head Summit, youโll see a lovely trail with some wooden sculptures. Reminding me on a beautiful childrenโs trail on Plose in the gorgeous Bressanone, youโll enjoy this nature art.
Wray Castle to Claide Wieving Station
Wray Castle to Claife Viewing Station is another pleasant hike, appropriate for families. Following the lake shore, itโs about 4 km each way. The Claife Viewing Station was built in the 1790s to attract tourists to visit.
Waterfall hike to Stockhyll Force
From Ambleside, the woodland paths will lead you to this refreshing walk and take around 4 km.
Wansfell Pike is a bit steepy path, covering 8 km. Stretching above Ambleside, you can even visit Stockhyll Force on the way.
Langdale Pike Walk
Langdale Pikes include the famous peaks such as Pike of Stickle, Loft Crag and Harrison Stickle and offer breathtaking view. Allthough being mostly challenging, there are numerous trails for all levels.
Located in the Great Langdale Valley, near the village of Chapel Stile, it can be reached from different towns. From Ambleside, itโs a short ride to Langdale Valley.
Scaffel Pike
Scaffel Pike lies at the northern hills from Ambleside, close to the Wast Water. Standing at 978m is an English highest peak, offering fantasting trails.
The Wasdale route taking about 4h is shortest, but most of them are pretty challenging.
Amazing museums to visit on Windermere Lake
The stunning museums scatter all around the Windermere Lake and furthermore to the nearby Grasmere.
Already mentioned the Museum of Wordsworth at Grasmere Lake brings you to the fantastic world of the English poet.
The World of Beatrix Potter in Bowness unveils the incredible rabbit stories within the famous British tales.
Wray Castle, though not open for public, will give to the immense charm of its tranquil paths.
Visiting Blackwell, the Arts & Crafts House will unfold the stunning artistic treasure. Itโs located close to Bowness, but youโll need to walk 30 minutes from the bus station.
Windermere Jetty Museum offers an incredible boat exhibition and panoramic views.
Lakeland Motor Museum at the southern shores of the Windermere Lake has a unique collection of transport over history.
Final thoughts
Windermere Lake offers some of the best sights in the Lake District with its marvelous scenery. Covering several picturesque lakes in view, youโll be amazed with the world of possibilities.
Blending the British charm with pretty towns and stunning hiking views, there are plenty of reasons to return.
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What a beautiful place!! I would love to go there. thank you for sharing this helpful post!