Lake Windermere is one of the great beauties of the Lake District, and the main focus of many a journey, since the tourist trains started arriving in 1847. Two towns make up the centre ‘Windermere’, Bowness-on-Windermere, which runs right along the lake shore, and Windermere Town, which is slightly higher up the hill, and has the station, a charming high street and majestic rows of Victorian and Edwardian villas. Bowness has the marina and ferry piers, the restaurants, cafes, tea shops and ice cream stalls, and the souvenir shops. You’ll be walking between the two without realising, and our recommendations for the best places to stay in Windermere are found in both the town and by the lake. There are a number of B&Bs and guesthouses we recommend, plus some very nice traditional hotels, high-end luxury properties, an excellent selection of country house conversions and country house hotels, plus a couple of more contemporary options for the design savvy.
Windermere and the Lake District can easily keep you very busy. There are some incredible walking routes around the Fells, and an inspiring number of National Trust properties to visit — several related to Beatrix Potter and her connection to the area. Windermere also has an excellent museum of boats and boating, and is the home of The World of Beatrix Potter attraction. And of course the lake itself offers masses of potential activity. The best places to stay in Windermere are very well suited to families, and if you head towards the outskirts of town you’ll find some really fantastic B&Bs, guesthouses and inns which are ideal for keen walkers.
Many of the best places to stay in Windermere also make perfect bases for exploring the whole of the Lake District. You’re right in the middle of the lake’s length, between Ambleside on the northern shore, beneath the Fells, and Lakeside in the south. Far Sawrey, which is where Beatrix Potter’s farm, Hill Top can be found, is just across the bridge from Windermere, and Wray Castle is a very pleasant ferry ride away.