Local Attractions in Windermere & the Lake District

With its vast natural beauty, Lake Windermere & the great Lake District offer attractions for all the family. Browse through our selection of attractions within Windermere and the Lake District and plan an adventure packed Windermere hotel break. Choose from a wide range activities and days out in Windermere including Lake District tours, Lake Windermere boat trips and more

Lake District National Park
The Lake District’s greatest asset is its natural environment. The Lake District is England’s largest Park covering 885 square miles and includes Scafell Pike, its highest mountain, Windermere, its longest lake, Wastwater, its deepest lake, and thriving communities like Keswick and Bowness-on-Windermere.
http://www.lakedistrict.gov.uk/index

T: 01539 724555
E: hq@lakedistrict.gov.uk
Office hours are Monday – Thursday 9am-5pm and Friday 9am-4:45pm

Ambleside Attractions
This busy little village offers a great starting point for any walking or cycling enthusiast or a relaxing day for those wanting a bit of retail therapy. Take a walk, passed Hayes Garden World (a great place to stop for a browse and some refreshments), to Waterhead just a short stroll for the centre of Ambleside and spend an afternoon enjoying the beautiful scenery around Lake Windermere from Borans Parks where the remains of the Roman Fort Galava can be found.

Bowness and Windermere Attractions
Offering a range of independent shops and craft centres, ideal for gifts or treating yourself to something special. Take a walk down to Bowness Bay where you can hire a Motor or Rowing boat, take a ride on the lake with Windermere Lake Cruises or enjoy a round of pitch and putt or try your luck on the miniature 18 hole golf course.

Coniston Attractions
Surrounded by fells and forests and situated at the head of Coniston Water, it is home to the John Ruskin Museum and the site of Donald Campbell’s fatal attempt to regain the water speed record. Visit exhibits of both these men at the Ruskin Museum, enjoy a trip on the Steam Yacht Gondola, originally built in 1859, or take a walk up one of the many surrounding fells, there’s the Old Man of Coniston for the more experienced of walkers or for those who enjoy the occasional stroll take a walk around Tarn Hows.

Grasmere Attractions
Visit this charming village in the heart of the Lake District; home to the Wordsworth Trust, St Oswald’s Church (where you can find the grave of William Wordsworth) and, perhaps most importantly, The Grasmere Gingerbread Shop. For the walking enthusiast Grasmere is surrounded by fells offering walks for the dedicated enthusiasts or a short stroll for those just wanting to enjoy the breath taking scenery

Hawkshead
Take a walk through most of the streets of Hawkshead and you’ll notice one thing for certain; no cars! With plenty of cafes and gift shops this old fashioned village is a must see for any tourist.

Kendal Attractions
This historic market town has a fine reputation for shopping, giving shoppers a choice of independent traders and high street names. Visit on Wednesday or Saturday for Kendal’s Indoor and Outdoor Markets or visit the Brand New K Village. Kendal boasts a castle, two museums and a host of historical buildings and bridges. So whatever your age or interest there is something to keep you entertained in Kendal

The Langdales Attractions
A walker’s paradise! Whether it’s a walk you are after or just a picturesque drive, the Langdales are the place to go. Going to the top of one of the Langdale Pikes or just look at them from the comfort of your car, these views are a not to be missed.

Arts and Cultural Events
Immerse yourself in the real culture of the Lake District. There’s plenty going on; so stroll through a stunning landscape of events.
· Abbot Hall Art Gallery, Kendal – a chance to see work by a range of artists including; George Romney and John Ruskin
o www.abbothall.org.uk
· Blackwell, The Arts & Craft House, Bowness-on-Windermere – see the wealth of detail which still remains in this house from when it was built in the 1890’s
o www.blackwell.org.uk
· Cumberland Pencil Museum, Keswick – offering you the chance to experience Seathwaite Mine, the first mine to discover graphite, marvel at the worlds largest pencil and enjoy the children’s quiz as you proceed progress through the museum
o www.pencilmuseum.co.uk
· The Heaton Cooper Studio, Grasmere – first established in 1905 by Alfred Heaton Cooper, the present gallery was built by his artist son William in 1938. Visit this gallery to view their works.
o www.heatoncooper.co.uk
· The Quaker Tapestry, Kendal – the tapestry has 77 panels exploring three centuries of our social history
o www.quaker-tapestry.co.uk

Historic Houses and Gardens in the Lake District
· Holker Hall and Gardens, Grange-over-Sands – a chance to visit a stunning home still lived in by Lord and Lady Cavendish dating back to the sixteenth century and twenty-five acres of award winning gardens
o www.holker.co.uk
· Levens Hall, Kendal – spend a day looking around this 13th century Elizabethan Mansion and its award winning gardens laid out from 1694
o www.levenshall.co.uk
· Holehird Gardens, Windermere – ten acres of hillside garden owned by the Lakeland Horticultural Society
o www.holehirdgardens.org.uk
· Rydal Mount, Rydal – a chance to visit the family home of William Wordsworth and the four acres of gardens he designed
o www.rydalmount.co.uk
· Dove Cottage, Grasmere – take a guided tour around William Wordsworth’s home and visit the Wordsworth Museum and Art Gallery. Whilst in Grasmere take this opportunity to see Wordsworth Grave at St. Oswald’s Church
o www.wordsworth.org.uk
· Dalemain House, Ullswater – take a guided tour through a house enjoyed by several generations of the same family and see the changing architecture throughout
o www.dalemain.com
· Hill Top, Nr Hawkshead – visit the former home of Peter Rabbit author Beatrix Potter where she wrote many of her famous books
o www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-hilltop
· Sizergh Castle, Nr Kendal – originally built as a Pele Tower as a defence against the Scots the castle has been continuously added to over the years
o www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-sizerghcastlegarden/
· Brantwood, Coniston – the home of John Ruskin for 29 years the house offers an insight into Ruskins life here during Victorian times.
o www.brantwood.org.uk
· Muncaster Castle, Ravenglass – with its stunning gardens this family home is reputed to be the home of a number of ghosts. Hear about the house and all its glorious rooms from the family who still live there, the Pennington’s. If the Haunted House does not suit you the World Owl Centre is also situated within the grounds of this stunning castle.
o www.muncaster.co.uk

Where to Visit in the Lake District
· South Lakes Wild Animal Park, Dalton-in-Furness – join the lions, tigers and other animals for a fun day out
o www.wildanimalpark.co.uk
· Trotters World of Animals, Bassenthwaite – join the animals and staff for talks and demonstrations
o www.trottersworld.com
· Lakeland Wildlife Oasis, Milnthorpe – this attraction offer a rare unique and exciting mix of exotic wildlife and interactive hands-on displays
o www.wildlifeoasis.co.uk
· Cars of the Stars, Keswick – an opportunity to see this vast collection of cars taken from film and TV, including some of James Bond’s cars, the Reliant Robin from Only Fools and Horses and The A Team Van
o www.carsofthestars.com
· The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction, Bowness-on-Windermere – meet many of your favourite characters from the books of this great author
o www.hop-skip-jump.com
· Lakeland Maize Farm Park, Nr Kendal – try and find your way out of the Maize Maze
o www.lakelandmaze.co.uk
· Brockhole Visitor Centre, Windermere – enjoy the amazing gardens which take you down to the lakeside of Windermere, the interactive information centre and the adventure playground
o www.lakedistrict.gov.uk/index/visiting/brockhole.htm

What to do in Windermere and the Lake District
· Windermere Lake Cruises, Bowness-on-Windermere – take a ride on one of the steamers and have a trip out on the lake. Head to Ambleside (for the shopping) or to Lakeside where you can visit the Lakes Aquarium or have a ride on the Steam Railway
o www.windermere-lakecruises.co.uk
o www.lakesaquarium.co.uk
o www.lakesiderailway.co.uk
· Coniston Boating Centre, Coniston – go kayaking or canoeing, hire self-drive or rowing boats or learn how to sail
o www.lake-district.gov.uk
· Steam Yacht Gondola, Coniston – enjoy a trip on Coniston Water on this steamer which was built in 1859
o www.nationaltrust.org.uk/gondola
· Keswick on Derwentwater Launch, Keswick – get off and on again at any one of the seven jetties these stops boats stop at. Alternatively hire a self drive or rowing boat.
o www.keswick-launch.co.uk
· Ullswater Steamers, Glenridding – take a ride on one of the four vessels on Ullswater, one of which if thought to be the oldest working passenger vessel in the world, having been launched in June 1887
o www.ullswater-steamers.co.uk
· Low Wood Watersports Centre, Ambleside – your chance to try waterskiing, kayaking, sailing and much more
o www.elh.co.uk/watersports
· Grizedale Forest, Hawkshead – whether it is going for a walk or bike ride your after Grizedale Forest has something for all abilities. Keep a look out for the wide range of wildlife and the forest sculptures which can be found throughout.
o www.forestry.gov.uk/grizedalehome
· Whinlatter Forest, Nr Keswick – if you visit between April and August take a look around the visitors centre, and if you are lucky you will see the Bassenthwaite Ospreys on the live nest cameras at the Osprey Exhibit
o www.forestry.gov.uk/whinlatterforestpark
· Go Ape – your chance to swing through the trees in Grizedale or Whinlatter Forest
o www.goape.co.uk
· Bigland Hall Equestrian, Backbarrow – whether you want to enjoy a lesson or a hack in the countryside, horse riding can be enjoyed by all ages
o www.biglandhall.com
· Kankku, Windermere – for the ultimate off road driving experience
o www.kankku.co.uk

Lake District Tours
· Lakeland Segway, Graythwaite Hall – a unique way to see the beauty of the Lake District with a guided tour on this two wheel personal transporter
o www.lakelandsegway.co.uk
· Blue Badge Guided Tour – take a tour which can be specialised to your own interests escorted by someone with a depth of knowledge about the area
o www.cumbriatouristguides.co.uk
· Mountain Goat – with complimentary pick-up from the hotel and a commentary throughout the day each one of the tours offers a great insight you may not get any other way
o www.mountain-goat.com
· Lake District Tours – with six tours to choose from there is plenty to see and do, on and off the coach
o www.lakedistricttours.co.uk
· Lakes Supertours – choose from one of ten guided tours on one of their sixteen-seater minibuses and explore the parts of the Lake District you’ve always wanted to
o www.lakes-supertours.com
· Guided Walks – check out the website and see where they are planning to go whilst you are staying with us. These guided walks are free to join and leave you free to enjoy the scenery whilst someone navigates the route
o www.lakedistrict.gov.uk/walking