Cidade Turismo
the United Kingdom

Before you go

Your trip to Windermere.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

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Windermere – Inglaterra Destination Lake District about 430 km from Londres

How to get there

  • Manchester Airport (MAN) Manchester · 145 km
  • Windermere railway station 1 km
  • Oxenholme Lake District railway station Oxenholme · 15 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

Check before buying. From London Euston the train goes to Oxenholme in about 2h40 and continues on a branch line to Windermere. From Manchester there are direct trains or services changing at Oxenholme, in about 1h40. By car, take the M6 motorway and the A591.

How many days

Two days: one for the lake — boat, Bowness and Orrest Head — and another for Hill Top, Hawkshead and Grasmere. With an extra day, continue on to Keswick.

When to go

From May to September, with boats running at all times and long daylight hours; July and August are the busiest. In spring there are daffodils and in October the autumn colours. In winter boats run reduced schedules and Hill Top closes.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

No: the station is in the town, and boats, the ferry and buses take you to Bowness, Ambleside, Grasmere and Hill Top. A car helps for more remote valleys. You drive on the left, and the roads are narrow and busy in summer.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in Windermere
  1. Morning
    Orrest Head

    On arrival, climb Orrest Head, 20 minutes from the station, for a view of the whole lake.

  2. Afternoon
    Boat on the lake

    Go down to Bowness and take the boat trip to Ambleside, returning by boat or by bus.

  3. Late afternoon
    Bowness

    Stroll along Bowness's waterfront and visit the boat museum, if it's still open.

  4. Evening
    Pub

    Dine in a pub in Bowness or Windermere.

2 days in Windermere

Day 1

  1. Morning
    Lake

    Orrest Head and boat from Bowness to Ambleside.

  2. Afternoon
    Ambleside and Grasmere

    Bus to Grasmere for Dove Cottage and the Wordsworth museum.

  3. Late afternoon
    Rydal Water

    Short walk around Rydal Water and Grasmere.

  4. Evening
    Ambleside

    Dinner in Ambleside.

Day 2

  1. Morning
    Hill Top

    Ferry from Bowness to the west shore and visit Hill Top, with timed entry.

  2. Afternoon
    Hawkshead

    The village of Hawkshead and the Beatrix Potter Gallery.

  3. Late afternoon
    Boat museum

    Windermere Jetty Museum and, if available, the steam-boat trip.

  4. Evening
    Bowness

    Last night by the lake.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between Windermere and Bowness?

They are neighbouring towns: Windermere sits up on the hill with the train station; Bowness is on the lakeshore with the pier, about 2 km away.

Is Windermere the best base in the Lake District?

It's the most convenient for those arriving by train who want boats and Hill Top. For hikes in the north, Keswick is better.

How to get from Windermere to Keswick?

By bus 555, which passes Ambleside and Grasmere in about 1 hour, or by car, roughly 35 km.

Are there boat trips year-round?

Yes, but with reduced timetables in winter.

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