Lake Windermere Road Trip 🚗🌊
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This Lake Windermere road trip takes you around the Lake District’s only lake , combining scenic viewpoints, charming villages, heritage attractions, and peaceful lakeside walks.
🔥 LOOKING FOR A LAKE DISTRICT TOUR? 🔥
I highly recommend Rabbie’s tours to the Lake District. They offer small group tours in the Lakes with fantastic guides.
I absolutely loved my tour of the Lake District with them because we discovered all the famous places but also some hidden gems and the guide gave us plenty of information about the local area and the local food treats.
Lake Windermere Road Trip Itinerary Summary
📍 Orrest Head View Point – Start with this walk from Windermere to this spectacular viewpoint. 🥾🌄
📍 Ambleside – A lively town at the northern end of the lake. Explore independent shops, cafés, and don’t miss the Bridge House. ☕🏡
📍 Stock Ghyll Force – Just outside Ambleside, this dramatic waterfall is reached by a woodland trail. 💦🌿
📍 Wray Castle 🏰📸
📍 Hawkshead – A charming historic village known for its connections with Beatrix Potter. 🏡☕
📍 Hill Top – Visit Beatrix Potter’s farmhouse, filled with her belongings and inspiration for her stories. A must for fans of Peter Rabbit. 🐇📚
📍 Claife Viewing Station & Windermere West Shore 🌊🚴♀️
📍 Lakeside – At the southern tip of the lake, you’ll find the Lakes Aquarium and the Lakeside & Haverthwaite Steam Railway. 🚂🦦
📍 National Trust – Fell Foot 🌅🚣♂️
📍 Blackwell 🎨🏡
📍 Bowness-on-Windermere – End your trip in this bustling lakeside town, with boat cruises, shops, restaurants, and the World of Beatrix Potter attraction. A great place to unwind by the water. ⛴️🍽️
Total Distance: 🚗 Approx. 35 miles
📸 Photos & Info are located further down. Keep scrolling to see all these places. ⬇️
Get the FREE Lake Windermere Road Trip Map!
🚗 Need a car for this road trip?
If you don’t have your own car, I’d really recommend renting one — it gives you the flexibility to stop at each waterfall and explore at your own pace.
I usually use DiscoverCars to compare prices and find the best deals across different rental companies.
👉 It’s really easy to use:
- Compare multiple providers in one place
- Cheaper than booking direct
- Free cancellation on most options
- Their 3rd party insurance is a lot cheaper
- They have a great customer service for claims (though I hope you won’t have to use it!
Additional Information & Highlights
📍Orrest Head
Orrest Head is one of the best easy hikes in the Lake District. It boasts spectacular views over Lake Windermere as well as pleasant parts through the woods.
🥾 Hike Details:
– Circular hike
– 4.5 km long
– 1 hour 20 minutes
– Starting point: Windermere Train Station
Details of the hike available here.
📍Ambleside
Situated at the northern end of Lake Windermere, Ambleside is a beautiful market town with historic landmarks and a waterfall.
🗺️ Things To Do:
– Visit the Bridge House (National Trust)
– Walk to Stock Ghyll Force (1.6 km – 30 to 45 minutes)
– Visit the Stagshaw Garden (National Trust)
– Go on a cruise from Ambleside Pier
– Visit the Ambleside Roman Fort
📍Stock Ghyll Force
A beautiful waterfall in Ambleside
🥾 This is a short 1-mile walk which takes about 45 minutes From Ambleside town centre, head to Stock Ghyll Lane and follow the signs to the waterfall.
It’s a beautiful woodland walk.
📍 Wray Castle
📍Hawkshead
Located just north of Esthwaite Water, Hawkshead is a pretty village known for its connections with Beatrix Potter.
🗺️ Things To Do:
– Explore the village and get lost in the narrow streets
– Visit the Hawkshead Grammar School Museum
– Walk up to St Michael and All Angels Church and admire the views
– Get local products from the Honey Pot or the Chocolate Factory
– Visit Wray Castle (National Trust)
– Visit Hill Top, Beatrix Potter’s former farmhouse (National Trust)
🅿️ Parking: The main car park in Hawkshead (pay and display) is the best place to park but it can be quite busy if you’re visiting during peak season.
📍 Hill Top
📍 Lakeside
📍 Haverthwaite Steam Railway
📍Bowness-on-Windermere
Located on the shores of Lake Windermere, it’s the largest town in the Lake District.
🗺️ Things To Do:
– Cruise on Lake Windermere (tickets can be booked here)
– Visit St Martin’s Church (free)
– Visit The World of Beatrix Potter
– Shopping in the local shops
🅿️ Parking: Parking is tricky in Bowness-on-Windermere. Glebe Road Car Park (pay and display) is ideal but it’s quite small so you will need to get there early.
📍 The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction
