Windermere

Windermere is a ribbon lake gouged by glaciers, about eighteen kilometres long, one and a half wide at most and up to sixty-four metres deep, the largest natural lake in England. The railway reached it in 1847 and turned the shore into a Victorian resort, with villas built by Manchester and Liverpool money. Steam launches carried passengers, and one of them, Windermere Steam Launch Osprey aside, the 1850 launch Dolly recovered from the lake bed is claimed as the oldest mechanically powered boat in the world; it is displayed at Windermere Jetty museum along with a fleet of historic launches. Beatrix Potter's Hill Top is across at Near Sawrey. Water quality has become a serious public issue, with sewage discharges into the lake prompting sustained campaigning and monitoring.

What you actually see

• The ribbon lake - eighteen kilometres of glacially cut water up to sixty-four metres deep.
• Windermere Jetty - historic steam launches including one recovered from the lake bed.
• The Victorian shore - villas built by industrial money after the railway arrived in 1847.
• The cross-lake ferry - a chain ferry to the quieter western shore and Hill Top.

When to go

April to October for cruises and walking; the lake is busiest in August, when Bowness is packed. Spring and autumn give the best light and far easier parking. Winter cruises run on a reduced timetable.

Honest expectations

Bowness in season is congested and commercial, and parking is difficult and expensive. Water quality has been poor at times, with discharge incidents reported, so swimmers should check current advice. The eastern shore is developed; the quiet is on the western side.

Nearby

Ambleside lies north; Coniston and Hawkshead are across the ferry.