Top Windermere Outdoor Activities

Visit the Beatrix Potter house and some of the Lake District’s prettiest locations on an afternoon tour from Windermere. After a scenic Lake Windermere cruise, travel through idyllic countryside to Hill Top, the Beatrix Potter home where the beloved children’s author lived during the early 1900s. See the garden and rooms left as she would have known them and learn about her life here. Finish with a visit to the quaint village of Hawkshead, where poet William Wordsworth attended school; and Tarn Hows, one of Lakeland’s most gorgeous spots.

Enjoy a seamless introduction to the Lake District and discover its scenic highlights on this half-day driving tour. Over the course of your tour, see numerous lakes (including Lake Windermere—the largest in the area); visit the Neolithic Castlerigg Stone Circle; discover the photogenic Ashness Bridge; chart the Kirkstone Pass; and much more. As you go, learn all about the region and its history from your guide’s commentary.

Hike the winding trails and scenic paths of Langdale on this small-group tour. Let your guide lead the way—and leave paper maps behind—as you explore the Lake District’s most stunning scenery at a relaxed and unhurried pace. With no planning or navigation skills needed, meet fellow adventure seekers, learn about local flora and fauna, and snap hillside pictures.

See the Lake District in one day without missing a thing! Visit 10 of the National Park’s famous lakes and learn about their geological past and historic importance in culture, art and literature. Enjoy scenic drives through valleys and dales, spot waterfalls and explore ancient landmarks, like the stone circle at Askrigg. Take memorable photos at specially-chosen look-out points and hear tales about the local folklore of the fells and villages you pass by.

Experience the exclusivity of chartering a 10 metre Oceanis Clipper sailing yacht on England's largest natural lake, Windermere. Get involved as much or as little as you like, or relax whilst you appreciate the yacht, amazing views and fresh Cumbrian air. A very extensive and locally sourced ploughman's is served in the second half of the trip with lots of delicious homemade additions. You may dine on deck if the weather permits, with views most restaurants can only dream of. We have a well stocked and reasonably priced bar on board, complimentary tea, coffee and soft drinks. We even have a private bathroom and central heating! Having sailed on Windermere for 20 years I have plenty of stories to tell you about the Lake and thoroughly enjoy showing you how to sail on it in my fabulous yacht.

See some of the Lake District's most beautiful lakes on this half-day tour around Windermere. Settle into an air-conditioned minivan as your guide takes you through the stunning scenery, passing Derwentwater and England's second-longest lake along the way. You'll also stop to sample delicious gingerbread from the famous Grasmere bakery and discover scenic spots you might struggle to reach alone. Choose departures from Ambleside, Bowness, or Windermere.

Avoid narrow roads, tricky navigation, and trying to fit the Lake District’s vast scenery into a short visit on this full-day small-group tour from Windermere. Travel by comfortable minivan with a guide who handles the driving and storytelling as you explore mountain passes, waterfalls, stone circles, and up to ten of the region’s most scenic lakes, including Buttermere. The route also takes in villages such as Grasmere and includes free time in Keswick.

Experience the exclusivity of chartering a 10 metre Oceanis Clipper sailing yacht on England's largest natural lake, Windermere. Get involved as much or as little as you like, or relax whilst you appreciate the yacht, amazing views and fresh Cumbrian air. We have a well stocked bar available at very reasonable prices. We even have a private bathroom and central heating! Having sailed on Windermere for 20 years I have plenty of stories to tell you about the Lake and thoroughly enjoy showing you how to sail on it, in my fabulous yacht.

Close your eyes and picture it: standing inside a 4,500-year-old circle of stones, mountains rising on every side, the wind the only sound for miles. That's Castlerigg, one moment in an afternoon built around views most visitors never find. While sixteen-seater minibuses queue along the main road, you gently ascend in comfort along the steep, narrow lane out of Ambleside instead — a quieter, wilder approach to the Kirkstone Inn, the highest inhabited building in the National Park, before the legendary descent unfolds beneath you. You'll see eight lakes, not the usual six, plus Ashness Bridge framed against the fells, Surprise View's sudden reveal of Derwentwater, and Dunmail Raise, where a king is said to sleep beneath the stones. With only seven guests aboard, your guide shows you exactly where Wordsworth saw the daffodils that inspired his most famous poem, pointing out the sheep grazing the fells, brings geology and legend to life, mile after spectacular mile.

Other operators run a ten-lakes tour. None of them put you on the water. This is the only ten-lakes tour in the National Park that includes a genuine hour-long cruise on Ullswater — pre-booked, included, no extra cost on the day — aboard a steamer sailing this lake since 1859. While other tours drive past and point, you'll feel the lake from its surface, Place Fell rising sheer from the shore, the whole basin opening out around you. The same depth applies elsewhere: at Honister, your guide explains the centuries of industry carved into that cliff face, not just a photo of the mine. At Buttermere, widely considered the most beautifully proportioned lake in the district, you'll understand why it's been celebrated since the earliest days of Lake District tourism. With only seven guests aboard, every question gets answered properly, across four mountain passes and ten lakes most visitors never see in a single trip.

Uncover the wonders of the universe with an immersive stargazing experience at Grizedale Observatory. Begin with an engaging presentation featuring stunning visuals and expert insights, then join a small-group sky watching session where you'll learn to navigate the night sky and observe celestial objects through a variety of telescopes. Along the way, enjoy warm drinks, visit the planetarium, and chat with knowledgeable astronomers who are ready to answer your questions. - Explore the night sky during a guided small-group stargazing experience. - View planets, stars, and deep-sky objects through a range of telescopes. - Learn hands-on telescope skills with guidance from expert astronomers. - Enjoy warm drinks and access to the planetarium throughout the evening.

This self-guided Lake District road trip is designed to show how the national park’s lakes, valleys and mountain passes connect into one coherent journey rather than a scattered list of viewpoints. Instead of planning routes between popular locations yourself, the guide organises the region into four scenic touring loops that follow the natural geography of the landscape. You can explore each loop individually or combine them into a longer journey across the Lake District without unnecessary backtracking. Along the way the guide connects famous lakes, quiet valleys, mountain passes and traditional villages while highlighting some of the national park’s most dramatic scenery. Rather than a rigid itinerary, the guide provides narrative context, clear route progression and flexible time-based planning ideas so you can adapt around walking routes, weather and travel pace. With 12 months access included, you can start planning before your trip and return to the guide whenever you need.

This is a perfect pick for nature lovers. Save time organizing car hire and instead, enjoy a full-day private tour that takes you to 10 lakes in a day. No need to worry about navigating— a private driver takes care of that, so you can sit back, relax, and enjoy the beautiful views. Highlights include Lake Windermere, the Kirkstone Pass, Ullswater Lake, the Castlerigg Stone Circle, Buttermere Lake, and Lake Grasmere.

Six Lakes Splendour is a relaxed half day journey linking six of the Lake District’s most distinctive waters, combining elevated viewpoints, historic landmarks, and peaceful village stops along the way. Departing from Windermere Railway Station, the route climbs into the high fells via Kirkstone Pass before descending towards Brothers Water and continuing north to the shores of Ullswater, where there is time to pause and enjoy the lakeside surroundings. This is an unaccompanied sightseeing tour designed for independent exploration at each stop. A clear recorded commentary highlights the landscapes, viewpoints, and local history along the route, ensuring information is easy to hear and consistently presented throughout the journey. While the tour is not guided, your driver is always happy to offer practical help or local direction where needed.

This Lake District Village Tour offers a relaxed journey through some of the region’s most characterful villages, combined with a scenic drive through the fells, lakes, and valleys that connect them. Each stop provides time to explore independently, wander through village streets, visit cafés or shops, and enjoy the distinctive character of the surrounding landscape. The tour is unaccompanied and designed for independent exploration rather than guided walking. Along the way, a clear recorded commentary highlights key viewpoints, local history, and the landscapes unfolding around you, providing context in a consistent and easy to hear format. Your driver is always happy to offer practical assistance if required, creating a balanced experience that combines independence with thoughtful support.

Explore the stunning landscapes of the Lake District on a cycling adventure tailored just for you. Whether it’s a half-day ride or a full-day experience, every route is designed around your preferences and starting location. With a local guide leading the way, you’ll navigate through quiet roads and scenic trails, ensuring a fluid and enjoyable ride. Perfect for all skill levels, each journey emphasizes the beauty of the area, with well-timed stops to soak in the views and enjoy the experience. This isn’t just riding; it’s about crafting the perfect day on two wheels.

Charter a skippered yacht for a 4 hour sailing experience, get involved and take control of the yacht or just sit back and enjoy the stunning scenery unfold around you. The boat: 23 foot Jeanneau yacht which can comfortably accommodate groups of up to four guests. There is plenty of space to relax above and below deck as well as storage for bags, fresh water and toilet access.

The Perfect Introduction to the Lake District Unlike large coach tours, this private 4-hour experience is designed exclusively for your group, allowing you to explore the Lake District at a relaxed pace. Travel in comfort in an executive Mercedes vehicle with a knowledgeable local guide, following a scenic circular route that showcases a variety of lakes, valleys, viewpoints and historic villages without retracing the same roads. Visit highlights such as Grasmere, Little Langdale, Skelwith Force, Tarn Hows, Hawkshead and Wray Castle, while enjoying personalised commentary and flexible photo stops throughout. • Private 4-hour tour tailored to your interests • Executive Mercedes vehicle • Knowledgeable local driver-guide • Scenic viewpoints, waterfalls and historic villages • Complimentary hotel and Oxenholme Station pickup