Lake Windermere and other Lake District National Park, United Kingdom Things to Do Tips

Lake Winderemere is the largest and I suppose the most commercialised of all the Lakes. Large pleasure boats cruise the Lake daily from Lakeside at one end to Ambleside at the other passing small islands along the way.
Lake Windermere is a great place for water sports. There are many cabin cruisers, yachts, canoes, rowing boats, jet skies and speed boats towing water skiers around the lake daily. Unfortunately there is soon to be a 10 m.p.h. speed limit enforced so I think that will put a stop to the water skiing which many people come to Windermere for.
If you do head up to Lake Windermere and you arrive in Windermere town you may wonder where the Lake is. Although called Windermere the town is not actually by the Lake. The best town to head for is Bowness on Windermere.

Leave a Comment

The South Lakes Wild Animal park is a conservation zoo located in Dalton in Furness which is easily reached from the Lake District area.
There are many endangered species kept here including sumatran and amur tigers, rhino, asiatic lions, spectacled bears and siamangs.
There is an open area where emus, kangaroos, wallabys and lemurs roam free.
One thing not to be missed at the park is the novel ways they have of feeding the animals particularly the tigers.
Meat for the tigers is placed on the top of 20-30ft wooden poles and the tiger has to hunt for it. It is absolutely amazing to see these magnificent animals leap effortlessly to the top of the pole for their prizes.

Leave a Comment

Website: http://www.wildanimalpark.co.uk

Although not the largest of the Lakes, Coniston water does have the longest straightest stretch of water which is why it has been chosen for several water speed record attempts.
Donald Campbell lost his life on Coniston water whilst attempting to break the record in his craft Bluebird.
Nowadays the pace on Coniston Water is far more gentle. There are no water skiers or jet skiers to be found only windsurfers and sailing dinghies. The only commercial pleasure cruiser to be seen on the Lake is the old steam boat Gondola.

Leave a Comment

Ullswater is a tranquil lake surrounded by high fells.
The Lady of the Lake is one of the small pleasure cruisers which sail along its length.
Glenridding a small township on the shore of the lake, became the focus of attention after the risque TV drama series the Lakes was filmed there.

Leave a Comment

I just had to include this picture of Ullswater taken a couple of weeks ago Feb 2004. The sun was just shining on the Lake and everything looked so peaceful.

Leave a Comment

Wast water is the deepest Lake in the Lake District and is over looked by Scafell pike which at 3206feet is Englands highest mountain. There is only one narrow road which runs up the north side of the lake but there are passing places and small car paks where tourists can stop for a picnic or to admire the magnificent screes which disappear into the water on the opposite side.
Wast water always seems remote to me but it is a truly magnificent place.
At the top end of the Lake there is a terrific pub, I think it is the King George IV, which has the largest selection of whiskies you would probably ever see. Great if you are a whisky drinker!

Leave a Comment

Once a mining town, Keswick now mainly caters for the tourists which visit year round. Standing at the head of Derwent Water and because it is within easy reach of the other lakes and fells, Keswick is an ideal place to stay when visiting the area.
Castlerigg stone circle which was built around 1400BC stands on top of a hill just outside Keswick and although it is not as large as Stonehenge or Avebury it is worth going to take a look.
Dewrwent Water itself is very picturesque with Skiddaw watching over it. There are a few small pleasure boats here to take you round the lake or you can hire small motor boats or rowing boats to do it yourself.
You will not find any power boats, water skiers or jet skies here as there is a 10 mile per hour limit on the lake.

Leave a Comment

Kirkby Lonsdale is a small market town on the River Lune and has one of the best Norman churches in Cumbria.
The famous Devils Bridge over the River Lune becomes a hive of activity at the weekends and buzzes to the sound of the hundrede motor bikes which their owners proudly show off.

Leave a Comment

Situated at the southern end of Lake Windermere on the Lake road, the National Trust owned Fell Foot Park is a great place to be on a summers day to just sit and relax or if you are brave enough-to swim in the cold Lake water.
There is a cafe to keep you fed and watered all day long and of course the ubiquitous gift shop.

Leave a Comment

Kirkstone pass runs from Bowness on Windermere up towards Ullswater.
The views from the top are spectacular looking back toward Windermere and Coniston.
As you head towards Ullswater the pass winds its way past Brotherswater and through Patterdale before reaching Glenridding.
The pass is usually closed sometime over the winter months when the snowfall has been heavy.

Leave a Comment