Windermere and Bowness

Lakeside attractions in Windermere and Bowness

Windermere Lakeside Adventures

Windermere is England’s largest natural lake, stretching over 10 miles through the heart of the Lake District National Park. This list highlights essential infrastructure for exploring its waters, including historic Victorian jetties at Wray Castle and Brockhole. It features major marinas like Bowness Bay and Ferry Nab, alongside specialized centers for sailing, kayaking, and motorboat rentals. These locations provide the necessary facilities for water-based transit and recreation across the lake’s northern and southern basins.

Windermere Lakeside Adventures — Map

Abbasi1111 / CC BY 3.0

A

Windermere

Windermere is a ribbon lake in Cumbria, England, and part of the Lake District.

Ian Gratton / CC BY 2.0

B

Pier 2

A primary boarding point for Windermere Lake Cruises located at Waterhead, Ambleside, serving the northern end of the lake.

C

Brockhole Public Jetty

Public access point for the Brockhole Lake District Visitor Centre, serving passenger ferries from Bowness and Ambleside.

D

Brockhole Jetty

Dedicated jetty for the visitor centre’s internal motorboat and rowing boat rental services.

E

Wray Castle Jetty

Victorian-style stone jetty providing direct lake access to the National Trust's Wray Castle grounds on the western shore.

F

Bowness Bay Marina

Central hire point in Bowness Bay offering a fleet of electric motorboats and traditional wooden rowing boats.

G

Windermere Quays Boat Hire

Facility providing self-drive electric boats and luxury cabin cruisers for private lake exploration.

H

Stoked

Watersports provider located at the lake's southern end, specializing in paddleboard rentals and equipment.

I

Windermere Canoe Kayak

Specialist center at Ferry Nab providing rentals for canoes, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards.

J

Brockhole bike & boat hire

Combined rental hub for bicycles and small watercraft located within the Brockhole visitor grounds.

K

Total Adventure Kayak Hire

Lakeside facility near Ambleside offering sit-on-top kayaks and stand-up paddleboard rentals.

L

Low Wood Bay Watersports Centre

Comprehensive watersports facility providing instruction and equipment for water skiing, wakeboarding, and sailing.

M

Lake District Boat Club

Private members' club established in 1941, providing facilities for motorboating and sailing near Bowness.

N

South Windermere Sailing Club

RYA-affiliated sailing club based at Fell Foot Park, focusing on dinghy racing and training.

O

Windermere Marina Village

Extensive marina development featuring private moorings, boat sales, and lakeside residential accommodation.

P

Low Wood Bay Marina

Private marina associated with the Low Wood Bay Resort, offering moorings and refueling services.

Q

Ferry Nab Marina

Public marina providing boat launching ramps, long-term moorings, and a lakeside sanitary disposal station.

R

Waterhead Marine

Marine engineering and storage facility at the northern end of the lake, offering boat repairs and maintenance.

Other Lists

Windermere's Absolute Essentials Top Guest Accommodations Historic Churches of the Lakes Scenic Outdoor Escapes Shopping & Crafts