Windermere

Windermere is not only the largest lake in the district but also the largest in the whole of UK. It is one of the busiest sights in the district due to its excellent connectivity ever since the establishment of the Kendal and Windermere Railway's branch line in 1847. The long narrow ribbon lake contains 18 islands with Belle Isle being the largest. The tourist hotspot however is the Bowness-on-Windermere island. A small fishing village in the 19th century, this island was the centre of the boat-building industry that provided the sailing yachts, rowing boats and steam boats used on the lake. Mentioned as the lakeside town of ‘Rio’ in Arthur Ransome's Swallows and Amazons series of books, the island has a vibrant town centre. A quick tour of the island before departing for a cruise along the scenic lake is a popular option with tourists. Dating back to the Victorian days, there are several cruise options using steamers and launches. Most of the steamers have facilities like saloons, promenade decks, teashops and cafes, making the experience enjoyable. One of the most popular routes is the serene outing from Bowness that passes through tree covered islands and isolated bays.