Windermere travel guide

Windermere Tourism | Windermere Guide

You're Going to Love Windermere

With a population of 8,118, Windermere is a must-see destination in England, United Kingdom. It is one of the most popular cities to visit in the country. Consider staying at least one whole day in Windermere to see all of its attractions.

Where to Eat in Windermere

If you’re looking for affordable options, Cedar Manor Restaurant (Cedar Manor Hotel Ambleside Road) and The Miller Howe (Rayrigg Road) are great picks.

When to visit Windermere

Windermere in November
Estimated hotel price
£158
1 night at 3-star hotel
Windermere in November
Estimated hotel price
£158
1 night at 3-star hotel

How to Get to Windermere

Plane

Although Windermere doesn’t have its own airport, you can fly to Leeds/Bradford Airport (LBA), which is located 62 miles from Windermere. Newcastle Airport (UK) is the most popular, with regular flights from American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific and other airlines departing from the United Kingdom. The shortest domestic flight to Windermere departs from Belfast and takes around 55m.

Train

AccesRail is the most popular train carrier serving Windermere, followed by Avanti West Coast. The train journey from Windermere to Liverpool takes 0h 52m and costs around £24 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Bradford, expect to pay about £16 for a 1h 24m trip. The train station in Windermere is called Windermere, and is located 0.1 miles from the city centre.

Car

Another option to get to Windermere is to pick up a car hire from Manchester, which is about 68 miles from Windermere. You’ll find branches of GREEN MOTION and DRIVALIA , among others, in Manchester.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Windermere, including FlixBus, National Express and Megabus. From Liverpool, the bus ride to Windermere takes 65 miles and will cost you around £9. From Leeds, the ticket costs about £7 for a journey of 70 miles.

Plane

Although Windermere doesn’t have its own airport, you can fly to Leeds/Bradford Airport (LBA), which is located 62 miles from Windermere. Newcastle Airport (UK) is the most popular, with regular flights from American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific and other airlines departing from the United Kingdom. The shortest domestic flight to Windermere departs from Belfast and takes around 55m.

Train

AccesRail is the most popular train carrier serving Windermere, followed by Avanti West Coast. The train journey from Windermere to Liverpool takes 0h 52m and costs around £24 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Bradford, expect to pay about £16 for a 1h 24m trip. The train station in Windermere is called Windermere, and is located 0.1 miles from the city centre.

Car

Another option to get to Windermere is to pick up a car hire from Manchester, which is about 68 miles from Windermere. You’ll find branches of GREEN MOTION and DRIVALIA , among others, in Manchester.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Windermere, including FlixBus, National Express and Megabus. From Liverpool, the bus ride to Windermere takes 65 miles and will cost you around £9. From Leeds, the ticket costs about £7 for a journey of 70 miles.

Airports near Windermere

Airlines serving Windermere

Lufthansa
Good (4,677 reviews)
KLM
Good (845 reviews)
SWISS
Good (950 reviews)
British Airways
Good (4,623 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (2,259 reviews)
Delta
Good (4,583 reviews)
Austrian Airlines
Good (488 reviews)
Iberia
Good (1,602 reviews)
Air France
Good (979 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (2,111 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (2,432 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (4,978 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (5,994 reviews)
Brussels Airlines
Good (227 reviews)
Finnair
Good (856 reviews)
LOT
Good (677 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (810 reviews)
Singapore Airlines
Excellent (935 reviews)
TAP AIR PORTUGAL
Good (1,169 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (837 reviews)
Show more

Where to stay in Windermere

Average rates range from around £122 per night for a double room in a 3-star hotel to £197 and up for a 5-star experience.

Where to stay in popular areas of Windermere

Most booked hotels in Windermere

Ambleside Salutation Hotel & Spa, World Hotel Distinctive
4 stars
Excellent (9.2, Excellent reviews)
£185+
Lakes Hotel & Spa
4 stars
Excellent (9, Excellent reviews)
£165+
The Daffodil Hotel & Spa
4 stars
Excellent (8.6, Excellent reviews)
£188+
Yha Ambleside
1 star
Excellent (8.5, Excellent reviews)
£18+
Yha Hawkshead
3 stars
Excellent (8.4, Excellent reviews)
£18+
The Inn At Grasmere
4 stars
Excellent (8.3, Excellent reviews)
£139+

Hiring a car in Windermere

Hiring a car in Windermere costs £41 per day, on average.

You’re likely to save money by hiring your car at the airport: locations in the city are, on average, 13% more expensive than at Manchester.

Expect to pay £1.49 per litre in Windermere (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your car hire, filling up the tank will cost between £17.85 and £23.79. The most frequently booked car type in Windermere is Full-size (Land Rover Range Rover Evoque or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Intermediate car hire (Honda Civic or similar) is, on average, 19% cheaper than other car hire types in the city.

Hiring a car in Windermere costs £41 per day, on average.

You’re likely to save money by hiring your car at the airport: locations in the city are, on average, 13% more expensive than at Manchester.

Expect to pay £1.49 per litre in Windermere (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your car hire, filling up the tank will cost between £17.85 and £23.79. The most frequently booked car type in Windermere is Full-size (Land Rover Range Rover Evoque or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Intermediate car hire (Honda Civic or similar) is, on average, 19% cheaper than other car hire types in the city.