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, The Boathouse | Bar & Restaurant (The Marina) and Cedar Manor Restaurant (Cedar Manor Hotel Ambleside Road) are great picks. For delicious green meals, Burlington's (The Beech Hill Hotel Newby Bridge Road) and SOURCE at Gilpin Hotel (Crook Rd) are recommended spots to get vegetarian or vegan food in Windermere.

When to visit Windermere

Windermere in October
Estimated hotel price
£155
1 night at 3-star hotel
Windermere in October
Estimated hotel price
£155
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 1h.

Train

AccesRail is the most popular train carrier serving Windermere, followed by Avanti West Coast. The train journey from Windermere to Liverpool takes 0h 31m and costs around £4 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from London, expect to pay about £35 for a 2h 06m 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 National Express, FlixBus and Megabus. From Liverpool, the bus ride to Windermere takes 45 miles and will cost you around £3. From Leeds, the ticket costs about £13 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 1h.

Train

AccesRail is the most popular train carrier serving Windermere, followed by Avanti West Coast. The train journey from Windermere to Liverpool takes 0h 31m and costs around £4 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from London, expect to pay about £35 for a 2h 06m 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 National Express, FlixBus and Megabus. From Liverpool, the bus ride to Windermere takes 45 miles and will cost you around £3. From Leeds, the ticket costs about £13 for a journey of 70 miles.

Airports near Windermere

Airlines serving Windermere

Lufthansa
Good (4,698 reviews)
KLM
Good (849 reviews)
SWISS
Good (954 reviews)
British Airways
Good (4,590 reviews)
Delta
Good (4,595 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (2,268 reviews)
Austrian Airlines
Good (491 reviews)
Air France
Good (981 reviews)
Iberia
Good (1,601 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (2,116 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (4,963 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (2,437 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (5,943 reviews)
Brussels Airlines
Good (227 reviews)
Finnair
Good (863 reviews)
LOT
Good (681 reviews)
Singapore Airlines
Excellent (923 reviews)
TAP AIR PORTUGAL
Good (1,172 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (819 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (833 reviews)
Show more

Where to stay in Windermere

Average rates range from around £120 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)
£189+
Yha Ambleside
1 star
Excellent (8.5, Excellent reviews)
£18+
Yha Hawkshead
3 stars
Excellent (8.5, 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 £40 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 £17.81 and £23.75. Economy (Ford Fiesta or similar) is the most popular car type to hire in Windermere, while also 62% cheaper than other types, on average.

Hiring a car in Windermere costs £40 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 £17.81 and £23.75. Economy (Ford Fiesta or similar) is the most popular car type to hire in Windermere, while also 62% cheaper than other types, on average.