Holiday rentals in Windermere

This tiny community was once known as Birthwaite, but renamed when it became the terminus of the railway built here in the mid-19th century. People are often confused that the village of Windermere is not on the shores of its namesake lake. But the water is only a mile away and there are plenty of good viewing spots of Lake Windermere from the surrounding hills. The village now has a collection of independent shops, an upmarket grocer, and some lovely al fresco cafes.

Over the years, Windermere has almost merged with its neighbour, Bowness-on-Windermere. The Baddeley clock tower, a quaint and somewhat squat stone memorial, marks the point where one town ends and the other begins. It’s a good base for discovering the area’s gorgeous scenery, not to mention England’s largest lake, and it’s only two miles from the Lake District Visitor Centre at Brockhole, with its scenic grounds and wide variety of family-friendly activities.

The Lake District is one of the most beautiful year-round destinations in the British Isles. Spring is a special season, from the moment the region’s famous daffodils pop out of the ground in March to the time when its gardens and woodlands are in bloom. In May, Lake Windermere hosts two of the area’s best events: a boat show in Bowness and a marathon in Ambleside. In June, Brockhole welcomes the Great North Swim, one of Britain’s most popular open-water swimming events, which welcomes participants of all ages and abilities. The village of Windermere is at its busiest in peak summer. Autumn is another good time to stay in one of the area’s cottages, thanks to the fall colours that wreath the woodland in reds and golds, which are reflected in the lake’s still waters.

Queen Adelaide’s Hill

Join the sheep grazing on this rounded grassy mount for some wonderful views of Lake Windermere. It’s a short, gentle walk up from the Rayrigg Meadow car park; the only thing that will take your breath away is the vast stretch of water before you, ten and a half miles from end to end.

Holehird Gardens

Just 1.5 miles north of the village, this beautiful attraction combines woodland, meadow, and vibrant floral displays across its 10 acres of show gardens. It’s the home of the Lakeland Horticultural Society, and a great place to see the native wild daffodils that inspired William Wordsworth to write one of the most famous poems of all time.

Orrest Head

Famed as the place where a young Alfred Wainwright fell in love with the fells — and subsequently wrote the guidebooks that would bring millions more to love them too — this summit is a mere 239 metres high. You can see why it left such a profound legacy, though: Its views include a panorama of many of the Lake District’s best-known peaks, as well as the lake itself.