Looking for budget stays in Windermere? This section is designed to save you time, money, and unnecessary stress. We've got insider tips to help you find affordable hostels and the cheapest places to stay in Windermere.
Windermere, on the banks of the lake Windermere, has grown to merge with Bowness-on-Windermere, but both are separate towns. The town itself is about a fifteen-minute walk from the lake, and it sits in a beautiful part of the Lake District. There is a rail station in Windermere and several buses that run throughout the lake district. There are places to buy groceries in Windermere, and Bowness-on-Windermere is not too far away, and neither is the lake.
Lake Windermere is a popular destination for summer-holiday goers, and so its advisable to make reservations at your Windermere hostel ahead of time (do this anywhere in the Lake District during the summer, especially on weekends).
There's a lot to do in Windermere, outside of the town itself. Lots of water activities, kayaking, canoeing, rowing, sailing, happen down on the lake. If you like hiking, take in the amazing sights of Cumbria with some walks through the rolling hills. Hop on the bus and travel throughout the Lake District to check out some of the towns, or grab an ice cream cone and wander throughout the town. On a warm sunny day, Windermere can be transformed into a magical place. Beatrix Potter fans can also delight in the World of Beatrix Potter Attraction in Bowness-on-Windermere.
Be warned, though, on the weekends and during school holidays and bank holidays, Windermere can get very busy, so if you'd like to avoid the crowds, best to go when it's not peak season, or at the very least, when it's not a weekend.
Written by Travel Expert Windermere
Emily Schreiber