WindermereUnited Kingdom

Windermere is England’s largest lake, with spectacular views of the surrounding green hills and valleys. Pleasant villages with museums dedicated to the Lake District’s treasured writers surround the lake, which is 11 miles (17 kilometers) long. Rent a boat to visit some of the lake’s 18 islands.

Cycle along the lake’s perimeter and enjoy the serene ambiance. Find a spot for a picnic with a view of the water. Choose one of the many romantic cruises that take you around the lake. North of the water is Brockhole, the Lake District Visitor Centre, which has wildlife trails and intriguing displays.

Visit some of the quaint villages lining the shores. Ambleside on the northern side has rows of charming boutiques and cafés in Tudor buildings. Stroll through Bowness-on-Windermere to find the The World of Beatrix Potter™ Attraction, where the rooms and gardens depict scenes from her children’s books.

Northwest of the lake lies the village of Grasmere, formerly home to one of England’s greatest poets, William Wordsworth. See his former family houses at Dove Cottage and Rydal Mount and take a trip to the Wordsworth Museum.

Learn about the many world speed record attempts on the lake. Sir Henry Segrave broke the record in 1930 but later capsized and died of his injuries.

Expect fairly wet and mild weather in Windermere, with August the warmest month. April is the driest time of the year, while snow covers parts of the region in winter. The lake is up to 219 feet (67 meters) deep and just less than 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) wide.

The area is in the southeastern part of the Lake District National Park in the county of Cumbria. Ride a 1-hour train south from Carlisle or drive the 50-mile (80-kilometer) journey. London is 280 miles (450 kilometers) south. Get around the lake via passenger ferries and steamers.

Enjoy a Windermere trip with a mixture of relaxing cruises, island visits and strolls through quaint villages.