Lake Windermere

As the largest natural lake in England, Lake Windermere is not only a hugely popular tourist attraction; it is also imbued with cultural significance and is an iconic symbol of the Lake District. Located within the Lake District National Park, which forms part of the county of Cumbria, Lake Windermere is what is known as a ribbon lake, which means it is long and narrow. It is only 1.5 km wide at its widest point, and is either 18.08 km or 16.9 km in length, depending on whether the stretch of water between Newby Bridge and Lakeside is included, which is a contentious issue. At its southernmost tip it drains into the River Leven, whilst it is replenished by various rivers to the north including the Brathay, Rothay and Trout Beck. The topography of the Lake District is characterised by rolling hills – known locally as fells – verdant valleys, and steep mountains, among which are dotted the lakes. Lake Windermere is no exception and its shores are surrounded by tranquil foothills, the occasional steep cliff and many beautiful walking paths. The area’s idyllic hills, lush vegetation, ancient ruins and old farm houses, along with the placid lakes themselves, are archetypal pieces of English scenery, and have inspired legions of writers, artists and travellers.    

The Lake District’s unique geography is due to its formation around 15,000 years ago at the end of the last period of glaciation. When temperatures rose following the last ice age, glaciers receded leaving behind wide, u-shaped valleys, known as glacial troughs, which can be seen throughout the Lake District. Lake Windermere itself was formed in this way around 13,000 years ago when two glaciers melted, forming the valley and filling the lake with meltwater. The lake itself actually has two basins, one in the north and one in the south, with distinct geological features. The northern basin is made up of harder volcanic rocks whilst the southern basin is made out of soft shale rocks. The Lake District is known to have been settled by humans during Neolithic times, since there is evidence of stone axes being used to clear forested land. It is thought that a crude stonemasonry industry formed around Langdale Pike, where stone was quarried and made into axes. The Lake District eventually became an area of settled agriculture and by the Roman era farming was established as the main occupation. The Romans had several forts within the Lake District, including Ambleside Roman Fort, which is on the banks of Lake Windermere itself. During the Roman era sheep rearing become the primary type of farming within the area, and it remains so today, although tourism has eclipsed it as the main economic driver. The late medieval period saw the introduction of coal mining to the region, but it remained largely agricultural and somewhat remote until the advent of the Industrial Revolution, and the development of the railways.

The Kendal and Windermere Railway was completed in 1847, opening up this previously isolated region to the world. It inaugurated the age of Lake District tourism, which centred on Lake Windermere, as well as other big lakes like Ullswater, Coniston Water and Derwentwater. The railways bought visitors in their droves, eager to experience the beauty of this relatively wild area. Tourism rapidly became a big industry, and continued to increase throughout the 20th century, as the railway was supplemented by people coming by car. Today the Lake District attracts around 12 million visitors every year, largely from the UK but also from China, Japan, Spain, Germany and America. The most popular attraction is the Windermere Lake Steamer service, which takes around 1.35 million customers per year along the length of the lake. This steamer service was first established in 1845 and it retains its historic roots, with ferries which date from 1891, 1936 and 1938. One of the particular highlights of a trip across the lake is the opportunity to view its eighteen islands. The largest of these is Belle Isle, which is also the only one to have ever been inhabited. It is home to the distinctive circular Belle Isle House, which was built by the Curwin family in 1774 in honour of their daughter Isabelle. Although the island is inaccessible to the public, the house can be seen from the water. 

Lake Windermere also attracts tourists because of the cultural importance of the area, particularly for lovers of literature. The Lake District is intimately related to the life and work of some of Britain’s greatest poets, most significantly William Wordsworth, who spent much of his life in the area and imbued his greatest works with its sublime beauty. Wordsworth was born in 1770 in Cockermouth, in the north-west of the Lake District, and spent much of his life exploring the area. He references the lakes and mountains continually in his work, most famously in ‘I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud’, which was inspired by a walk on the shores of Ullswater, and ‘The Boy of Winander’ – another name for Windermere. Wordsworth and his fellow Romantic poets Coleridge and Southey were known as the Lake Poets, and Wordsworth’s various houses remain tourist attractions to this day. Wordsworth even published his own guide book to the area, A Guide through the District of the Lakes in the North of England, although he did not approve of the construction of the railway, fearing the tide of visitors would disturb the peace of this rural retreat. Another literary icon, the early 20^th century children's author Beatrix Potter, lived in Hill Top near Lake Windermere, and set many of her famous Peter Rabbit stories in the countryside around the lake. Her home is now also a pilgrimage site, attracting tourists from around the world. The beauty of Lake Windermere and its surrounding area have inspired a host of other writers and artists, and continue to do so, since, despite the massive influx of tourists, this remains one of the most picturesque spots in all of England.