A 3-Day Itinerary: Windermere, Lake District
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Friday: Arriving in Windermere
After the drive up to the Lake District, we headed into Bowness-on-Windermere to stretch our legs and have a wander before checking in. Bowness is such a lovely place to start a weekend away, with independent shops, little cafés and restaurants lining the streets. We made our way down towards the lake, taking in the views across the water and the surrounding fells. Even on a cold winter afternoon, there's something incredibly peaceful about being beside the lake.
Afterwards, we headed to Windermere Boutique Hotel to check in and settle into our room. We unpacked, had a little time to relax and got ready for our first evening away. For dinner, we headed to The Angel Inn in Bowness-on-Windermere and finished the evening with some drinks before heading back to the hotel for an early night. With two full days of exploring ahead, it was the perfect way to ease into the weekend.
Saturday: Lakeside walks and a cosy country pub
After breakfast, we headed towards the western shore of Windermere for a morning walk. This side of the lake feels wonderfully peaceful, with wooded paths, glimpses of the water through the trees and beautiful views across to the surrounding hills. We followed the paths around the Ash Landing area, taking our time and stopping whenever the views opened up. It's a lovely walk for a winter's day because you get so much scenery without necessarily having to tackle a challenging mountain route. The landscape feels dramatic even when the weather is grey, and on a clear day the views across the lake are beautiful. There are shorter and longer routes to choose from, depending on how far you want to walk. We allowed a few hours to explore at a leisurely pace, although it's worth remembering that the paths can be muddy after rain, so waterproof walking boots are essential.
After a morning outdoors, a cosy pub lunch was exactly what we needed. We headed to The Brown Horse Inn at Winster, a traditional country inn with a relaxed atmosphere and a menu focused on seasonal ingredients. It's the kind of place that feels particularly inviting after a cold walk. We love building a pub lunch into a countryside day rather than treating it as a quick stop. It's a chance to warm up, take our time and enjoy the slower pace of being away.
After lunch, we headed back to the hotel for a quieter afternoon. If you're staying somewhere with spa facilities, this is the perfect opportunity to make the most of them. We always think a little downtime makes the whole weekend feel more luxurious.
For Saturday evening, we chose Henrock at Linthwaite House, a more elevated dining option overlooking Windermere. It's a wonderful choice for a special evening, with seasonal cooking and tasting-menu options in a beautiful setting. After a day spent exploring the countryside, sitting down to a memorable dinner felt like the perfect way to end the day.
Sunday: Orrest Head, village wandering and a Sunday roast
After breakfast, we headed out to Orrest Head, one of the best-known viewpoints in the area. The walk starts in Windermere and climbs through woodland before opening out to panoramic views across the lake and surrounding fells. It's a relatively short walk, but the views at the top make it well worth the effort. The route is around 1.7 kilometres each way. We allowed extra time to stop at the viewpoint and take in the scenery rather than rushing straight back down. The path can be steep in places, so sensible footwear is important, particularly in wet or icy conditions. If the weather isn't suitable, a gentler walk along the lake is just as enjoyable.
After the walk, we spent a little time exploring Bowness, browsing the shops and stopping for a coffee. It's a lovely village to wander around without much of a plan. There are plenty of places to browse, and the lakeside is always worth another visit, especially when the light changes throughout the day.
No winter weekend in the Lake District would feel complete without a proper Sunday roast. We headed to Storrs Hall, which offers a more special setting for Sunday lunch overlooking Windermere. It's a lovely option if you're looking to make a little more of the occasion, with traditional roast options and a beautiful lakeside setting. It's worth booking ahead, particularly during busy weekends, and checking the current menu before visiting.
Where to Book
These were the places we chose for our weekend:
The Angel Inn, Bowness-on-Windermere — a traditional pub serving hearty British food, ideal for a relaxed dinner.
The Brown Horse Inn, Winster — a cosy country inn with seasonal food and a welcoming atmosphere, perfect after a countryside walk.
Henrock at Linthwaite House — a more refined dining experience with seasonal cooking, ideal for a special evening.
Storrs Hall — a lovely option for a leisurely Sunday lunch with views across the lake.
BAHA, Bowness-on-Windermere — a good alternative if you're in the mood for Asian-inspired food and cocktails.
We'd recommend booking ahead for Saturday dinner and Sunday lunch, particularly during the winter months when popular restaurants can still be busy.
Our tips for visiting the Lake District in winter
Pack for all weather. The Lake District can be wet, windy and cold in winter, so waterproof walking boots, a good coat and plenty of layers are essential.
Don't overfill your itinerary. One of the best things about Windermere is that you don't need to do very much to enjoy it. A walk, a pub lunch and an afternoon relaxing at the hotel can make for a perfect day.
Book restaurants in advance. The more popular pubs and restaurants can fill up, particularly on Saturday evenings and Sunday lunchtimes.
Choose a hotel you want to spend time in. For a winter break, we think this makes all the difference. Having somewhere beautiful to return to after a day outdoors makes the whole experience feel that little bit more special.
Be flexible with your walks. The weather can change quickly in the Lakes. We always think it's worth having a shorter alternative in mind rather than committing to a longer route when conditions aren't ideal.
