Formed in a glacial trough, running north-south after the ice retreated around 12,000 years ago, the famous lake measures 18 kilometres in length, derives its name from a blend of the Old Norse place-name 'Vinandr' and an Old English word 'mere' meaning lake.
The word "Windermere" is thought to translate as "Winand or Vinand's lake". The specific has usually been identified with an Old Swedish personal name Vinandr. The other possibility is for a Continental Germanic name Wīnand. The second element is Old English 'mere', meaning 'lake' or 'pool'.
Birth of the Name: The name "Windermere" is thought to derive from the Old Norse "Vinandr's Mere," with "mere" meaning "lake" or "pool." This highlights the area's Viking roots and its connection to the Norse settlers who lived here centuries ago.
Although there are 8 bigger lakes in the Lake District in terms of square kilometres, Wastwater is the deepest lake in England with a staggering depth of 243 feet. That's the equivalent of 121 and a half uncoiled Cumberland sausages!
Before 1974, the lake lay wholly within the county of Westmorland; however, the historic county boundary between Lancashire and Westmorland runs down the western shore of the lake and also along about three miles (5 km) of the southern section of the eastern shore.
Save Windermere was established in 2021 after the Environment Agency reported that the sewage-treatment plant at Ambleside had legally discharged untreated sewage into Windermere for more than 1,700 hours during 2020.
Ullswater is thought by many to be the most beautiful of the Lake District lakes. Stretching for 11.8km in a long ribbon, it's home to some of the best walking in the national park. Imposing Helvellyn towers over the lake, with the dramatic ridge of Striding Edge forming part of its most popular walking route.
Sewage spills affect Lake Windermere. In 2024, United Utilities released untreated waste on over 140 days, with similar issues this year. This leads to high bacteria levels, especially in summer. The Big Windermere Survey found poor bathing quality across most of the lake from June to September.
Buttermere. 'The Lake of the Dairy Pastures'. There are few places so beautiful in this world as Buttermere and no surprise that it is considered by many to be the most picturesque of the 16 main bodies of water. Listen for the sound of running water.
Was Harry Potter filmed at the Lake District? It is easy to imagine that scenes from Harry Potter could have used filming locations in the Lake District, but it's not the case. The films have used locations across the UK, including the Yorkshire Dales National Park, Alnwick Castle and the famous Glenfinnan viaduct.
Lady Windermere is the play's protagonist. She is 21 years old and has been married for two years to Lord Windermere, with whom she has a six-month-old son. Lady Windermere adores her husband and reveres the memory of her mother, whom she believes died when Lady Windermere was a baby.
Ambleside's name is derived from the Old Norse “Á-mel-sǽtr,” meaning “river – sandbank – summer pasture.” The Vikings settled in the area around the 9th century, and the town grew as a centre for farming and trade.
What is the most expensive house in the Lake District?
The Town Head estate in Windermere goes on sale for £5.95 million. In a region full of remarkable properties, Town Head House and its 105 acre estate stands out from the crowd and not just because, at £5.95 million, it is thought to be the most expensive property on sale in the Lake District.
Bassenthwaite Lake. If you head west out of Keswick towards Cockermouth via the busy A66 you'll drive alongside Bassenthwaite Lake - the only true 'lake' in the Lake District as all the others in the Lake District are meres or waters.
Among the most common fish are Arctic charr, a species that has lived here since the last Ice Age, along with brown trout, perch, pike, and roach. The lake's clean, deep waters also provide the perfect habitat for rarer species such as schelly, an ancient freshwater whitefish found only in a few Cumbrian lakes.
Lake Windermere is the largest lake in the Lake District at 14.8 square kilometres, and the largest natural lake in England. It has been one of the country's most popular places for holidays since the Kendal and Windermere railway branch line arrived in 1847.
Bowness-on-Windermere is located right in the heart of the Lake District, on the banks of England's biggest lake, attracting millions of tourists each year. But if you've never visited us before, why should 2020 be the year that you discover this beautiful lakeside town for yourself?
The findings show much of the lake's shoreline in the north-west, north-east and south-west areas in summer were only consistent with standards for "poor" bathing water quality. But the data shows overall Windermere's levels of bacteria have a "good" water quality rating through spring, autumn and winter.
