Windermere is the longest lake at eleven miles in length and a long history of boating, ferrying and barge working. The lake may have miles of unparalleled shoreline but it is nearly all owned by individuals with no access to the lake side. Tthere are some exceptions, but with restrictions.

A ferry service can take you almost anywhere on this lake. For those into railways, there is the Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway Co. Ltd. running steam trains with their own Picnic area, tea room and souvenir shop right next door to the excellent Aquarium of the Lakes, which is the award winning home for all those freshwater fish you will meet in the lakes - great for all the family and I personally recommend this for divers too. For those into rabbits take a look also at Peter Rabbit., where the kids will have some fun. If you find yourself at the northern end of Windermere you might want to leave the kids fishing for the big trout at Hawkshead trout farm.

No shortage of places to stay in and around Windermere town and plenty in the south around the Aquarium of the lakes.

For more details use one of the links here. Simply enter the name of this lake, village or town into the web site search window that appears. Hotels and Guest Houses Youth Hostels for Families etc.

The fastest and most convenient route for divers based at Carlisle or the south of Cumbria is: From the M6, come off at junction 36 and follow the A590 but watch where it actually peels off to the left - do not follow the sign posted "A591 Windermere" road unless you wish to dive Wray Castle (site 2).
Follow the A590 until reaching Newby Bridge. Note that you will notice the Windermere A592 road which you would use if going to Beech wood (dive site no 3). The Newby Bridge road junction is a "T" junction where you are turning right, off the main road. Follow the Windermere ferry signs and the Aquarium Of The Lakes sign. You will come off the A590 and onto a narrow road leading you over a single track bridge. The Swan pub is in front of you as you cross the bridge. There is a small road leading along the river on your left (the river Leven) don't go down this one. Drive up the slight hill and within two miles you'll be at the dive site car park, next to the Aquarium Of The Lakes. This site is correctly known as Lake Side.

For Wray Castle directions head for Windermere if in the south. For those travelling down, north of Penrith, take the A592 for Windermere. From Windermere town you are now just a just a few miles away from Wray Castle. You are looking for the Hawkshead road sign.

Longest lake at 11 miles.
Map not to scale.
Individual permission's required at each dive site. Details on site write-up document.
Max depth 50 mtrs. A sea level dive.

But before you get into this lake you may want to check on the spooky side first !

The big pike, trout, perch, eel, and the rare Bull Heads all live side by side in this lake. You can see all these fish during the day, but you'll have to dive during the dead of night to meet the big boys - Pike.

Clearer water compared to other lakes like Ullswater, Grasmere or Derwent. The main attraction here is the diversity of fish in this massive lake. Some of which are quite rare. Rock faces can be traversed at Wray Castle, and old coal carrying barges lie on the bottom at Beech Wood, whilst big predator Pike looking for a fight (not kidding bud) cruise around at night along the Aquarium of the Lakes site.

Permission should be sought from the warden for this lake. He/she may be able to warn you of any sailing races or other surface water sports occurring. Kindly note that Permission must also be obtained from the Ferry company when diving near the ferry piers and terminals.

Windermere Warden - Tel:- O15394 42753

Lake altitude at just 61 metres. So a sea level dive with Max depth within reach at 50 metres in this lake at the northern end.

Torches: Required when under the large ferries and for nosing around behind the ferry terminal's wood cladding at Aquarium by the Lakes, and needed if deeper than 20 metres. Notice: Please read site 1 Regrets!

Thermoclines: no strong effects have been noted so far.

If new to freshwater diving: this is a good introduction to the lakes with descent visibility for a lake and plenty of fish to see.

Furness Sub-Aqua Club branch are based in Ulverston.
West Cumbria branch are based at Egremont.
Kendal + Lakes branch are based at Kendal Leisure Centre.
Capernwray Diving Centre is also close to hand for specialist gasses and air.

Solway Sub-Aqua Club: Wigton based. Air compressor at Wigton.
West Lakes Sub-Aqua:Cockermouth based club. Air compressor sited at Cockermouth.

For more details see "Dive Clubs & Air" page.

Temperature is an average of 12 degrees Celsius.

Visibility: 3+ metres.

Temperature is 4 - 5 degrees above zero.

Visibility improves to 5+ metres.

Mobile Phones do work in all the dive site areas at time of testing. Do test your mobile for signal strength.

Public phones: are available at each site. Wray Castle has private phones but apparently no public phone.

For the latest on the weather: "Scuba Weather Report"

Nearest toilet: By Aquarium, also Beech Hill car park, but none at Wray Castle.

Permission and fees required for powered boats.

For Anglers; contact Angling Association.

Aquarium Car Park: costs £1 for 4 hours (not bad!!) - Aquarium site: Toilets are on railway station platform. Plenty of choice for food during the day.
Beech Wood site: car parking £1.4 for 2 hours - Toilets in the car park. with picnic area.
Wray Castle site: private property. No toilets or picnic area.

National Park Authority "Visitor centre contact listing"

For any other area under NT ownership you may contact the warden as above, or for the property manager - contact webmaster Paul for current phone number), or their HQ at;
The Hollens, Grasmere, Ambleside,
Cumbria, LA22 9SW. Tel: 015394 35599.
Or Email: enquiries(at)ntrust.org.uk

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