There’s a reason so many people head to Windermere during the summer. It’s England’s largest natural lake, surrounded by breathtaking fells, walking routes, and some of the finest places to relax and eat in the country.
But if you’ve ever found yourself stuck in crowds around Bowness, you’ll know it doesn’t always feel as peaceful as you’d expect. The easiest way to change that? Go out on the water.
Hiring a boat, even for just an hour, completely changes your day. It’s calmer, more personal, and gives you a side of Windermere most people miss.
Here’s how to plan a day that actually lives up to it.
Start Slow: A Proper Lake District Morning
Before thinking about getting on the water, it’s nice to ease into the day.
Grab a coffee, take a short walk, or explore a few nearby spots around Windermere and Bowness. It helps you get your bearings and sets the tone before things get busier.
If you’re not sure where to start, take a look at our guide to things to do in windermere. It’s perfect if you want to build out a full day around your time on the lake.
If you’ve got time, we recommend visiting Windermere Jetty Museum as it will add a bit of context to the lake before heading out onto it.
Lake Morning: Get Out on the Water
This is where the day really shifts! Hiring a boat around late morning gives you a nice balance, the lake has come to life, but it’s not at peak busyness yet.
If you want to ease your way into getting on the lake, our private boat hire is great for you and your friends and family. It keeps things simple, you’ve got your own space, your own pace, and you’re not tied to anyone else’s schedule.
An early morning trip out on the lake is one of our favourites. This is when the contrast of being on land compared with the serenity of the lake really hits you.
Whether you’re just looking for a relaxed cruise or something more hands-on, like wakesurfing, our team will make the experience feel easy and ensure you’re well looked after.
Our sessions are run by our owners Ed and Tony, who are also BWSW instructors (British Water Ski & Wakeboard) and who know the lake inside out!
If you’re unsure how long to book your boat hire for, most people find that once they’re out there, time goes quickly and they wish they’d gone for a little longer.
Early Afternoon: Keep It Chill… or Mix It Up
Whatever time of day you decide to hire the boat, you don’t need a strict plan.
Cruise, stop, take photos, have a drink, it’s one of those experiences that works best when you don’t overthink it.
A big part of that comes down to the boat itself. Our partnership with Nautique means you can ensure you will get the best of the best. With premium Nautique boats, the whole experience feels effortless.
There’s plenty of space to stretch out, comfortable luxury seating, and onboard coolers to keep drinks chilled while you’re out on the lake.
It’s less like hiring a boat, more like having your own space on the lake for a few hours.
Whether you’re sat back enjoying the views with a few drinks or dipping your toes in the lake off the edge of the boat, everything feels smooth, spacious, and easy, exactly what you want from time on the water.
But for some people, that relaxed start naturally turns into something a bit more active. That’s where wakesurfing comes in.
If you’ve never tried it before, it’s a lot more accessible than it looks and the perfect sport for beginners. Sessions are tailored around your group, so you can take it at your own pace. Read all about how Claire decided to wakesurf for the first time for her 40th birthday.
You can also get a feel for what it’s like by visiting our Instagram.
A Quick Note on Safety
Spending time on the lake is straightforward, but it’s always worth knowing the basics.
Whether you’re wakesurfing or simply relaxing on the boat, we’ll run through everything with you, from how to stay safe on board to what to expect, so you can feel comfortable from the moment you step on board.
Like any natural body of water, conditions can vary. We stay up to date with all available information and use this, alongside our on-the-water experience to make informed decisions.
If you’d like to know more, take a look at our FAQs.
Late Afternoon: Wind Things Down
After some time on the water, it’s nice to slow things back down again. You could:
- Head back into Bowness for food or a drink. Here you’ll find all of the places we recommend to eat at.
- Take a lakeside walk.
- Or keep things going with something more low-key, like a lake cruise or scenic boat trip
If you’re still out on the water later in the day, a summer sunset on Windermere is hard to beat. The sun reflects on the water, the lake quietens down, and everything feels that bit more relaxed – it’s a completely different atmosphere compared to the middle of the day. If its tranquility you’re after, this is the perfect time of day to be on the lake!
We know a few secret spots where you can enjoy the scenery, too.
A Friendly, Welcoming Experience from Start to Finish
One thing people often don’t expect, but always comment on, is just how welcoming the whole experience feels. From the moment you arrive, everything is relaxed, easy, and genuinely friendly.
Whether you’re completely new to being on the water or you’ve done it all before, there’s no pressure, just a team that wants you to enjoy your time on the lake.
Ed and Tony bring that balance really well. As qualified BWSW instructors, they know their stuff, but more importantly, they make everything feel approachable and enjoyable.
It’s the kind of experience where you can just settle in, feel looked after, and enjoy the day without overthinking it.
Take a look at our Google Reviews.
Why This Kind of Day Works So Well
What makes Windermere special isn’t just one activity, it’s how easily everything fits together. You can go from a quiet morning walk to being out on the water, to trying something completely new, all in the same day.
And when everything’s taken care of, the boat, the setup, the guidance, it just makes the whole experience feel effortless. If you’re planning a trip, it’s one of those experiences that’s well worth booking in advance as weekends get busy, especially during the summer months.
