Windermere Lake Cruises
The spectacular voyage gives you views of mountain scenery, secluded bays and the delightful wooded islands.
YHA Windermere
Windermere, Cumbria, LA23 1LA
Mid-week stays
20% off
HOTDEAL-196
This hostel is part of our latest hot deals. Offer subject to availability and cannot be used with any other discount. Valid on mid-week stays at selected hostels between 27th June - 21st July 2022. Use the above promotional code at the checkout. Book via yha.org.uk before midnight 7th July 2022. YHA members and save an extra 5% with our members only code. See full terms and conditions.
Overview
Overlooking England’s largest natural lake, YHA Windermere offers the chance to stay in an idyllic countryside setting only two miles from Windermere. The hostel is an ideal base for anyone wanting to escape the crowds, and perfect for activity breaks and family holidays, while children will love the large wooded grounds.
Relax with a drink on the terrace and enjoy good quality food from our restaurant and bar. We're now home to some colourful new tipis too, so you can wake up enjoying panoramic views of the lake and mountains.
Why guests love YHA Windermere
Accommodation at YHA Windermere
Food and drink at YHA Windermere
Things to do around YHA Windermere
Brockhole Visitor Centre
Take in the scenic views and gardens down to the shores of Windermere. See the house first created by William Gaddum, a silk merchant from Manchester, as his family's 'summer house'. Brows
Go Ape
Go Ape has several locations across the UK where you can climb and fly through the trees.
Hill Top (Beatrix Potter)
Full of her favourite things, the house looks like Beatrix has just stepped out for a walk. Don't miss the lovely cottage garden.
Lakes Aquarium
Watch otters swim from the underwater tunnel, stroll through the tropical rainforest and explore the seashore discovery zone.
The World of Beatrix Potter
Take a walk through Miss Potter's famous tales, complete with animatronics and walk-through scenes from her stories. Don't forget to exit through the gift shop!
Blackwell, The Arts & Crafts House
From the leaf-shaped door handles to the carved wooden panelling, Blackwell is an important icon of Arts & Crafts architecture. Visit Blackwell's website
Go Ape Grizedale
Fly 200 metres across the top of the Grizedale Beck and marvel at the forest canopy from 18m up a Douglas Fir. YHA members get 10% off outdoor adventures with Go Ape (all activities and locations,
Grasmere Gingerbread Shop
Enjoy the wonderful aroma of freshly baked gingerbread and sample the delights inside the tiny shop.
Walking and Rambling around Windermere
There's a great choice of high and low level walks in the area, from easy walks around the beautiful Troutbeck Valley to the high fells in the east.
Mountain biking in Windermere
There are miles of bridleways around the beautiful Troutbeck Valley and a challenging ride over Garburn Pass to the quiet Kentmere Valley.
Cycling in Windermere
The best cycling is out of season when there's less traffic. There's an endless variety of cycling routes from quiet lanes to high mountain passes.
Watersports in Windermere
Enjoy an afternoon on England's largest natural lake. There's a watersports centre on the shore of Windermere, only three miles from the hostel.
Troutbeck Village
A truly unique village, located in a lovely unspoilt valley, nearly every building is over 100 years old, and some are over 300 years old. Visit the Village website (Note: Not to be confused wit
Hostel facilities
- BBQ area
- Breakfast
- Contactless payments
- Cycle store
- Dining room
- Evening meals
- Extra-large garden/grounds
- Free parking on premises
- Games
- Garden/grounds
- Group meals
- Highchair
- Intermittent mobile coverage
- Lake view
- Licensed bar
- Luggage store
- Minibus parking on premises
- Mountain view
- Outdoor seating
- Packed lunch
- Restaurant
- Self-catering kitchen
- Shared drying room
- Shared laundry room
- Shared lounge
- Shared TV
- Sole use
- Vending machines
- Water refill station
- Wheelchair accessible
- WiFi
Hostel need to know
Reception opening hours: From 07:30 - 10:00 and 17:00 - 22:00.
Food and drink: Breakfast is served to guests daily from 07:30 – 09:00. Meals are also available from 17:00 – 20:00.
Self-catering: Guests have access to a self-catering kitchen.
Parking: There is parking at the hostel.
WiFi: Free WiFi is available in shared social spaces.
Dogs: Dogs can stay on our campsite and in our Landpods and tipis. There is a £5 charge per dog per night for our Landpod and tipi accommodation which is payable upon arrival. You can bring your dog for free if you are camping in your own tent. Pets are not permitted in the hostel accommodation at YHA Windermere. Assistance dogs are welcome throughout.
YHA Windermere - Access Statement
(PDF download - 54.33 KB)
YHA School Trips
YHA Windermere offers educational geography packages in association with the Field Studies Council. There are also a range of action and adventure activities to be enjoyed in the surrounding area to provide an activity break to your educational visit. The hostel provides group catering and has classroom facilities. Book your YHA School Trip.
Volunteering
We are very grateful for all of the help and support that our generous volunteers give to YHA. We are proud of our “Investors in Volunteering” accreditation and have a wide range of opportunities available across the country, all of which will provide great learning or social experiences and help us to create even more opportunities for young people.
Volunteering is a great way to meet people, visit new places, gain experiences and have fun. Full details of all of our various volunteering programmes can be found on the volunteering website.
At YHA Windermere, we offer the following volunteering opportunities subject to availability:
Please contact [email protected] or call 01629 592562 for more information.
History
The existing building at High Cross has been a hostel for over 75 years. Thought to be one of the first buildings in the country to be made of concrete, it was built in the late 1920s and opened as a hostel in 1935.
Originally intended as a private guesthouse for clergy, the present building replaced an earlier wooden building on the same site that was dramatically destroyed by fire in 1915. The owner, vowing that this would never happen again, designed his second house as a more sturdy construction of solid concrete. Known until recently as High Cross Castle, the building derives its name from a stone cross in the grounds.
Meet the team
Andy Partridge is the manager at YHA Windermere: "I have been working for YHA for about 10 years, worked at various sites and managed four hostels. I love what I do and I believe this shows in the way our hostel is run. YHA Windermere is a beautiful hostel, it is a tranquil, conformable and relaxing place to be. I love running, walking and exploring the amazing National Park."
Manager recommends: Windermere is the gateway to one of the most iconic valleys in the Lake District: Langdale. Both Great Langdale and Little Langdale offer amazing walks, climbing, mountain biking, picnic spots and great pubs. A full day linking the two valleys is highly recommended, taking in Blea Tarn and finishing in Elterwater.
