Windermere Lake Cruises
The spectacular voyage gives you views of mountain scenery, secluded bays and the delightful wooded islands.
Overview
Overlooking England’s largest natural lake, YHA Windermere offers the chance to stay in an idyllic countryside setting only 2 miles from Windermere. The hostel is an ideal base for anyone wanting to escape the crowds, and perfect for activity breaks and family holidays, whilst 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
The hostel
We have 69 beds in total, and most of our rooms are 4 bedded rooms. The hostel is situated in 4 acres of grounds, and has a bar/restaurant and lounge area for guests to enjoy relaxing in.
Tipis
Get all the fun of camping but without any of the set up stresses with these beautiful tipis - part of the YHA Glamping experience. These spacious tipis are fully kitted out with bedding and can sleep four people on mattresses. They have a wooden floor which is partly carpeted and a lockable coffee table chest which you can store you belongings. There's also eco-friendly solar lighting and two comfy waterproof bean bags for you to chill out on during the day, as well as a woodburner to keep you snug. This cosy glamping option is perfect for those who love camping but not roughing it.
There are four tipis available at YHA Windermere and they are available to book throughout the year for stays between Easter and the end of October. Tipi guests have use of an external toilet and shower block and self-catering kitchens.
Bell tents
There are four standard Bell Tents at YHA Windermere, available to book for stays between June and October. These tents include flooring, beds, and basic furniture, plus bedding, and sleep four or five people.
Camping
Come and sleep under the stars and wake up to the best view in the Lake District. Our campsite is situated on an adjacent field with breath-taking views of Lake Windermere and the surrounding fells. Alternatively we have limited space at the edge of our gorgeous wooded grounds for those looking for a more secluded experience. Camping is available throughout the year.
Facilities
All facilities in the Youth Hostel are open to all campers with 24 hour access via a door code. We also have toilet and shower facilities for campers.
Parking
There is plenty of parking available - please use the main car park or lower car park.
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. Browse the shop and have a treat in the cafe.
Go Ape
Go Ape has several locations across the UK where you can climb and fly through the trees. If it's adrenaline fuelled family fun you're after then look no further.
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 Arts and Crafts House
From the leaf-shaped door handles to the carved wooden paneling, Blackwell is an important icon of Arts and Crafts architecture.
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. Visit the website
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.
Facilities
General
- Cot available
- Cycle store
- Free wi-fi
- Garden / grounds
Essentials
- Drying room
- Laundry
Entertainment
- Board games
- Library/Quiet room
Accommodation options
- Camping and Cabins
Food & drink
- Dining room
- Group catering available
Need to know
Check in: 15.00 - 22.00
Check out: Before 10.00
Open every day?: Yes
Towels and toiletries: Towels and toiletries are not provided but are available to hire or purchase from reception. Bedding is supplied.
Parking: A good amount of car parking is available at the hostel with an overflow car park for busy times.
Pets: Dogs can stay on our campsite and in our tipis. There is a £5 charge per dog per night for our 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 however, assistance dogs are welcome throughout, please advise upon booking.
Wi-Fi: Free wi-fi is available in social spaces.
Breakfast: Breakfast is served from 7.30am til 9am.
YHA Windermere - Access Statement
(PDF download - 54.33 KB)
YHA Exclusive Hire
Invite all your family and friends along to YHA Windermere and hire the whole place to yourself. To do so please visit our YHA Exclusive Hire website.
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.
Visit the YHA School Trips website for more information.
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 theVolunteering 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 Youth 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 Youth 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 4 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.
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