Our family’s first trip to Windermere changed everything.
Sitting on the bank of a stream with my feet dipped in its cold, clear water, surrounded by trees budding for spring — even with the baby kicking away inside me at eight months pregnant, I felt a kind of bliss that’s hard to put into words.
The only sounds were the distant mooing of cows and the occasional squeals of our toddler’s laughter at the nearby bed and breakfast.
I had no doubt in my mind that our four-hour drive from Northampton was worth it.
Since that trip nearly two decades ago, we’ve been to this small English town in the Lake District many times. Each visit only confirms there’s no place like Windermere — and I still dream of moving here someday.
The town feels like its own secret world, but it’s still well-connected and home to top-notch food and attractions
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Tucked between rolling fells (grassy hills) and England’s largest lake of the same name, the town of Windermere feels like its own world.
Home to fewer than 10,000 residents, it’s small enough to cross on foot yet expansive in feel.
The surrounding hills and lake feel quietly confident. They soften the skyline and set a slower pace, making it clear this isn’t a place built for rushing.
All of this gives Windermere a wonderfully quiet, oasis-like rhythm.
Despite feeling removed from the hustle and bustle, it’s surprisingly well-connected and close enough to reach without much fuss.
It’s a short drive from cities like Lancaster and Carlisle. By train, it’s three hours from London, an hour and a half from Manchester, and two or three hours from Edinburgh.
It’s also in the county of Cumbria, which has something for everyone, whether you want to partake in watersports and hiking, visit Scafell Pike (England’s highest mountain and a war memorial), try local specialties like sticky toffee pudding and Cumberland sausage, or just seek out some serenity.
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Over the years, some of our most cherished Lake District moments have come from serene walks and hikes around the lakes and fells of Windermere and nearby towns, as well as leisurely cruises and visits to the world-famous Beatrix Potter attractions.
And though many of its local cafés have small-town charm, this area has serious food cred, too. The Lake District is home to several Michelin-starred restaurants.
Even so, unlike busier hot spots, Windermere has retained its identity and sense of self. It is protective of its pace, its peace, its essence.
People here seem to look out for each other. They don’t just nod as they pass; they stop to chat and remember people’s names.
By 5:30 p.m., many shops and cafés close, while a handful of restaurants, pubs, and the local Sainsbury’s stay open late. Even at night, the town feels safe and calm, especially compared to larger cities.
I dream of living here someday
Many places are lovely to visit, but Windermere feels like somewhere that meets you exactly where you are, offering something for every stage of life.
After all these years, I still sometimes feel that same stillness I felt on our very first trip when I was sitting by the water and realizing we’d found somewhere special.
Each visit has marked a different chapter in our family’s lives, from being pregnant with a toddler in tow to returning with teenagers who now set their own pace.
Somehow, though, Windermere has grown with us, and I often wonder what it might feel like if we stayed a little longer. After all, there’s something comforting and restorative about living where nature is such a big part of daily life.
When I imagine where I’d call home in the UK, it’s not London, Birmingham, Manchester, or even Northampton, where we live now.
It’s Windermere … maybe once the children have grown up.
