Lake District Sports - The Lakes Themselves

Windermere in the largest lake in England. The product of glacial erosion, it has two basins or low points, seperated by a group of islands at it's narrowest point, which is just beside where the ferry to Hawkshead runs. The ferry capsized in 1635 and 47 people lost their lives by drowning. It's the most popular of the lakes in the Lake District, with the steamers of the Windermere Iron Stemboat Company serving the lake. Along the lake's shoreline are Victorian Mansions which were built for great industrialists of the time. Really over the top by today's standards, they have since been converted to wonderful guesthouses and hotels. Once upon a time, the lake was busy with commercial traffic, carrying goods to the railhead which was at Newby Bridge.

Vital statistics Length : 10.5 miles, Width : 1.25 miles, Max Depth : 219 feet

Ullswater is regarded by many visitors as the finest of the lakes. With Pooley Bridge at it's northern end and Glenridding to the south, it remains very unspoilt. Parking spots are quite plentiful down the A591 which runs down the side of Ullswater connecting these villages, but in many cases there's just enough space for a few cars. The road on the opposite side, down to Howtown is narrow and can be an ordeal in the summer months. There aren't many parking spaces and it's very difficult getting rurned around if you get beyond Sharrow Bay. The best way to get the best of Ullswater is to take the ferry from Pooley Bridge and get off at Howtown (about half way), then walk the rest of the way along the side of the lake to Glenridding.

Vital statistics Length : 7.5 miles, Width : 0.75 miles, Max Depth : 205 feet

Coniston Water was the lake featured in the 'Swallows and Amazons' books and films. Coppermines Valley above Coniston is a must see place to explore. Coniston also has it's own ferry services, which are quite extensive. The SS Gondola is still sailing on Coniston after originally being built for the Coniston Railway Company, as early as 1859. The eastern side is the place to park, with many spaces available on the shingle shoreline. Donald Campbell made his famous attempts at the World Water Speed Record on Coniston.

Vital statistics Length : 5.25 miles, Width : 0.5 miles, Max Depth : 184 feet

Bassenthwaite Lake is a surprisingly quiet lake considering it's close to Kewswick. It's known by it's shortened name of Bass Lake to local residents. From the A66 along it's western shoreline, there are fantastic views of Skiddaw across the lake, and fortunately there are some good lay-bys to park up in to get the camera out. Bassenthwaite is also noted as a good fishing lake. Ospreys nest in the forest near Bassenthwaite Lake and in 2004 they managed to raise a chick. A good place to view from is Dodd Wood.

Vital statistics Length : 4.0 miles, Width : 0.75 miles, Max Depth : 70 feet

Thirlmere was built as a reservoir in 1894. It served Manchester. It is situated to the West of Helvellyn range, right in the centre of Lakeland. In the early days, the lake wasn't open for public access, but this has now changed and there is good walking to be had along it's western side.

Vital statistics Length : 3.8 miles, Width : 0.5 miles, Max Depth : 158 feet

Haweswater is also a reservoir, but before it was dammed and flooded it actually consisted of two smaller lakes. It was also linked to Manchester by piepline in 1940. Haweswater sits in Mardale, and the village of the same name was submerged when the dam was built in 1936. The flooding of Haweswater and Thirlmere are often quoted when stories of council excess are told around those parts, and a considerable loss of community resulted. The village sometimes re-emerges in very dry weather. A car park at the south end gives access to the High Street range for driving walkers. The Eagles of Riggindale are worth looking out for.

Vital Statistics Length : 4.0 miles, Width : 0.5 miles, Max Depth : 198 feet 

Derwent Water is the lake next to Keswick. It hasn't been populated by wave-runners or speedboats and is regarded as a bit of a jewel. The Derwent Water launch is a great way to see the lake. Sometimes there can be a build up of moss and weed in the late summer months which give the appearance of a floating island. There can also be unpredictable squally conditions over the lake at times, no doubt due to it's surrounding topography. Catbells is prominent to the West, and south of the lake are the Jaws of Borrowdale.

Vital Statistics Length : 3.5 miles, Width : 1.25 miles, Max Depth : 172 feet

Crummock Water lies next to Buttemere in the same valley and it is owned by the National Trust. There are some great picnic spots along Squat Beck, and there are three car parks between Cinderdale and Rannerdale which give good access to the lake. Rannerdale Crags is the best viewpoint for viewing the scenery.

Vital Statistics Length : 3.4 miles, Width : 0.8 miles, Max Depth : 144 feet 

Wastwater is the deepest lake in the Lake District and is a little bit more mysterious than the others, primarily because it isn't as easy to get to, especially by car. Framed by some of the highest mountains in Lakeland, Wastwater is the 'dark lake', with the Screes on it's south east side racing to the waterline, and Scafell, Scafell Pike and Great Gable towering over all. The Wasdale Hotel is the only real watering hole.

Vital Statistics Length : 3.1 miles, Width : 0.5 miles, Max Depth : 260 feet 

Ennerdale Water is a really remote lake. It nestles, not surprisingly, in Ennerdale, in the North West of Lakeland. There is a path all around the lake and a good car park is available at Bowness Knott. Walks are also available in the the forest (there's quite a bit of Ennerdale that is wooded, especially on the Northern side) and some good hill walking can be had from Ennerdale in the shape of Steeple, Pillar and some of the Wasdale ridges.

Vital Statistics Length : 2.5 miles, Width : 0.75 miles, Max Depth : 148 feet

Esthwaite Water lies to the south of Hawkshead, and to the west of Windermere, to which it is connected by the Cunsey Beck. You can get to it by ferry from Bowness-on-Windermere, and it would make a nice day's outing to visit Esthwaite, Hawkshead and Tarn Hows as they're all very close to each other. There is however limited lakeshore access.

Vital Statistics Length : 1.5 miles, Width : 0.5 miles, Max Depth : 80 feet

Buttermere lies to the south east of Crummock Water, under the watchful eye of Red Pike and High Stile at the foot of the Honister Pass from Borrowdale. There is good walking and footpaths all around the Buttermere shoreline. Parking is a bit of a problem when it's busy (most of the time), with Gatesgarth and Buttermere Village being the only real alternatives here. The earlier you get there the easier you'll find it.

Vital Statistics Length : 1.25 miles, Width : 0.8 miles, Max Depth : 95 feet

Loweswater is a secluded, sheltered body of water, often passed by the visitor to the Buttermere/Crummock Water valley without really noticing it. The lake lies to the north west of Crummock Water, nestling between Burnbank Fell/Carling Knott and Darling Fell/Low Fell. It's worth a look, and you won't find it busy, as it's not as fashionable as some of the other lakes.

Vital Statistics Length : 1.25 miles, Width : 0.8 miles, Max Depth : 60 feet

Grasmere is a small lake, but probably one of the nicest places in Lakeland. It can be reached from the north by following the road past Thirlmere over Dunmail Raise, or from the south from Windermere. Grasmere Village is a great draw for tourists, and it's collection of souvenir shops and tea rooms should all be investigated. There's a nice shore walk on the west side of the lake ..... and then there's Dove Cottage.

Vital Statistics Length : 1.0 mile, Width : 0.5 miles, Max Depth : 75 feet

Rydal Water is only about a mile east of Grasmere, between it and Ambleside. There's not much lakeside access to Rydal, so it's best viewed from spots away from the road, and the prime spot is probably the slopes of Loughrigg Fell or Nab Scar.

Vital Statistics Length : 0.75 miles, Width : 0.25 miles, Max Depth : 55 feet

Brotherswater is a small lake to the south of Ullswater, next to Hartsop. It's normally passed on the way from Patterdale to Windermere, standing at the north end of the Kirkstone Pass. It was originally called Broad Water (although it couldn't be described as broad), and it was allegedly renamed Brotherswater after 2 brothers drowned in it in the 17th Century.

Vital Statistics Length : 0.4 miles, Width : 0.25 miles, Max Depth : 70 feet

Elterwater is a private lake on the way from Ambleside into Langdale. The Cumbrian Way takes walkers close to it's shore however, en route from Elterwater to Skelwith Bridge. Part of this footpath is through land owned by The National Trust. The size of the lake varies greatly, depending on the conditions, with a doubling in area quite possible in the wettest weather.

Vital Statistics Length : 0.4 miles, Width : varies, Max Depth : 70 feet