Top 5 Windermere Car Tours: A Lake District Driving Adventure
Planning a visit to Windermere? So, picture this: You, with the freedom of a car, discovering the most beautiful spots around Lake Windermere at your own speed. Very, that sounds like a wonderful idea, right? Anyway, I wanted to share a bunch of amazing self-driving tours around Windermere. That, these tours aren’t about racing, it’s almost all about seeing lovely views, visiting neat little villages, and experiencing the true heart of the Lake District. Really, whether you are on your own, with someone special, or a whole group, getting around in a car can make the trip a lot simpler. Finally, you are able to reach the most scenic spots while enjoying a super flexible visit.
1. The Classic Lake Windermere Circuit
We start, so, with the ‘Classic Lake Windermere Circuit’. Typically, this popular drive circles almost the entire lake, it’s more or less giving you sights of Windermere Lake’s glory from multiple directions. More or less, set out from the central Bowness-on-Windermere, and start going either way. Usually, the route offers lovely scenes right from the jump, almost like you’re being introduced to a movie. We see these cute views where water reaches shore and trees hang down. By the way, places for pit stops are frequent; pull over to enjoy calm spots for pictures or short strolls. Apparently, for those into history, you might want to check out Wray Castle – it has a story and the views are something else.
Honestly, carry on to Hawkshead that offers you glimpses of when Wordsworth lived around these areas. Basically, go enjoy its old-fashioned vibes and quaint little lanes! Just, for a break that everyone enjoys, the Lakeside town is just a little hop away. Okay, go spend a few moments over there to enjoy short cruises, the Aquarium or the steam trains for kids- both the bigger ones as well as their parents will cherish such lovely breaks. Typically, just by following the circuit, you will arrive where you began, so that will sum up almost an iconic Windermere driving loop.
Read our full review: Lake Windermere Driving Tour Full Review and Details. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Book Your Tour)
2. Ambleside and the Rydal Water Route
Here, it’s the scenic drive which blends both pretty natural beauty and history in a very engaging way. As a matter of fact, it commences from the center of Windermere toward the pretty town of Ambleside; then this route goes towards Rydal Water that looks like something off of a postcard. Literally, as the drive begins, you’ll be in total awe because that winding road provides beautiful glances out above Windermere. Obviously, when in Ambleside, you must drop by the Bridge House, as a matter of fact this charming tiny building really creates fantastic photographs.
When you proceed to Rydal Water, it will be like entering some more isolated section of Lake District’s nature. I mean, think about some moments when everything appears undisturbed! That being the case, this route makes stops for people willing to step out as well as maybe engage in light hiking that brings the walkers toward locations having exceptional vantage points from higher up. Right, resume ahead after soaking this calmness around Rydal, so then it won’t be so surprising if your camera keeps clicking- each shot will be picture-postcard worthy. So, keep driving back that makes a return trip into Windermere’s busier area. Anyhow, that is going to make quite the nice contrast when set beside Rydal’s calmer side.
Read our full review: Ambleside Rydal Water Tour Full Review and Details. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Check Availability)
3. The Kirkstone Pass Adventure
The next tour we look at, alright it is Kirkstone Pass. Really, if that name brings thoughts relating to ‘high roads’, ‘dramatic turns’, then really it paints just that image you get from exploring! Well, heading from Windermere, now begin toward what is known commonly as Lake District’s tallest road that opens for cars, that’s this Kirkstone. Literally, along this entire drive anticipation builds because views become broader that allow those open landscapes showing distant fells appear ever nearer whenever moving forward or higher still. Definitely, the excitement builds by the moment of coming to Kirkstone Pass Inn- definitely claim being Lake District’s heights!
At the top that’s reached now, seriously spend some moments simply enjoying everything around you. I mean, views here are stunning! As a matter of fact, looking out far off seems unreal so now this is picture-perfect location where time just flies right past when taking photos, as well as breathing a tad deeper from this lovely fresh, high-altitude air that refreshes your soul inside. By the way the road down from this height feels exciting – not only with downward bends, so too because vistas stay superb, it’s almost making safe careful descent extra pleasurable.
Read our full review: Kirkstone Pass Driving Full Review and Details. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Plan Your Drive)
4. Coniston Water and Hawkshead Loop
Picture almost this loop: Start off toward Coniston Water before it brings everyone around charming Hawkshead, definitely blending history, serene lakeside panoramas plus some captivating scenery for all people! You know, depart Windermere driving for Coniston, actually it won’t be so long. Usually, soon, the lake begins getting visible when one approaches close to it; its calmness could draw people over toward the bank for a break plus certain snapshots by calm Coniston. Still, those considering literary connections may be very drawn to visiting Brantwood- it formerly became John Ruskin’s house, basically including deep views over Coniston Lake, displaying parts out from his storied period.
Drive further as the road leads people onto Hawkshead with its antiquated structures, tight passageways plus that genuine appeal found nowhere else, in a way transporting people in another point through moments inside of Lake District. Alright, invest some pauses over this endearing area whether strolling through those pathways, maybe investigating local shops; actually the place invites slow meandering throughout their heart. More or less getting onto your loop brings people across scenic paths which really display far more surrounding nature plus gives a variety of camera prospects.
Read our full review: Coniston Hawkshead Loop Tour Full Review and Details. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Explore the Loop)
5. The Grizedale Forest Park Drive
And now let’s consider this: Picture cruising toward Grizedale Forest Park; definitely such tours focus around woodland environments in which artistic ingenuity matches nature-related excitement which makes people of varied persuasions intrigued from it. In some respects the journey starts getting toward peaceful roads meandering into this Grizedale terrain beginning out of Windermere region; naturally they get slowly soaked right into abundant environment- tree lined lanes. Usually, arriving into the center part that holds the forest brings fresh options – now just select among the many pathways leading round various sculptures spotted right between woods’ core.
Alright these drives welcome short diversions permitting those curious exploring a closer observation towards certain artistic parts shown around the Park areas – often bringing sudden finds down remote path spots too! By the way people enjoying longer strolls might park before then embark with just hiking shoes hoping investigating well-kept pathways stretching through deep stretches among woody tracts. I mean eventually winding far from that forest heart offers equally gratifying picturesque experiences just taking it casually with their open auto screens when the journey takes one across surrounding scenery that continues getting so beautiful constantly with all its perspectives while exiting almost at what might became beginning parts near Windermere itself. Finally, after all it summarizes one perfectly peaceful nature plus design infused day when done inside the region’s very top scenic sectors. So, Grizedale always presents one especially exceptional plus artistically full driven travel which has nothing quite just same wherever besides across the overall entire district’s many various offerings altogether! Literally it combines both culture including exploration so nicely during simple time allocated which then produces memories just getting easily reminisced just a tad sometime.
Read our full review: Grizedale Forest Park Tour Full Review and Details. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Visit Grizedale)