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Water

With over sixteen lakes and numerous tarns in the Lake District plus a stretch of coastline there's plenty of opportunity to go rowing, sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, fishing or simply splash about on the shore.

Hire boats

The following lakes all have watersport centres, and places where you can hire boats, including rowing boats and electric boats:

• Coniston - check out the Coniston Boating Centre
• Windermere - during the summer Brockhole - The Lake District Visitor Centre (opens in new window) runs watersports. There's also more details about the rest of the lake in the Boating page.
• Derwentwater, near Keswick
• Ullswater, near Penrith

Steamer and launch trips

These are a great way to get a different view without any effort! All links open in a new window:

• Coniston Launch and the National Trust's "Gondola"
• Keswick Launch Company on Derwentwater
• Ullswater Steamers
• Windermere Lake Cruises

Useful leaflets

Lake maps

• Coniston Water map (PDF)
• Derwentwater map (PDF)
• Ullswater map (PDF)
• Windermere map (PDF)

Lake user guides

These help everyone get the best out of their time on the water safely:

• Bassenthwaite Lake User Guide page 1 (PDF) and Bassenthwaite Lake User Guide page 2 (PDF)
• Coniston Water Lake User Guide (PDF)
• Derwentwater Lake User Guide (PDF)
• Ullswater Lake User Guide (PDF)
• Windermere Lake User Guide (PDF)

Byelaws

You can also read the Byelaws for the various lakes.

The coast

The coast, from Seascale to Millom, is quite different to the rest of the National Park.

Here you can enjoy dramatic views across open sea and into the high fells. Where the rivers of the western Lake District meet the sea there are dunes and estuaries rich with sea life and the birds which feed on it. There are lots of places where you can launch anything from a windsurfer to a small boat.

Find out more in our The Coast of the Lake District National Park leaflet (PDF)

Want even more visitor information?

Visit Golakes (opens in new window), the official website of the tourist board for The Lake District and Cumbria. Browse and book accommodation and attractions online and see what's on in the area.