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
- Derwentwater, near Keswick
- Ullswater, near Penrith
- Windermere - read all about it in Boating
Steamer and launches 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
Lake User Guides and byelaws
To help everyone get the best out of their time on the water safely, we have produced Lake User Guides and other useful leaflets (opens Document Library) which give helpful information and include maps.
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 (opens Document Library)
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.
