rowing boat on Windermere

Lakes Activities Guide

We've produced a simple A4 Lakes Activities Guide explaining the activities you can do on the main lakes, we also unpack further information below. Please ensure you're aware of relevant speed limits and byelaws and to remember to Check, Clean, Dry your equipment to help stop dangerous invasive species from spreading between different areas.

Guide to allowed activities in our four navigable Lake District lakes

windamere map

Windermere

Contact: Lake District National Park: 01539 724555 or hq@lakedistrict.gov.uk

Ullswater

Contact: Lake District National Park: 01539 724555 or hq@lakedistrict.gov.uk

Derwentwater

Derwentwater

  • Swimming
  • Canoes, kayaks and paddleboards
  • Rowing/Sailing boats
  • Powered craft:10mph speed limit
  • There is no access to islands in Derwentwater
  • Derwentwater lake map (jetties, parking, facilities)
  • Derwentwater byelaws

Contact: National Trust, N West :015394 35599

Coniston Water

Coniston Water

Contact: Coniston Information Centre: 01539441533 or conistonbc@lakedistrict.gov.uk

Activities allowed in other Lake District lakes:

Bassenthwaite

Bassenthwaite

Contact: Lake District National Park: hq@lakedistrict.gov.uk or 01539 724555.

Buttermere

Buttermere

  • Swimming: yes
  • Canoes, kayaks and paddleboards with a permit
  • Rowing boats: with a permit
  • Sailing boats: No
  • Powered craft: No
  • Small lakes byelaws

Contact National Trust N West: 015394 35599. Season Permits: 01768774649. Day permits: car parks Buttermere CA139UZ, Lanthwaite Wood CA13ORT

Crummock

Crummock Water

  • Swimming
  • Canoes, kayaks and paddleboards with a permit
  • Rowing boats with a permit
  • Sailing boats: No
  • Powered craft: No
  • Small lakes byelaws
  • Season Permits ring 017687 74649Day permits available from car parks at Buttermere CA13 9UZ or Lanthwaite Wood CA13 ORT. Contact: National Trust, North West 015394 35599

Ennerdale

Ennerdale Water

  • Canoes, kayaks, rowing boats, yes but commercial groups, activity providers, groups need a permit
  • Sailing boats: No
  • Powered craft: No
  • Paddleboards: No
  • Swimming: No
  • Permits are available from United Utilities

Contact United Utilities, 01768 772334
accessnorthcatchment@uuplc.co.uk

Esthwaite

Esthwaite Water

Esthwaite Water is run as a private fishery, offering bank, row and motor boat fishing.

Contact: 015394 36541

Grasmere

Grasmere

  • Swimming
  • Canoes, kayaks and paddleboards
  • Rowing boats
  • Sailing boats
  • Powered craft
  • There is no access to the islands on Grasmere
  • Small lakes byelaws

Contact Lowther Estates: 01931 712577

Haweswater

Haweswater Reservoir

  • Swimming
  • Canoes, kayaks and paddleboards
  • Sailing boats
  • Powered craft

Contact: United Utilities: 01768 772334

accessnorthcatchment@uuplc.co.uk

Loweswater

Loweswater

  • Swimming
  • Canoes, kayaks under 4m with permit
  • paddleboards under 4m with permit
  • Rowing boats under 4m
  • Sailing boats and powered craft: No
  • Day permits from car parks at Buttermere CA13 9UZ and Lanthwaite Wood CA13 ORT.
  • Small lakes byelaws

Contact: National Trust, North West
015394 35599

Rydal

Rydal

  • Swimming
  • Canoes, kayaks, paddleboards no public access
  • Rowing boats no public access
  • Sailing boats and powered craft: No
  • Individual recreational swimming only.
  • Agree commercial activity with Carter Jonas.
  • Small lakes byelaws
  • Contact: Rydal Estates, c/o Carter Jonas land agents
    01539 722592

Thirlmere

Thirlmere Reservoir

  • Swimming
  • Canoes, kayaks
  • Sailing boats
  • Powered craft: No
  • Paddleboards: No

Contact:United Utilities: 01768 772334
accessnorthcatchment@uuplc.co.uk

Wastwater

Wastwater