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Family in a rowing boat on Windermere

Access to the Lakes

This is a simple guide to which activites you can do on each of the main lakes in the Lake District National Park.

Please make sure you're aware of the relevant speed limits and byelaws. And remember 'check - clean - dry' your equipment to help stop dangerous invasive species spreading between different areas.

This A4 print version just shows which activities are allowed in each lake.

Guide to activities allowed in the main Lake District lakes

Windermere

🏊🏼‍♀️ Swimming: Yes

🛶 Canoes, kayaks and paddleboards: Yes

🚣🏻‍♀️ Rowing boats: Yes

⛵️ Sailing boats: Yes, boats must be registered

🛥 Powered craft: Yes, boats must be registered and there is a 10 mph speed limit

Who to contact:

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

Ullswater

🏊🏼‍♀️ Swimming: Yes

🛶  Canoes, kayaks and paddleboards: Yes

🚣🏻‍♀️ Rowing boats: Yes

⛵️ Sailing boats: Yes

🛥 Powered craft: Yes, and there is a 10 mph speed limit

Who to contact:

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

Coniston

🏊🏼‍♀️ Swimming: Yes

🛶 Canoes, kayaks and paddleboards: Yes

🚣🏻‍♀️ Rowing boats: Yes

⛵️ Sailing boats: Yes

🛥 Powered craft: Yes, and there is a 10 mph speed limit

Who to contact:

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

Haweswater Reservoir

Swimming: No

Canoes, kayaks and paddleboards: No

Sailing boats: No

Powered craft: No

Who to contact:

United Utilities
01768 772334

Bassenthwaite

🏊🏼‍♀️ Swimming: Yes

🛶 Canoes, kayaks and paddleboards: Yes, Bassenthwaite canoe/kayak/paddleboard permit needed

🚣🏻‍♀️ Rowing boats: Yes, Bassenthwaite rowing boat permit needed

⛵️ Sailing boats: Yes, Bassenthwaite sailing permit needed

🛥 Powered craft: Yes for electric boats with a Bassenthwaite permit

Who to contact:

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

Thirlmere Reservoir

Swimming: No

🛶 Canoes, kayaks and paddleboards: Yes

⛵️ Sailing boats: Yes

Powered craft: No

Who to contact:

United Utilities
01768 772334

Wastwater

🏊🏼‍♀️ Swimming: Yes

🛶 Canoes, kayaks and paddleboards: Yes

🚣🏻‍♀️ Rowing boats: Yes

Sailing boats: No

Powered craft: No

Who to contact:

National Trust, North West
015394 35599

Derwent Water

🏊🏼‍♀️ Swimming: Yes

🛶 Canoes, kayaks and paddleboards: Yes

🚣🏻‍♀️ Rowing boats: Yes

⛵️ Sailing boats: Yes

🛥 Powered craft: Yes, and there is a 10 mph speed limit

There is no access to any of the islands in Derwent Water.

Who to contact:

National Trust, North West
015394 35599

Crummock Water

🏊🏼‍♀️ Swimming: Yes

🛶 Canoes, kayaks and paddleboards: Yes, with a permit

🚣🏻‍♀️ Rowing boats: Yes, with a permit

Sailing boats: No

Powered craft: No

Season Permits ring 017687 74649.  
Day permits are available from the car parks at Buttermere CA13 9UZ and Lanthwaite Wood CA13 ORT.

Who to contact:

National Trust, North West
015394 35599

Ennerdale Water

Swimming: No

🛶 Canoes, kayaks and paddleboards: Yes. Commercial groups, activity providers and large groups need a permit.

🚣🏻‍♀️ Rowing boats: Yes. Commercial groups, activity providers and large groups need a permit.

Sailing boats: No

Powered craft: No

Permits are available from United Utilities

Who to contact:

United Utilities
01768 772334

Esthwaite Water

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

015394 36541

Buttermere

🏊🏼‍♀️ Swimming: Yes

🛶 Canoes, kayaks and paddleboards: Yes, with a permit

🚣🏻‍♀️ Rowing boats: Yes, with a permit

Sailing boats: No

Powered craft: No

Season Permits ring 017687 74649.  
Day permits are available from the car parks at Buttermere CA13 9UZ and Lanthwaite Wood CA13 ORT.

Who to contact:

National Trust, North West
015394 35599

Loweswater

🏊🏼‍♀️ Swimming: Yes

🛶 Canoes, kayaks and paddleboards: Yes, under 4 m with a permit

🚣🏻‍♀️ Rowing boats: Yes, under 4 m

Sailing boats: No

Powered craft: No

Day permits are available from the car parks at Buttermere CA13 9UZ and Lanthwaite Wood CA13 ORT.

Who to contact:

National Trust, North West
015394 35599

Grasmere

🏊🏼‍♀️ Swimming: Yes

🛶 Canoes, kayaks and paddleboards: Yes

🚣🏻‍♀️ Rowing boats: Yes

Sailing boats: No

Powered craft: No

Who to contact:

Lowther Estates
01931 712577

Rydal

🏊🏼‍♀️ Swimming: Yes

🛶 Canoes, kayaks and paddleboards: No public access

🚣🏻‍♀️ Rowing boats: No public access

Sailing boats: No

Powered craft: No

  • Individual recreational swimming only. All commercial activity to be agreed with Carter Jonas.
  • Small lakes byelaws

Who to contact:

Rydal Estates, c/o Carter Jonas land agents
01539 722592