The 15 Best Tours in Windermere

1.Mountain Goat Full Day Tour: Ten Lakes Tour of the Lake District

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,717 reviews · 8 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $76Our pick

Spend about 8.5 hours touring the Lake District from Windermere in a small minicoach limited to 16 people. Local guides such as Peter, Graham, Tim, and Jane share stories as you travel through mountain valleys, past lakes, and into Keswick and Grasmere. Expect short walks, photo stops, lunch time, and a route that may change with road conditions.

“Fantastic Guide Tim - took us everywhere in the Lake District that every visitor should see + much more!! Very informative and a lot of fun along the way!”

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2.Beatrix Potter’s Half Day Lake District Tour Including Lake Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 334 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $120

Travel by small minibus from Windermere, cruise Lake Windermere, visit Beatrix Potter’s Hill Top when open, and explore Hawkshead and Tarn Hows. English-speaking guides such as Tim, Mark, Peter, and Stef add local stories about Potter, farming, geology, and conservation. On Fridays, Hill Top is replaced by the World of Beatrix Potter Attraction.

“Half day Windermere tour was excellent value for money and exhilarating, the shuttle driver cum guide Mr Peter (The Rabbit) was outstanding and human being par excellence. Starting with lake cruise , following all spots were interesting and were covered with efficiency. Thanks a lot.”

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3.High Adventure Mountain Passes & Muncaster Castle from Windermere

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 296 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $152

Travel from Windermere through Langdale, Wrynose Pass, and Hardknott Pass in a 16-seat Mercedes Sprinter. Your driver-guide shares local stories while you visit Hardknott Roman Fort, Muncaster Castle, its gardens and bird display, and Wastwater. Lunch and castle admission are included.

“Excellent trip, but it was very hot at the back of the car, wish the company allows to open all the air conditioning while it’s sunny day during summer.”

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4.Ghyll Scrambling Water Adventure in the Lake District

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 283 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $97

At Stonycroft Ghyll near Keswick, you will wear provided wetsuits and helmets, then walk to a natural gorge for three hours of sliding, jumping, climbing, and scrambling through water. Guides including Andy, Woody, Adam, J, and Justin lead small groups of up to 12, with free photos afterward and optional GoPro hire.

“Woody was such a great instructor! The whole experience was just incredible. I would highly recommend anybody do this!!!”

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5.Brilliant White Water Rafting in the Lake District UK

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 260 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $131

Meet your guide at National Trust Fell Foot near Newby Bridge for about four hours of guided rafting in and around the Lake District. James and the team provide the raft, wetsuit, dry jacket, buoyancy aid, helmet, paddle, and hands-on instruction. Bring swimwear, a towel, and old trainers with laces and good tread.

“Great guys running the experience - really went out of their way to make it a day to remember. Make sure to bring old trainers - they will get wet!”

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6.8 Lakes and Magnificent Scenery – Afternoon Half Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 206 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $123

Spend about four hours touring the Lake District from Windermere in a comfortable minivan for up to seven people. Expect Kirkstone Pass, Ullswater, Castlerigg Stone Circle, Derwentwater, Grasmere, scenic viewpoints, local stories, and a stop for Grasmere Gingerbread. Guides such as Tim, Gillian, Sandra, and Steve add history and humor along the way.

“We had a wonderful tour with Tim who gave us a good perspective of the region, its history and its nature and showed us lovely spots.”

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7.Coniston Water 45 minute Red Route Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 124 reviews · from $17

Take Coniston Launch’s Red Route from Coniston Ferry Landing for a relaxed 45-minute cruise, with commentary from crew members such as Dave, Nat, and Sean. You can stay aboard for the lake views or stop at Brantwood, John Ruskin’s former home, then continue exploring by boat and on foot.

“Amazing views from the water and info provided by Dave the guide. Really nice guy, didn't overdo it, just right amount as we travelled. My wife had issues due to a previous bad experience on a boat and was quite emotional but Dave and Nat the pilot were brilliant and put her at ease in no time. Very friendly and experienced. Overall a very enjoyable experience.”

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8.Coniston Water Wild Cat Island Cruise Yellow Route

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 74 reviews · from $19

Spend about an hour on Coniston Water with a guide who explains the lake, its history, Wild Cat Island from Swallows and Amazons, John Ruskin’s Brantwood, and the surrounding fells. The boat carries up to 46 people, welcomes children and dogs, and returns to Coniston Ferry Landing.

“The full boating experience was good from Start to finish,with stunning views surrounding Coniston water,and the host was very informative of the area.”

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9.Paddle Boarding on Derwent Water

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 62 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $115

Meet guide Woody at Derwent Water Jetties in Keswick, gear up in a wetsuit and buoyancy aid, then walk five minutes to the shore. Learn paddleboard balance and lake skills during a three-hour outing, with room for six people and views of local scenery and wildlife.

“Woody brought the gear and guided us through a really fun paddle experience on Derwent Water. With hurricane Agnes slowly making her way to the Lake District, Woody guided us out onto the water. The winds picked up by the end of the outing, but Woody had engineered our trajectory such that we were blown back to our starting point by the gently increasing breeze.”

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10.Private Family Bird of Prey Experience in Carlisle

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 51 reviews · 1 hour (approx.)

Meet Gary and the birds at Cumberland Bird of Prey Centre near Carlisle. In one private hour, you’ll learn about owls, eagles, falcons, vultures and kestrels, then handle, feed and fly selected birds with gloves and close guidance. Hotel pickup may be available from Carlisle.

“Fantastic experience ! Gary is so passionate about his birds and is a very good "teacher" as well. My mum was so happy having the birds so close on her arm. I highly recommend this experience if you are interested by birds and owls.”

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11.Mountain Goat Full Day Tour: Ten Lakes from Oxenholme

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 46 reviews · 9 hours to 76 days 6 hours (approx.) · from $75

Travel from Oxenholme by small minicoach for a full day among the Lake District’s lakes, valleys, passes, and villages. Your English-speaking driver-guide handles the roads and commentary, with stops at Derwentwater, Keswick, Castlerigg Stone Circle, Buttermere, and Grasmere. The route currently avoids Kirkstone Pass because of a landslide.

“Both Mike the narrator and Andy the driver were super excellent. The beautiful view points were made even more enchanting by the descriptions given by Mike and Andy. And Both were ever ready to answer all our questions. Many thanks to both.”

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12.3-Hours Via Ferrata Experience in Keswick

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 33 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $150

At Honister Slate Mine near Keswick, an English-speaking guide leads you through old mine tunnels and up a Via Ferrata route toward Fleetwith Pike, nearly 650 metres high. You’ll use ladders, bridges, rock sections, and a cargo net. Gear, lights, and parking are included, with groups capped at 12.

“Trip with a group of friends. Grammar activity and really friendly and helpful guide ! Would highly recommend.”

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13.Coniston Water Swallows and Amazons Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 24 reviews · from $22

Board at Coniston Ferry Landing for a 90-minute cruise linking Arthur Ransome’s Swallows and Amazons locations, including Wild Cat Island, Beckfoot, Holly Howe, Kanchenjunga, and the Amazons’ boathouse. Guides such as Robert, Nat, and Dave bring the books, films, lake, and Donald Campbell’s story to life.

“Absolutely loved seeing the hills from the water, rather than the water from the hills. Been to Ullswater boat, never Coniston.”

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14.Coniston Water Campbells On Coniston Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 21 reviews · from $22

Set out from Coniston Ferry Landing at 4:30 pm for a 90-minute cruise with live commentary about Donald Campbell, Bluebird, Coniston Water, and its notable shores. You’ll pass Pier Cottage, the launch site linked to Campbell’s final record attempt, and Brantwood, John Ruskin’s former home. Open and covered seating are available.

“The staff were friendly and the scenery was beautiful. However, the on board commentary was muffled and almost inaudible which detracted from the experience.”

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15.Rock Climbing in Keswick

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 18 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $115

Meet at the Lodore Hotel near Keswick for an approximately three-hour outdoor climbing session with MobileAdventure. Guides including Steve, Andy, Woody, John, and Dave teach climbing, belaying, rope safety, and possibly abseiling. Equipment is included, and routes can suit first-timers, children, and stronger climbers.

“We had a great morning climbing in Borrowdale with Andy. My wife was a little bit anxious as she hadn't climbed before and is a little scared of heights. Andy was very reassuring and managed to get her on the wall!! Andy was good fun and great with the kids. It was a really enjoyable family experience.”

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