Skip to main content
Group Escape HousesGroup Escape Houses home

Local area guide · Lake District, Cumbria

Group-Friendly Restaurants, Pubs & Things To Do in Windermere

Windermere is England's largest lake and the busiest Lake District destination, with a proper town centre in Bowness full of restaurants and pubs, lakeside walks and boat cruises, and endless fell walks starting from nearby Ambleside and Keswick.This guide is written for large groups — the restaurants and pubs set up for big bookings, the lake activities and walks that suit every fitness level, the nearby attractions, and how to make the most of a Lake District base that mixes accessibility with mountain views.

Where to stay in WindermereAdd an experience at the house

Where to stay

Group houses to rent in Windermere

Whole-house rentals on our books in and around Windermere — exclusive use, booked direct with the owner.

Bring it to the house

Group experiences at your house in Windermere

These six travel to any house we list, Windermere included. The host turns up with everything needed, so nobody has to book a table or a taxi.

Staying at Bannerrigg, Boston House, Alice Howe, Number One or White Moss? Give us the house and your dates when you ask for a quote and we’ll price it for that address, travel included.

Want something else? The full list is on our group experiences page, though some of those need a local venue, so check the area on each one.

See every experience

Eating & drinking

Group-friendly restaurants and pubs in Windermere

Places that can take a big table. Phone ahead and give them as much notice as you can.

  • Hensleys Restaurant

    Bridgefoot, Ambleside (5 mins from Windermere). Upmarket dining with Lake District views, known for fine cuisine and group-friendly service.

  • The Samling

    Ambleside (5 mins). Fine dining restaurant with a strong local reputation; does work with group bookings with advance notice.

  • Fellini's

    Ambleside (5 mins). Popular Italian restaurant, relaxed atmosphere, good for larger groups, does group bookings.

  • The Boathouse Pub

    Bowness-on-Windermere. Waterfront pub overlooking the lake, good food, lively atmosphere, good for groups.

  • Belsfield Hotel Restaurant

    Bowness-on-Windermere. Elegant setting with lake views, traditional Lake District cuisine, group-friendly.

  • The Drunken Duck Inn

    Barngates (near Windermere). Country inn with microbrewery, popular with groups, good food and real ales.

Menus, opening hours and group policies change — always confirm directly with the venue.

Things to do

Things to do in Windermere for large groups

Days out and wet-weather fallbacks that work for ten or more, from gentle to energetic.

  • Windermere Lake Cruises

    From Bowness Pier or Ferry House. Classic way to see the lake; various routes from 40 mins to 2+ hours, bookable for groups with notice.

  • Catbells Fell Walk

    4-5 miles circular from Keswick (30 mins drive). Iconic Lake District fell walk with stunning lake and mountain views; moderate difficulty.

  • Bowness Promenade

    Waterfront walk along Bowness with shops, ice cream, cafes and a lively holiday atmosphere; good for a stroll and people-watching.

  • Wray Castle

    Ambleside (10 mins). National Trust Victorian castle set in woodlands overlooking the lake; gardens and lake views, good for walking and photos.

  • Stock Ghyll Force

    Ambleside (5 mins from Windermere). Short walk (1 mile) to a picturesque waterfall in a woodland setting; perfect for a half-hour group outing.

  • Lake District National Park

    The entire area is within the park; countless walking routes from gentle lakeside paths to challenging fells, suitable for all fitness levels.

Check current tickets, group availability and access directly with the operator.

Good to know

Practical tips for a big group in Windermere

The big shop, getting around and the things worth sorting before everyone arrives.

Good to know

  • Windermere is the largest lake in England and the busiest Lake District destination; expect crowds in summer and school holidays.
  • Parking in Bowness and Ambleside can be tight in summer; arrive early or consider using parking on the outskirts and walking.
  • The lake and surrounding hills are stunning year-round; spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October) offer the best balance of weather and fewer crowds.
  • A car is useful for accessing fell walks and reaching quieter spots, though the town itself is walkable.
  • Book restaurant tables and activity slots in advance during peak season.
  • Restaurants, opening hours and attractions change over time — the details above were correct when researched, so it's worth double-checking anything time-critical directly with the venue before you go.

More local guides

Other group-friendly area guides

The same format for other UK towns and villages that work well for a big group.

Keep planning the trip

Once the house is settled, the rest of it — dates, the food shop, which experience to book, who is paying for what — is the part that usually drags. Our free group trip planner keeps the itinerary, the budget and the group in one place, and you can share it with everyone on a single link.

Still choosing where to go? Browse every large group house on Group Escape Houses, or look at Group accommodation in the Lake District.

Bring the whole group to Windermere

Exclusive-use houses, booked direct with the owner — no commission and no hotel corridors.

Browse group housesPlan your group trip