Throughout the 19th and early 20th century, wealthy English industrialists built their summer retreats and vacation homes around Windermere. The lake, 10.5 miles long and about a mile wide, is still surrounded by their substantial homes, many now converted into guest houses and hotels.
Victorian steamers still cruise Windermere from Lakeside, Bowness or Ambleside and it is possible to cruise in an Edwardian steam launch, like the one pictured here, from the Windermere Steam Centre and Steamboat Museum.
In good weather, the Langdale Pikes range is visible, the first glimpse of the rugged fells to the west. Children's authors Beatrix Potter and Arthur Ransome are associated with Windermere.