The Lake District contains a lot of great towns, villages, mountains and fells, but it is named for its Lakes, and they are fantastic. Here, then, is our pick of the best of lakes – from the largest to the smallest.

WINDERMERE

Windermere (not ‘Lake’ Windermere) is the largest natural lake in England. It is approximately 10.5 miles long and 219 feet deep at its deepest point.

Its shores are the location of two lovely small towns/villages: Ambleside, featured elsewhere in this magazine, and Bownesson-Windermere, a popular holiday resort and a great centre for boating activities, with over 10,000 boats registered.

Windermere is one of the lakes in the Lake District where water sports, such as boating, canoeing, and paddleboarding, are permitted.

There are many non-water sport things to do in and around Windermere, such as taking a boat tour, visiting the World of Beatrix Potter attraction, or hiking up Orrest Head for a beautiful view of the lake.

ULLSWATER

Ullswater is the second largest lake in the Lake District, located in the northeastern part of the National Park. It’s approximately 7 miles long and on average 3/4 mile wide, with a maximum depth of 205 feet near the small village of Howtown.

The lake is famous for its fleet of steamers offering lake cruises with various stops along the shore, and it is also a popular spot for sailing with regular competitions and boat rental available.

Ullswater is a strong contender for the most beautiful lake in England, flanked by some of the Lake District’s most eye-catching fells, and it’s a great place for walking, hiking, and exploring the surrounding area.

Glenridding, located on the shores of Ullswater, is the largest town in the area and a popular destination for mountain climbers and hillwalkers. It sits at the base of Helvellyn, which is the third-highest peak in England, and offers stunning views of the striking Place Fell on the opposite side of the lake.

DERWENTWATER

Derwentwater is located 10 minutes’ walk from the town of Keswick (featured elsewhere in the magazine). It is the third largest lake in the Lake District by area, after Windermere and Ullswater.

The walk around Derwentwater is a beautiful, 10-mile route that passes through woodland and along the lake shore, with cafés and places to stop for picnics.

There are also various tours available to explore the lake and its surroundings, such as private hire tours, paddleboarding tours, and mountain passes tours.

CONISTON WATER

Coniston Water is a beautiful body of water and the fifth largest lake by area in the Lake District.

It also has a literary history. Arthur Ransome based his most famous children’s book, Swallows and Amazons, here, and locals have been messing about in boats ever since.

The lake is ideal for sailing, kayaking, and windsurfing, and there are several companies that offer equipment rental and lessons. Fishing is also popular, with brown trout and pike being the most common catches.

The lake is also home to the famous Coniston Water Speed Record. In 1967, Donald Campbell attempted to break the world water speed record in his boat, Bluebird. Sadly, he lost his life in the attempt, but his legacy lives on and the site of his crash is marked by a memorial plaque.

All this is watched over by the Old Man Of Coniston, a high fell whose name comes from a corruption of the ancient Celtic Alt Maen, meaning High Stone.

WAST WATER

Wast Water, also known as Wastwater, is a glacial lake located in the Wasdale valley, in the western part of the National Park.

It is the deepest lake in England, with a maximum depth of 260 feet, and is surrounded by some of the highest mountains in England, including Great Gable, Kirk Fell and Scafell Pike – the highest English mountain.

The lake is a popular destination for hikers and walkers, with many trails and paths offering stunning views of the surrounding mountains and countryside. The area is also home to a range of wildlife, including red squirrels, otters, and various species of birds.

BROTHERSWATER

Brotherswater is a small lake located in the Hartsop valley, in the eastern region of the Lake District, situated at the northern end of Kirkstone Pass.

The lake is surrounded by rolling fells and larger mountains such as High Street, making it a popular spot for hiking and walking. Visitors can enjoy a gently undulating linear route along the wooded shoreline of Brothers Water, past Hartsop Hall, through the Miles Without Stiles trail.

It’s a beautiful, peaceful place – most of the time. Kirkstone Pass is often used by the Royal Airforce to train pilots in low-level flying.

However the sudden loss of peace and quiet can be compensated by the awesome sight of a fighter jet flying below you if you’re on one of the higher fells nearby.