Windermere

[Revilo]

Dear all,

At the start of the new season we are wondering where to moor our Broom 395 for 2016.

Ideally we would like to be able to get there in an hour or so from North Manchester and wonder if anyone has any good suggestions for a decent family Marina/sailing area?

Last year we moored the boat at York but found the Ouse very boring and limited in places to stay, York was nice but not every week and heading downstream its a long way to the Humber but we did enjoy a few days at Hull before our trip around the east coast to Lowestoft and the Norfolk Broads.

One option we are considering is morning at Windermere for a year - do any have you have any experience of windermere or are currently moored there?

Many thanks

Lee

 

[Bbroomlea]

We have been moored on Windermere for the last 6 seasons and try and boat all year round - anything you want to know ask away

 

[Revilo]

We have been moored on Windermere for the last 6 seasons and try and boat all year round - anything you want to know ask away

Hi thanks for getting in touch - what kind boat are you using, how do you find the cruising area being land locked, how about places to stop when away from the Marina? Is the speed limit still 5mph?

Given you've been there six seasons I assume you would recommend it?

Many thanks

Lee

 

[julians]

Would have thought youd get bored very quickly on Windermere, its very small.

We used to have a 17 foot speedboat on the lake,the lake was good for watersports,but wouldnt be much good for cruising - imo

 

[Bbroomlea]

Hi thanks for getting in touch - what kind boat are you using, how do you find the cruising area being land locked, how about places to stop when away from the Marina? Is the speed limit still 5mph?

Given you've been there six seasons I assume you would recommend it?

Many thanks

Lee

Hi Lee

We have a Sealine S28 currently, previously a S24

The speed limit is an on going bug bear for many - most of the lake is restricted to 10knots, with 6 knots around Bowness Bay and at each end of the lake (Waterhead and Lakeside). Often 10knots can be exceeded if you so wished - its a big lake with one ranger!

In terms of marina's you really have two main choices - either Windermere Marina Village or Aquatics Marine. Both are in Bowness so ideal for travelling north or south. There are other moorings at Whitecross Bay and Low Wood Bay. These are quite exposed to the lake, which can get very rough, so boats need to be out of the water from November to March. We are at WMV and quite happy where we are.

Once away from the marina there are a few choices:
- Ambleside - public jetties (max boats 2-4) and numerous public mooring buoys (dinghy needed to get to shore)
- Ambleside - Wateredge Inn and YHA jetty.
- Rayrigg - on the East shore mid lake. Very tranquil outside of school hols. Not much there but good walks and amazing scenery
- Bowness - public jetties - approx 6-10 boats depending on water height and selfishness of others!
- Fell Foot - south of lake owned by National trust - a few moorings but not many
- Lakeside Hotel - south of lake on east shore. Lovely hotel but very expensive!
- Two other west shore moorings - one south one north with access to shore. Not a lot there though but nice and quiet
- Many many secluded anchorages around the lake. most are north but some south. Lots of choice either side and direction so you can get out of any wind.

Whilst you shouldnt stay on public jetties overnight many do and as long as you dont pitch up for days on end its not an issue.

There are other moorings dotted around the lake leading to mainly hotels (4 or 5 of those) and most of the marinas have public jetties too.

If you like extensive cruising, an adventure and weeks away in different places then 10 miles may not be enough for you. Having said that we regularly disappear for 3-4 days at a time without returning to base, sometimes longer. There is plenty to do on shore and some great bays to anchor and moorings to pass the time away with amazing scenery. We have had some fantastic evenings and subsequent early mornings 'on the hook'. However, if it takes your fancy or the weather is bad then stay in the marina and get out and about and explore the lake district - loads and loads to see and do!

Also should you wish, many fellow boaters are a friendly bunch and regularly during the summer there are raft up's in the afternoon and evening for a few beers, wine or whatever you wish to put in a glass

A Broom would be a rare sight on the lake too - there are a few dotted around but not many - although more and more similar styles are turning up now that charging about at 30 knots everywhere is not really possible!

Anything else please ask away.

Greg

 

[Bojangles]

An interesting thread, lake/loch or coastal waters? I spent many years on Loch Lomond which is the UKs largest fresh water loch but mainly with a sportsboat, waterskiing etc,. To me, it has to be in the sea, we regularly see dolphin, seals, occasional basking sharks, minke whale etc and we enjoy an extended cruising ground with no limits. Depends on what you want from your boat, the lakes are very restrictive, if you were bored on the Ouse, I don't think a lake is your answer. I'm based at a fairly remote marina in summer that is a 2 hour drive for me, but many of my neighbours drive 5/6 hours to reach it, passing many other places they could moor their boats.

 

[aquapower]

We had a weeks holiday staying in Windermere 18 months ago, we hired a boat for a day to see the lake from the water and stopped off at most of the places mentioned above and enjoyed it a lot, it's on my list of places to visit again and will bring boat, I have already discussed with marina manager who was very helpful, don't think time will allow this season as already have other commitments but looking forward to getting back there as soon as we can, it's a nice area.

 

[kashurst]

we had the same dilemma for quite a few years and tried a few places - started out on the Ouse at York etc. The River Trent around Newark is very pretty and from memory quite a few places to go and potter about with some good pubs and restaurants.
Conwy/Deganwy is a good place to cruise from, probably 1 1/2 hours - the locals seem friendly. You can stay safe around the bay or if weather friendly go around Angelsey and Ireland etc. Went there a few times when we were based in Liverpool (don't)
The best place for me in the UK by miles is the west coast of Scotland, Kip, Largs etc as a base. Probably 4 1/2 hour drive but beautiful, interesting, great cruising area, sheltered if you want it (mostly) and proper sea stuff too. If work/family permit give it a try.

 

[Mike k]

I am in Liverpool and find it great for staying over for nights out in Liverpool, in winter there is not many better places for a spot of cod fishing and in summer you have access to North Wales, Isle of man or up the west coast. Worth considering IMO

 

[Seastoke]

Weare based in conwy last season we did trips down the menai straits plenty of anchorages or round anglesey ,we did isle of man place to visit ,for main holiday went upto scotland via whithaven in cumbria ,also the beach is 100 m from marina ,pub on site just closed at the mo for 1.5 m refurb or a coastal walk to town about half a mile give me a pm for any info good luck

 

[Bbroomlea]

Weare based in conwy last season we did trips down the menai straits plenty of anchorages or round anglesey ,we did isle of man place to visit ,for main holiday went upto scotland via whithaven in cumbria ,also the beach is 100 m from marina ,pub on site just closed at the mo for 1.5 m refurb or a coastal walk to town about half a mile give me a pm for any info good luck

Lots of boats left Windermere when the speed limit was enforced - most went to either Conway or Loch Lomond.

We are staying put for a couple of seasons as our twins are only 2 - however once they are more boat wise Conway is on the list to move to in order to fulfill a little more adventurous boating! With the right weather it seems an ideal place to go and explore!

 

[Adrian]

We were based in Windermere Marina Village (Sailing boat) for 5 or 6 seasons while our kids were young and we loved it, we had access to the swimming pool at WMV which was a godsend with the kids when the weather was wet (there is a reason there are so many lakes!). We would have alternate days sailing and walking.

 

[Bbroomlea]

We were based in Windermere Marina Village (Sailing boat) for 5 or 6 seasons while our kids were young and we loved it, we had access to the swimming pool at WMV which was a godsend with the kids when the weather was wet (there is a reason there are so many lakes!). We would have alternate days sailing and walking.

The pool was closed after the 2009 floods and the building knocked down early 2011. In its place is a trendy bar and restaurant

Not ideal for our two 22 month old twins but better having somewhere to go than not when the weather is too bad to get out and about!