Claife Viewing Station and Windermere West Shore

Important notice -

Our countryside car parks are open but it's important we avoid hotspots developing for the safety of all, for more info check www.saferlakes.co.uk The café is open daily 10.00 to 16.00. Windermere car ferry is now running. Booking not needed.

Colourful Viewing Station with endless lake views and waterside paths

More about this place

Family walking in the woodland at Box Hill, Surrey

Which places are open and what you need to know before you visit 

We’ve opened more than 135 gardens and parks in England, Wales and Northern Ireland through advanced booking. Tickets are released on Friday for the following week. More than 200 coast and countryside car parks are open across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Read this article to find out what's open and what to expect from your visit.

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Claife Viewing Station and Windermere West Shore

Things to see and do

Windermere

Car parks for Windermere west shore 

Best explored on foot or by bike, Windermere west shore is the place to go for lakeside strolls, great views and picnics by the water. Here’s a handy guide to our car parks along Windermere west shore to help you plan your day.

The view onto Windermere from Claife Viewing Station
Claife Viewing Station in the west shore woods of Windermere, Cumbria
Cyclists on the west shore track, Windermere, Cumbria

Anya's nature discovery blog 

Follow Anya's monthly blog for seasonal highlights at Tarn Hows, Claife Viewing Station and the west shore of Windermere.

See what you can get up to 

Wander in woodlands and stumble upon Claife Viewing Station, an 18th-century tourist attraction. Explore the west shore of Windermere on foot or bring your bike.

Explore the West Shore 

Ditch the car and visit Windermere West Shore on foot or by bike. Take a look at the best routes for gentle strolls or longer rides.

Two ladies walking with dogs at Claife Viewng Station

A dog friendly day out on the west shore of Windermere 

Four legged friends are welcome on the west shore of Windermere.

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Claife Viewing Station and Windermere West Shore

What's on

Upcoming events

Sorry, there are no upcoming events at this place.

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Claife Viewing Station and Windermere West Shore

Eating

Scones for sale at a National Trust café

The café in the courtyard 

The cosy café in the courtyard is open every day 10am-4pm (4.30pm during the summer).

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Claife Viewing Station and Windermere West Shore

History

The view onto Windermere from Claife Viewing Station

Claife Viewing Station 

Walk in the footsteps of the original tourists to the Lake District and ponder at the concept of a purpose built monument to view the landscape of Lake Windermere.

Find out more
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Claife Viewing Station and Windermere West Shore

Our work

Cows relaxing on Windermere lakeshore

Grazing for nature 

Have you ever come across a cow on a footpath and wondered why they're there? Find out more about the important role cattle are playing to help look after wildlife habitats.

South Lakes ranger putting in new bench on shore of Windermere, Cumbria

See what we've been getting up to 

Our Rangers work hard to care for the landscape around Claife Viewing Station and Windermere West Shore. Take a look at how they're improving the countryside; and if you see them on a walk - say hello!

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An introduction to the Lake District World Heritage Site 

The Lake District was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in early July 2017. It is now part of a special family of iconic places across the planet, like the Taj Mahal, Machu Picchu, Easter Island, the Barrier Reef, the Grand Canyon and many other world famous locations.

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Claife Viewing Station and Windermere West Shore

Places to stay

Kitchen at Low Strawberry Gardens

Low Strawberry Gardens (sleeps 4) 

Next door to High Strawberry Gardens is Low Strawberry Gardens. The two cottages share the use of a nearby jetty, an ideal location to moor a boat or to fish from. There's also easy access to excellent walks along gentle lake side trails or more demanding routes over Claife and beyond.

Low and High Strawberry Gardens

High Strawberry Gardens (sleeps 5) 

Sitting within metres of the water's edge on the west shore of Windermere this charming white cottage offers an opportunity to escape the trappings of modern life and make the most of this special lakeside setting.

Tanner Brow

Tanner Brow (sleeps 4) 

Tanner Brow occupies the first floor of a rugged semi-detached stone cottage set back just 130 metres from the shores of Lake Windermere. Its elevated position ensures good views across the lake, particularly from the sitting room window seat.

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