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Claife Viewing Station and Windermere West Shore
Colourful Viewing Station with endless lake views and waterside paths
Beside the Ferry on Windermere's west shore, near Far Sawrey, Hawkshead, Cumbria
Important notice
As part of our nature restoration and visitor management plan, work will be taking place on the Windermere west shore from June 10th which could affect access. Residents will not be affected. National Trust Harrowslack car park is open as normal.
Opening times for 26 July 2025
Asset Opening time Countryside Dawn - Dusk JOEY'S Cafe 10:00 - 16:30 MTWTFSS3012345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031123OpenPartially openClosed- Car park
- Dogs allowed
- Toilet
Lots of steps up to Claife Viewing Station from Ash Landing car park and a slope from the Courtyard. Level route on lakeshore path of Windermere from Claife Viewing Station.
- Accessible route and/or map
- Accessible toilet
- Designated parking
- On foot
Come over from Bowness as a foot passenger on the Windermere ferry. Many footpaths in the area; walk from Hill Top, Near Sawrey or down the west shore path from Wray Castle. Windermere Lake Cruises Ferry Bowness to Ash Landing.
- Windermere Lake Cruise Boat
Shuttle service from the heart of Bowness village to Ash Landing on Windermere's western shore (April - October). Claife Viewing Station is 2 minutes' walk uphill from Ash Landing, follow the signposts from Ash Landing Car Park opposite where the boat drops you off.
- Cycling
4 mile lakeshore track suitable for mountain bikes from Wray Castle to Claife Viewing Station. You can take your bike on the ferry across Windermere from Bowness to Ferry House. 2 minute cycle to Claife Viewing Staion.
- By ferry
Windermere car and passenger ferry; Ferry House to Ferry Nab, just four minutes walk to Claife Viewing Station.
- By train
Windermere 3 miles via ferry.
- By bus
Catch the 525 Mountain Goat Bus Service from Hawkshead to Ferry House. Four minute Walk to Claife Viewing Station. (Apr - Nov)
- By road
Junction 36 off M6, then take A684 which becomes the A591 to Windermere and Ambleside. B5285 from Windermere via Windermere ferry 3 miles. B5286 and B5285 from Ambleside 9 miles. B5285 from Coniston 8 miles.
Parking: Ash Landing, very near Claife Viewing Station and Harrowslack, on Windermere's west shore,
Beside the Ferry on Windermere's west shore, near Far Sawrey, Hawkshead, Cumbria
Planning your visit
Article
Visiting Claife Viewing Station and Windermere West Shore with your dog
Bring your dog to Claife Viewing Station and Windermere West Shore. With lakeside and woodland walks, it’s a great place for you and your four-legged friend to explore.
Highlights
Claife Viewing Station
Viewing platform built in 1790 for the first tourists to the Lake District with panoramic views framed by coloured glass.
Windermere West Shore
Run, walk or cycle along the west shore of England's biggest lake, with mountain views and lakeshore access.
JOEY's Café (Independently Run)
Independent café serving vegan baked goods, savoury snacks, locally roasted coffee, teas and hot chocolate.
Walking trails
Use Claife Viewing Station as a starting point for longer walks in the area along the lakeside, through woodlands and fell hikes.
Visit Hill Top, the former home of Beatrix Potter and Hawkshead
Explore Beatrix Potter's 17th-century farmhouse, inspirational garden, gift shop and more. Catch the convenient bus from Ferry House or Ash Landing (4 minutes from Claife Viewing station) to Hill Top or walk the 1.6miles (2.5km) on the gravel path. Visitors not arriving by car get priority access to the attraction.
Things to see and do
Activity
Explore Claife Viewing Station and Windermere West Shore
Claife Viewing Station offers endless lake views surrounded by lakeside strolls, longer bike rides and wildlife in the woodland. Leave the car behind and make the most of your trip.
Top trails
Trail
Windermere west shore walk
Enjoy a relaxing lakeshore walk through woodland and parkland on this linear trail, taking in views of the islands of Windermere and the Victorian Gothic Wray Castle
Trail
Ash Landing and Claife Heights Windermere walk
Challenge yourself with a walk along Windermere's undeveloped western side and discover some of the Lake District's most dramatic views. Here you can find a café and toilets before heading back to the car park.
Trail
Claife Viewing Station to Wray Castle trail
This gently undulating track along the west shore of Windermere is suitable for cyclists and runners of of all ages and abilities.
Eating
Article
Eating and drinking at Claife Viewing Station
Joey’s Café at Claife Viewing Station serves as a cosy pit-stop for those walking up to the station or setting out along the west shore. Will it be a slice of freshly baked cake or a frothy coffee?
Places to stay
Tanner Brow
Sitting on the western shore of Lake Windermere, this first floor apartment is a cosy retreat.
High Strawberry Gardens
A simple lakeside retreat for an uplugged holiday, with a jetty to launch your canoe or kayak in Windermere.
Low Strawberry Gardens
A simple lakeside retreat for an uplugged holiday, with a jetty to launch your canoe or kayak into Windermere.
Trees
A 1930s log and stone cabin high above Lake Windermere with a sun terrace and great views.
Low Wray Campsite
By Windermere, England’s largest lake, surrounded by things to do and places to visit.
The Summer House
A cosy house in the old kitchen garden of Wray Castle with views of stunning scenery all around.
Rose Castle Cottage
A two-bedroom cottage just above Tarn Hows with heaps of character in the heart of the Lakes.
Silverthwaite
An inspiring spot looking out over Langdale Valley with Arts and Crafts influenced detail inside.
Upcoming events
Sorry, there are no upcoming events at this place
About Claife Viewing Station and Windermere West Shore
The western shore of Windermere is perfect for a car-free adventure. Why not travel over on the ferry from Bowness? In less than 15 minutes you’ll arrive on the tranquil west shore.
From here you can discover Claife Viewing Station. Less than a five-minute walk from the ferry, stroll through the courtyard and up to the viewing platform, where you can admire panoramic views of Windermere through coloured panels and listen out for the Aeolian wind harp on a blustery day. Learn about the building’s colourful history and relax in the quaint café in the courtyard, then explore Ash Landing Nature Reserve just down the road, where you can wander through the woodland and stumble across pockets of wildflower meadows.
If you’re feeling more adventurous, set out on the 4-mile lakeshore path which leads to Wray Castle. Whether you are on foot or bike, this gentle, linear route is great for the whole family. Foot passengers can return to Bowness or Ambleside on the boat from Wray Castle, or refuel in the castle's café and retrace your steps back to the ferry.
History
Article
The history of Claife Viewing Station and Lake Windermere
Discover how the viewing station was one of the first purpose-built monuments to entice early tourists to enjoy the views across Lake Windermere.
Our work
Article
Our work at Lake Windermere and Claife Viewing Station
Explore how our work helps ensure that the land here is a healthy habitat for both visitors and its resident wildlife.
Support us
Volunteer with us
Search for live volunteering opportunities, or register your interest with Claife Viewing Station and Windermere West Shore.