A Day Trip to Lake Windermere from Skipton: A Tale of Wind, Water, and Wobbly Ice Cream Cones

9th October 2024

Ah, a crisp Yorkshire morning at Thisledo Holiday Cottage. The sun barely peeking over the hills, your dog giving you the “Are we going somewhere fun?” look, and the faint aroma of freshly brewed tea filling the air. It’s the perfect day for a road trip! Destination: Lake Windermere, the crown jewel of the Lake District.

9:00 AM – The Adventure Begins

Leaving the cosy stone walls of Skipton behind, we set off on a winding journey through the Dales, fueled by a hearty breakfast and a dash of optimism. If you’ve never driven through Yorkshire or Cumbria, you’re in for a treat (or a challenge, depending on how many sheep decide to make a cameo on the road).

There’s something liberating about rolling down your windows, breathing in the fresh country air, and yelling “Sheep!” every time one appears. The dog seems particularly enthusiastic about this game, though his yelps are more “let me out, I can totally herd that sheep!” than “look at that fluffy cloud on legs!”

11:00 AM – Arrival at Lake Windermere

After navigating the rolling hills, valleys, and the occasional sheep traffic jam, we arrive at Lake Windermere – all 10.5 miles of shimmering blue nestled between mountains that look like they were painted by a moody artist.

Lake Windermere, the largest natural lake in England, has everything: stunning views, swans with attitude, and enough tourists to make you wonder if the lake’s secret purpose is to test your patience in finding a parking spot. Thankfully, Thisledo prepared us for this with its tranquil atmosphere; we laugh in the face of minor inconveniences.

11:30 AM – Ice Cream Wars

First stop: ice cream, of course! What better way to enjoy the lake than by holding a precariously large cone that’s melting faster than you can lick it? The combination of windy lakeside conditions and a drippy scoop of mint choc chip creates a game of survival. The wind versus your ice cream – who will win?

Spoiler alert: the wind wins. My dog looks at the dollop of minty goodness now splattered on the pavement with mild disappointment. On the plus side, I am now free to hold my ice cream with both hands, and there’s still half left to salvage.

12:00 PM – Boat Ride Shenanigans

You can’t come to Lake Windermere and not hop on a boat, right? We board a lake cruise, hoping to enjoy the serene waters, take in the views, and perhaps channel a bit of Wordsworth’s poetic spirit.

The reality? Our dog, now the unofficial captain of the boat, stands at the bow like he’s auditioning for Titanic – barking at ducks, swans, and anything else that moves. I’m torn between admiration and slight embarrassment. Thankfully, other passengers seem to find it amusing – or at least, they smile politely.

As the boat glides through the lake, we gaze at the picturesque shores dotted with grand houses, and it’s easy to see why the Romantics were, well, romantic about this place. Nature’s grandeur at its finest – a perfect moment interrupted only by the occasional splash as my dog’s excitement reaches a fever pitch.

1:30 PM – Pub Grub and Lake Views

All that fresh air and barking have worked up an appetite. Off to a local pub we go, one with charming views of the lake and a menu that promises hearty portions of Cumbrian cuisine. Fish and chips for us, and a sneaky sausage for the dog (who now considers this day a resounding success).

As we sit there, gazing out over the lake, I can’t help but marvel at the contrast between the quiet peace of Thisledo Holiday Cottage in Skipton and the lively, wind-tossed energy of Windermere. There’s something wonderful about a day like this – where nothing quite goes to plan, but that’s half the fun.

3:00 PM – Exploring the Town of Bowness

A quick stroll through Bowness-on-Windermere reveals a town that’s as charming as it is busy. Small shops selling everything from fudge to hiking gear line the streets, and tourists buzz around like bees. We wander into a few gift shops, where we consider buying a Lake District-themed tea towel (because one can never have too many tea towels), but ultimately decide against it. The real souvenir is the ice cream stain on my shirt.

4:30 PM – Back to Skipton

As we head back to Thisledo, the dog snoozing in the backseat (dreaming of swans, no doubt), we reflect on the day’s adventure. There’s something incredibly satisfying about a spontaneous road trip. Sure, there were mishaps, melted ice cream, and an overenthusiastic dog on a boat, but that’s the charm of it all.

We return to the calm of Skipton, where the stone walls of Thisledo await us, ready to wrap us in comfort after a day filled with laughter, windblown hair, and memories that will last far longer than any tea towel could.

In the end, isn’t that what holidays are all about?