Windermere is the largest lake in England, located in the Lake District, Cumbria. Its considerable size means paddlers can spend multiple days exploring without exhausting its possibilities, and the lake features an array of sheltered bays that provide calmer conditions for launching and paddling. The lake's proximity to popular tourist towns, particularly Bowness-on-Windermere and Ambleside, makes it one of the more accessible paddling destinations in the region.

No permit is required to paddle on Windermere, though paddlers should be aware that the lake is a busy waterway with boat traffic, ferries, and other watercraft sharing the water. Conditions can change, and paddlers are encouraged to consult The Paddlers Code before heading out. The lake supports islands and wildlife that can be explored by canoe, kayak, or stand-up paddleboard.

Several launch points exist around the lake. At Fell Foot, on the southern end, canoes, kayaks, inflatable dinghies, and paddleboards can be launched from the south end of the park, though paddlers must be able to carry their gear from the car park to the water. The Windermere Outdoor Adventure Centre is located on Rayrigg Road and offers direct lake access for kayaking and paddleboarding, with hire available Monday through Sunday from 09:00 to 17:00. Windermere Canoe Kayak operates hire venues at Bowness-on-Windermere and at the YHA in Ambleside, with hire starting from £25. Guided tours, taster sessions, and multi-day hire are also available through various operators. Equipment hire at Fell Foot through Stoked Watersports runs seasonally from April to October.

For those seeking a more structured adventure, Lake District White Water Rafting offers trips that begin with a paddle on Windermere before transitioning to the River Leven. Introductory canoeing sessions are also available through Mere Mountains, which has operated on the lake for over 25 years.

The lake's scale means it can feel busy near the main tourist centres, particularly around Bowness, while more sheltered bays offer quieter paddling. Sit-on-top kayaks are widely available for hire and are described as stable and suitable for beginners, while closed-cockpit kayaks and open canoes are available for more experienced paddlers.