Windermere, Cumbria (town) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Windermere |
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| Town | |
 Windermere town centre |
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 Windermere
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| Population | 4,826 (2021) |
| OS grid reference | SD4198 |
| Civil parish |
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| Unitary authority |
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| Ceremonial county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | WINDERMERE |
| Postcode district | LA23 |
| Dialling code | 015394 |
| Police | Cumbria |
| Fire | Cumbria |
| Ambulance | North West |
| EU Parliament | North West England |
| UK Parliament |
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Windermere is a lovely town in Cumbria, England. It is located inside the beautiful Lake District National Park. The town is named after the famous lake, Windermere, which is about 1 kilometer (half a mile) away. In 2021, about 4,826 people lived here.
Even though Windermere town isn't directly on the lake, it's very close to Bowness-on-Windermere. Bowness is an older town right on the lake shore. Windermere town started to grow a lot when the railway station opened in 1847. Many visitors come here because of the lake and the amazing scenery. You can take boat trips from Bowness around the lake. These boats often stop at places like Ambleside or Lakeside.
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History of Windermere Town
Windermere town used to be called Birthwaite. It was part of the historic county of Westmorland. The town really started to develop when the Kendal and Windermere Railway arrived. This railway made it much easier for people to visit.
The rocks and land formations in this area are even named after the town! They are called the Windermere Group of sedimentary rocks. These rocks tell us a lot about the Earth's past.
What Does "Windermere" Mean?
The name "Windermere" likely means "Winand's lake" or "Vinand's lake." Experts think "Winand" or "Vinand" might be an old personal name from Sweden or Germany. The second part, "mere," comes from an old English word. It simply means "lake" or "pool." People have been using a similar name, "Wynandermer," since at least 1396.
How Windermere is Governed
From 1894 to 1974, Windermere was managed by its own local council. This council was called an urban district council. In 1905, it also took over the council for Bowness-on-Windermere.
Later, in 1974, a new law changed how local areas were governed. Windermere's council was replaced by the South Lakeland District Council. In 2020, the local area was officially renamed "Windermere and Bowness" to include both towns. Then, in 2023, South Lakeland became part of a larger area called Westmorland and Furness. This is a type of local government called a unitary authority, which handles many services for the area.
Getting Around Windermere
The Windermere railway station was built in 1847. It was a big reason why the town grew so much. Today, you can catch trains from Windermere to Oxenholme. Some trains even go all the way to Manchester Airport.
Buses are also a great way to travel around. Stagecoach Cumbria runs bus routes to many nearby towns. These include Keswick, Kendal, Ambleside, and Bowness-on-Windermere.
The town is also close to the A591 road. This is an important road that goes through the beautiful Lake District.
Local News and Entertainment
If you want to watch local TV news, you can tune into BBC North West or ITV Border. For radio, there are several options. You can listen to BBC Radio Cumbria on 104.2 FM, Heart North West on 102.3 FM, or Smooth Lake District on 100.8 FM. There's also Lake District Radio, which broadcasts online from Kendal.
For local news in print, you can read The Westmorland Gazette or North West Evening Mail.
Schools in Windermere
Windermere has three primary schools for younger students. For older students, there are two secondary schools nearby. The Lakes School is a state school, meaning it's funded by the government. Windermere School is an independent school, which means it's privately funded. It teaches students from ages 2 to 18.
Famous People from Windermere
- George Godfrey Cunningham (c. 1802–1860) – A Scottish writer.
- Thomas Gardner (born 1996) – A filmmaker.
- Dr David Clark, Baron Clark of Windermere – A well-known person who lives in Windermere.
See also
In Spanish: Windermere (localidad en Cumbria) para niños
