Local information

The Lake Windemere Visitor Information Centre is located next to the train station on Victoria Rd and open from 08:00-17:30 every day. To obtain further information and advice about Lake Windemere and the surrounding area visit the web site at http://www.windermereinfo.co.uk/ or click here.

Tourist information

The Lake District is one of Britain's finest National Parks to visit with beautiful gardens,  lakes, mountains and historic houses. It is also where William Wordsworth spent much of his time writing poems. Cumbria is packed with famous award-winning attractions. Whether you are discovering the life and works of one of the many famous poets that have resided here, or climbing through the trees to cruising across one of the many beautiful lakes. The variety of visitor attractions on offer in the Lake Disrict ensure that all ages and interests are catered for. There is something for individual adventure seekers as well as families and couples. 

Highlights include:

• Landscape - With more than 3,100 kilometres of rights of way, you can walk, cycle and ride around the Cumbria countryside to your heart's content. You can also get on the water of the lakes and coastline. The Lake District National Park has walks for every ability from ambles around lakes to high ridge walks, with a bit of scrambling - climbing over rocks without a rope.

• Buildings and historic sites - There are many buildings in Cumbria – castles, churches, mills, railway stations, municipal buildings, museums, and other tourist attractions that are of interest for the buildings themselves. Many tourist information centres are located in buildings of historical interest. There are up to 7 Roman Ports and some 50 stone circles in Cumbria, including some of the earliest stone circles in Britain.

  There is a vast range of types, from the vast monumental circles at Castlerigg, Swinside and Long Meg, to the standard early bronze age circles of about 100 ft in diameter as at Casterton and Elva Plain, to diminutive rings associated with alignments and burials. Some are associated with henge monuments such as Mayburgh.

• Family attractions - Cumbria has a good variety of places to cater for lovers of animals in Cumbria, from the specialist centres for birds of prey and fishes, to Lakeland’s only Zoo at Dalton-in-Furness where tigers and other rare animals can be seen. Visitor centres, such as Brockhole and Whinlatter cater for children, and some attractions, such as the Beatrix Potter attraction are aimed especially at children. Cumbria has three historic steam railways, with children especially welcome.

Useful local information 

• Money - Britain's currency is the pound sterling (£). Credit cards - especially Visa and Mastercard - are widely accepted in restaurants, bars, cafés and shops. American Express and Diners Club cards are less commonly accepted. There are plenty of cash machines (also known as cashpoints or ATMs) available in and around the Lake District.
  
  

• VAT - Value-added tax (VAT) is a 20% sales tax levied on most goods and services except basic food items, books and children's clothing. Restaurants must, by law, include VAT in their menu prices. If you are travelling for leisure or business purposes, you may be eligible for a VAT refund. The VAT refund scheme is called the Retail Export Scheme or Tax-Free Shopping. www.hmrc.gov.uk/vat/sectors/consumers/overseas-visitors.htm
  
  

• Electricity - UK appliances are fitted with three-pin plugs that can be connected to the UK mains supply through wall sockets. Unlike the sockets in many other countries, these have a switch to turn the power supply on and off - make sure you've turned it on if you're trying to charge your appliance. UK power sockets deliver an average voltage of 230v, although in practice this can be slightly higher. To charge devices that are compatible with this voltage, simply buy the appropriate adapter from the airport or from high street shops. If your device runs on a lower voltage, however, then you will also need a converter to stop it from over-heating. Even if your country uses lower voltages, remember to check whether your device is dual-voltage (look for the 110-240v notation) before buying a converter.
  
  

• Telephone - If you're visiting Lake Windemere from abroad, don't forget that the UK dialling code is +44 (which replaces the 0) and to check your own country's code before you travel. If you are travelling to Bath from abroad, using your mobile phone may cost you more than it does at home. Check your network's roaming charges before you travel.
  
  

• Climate and weather - The UK has a changeable climate. For the latest local BBC weather report click here.
  
  

• Health services - The National Health Service (NHS) is the main healthcare provider in the UK. NHS treatment is free for UK residents. Overseas nationals are not eligible for free NHS treatment except if they need emergency treatment while in the UK. You are strongly advised to take out travel insurance to cover any medical expenses. If you come from a country that holds a UK healthcare agreement, you are entitled to free or reduced-cost medical treatment if needed immediately for a condition that started after your arrival in the UK. If you're visiting from Europe, you need to carry a valid EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) in case you need immediate and necessary medical treatment in an NHS hospital. Without this you can be charged for treatment. Travel insurance is still advisable as it offers greater flexibility over where and how you're treated, and can cover expenses not paid for by the NHS. Find out more on the NHS website www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcareabroad
  
  

• Emergencies - Visitors should be aware of their personal safety. Call 999 for the emergency services (police, fire and ambulance) which is a free call from any phone. You can also call 112 for non-life threatening assistance and to report crimes. To report non-urgent crime, call the police on 101 from within the UK.