Esthwaite Water Lake
Small lake in England's Lake District
A modest Lake District waterbody near Hawkshead where walkers, anglers and birdwatchers visit; trails skirt the shore and nearby lanes link to classic Lakeland scenery.
Esthwaite Water at a Glance#
Address: Esthwaite Water, Lake District, Cumbria, England
About Esthwaite Water#
Esthwaite Water is a small freshwater lake in the Lake District, Cumbria, England, located within the national park near the village of Hawkshead. It is relatively compact compared with larger Lake District lakes and is noted locally for its wetland vegetation and wildlife.
The lake is visited mainly for birdwatching and quiet recreation rather than large-scale boating; shoreline paths and nearby lanes give access for walking and wildlife observation. Anglers also use the lake, which supports coarse fish species typical of shallow lowland lakes.
Esthwaite Water occupies a glacial hollow formed during the last Ice Age and has long been studied for its biological productivity and ecology. Its lakebed and surrounding wetlands reflect centuries of natural and small-scale human influence, including traditional fishing and nearby agricultural land use.
The lake sits in the southern area of the Lake District National Park in Cumbria, just west of Windermere and close to Hawkshead and other small villages of the southern fells region.
How to Get to Esthwaite Water#
Esthwaite Water lies 2-3 km south of Ambleside in Cumbria. It is accessible by local roads and footpaths from Ambleside; parking and pathheads are available at the southern end near the A592 in certain spots.
Tips for Visiting Esthwaite Water#
- Visit on weekdays for quieter paths-Esthwaite Water is popular with local walkers on weekends.
- Rent a small boat or kayak from nearby Ambleside if available; the lake's scale rewards a water-level perspective.
- Look for the reedbeds on the southern shores for otter signs and birdlife.
Best Time to Visit Esthwaite Water#
Summer for easy access and boating; shoulder seasons for quieter visits and birdlife.
Weather & Climate near Esthwaite Water#
Esthwaite Water's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with cool summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 0°C to 18°C. Abundant rainfall (1781 mm/year), wettest in October.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | 1° - 6° | -1° | 188 mm | overcast | 93% | 5.5 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.7h |
| February | Poor | 1° - 6° | -1° | 136 mm | overcast | 92% | 5.3 m/s | 0.1 low | 9.5h |
| March | Poor | 2° - 8° | 1° | 152 mm | overcast | 90% | 5.3 m/s | 0.3 low | 11.7h |
| April | Acceptable | 4° - 11° | 4° | 101 mm | overcast | 87% | 4.6 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 13.9h |
| May | Acceptable | 6° - 14° | 8° | 101 mm | overcast | 84% | 4.5 m/s | 1.0 high | 15.8h |
| June | Good | 9° - 16° | 13° | 101 mm | overcast | 84% | 4.2 m/s | 1.2 high | 16.9h |
| July | Good | 11° - 18° | 15° | 109 mm | overcast | 85% | 4.1 m/s | 1.2 high | 16.4h |
| August | Acceptable | 11° - 18° | 14° | 144 mm | overcast | 87% | 4.1 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 14.7h |
| September | Acceptable | 9° - 15° | 12° | 159 mm | overcast | 88% | 4.4 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 12.5h |
| October | Poor | 6° - 12° | 7° | 203 mm | overcast | 90% | 4.8 m/s | 0.2 low | 10.3h |
| November | Poor | 3° - 8° | 2° | 187 mm | overcast | 92% | 4.9 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.3h |
| December | Poor | 1° - 6° | -1° | 200 mm | overcast | 93% | 5.0 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.1h |
