WINDERMERE, WINANDERMERE, or LAKE WINDER, the largest lake in England, eallcd on account of the supposed superiority of its shores, in point of natural beauty, over those of the other lakes of north-western England, the " Queen of the Lakes," is partly in the co. of Lancaster, and partly divides that co. from Westmoreland. It is 11 m.. long, and about 1 in. in extreme breadth, is fed by the Brathay and the Rothay, the waters of which become united before entering the lake, and by the streams which drain the neighboring lakelets of Esthwaite, Troutbeck, and Blelham, and discharges its surplus waters southward into Morecambe bay by the Leven. Next to Wast Water, Windermere is the deepest of all the English lakes, its greatest depth being 240 ft. deep, while West Water is 270 ft. deep. It contains a number of islands, the largest being 28 acres in superficial extent, and the chief of which are Rough Holm, House Holm, Lady Holm and Curwen's or Belle Isle. Soft rich beauty is the principal
characteristic of the islands of the lake, of the wooded shores, and of the scenery around; there being a total absence of that wildness and sublimity which characterizes some of the other lakes, except at the D. end, where Langdale Pikes, Harrison Stickle, Sca Fell, and Bow Fell stand forward prominently in the landscape. The e. and w. shores are bounded by gentle eminences exuberantly wooded, and numerous villas and cottages peeping out of the woods give an aspect of quiet domesticity to the landscape. About 1 m. from Waterhead, at the n. extremity of the lake, is the town of Ambleside, m. n.w. of which is Rydal, the residence of the poet Wordsworth; in the vicinity of Water head is Dove's Nest, the cottage at one time occupied by Mrs. Heinans; further down the e. shore is Elleray, famous as the residence of "Christopher North;" and half-way down the lake, on 04 eastern shore. is Bowness.