Windermere is the largest natural lake in England and is more than 11 miles in length, and almost 1 mile at its widest. It is 39m above sea level and 67m deep at is maximum depth. Much of Windermere’s shore is private though there are a number of relatively easy access points.
The wrecks are not marked and require a swim out on a bearing from a known point to find it at 12 meters.
Parking: Parking was / might be available next to entry site on the roadside – room for half a dozen cars and further along the lake on the shore line. Barricades may however be present restricting access.
Access: The entry is from the beach just south of the stone jetty L shaped jetty; west of Belle Isle. The jetty is now fenced off for safety as it is crumbling away however there is easy
access from the shingle beach alongside. Gradually shelving the shingle soon turns into a muddy bottom. Gentle slope down to mid channel.
From the right hand side of the Jetty swim for 6-8 mins on a bearing 105° to find the first wreck – The Vospa.
Vospa is a fairly large wreck still in one piece its name still emblazoned on its bow. The saloon deck / roof has slipped off to one side and it is possible to descend into the hull and see the forward accommodation spaces. Its forward roof hatch and window frames still in place.
If you then swim on for about 50 – 75m on 95˚ that should get you to the other small wreck – The Dreamer – a much smaller day boat / motor boat (a wooden construction, mainly open with a little bit of a cabin left that has part of a sink in it – its wheel house still in place) and then further onto a small barge in about 8 metres deep at the edge of Bell Isle all under water.
Parking: Good size car park (pay and display) but it is popular and fills quickly in summer.
Access: There is then a fairly long but easy walk down to the lake shore. This has been improved for wheelchairs so a wheelbarrow could be of use.
Diving: from a gentle shingle beach the shore gently falls away to 25m+ Piers and moorings to explore.
Parking at Fell Foot – A National Trust Site, may require booking / payment to access and can get busy- The lake here is turning into a river and is very narrow and only up to 5m deep. There is often boat traffic.
Access: short walk down to lake shore across grassy slope.
Diving: enter the channel and drift with current to Newby Bridge – never more than 5-6m lots of interesting things to see lost from boats over the years. Watch out for the big slow eddies into the various bays along the way otherwise you will be going around in circles. Not to be done in times of floods and best in winter when boat traffic is at a minimum. Exit at Swan Hotel Newby Bridge – There is a Weir beyond the Bridge there worth avoiding.
Parking – Pay and Display car park alongside Beech Hill hotel east of lake Windermere about two miles south of Bowness
Access: There are about 111 steps down to the shingle beach from the carpark
Diving: Three wrecks – Enter the water from the gentle shingle beach. Three or four meters off shore there is a drop off. Swim north passed the hotel jetties to find an old work boat in 17m along with remains of old jetties dumped in the lake. Swim south and find the ‘Fair Dinkum’ at 12m and about 50m further a small power boat. The sea bed is silty and requires good buoyancy and finning technique – suitable for all.
