The Township of Muskoka Lakes is anchored by three larger communities, Bala, Port Carling, and Windermere. Muskoka Lakes is a popular place for cottage living because of its easy access to a variety of recreational activities and water sports, as well as its unique local businesses and friendly atmosphere.
Windermere is a community located on Lake Rosseau, which got its name from the famous lake in England. If you’re looking for a lakefront cottage or a property with a large lot, Windermere is a great place to search. You will find many beautiful properties with views of Lake Rosseau, some with their own private dock for boats or seadoos.
For full-time residents, there are no schools local to Windermere, so students are bussed to the nearby Town of Bracebridge to attend school. Parents looking for public-school options, Bracebridge has a few elementary school such as Macaulay Public School. Students in high school will attend the Bracebridge & Muskoka Lakes Secondary School. If you’re looking for a catholic school option, elementary students will attend Monsignor Michael O’Leary Catholic School or St. Dominic Catholic Secondary School.
Windermere offers a relaxed lifestyle, but there are still plenty of things to do here. There are a variety of walking and hiking trails in and around Windermere and Muskoka Lakes. The Weir Lake Trail is a 4-kilometer trail that leads you through the hardwood forest, over creeks, and past remnants of the first phone line in the area. There are several steep hills to climb making it a challenging hike.
If you’d rather relax and soak up the sun, Windermere has a couple of sandy beaches to enjoy on a hot summer day. Windermere Park and Four Mile Point Park both have sandy beach areas to lounge and relax while the kids go swimming and play at the park. In addition, they both also have a boat dock and launch for boaters.
If you love to play golf, the Windermere Golf and Country Club is a popular course in Muskoka Lakes and is one of the oldest golf clubs in Canada. This course has 18 holes of beautiful views and challenging fairways, providing a great place to enjoy a round.
For those looking to visit Windermere, the Windermere House is a great place to stay and has been an iconic Victorian landmark in the community for years. This premier hotel and resort has a spa, beach, tennis court, as well as access to water sports. Whether you’re a local or a visitor everyone knows and loves Windermere House for its beauty and unique elegant stay.
Shopping and dining are limited in Windermere, so locals must travel to Bracebridge for larger grocery stores and urban amenities. The Windermere General Store carries basic necessities and small grocery items for any last-minute needs. There are a couple of dining options at the Windermere House that are open to locals and visitors. If you’re looking to have an intimate and fine dining experience, the Rosseau Grill is the perfect place. Enjoy spectacular lake views while you indulge in the creative cuisine of the chef. If you’d rather enjoy a relaxed dinner then the Windermere Pub & Patio is a great option. The patio overlooks Lake Rosseau providing the perfect backdrop to relax and enjoy a wide selection.
Windermere may be small but it’s the perfect place to relax and unwind at the cottage, upon retiring or enjoy a simplistic lifestyle. There’s just the right amount of things to do and opportunities close by for more entertainment, shopping, and dining.
-The BDAR Team