Windermere is a town and civil parish in the South Lakeland District of Cumbria, England. It has a population of 8,245 increasing to 8,359 at the 2011 Census, and exists concerning half a mile (1 kilometres) eastern of the lake, Windermere. Although the community Windermere does not touch the lake (it took the name of the lake when the railway line was integrated in 1847 as well as the station was called "Windermere"), it has actually currently grown along with the older lakeside town of Bowness-on-Windermere, though the two retain distinct community centres. Tourist is preferred in the community because of its distance to the lake as well as local surroundings. Boats from the piers in Bowness cruise around the lake, lots of calling at Ambleside or at Lakeside where there is a restored railway. Windermere Resort opened at the same time as the train. The civil parish includes both towns, the village of Troutbeck Bridge to the north and a number of communities, including Storrs to the south and Heaning to the eastern. Belle Isle as well as part of the lake are likewise within its borders.