Most experts agree that there are sixteen lakes in the Lake District. There are many other pieces of water, called tarns. Although some tarns are bigger than one of the so-called lakes, most of the tarns, however, are very small, and some are not even named.

Private powered craft are only allowed on Windermere, Coniston, Ullswater and Derwentwater. These are also the only lakes with regular steamer, ferry or launch services. There is a 10 mph restriction on all these.