Windermere and Bowness offer a good selection of supermarkets, shops, restaurants, and high quality local attractions. Windermere is a good base from which to explore the Lake District, and you will find it easy to access boating and walking activities.
Boating
There are lots of ways to enjoy Windermere Lake.
MV Swan, Windermere
Steamer trips travel North to Ambleside and South to Lakeside, and a round trip takes about 3 hours.
Windermere
Smaller boats offer shorter cruises and you can hire your own motor boat, rowing boats, or a canoe or kayak, or you could learn to sail, or paddle board.
Walking
For all walks we recommend that you use an OS Landranger map. For fell walking always take good waterproof clothing even if the weather is fine, and check the weather.
School Knott Tarn
There are plenty of footpaths in and around Windermere, connecting with a wide network of walks.
The Dales Way, near Windermere
walk near Windermere
Boat trips connect with walks on the West side of the Lake.
There are many recommended walks on these sites :
- http://www.davidhalllakedistrictwalks.co.uk/
- http://www.where2walk.co.uk
- http://www.leaney.org/
- http://www.lakedistrictwalks.com/
- https://www.10adventures.com/hikes/lake-district-national-park/
For more information on Windermere please see the Windermere section of the LDNPA website
Venues/attractions within, or very close to, Bowness and Windermere:
- The World of Beatrix Potter – where Beatrix Potter’s tales are brought to life
- Brockhole – the Lake District National Park Visitor Centre.
- Townend, Troutbeck – a traditional Lake District yeoman farmhouse (National Trust)
- Blackwell – a beautiful Arts and Crafts house
- The Royalty Cinema – up to the minute films
- Windermere Lake Cruises – classic steamers
- Old Laundry Theatre – theatre, comedy, music, film, folk and more!
A little further afield :
- Levens Hall – fabulous Elizabethan House and topiary garden, near Kendal
- Sizergh – medieval house and garden (National Trust), near Kendal
- Abbot Hall Art Gallery, Kendal and Museum of Lakeland Life and Industry
- Brewery Arts Centre, Kendal – theatre, dance, comedy, film, restaurant and classes
Recommended trips a bit further afield:
Blea Tarn, Langdale
Blea Tarn – an easy walk after a fine drive through Little Langdale, and back through Great Langdale – with several fine pubs along the way.
Slaters’ Bridge in Little Langdale
There are many lovely low level walks in the area.
Loughrigg Tarn, near Ambleside
Loughrigg Tarn – near Ambleside, lovely views and a level low-level walk
Brotherswater, near Ullswater
Brotherswater – ideal for a level walk – there is a small car park at the East end of the lake
The Garburn Pass – a walk from Troutbeck to Kentmere
Garburn Pass, Troutbeck
Autumn, near Tilberthwaite
