Discover Bowness and Windermere

Discover Bowness & Windermere

The bustling villages of Bowness on Windermere and Windermere are centrally located and easy to reach from road, rail and even by bike. Only a mile apart Bowness and Windermere have their own unique identities that complement each other.  Choose from a walk to the top of Orrest Head, (Alfred Wainwrights first hill), to enjoy the stunning views, or perhaps pay a visit to Blackwell Arts & Craft house, which invites you to admire its beauty and soak up the lake views.

Pop down to the pier and be spoilt for choice by the range of Windermere Lake Cruises available that can be combined with a trip to the Lakeland Motor Museum or Lakes Aquarium, Brockhole Visitor Centre or Waterhead. Fancy a self-drive experience?  then hire your own boat and stop off where and when you want as there are plenty of options to choose from.

Perhaps visit a Gothic castle at Wray, hire a kayak or swing through the trees at Brockhole –  the variety is endless.

After your daytime adventure,  it’s time to hit the town with many bars, pubs and restaurants, cinemas and theatres,  all within easy reach to really make it a night to remember.  You’ll be surrounded by the sensational backdrop of the Lakeland hills.

Places to Eat

Holbeck Ghyll
Holbeck Ghyll has built its reputation for serving the most refined food in the most stunning of environments. Lunch, dinner, afternoon tea or even at the chefs top table you will not be disappointed with the most mouth-watering and innovative menus you will ever experience.

Gilpin Spice
Soak up the atmosphere as Gilpin Spice serves up a laid-back tapas-style pan-Asian dishes inspired by countries along the spice trail. The restaurant itself is decorated in its own original style to compliment the dishes as they arrive at your table. Perfect for couples or friends to enjoy.

BAHA
Welcome to Bowness’s Ash Street –  Listen to live local and international music covering a host of music genres. Brunch, lunch and evening meals are served, cocktails and all with a Pacific Street Food vibe, this is the place to come together.

The Crafty Baa
The perfect place to enjoy a beer and tasty snack with a choice of over 100 world beers and fine wines. Specialists in charcuterie/cheese baked camembert and don’t forget their famous grilled sarnies. Just pop into this unique bar and relax with a warm ambience and soulful music.

Homeground Coffee + Kitchen
The award winning Homeground Coffee + Kitchen is proud to be bringing breakfasts, brunch and speciality coffee to the heart of the Lake District. The innovative menu offers a creative mix of dishes from baked jumbo oats to a good old bacon sarnie! And the most excellent coffee.

Top 5 Places to Shop

Love the Lakes
Love the Lakes specialise in gorgeous gifts for the family, including body care products, jewellery, fragrances, photos, print, cards and more. The majority of the items available are locally sourced – made in Cumbria and the Lake District.

Helens Chocolates
For over 25 years Helens Chocolates has been producing delicious treats, luxury handmade chocolates, award-winning fudges, traditional sweets and bonbons and much more.   No holiday is complete without a sweet treat or two and perhaps some to take home.

Booths
Stock up when you arrive in this renowned family business that celebrates its Cumbrian heritage and prides itself on stocking only the freshest seasonal produce available. Food shopping is an absolute pleasure at Booths and becomes part of the holiday experience.

Peter Hall & Son
Browse this unique collection of handcrafted designed and made furniture, furnishings and accessories showcasing the individual talent and creativity of this third-generation family business.

Lakeland
We know when you are on holiday you should leave the house chores at home. But you won’t be able to resist checking out the latest homeware ranges available to make your kitchen the place to be.  There is also an award winning cafe here, overlooking the town.

Things to Do

Windermere Lake Cruises

The World of Beatrix Potter

Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway

The Lakeland Motor Museum

Blackwell Arts & Crafts House

Aquarium of the Lakes

Old Laundry Theatre

World of Beatrix Potter and Old Laundry Theatre

Lakelovers has over 400 perfectly placed Holiday Cottages in the Lake District National Park – Bowness or Windermere are ideal locations from which to explore the Lake District National Park.