Bowness-on-Windermere, English Lake District
Day Trips in the Northwest of England

Bowness & Lake Windermere

Windermere showing Bowness Bay & the Ferry Crossing
Aerial Photograph Courtesy of www.webbaviation.co.uk © 2005
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Bowness

Despite being a little town towards the central-southern end of Lake Windermere, Bowness is a popular resort which attracts thousands of visitors every year. Its busy hilly streets, lined with elegant stone and slate houses, hotels and gift shops bear that clean fresh look which is typical of the Lake District. Bowness is in many respects like an inland seaside resort with all the atmosphere that this engenders.

Book Accommodation in Windermere or other Lake District Hotels or Guest Houses

Trip boats in Bowness Bay

The Main Shopping Centre

‡ Boats on the Bay

‡ Sunset over Windermere

The town's popularity is evidenced by the many restaurants which it has, catering for all tastes - from Fish & Chips, various Chinese, Greek and Indian cuisines, to the more expensive gourmet restaurant. There are also many small cafés offering beverages and snacks. Local shops offer local Lakeland crafts goods including linen, woollen, paintings, glass, slate work, horn goods and pottery, as well as the many small bookshops found in the town.

A few hundred yards from the town centre is Bowness Bay, a small lakeside beach front with an adjacent marina. Lake Windermere attracts boaters, and the many moored launches and sailing vessels add to the picturesque quality of the district. During the summer season, several large passenger boats run cruises along the lake to Ambleside, either for single journeys or for a more leisurely round trip. Small rowing craft may also be hired from this beach. Less adventurous visitors find pleasure in sitting and watching, or feeding the large numbers of gracious swans which reside here.

Both Windermere and Bowness have many sources of accommodation, including large elegant Victorian hotels, old inns and small guest houses with a range of bed & breakfast and half board facilities. There is ample parking in off centre car parks (mostly paying), and some side street parking, though they tend to fill up early. Tourist Information Centres can be found in Bowness at the Lakeside, and in Windermere next to the railway station.

BOWNESS TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRE
Glebe Road (Lakeside) Bowness Bay, Bowness-on-Windermere, LA23 3HJ.
Tel: 015394 42895. Email: bownesstic@lake-district.gov.uk.

Book a Bowness or other Lake District Hotel or Guest House

Windermere, though a pretty little town in its own right, has only a passing interest for the tourist. It has the usual almost compulsory collection of teashops, Lakeland gift shops and climbing shops, as well as a main line railway station and a major Tourist Information Centre. For the outsider, it is impossible to tell where Bowness ends and Windermere begins, though Windermere has a large number of hotels of all standards as well as small guest houses and self catering accommodation. Windermere is a main centre for water sports, cruising and sailing with several large marinas and waterside facilities, including a Water Sports Centre.

WINDERMERE TOURIST INFORMATION
Victoria Street, Windermere. LA23 1AD. Tel: 015394 46499.
Email: windermeretic@southlakeland.gov.uk.

JOHN KERSHAW POTTERY STUDIO
40 Main Road, Windermere. Tel: 015394 44844.
Original stoneware pottery made by the artist, based on ancient pottery styles. Situated down a narrow passage off the main street. Open Monday to Saturday - admission free.

MADE IN CUMBRIA CRAFT SHOP
Tourist Information Centre, Victoria St, Windermere. Tel: 015394 46499.
Large collection of local made craftwork for sale to the public. Over 40 craftworkers represented, including work in crystal, ceramics and jewellery , as well as drawings and paintings and local honey. Excellent for the souvenir hunter.

THE CAMPBELL LEGEND BLUEBIRD EXHIBITION
On board MV Swift, Lakeside, Windermere. Tel: 015395 58509.
A permanent exhibition commemorating the life and career of Sir Malcolm and Donald Campbell and their 21 land and water speed records. Full size replica of the Bluebird car of 1935 and the 1967 Bluebird hydroplane in which Donald Campbell died. Open May to October 10.30am to 5.00pm. Times may change - please check before setting off.

LAKE DISTRICT NATIONAL PARK VISITOR CENTRE
Brockhole, Windermere. Tel: 015394 46601.
An ideal introduction to the Lake District with exhibitions, slide shows, activity trails, events programmes, restaurant and tearooms, as well as extensive gardens, adventure playground and lake cruises. Free admission. Disabled parking and entry. Open daily from early April to early November from 10.00am to 5.00pm. Times may change - please check before setting off.

WINDERMERE STEAM BOAT MUSEUM
Rayrigg Road, Windermere. Tel: 015394 45565.
Hailed as "the finest collection of steam boats in the world", this museum has an idyllic setting on the lake shore. All boats are afloat and in working order with many vintage boats on display. Tearoom, refreshments, picnic area and special events. Open from the end of March to the beginning of November, from 10.00am to 5.00pm. Admission about £3.00, children half price, senior citizen concessions and family tickets available at much reduced price. Prices may change - please check before setting off.

WORLD OF BEATRIX POTTER ATTRACTION
Old Laundry, Crag Brow, Bowness-on-Windermere. Tel: 015394 88444.
Scenic dioramic displays of Beatrix Potter's much-loved characters in large settings. Also features a film on her life, video wall, shop and tearoom. Open all year round from 10.00am. Check shorter and limited winter openings. Admission about £3.00 with concessions for children. Prices may change - please check before setting off.

ECLIPSE OUTDOOR DISCOVERY
Cragwood House, Windermere. Tel: 015394 44033.
A leading outdoor pursuits and adventure company where safety is a priority and the staff are all most highly qualified. Activities on offer include Abseiling, Canoeing, Caving, Fell Walking, Mountaineering, Orienteering, Rock Climbing, Snow & Ice Climbing, and Winter Walking. Prices vary according to the course you take, but a half day for a minimum group of 6 is around £25.00 per head. Minimum age 9 years. Open all year round. Prices may change - please check before setting off.

WINDERMERE OUTDOOR ADVENTURE
Leigh Groves Building, Rayrigg Road, Windermere. Tel: 015394 47183.
A South Lakeland District Council water sports centre on the shore of Lake Windermere. Ideal and cost effective for group bookings. Activities include Canoeing, Sailing and Windsurfing. Open April to October, prices on application, minimum age 9 years.