Bowness-on-Windermere - the heart of the Lake District - By: jennyhicks

Bowness-on-Windermere is a small town and tourism hot-spot, located on the shores of Lake Windermere and climbing the surrounding fells to gain the best views. You’re likely to travel through the small town of Windermere, to get down to Bowness [as it’s often referred to]. Both Windermere and Bowness-on-Windermere have their own town centres, but to a new visitor, the towns appear very much linked, with no countryside between them – a result of the growth of these once tiny villages.

Windermere train station is at the top of the hill and while it’s possible to wander down to Bowness, many simply hop in a taxi or on a bus for the trip down to the Lakeside. You can hop on the car-carrying cable ferry to explore the Western shores of the Lake including the village of Far Sawrey. However, most will happily spend a day in Bowness either taking a boat trip on the lake, shopping or enjoying the local attractions such as the Beatrix Potter Attraction or the Steamboat Museum. There are art galleries galore and there’s even a pitch and putt course down near to the lake.

The railway arrived in 1857, making the area much more accessible to visitors and with this demand grew a wealth of Lake District Hotels and a multitude of natural and 'built' attractions. The railway still exists today and brings people from all over the world to this special area of the Lake District National Park. As well as being a sustainable way to travel, most of the Windermere hotels are only a short walk from the station, or at worst a five minute taxi ride.

In terms of attractions, Lake Windermere is well known as England's largest Lake at over 10 miles long and is also the deepest at 65 metres. There are numerous outstanding viewing points within easy reach either by car, or by short walk. Gummer’s Howe is probably the most famous being situated at the south end of Lake Windermere. You can drive most of the way, leaving only a 30 minute walk to marvel at the panoramic views over Lake Windermere and across to Morecambe Bay. To see the Lakes from a different perspective, Arnside Knott rewards those who take this gentle climb with stunning views of the Kent Estuary and Morecambe Bay; simply head for the viewpoint. For a more challenging, but still enjoyable walk for most, take the 2 hour round trip to Brantfell and Post Knott. Take the camera, as there are wonderful views of Windermere, the stunning Langdales and maybe even the Lake District Hotel you’ve chosen. Hope for a clear day and always check the weather forecasts before heading out. Suitable footwear is always important, even on these more leisurely walks.

Around Lake Windermere you’ll find an array of villages and hamlets to enjoy. While the drive will be slow around the twisting back roads, you’ll discover:

* + Fell Foot Park [National Trust] where you can enjoy an ice cream and hire a boat;
* + Aquarium of the Lakes and the Lakeside and Haverthwaite railway at Lakeside, both being attractions you can enjoy on a sunny or rainy day;
* + At Graythwaite you can enjoy Graythwaite Hall Gardens, which are particularly impressive in the Spring;
* + Head up towards Sawrey and visit ‘Hill Top’, a 17th century farmhouse where Beatrix Potter weaved her lyrical magic.
* + At the north end of Lake Windermere, Ambleside is a Mecca for walking enthusiasts and you can take a lake cruise back to your hotel in Bowness-on-Windermere;
* + Visit the Beatrix Potter Attraction in Bowness-on-Windermere
* + Consider the Steamboat Museum, again on the shores of Lake Windermere

About the Author

Anyone searching for Windermere hotels should consider Lindeth Fell Country House Hotel just outside Bowness-on-Windermere.

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