• Alston
• Allonby And Aspatria
• Ambleside And Troutbeck
• Appleby In Westmoreland
• Askam In Furness
• Barrow In Furness
• Bassenthwaite
• Borrowdale
• Bowness On Windermere
• Brough
• Buttermere
• Brampton
• Broughton In Furness
• Carlisle
• Cartmel
• Cleator Moor
• Cockermouth
• Coniston
• Dalston
• Dalton In Furness
• Dent
• Grange Over Sands
• Grasmere
• Greenodd
• Grizedale
• Hawkshead
• Kendal
• Keswick
• Kirkby Lonsdale
• Wasdale And Gosforth
• Kirkby Stephen
• Longtown
• Loweswater
• Maryport
• Melmerby
• Milnthorpe
• Nenthead
• Newby Bridge
• Orton
• Penrith
• Pooley Bridge
• Ravenglass And Eskdale
• Sedbergh
• Seascale
• Shap
• Silloth And Solway
• St Bees
• Skiddaw
• Staveley
• Tebay
• The Duddon Valley
• Threlkeld
• Ulverston
• Vale Of Lorton
• Wasdale
• Wetheral
• Whitehaven
• Wigton
• Windermere
• Workington
• Spa Hotels In Windermere The Lake District
• Hotels With Hot Tubs In Windermere
• Hot Tub Hotels In Windermere And The Lake District
• Romantic Breaks In Windermere And The Lake District
• Themed Hotels In Windermere And The Lake District
• Weekend Breaks In Windermere
• Windermere Attractions And Boat Trips
• Boutique Hotels And Accommodation In Windermere And The Lake District
• Windermere In The Rain
• One Way Ticket To Windermere Por Favor
• Horse Riding In The Lake District
• Walks In The Lake District
• Windermere Boutique Hotel Bedrooms
• Holiday Accommodation Wanted In The Lake District

Windermere

Windermere is the most popular tourist destination in the Lake District.  Lake Windermere has been a major attraction for visitors since Victorian times when the Kendal and Windermere Railway built a branch line to it. There are plenty of things to see and do in Windermere and Bowness, including water sports, walking, climbing, and visiting some of the best attractions in the Lake District.

Visitors can take a boat trip around the lake in a steamer, or hire a boat, dinghy or cruiser. Open-top buses and steam locomotives are also available for visitors who prefer to keep their feet firmly on the ground, or a range of walking tracks and trails run alongside the water´s edge. Close to the lake are a wide choice of heritage sites, historic houses and beautiful landscaped gardens which attract visitors from all over England.

The MV Tern is the oldest steam boat still operation on Lake Windermere. Originally commissioned in 1891, the Tern was requisitioned during WW2 as a patrol boat on the lake, and used as a base for testing underwater mine laying techniques. The original steam engines have been replaced by diesel engines, and Tern is still in full working order.

Lake Windermere is 10.5 miles long and stretches from Ambleside in the north to Newby Bridge in the South. The deepest part of the lake is at the northern end, and is approximately 220 feet deep.

Bowness was once a small fishing village which fast became a lively tourist destination once the railway came to Windermere in 1847. Now offering a wide range of shops, restaurants, elegant hotels, guest houses and bed and breakfast accommodation, Bowness has evolved into one of the most popular areas in the Lake District. The town of Windermere has a more laid back atmosphere than Bowness, and traditional shops line the streets.

During the 19th Cebtury, horse-drawn carriages would carry passengers to and from the railway station to the lakeside, whilst hotel-based charabancs took guests on local sightseeing excursions. Once the commercial possibilities were realised, a wide range of
 hotels, villas and boarding houses sprang up in Bowness to accommodate the tourists. In 1869 the Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway was built and linked to ferry services from Lakeside, cementing Bowness's position as an up and coming resort for wealthy day trippers from Lancashire and Yorkshire.

Wealthy businessmen from urban areas then began to regard the Lakes as a haven of scenic tranquility, and bought up great chunks of land and grand country houses. Belsfield, which is now a hotel, was bought by the iron magnate, Henry William Schneider in 1869 as a commuter home. Brockhole was built in the 1880s by Henry Gaddum, a wealthy silk merchant from Manchester, which later became the National Park Visitor Centre. Blackwell, now the Arts and Crafts House, was commissioned by Sir Edward Holt, a wealthy brewer from Manchester.

Interesting facts about Windermere

In 1895 Windermere was completely ice-bound for 6 weeks, which made it possible to walk across the lake from one side to the other.  The last time it froze over was in 1963.

Orrest Head was the first summit visited by famous Lake District writer and walker, Alfred Wainwright, and he later recalled that ´those few hours at Orrest Head cast a spell that changed my life.´

The Baddeley Clock marks the division between Windermere and Bowness, which was built as a memorial to MJB Baddely (1843-1906) who wrote a series of well-regarded guidebooks about the area.

The two separate towns of Windermere and Bowness were the second area in England to have electric street lighting, supplied from a hydro-electric plant at Troutbeck Bridge.

An intriguing plaque was set into the pavement of Crag Brow which reads: ´This footpath is not dedicated to the public´, which means that the public have no right of way over the area, but can use it by permission of the landowner.

Storrs Hall was built by wealthy ship owner, John Bolton, who made a lot of money in the slavery trade. Slaves were said to have been kept in the cellars of Storrs Hall until buyers could be found for them.

Charles Dickens used to drink at the New Hall Inn in Bowness-on-Windermere.

The Beatrix Potter Attraction as Bowness

The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction at Bowness is one of the most visited attractions in the Lake District. The tales of Beatrix Potter, including Peter Rabbit and Jemima Puddle duck are celebrated at this entertaining exhibition about the characters and stores written by the famous author. Beatrix Potter lived for many years in the Lake District, and another attraction which attracts many visitors is Hill Top Farm at Hawkshead where the author wrote many of her children´s books.

Holehird Gardens

Holehird Gardens is a 10-acre hillside garden which has been managed by the Lakeland Horticultural Society since 1971. Transformed from an abandoned rock garden into a ´garden for all seasons´ displays of alpine plants and a walled garden are open to visitors. The gardens are open daily all year, and there is no admission charge. Donations are welcomed.

Brockhole

The gardens at Brockhole stretch down to the shores of Windermere, and were first laid out by Thomas Mawson, the famous landscape gardener from the town. A wide range of trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants can be seen against the dramatic lake landscape in the background. Brockhole provides a great family day out, with children´s adventure playground, picnic areas and a café.

Fell Foot

Fell Foot is a restored Victorian park with picnic areas, tea room and boat hire. Open all year round, this attraction allows visitors to hop on the ferry across to Lakeside and enjoy the attractions on the other side of the lake. Windermere Lake Cruises stop at Fell Foot during the summer months only.

The Cross Lakes Experience

The innovative Cross Lakes Experience allows exploration of Lake Windermere without a car. Combining travel by lake steamers and launches, Mountain Goat and Stagecoach buses, travellers can take in Windermere, Bowness, Hawkshead, Grizedale and Coniston without hiring a car.

Where to eat and drink in Windermere

If you are looking for a place to eat and drink in Windermere, you will be spoilt for choice. Whether you fancy a traditional English country pub with real ale, serving delicious Cumbrian fare, a bistro, a fine dining restaurant or a fish and chip shop, you will find it all in Windermere. Home to some of the best hostelries in the Lake District, whatever your tastes and budget, you will find something to suit the whole family in Windermere and Bowness.

Windermere and Bowness Accomodation

Teeming with an excellent choice of accommodation, Windermere and Bowness offer some of the most romantic hotels, guest houses and bed and breakfast accommodation in the Lake District. Whether you want a five star luxury hotel, an elegant country Inn or somewhere to pitch your tent, you will find it within minutes of arriving in Windermere and Bowness. Check out late hotel deals in the Lake District and weekend hotel deals in Windermere to find the perfect accommodation in this stunning region of England.

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