places to visit in bowness on windermere

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25 things to do in Bowness and the wider Lake District

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This list of things to do in Bowness and further out around the Lake District only includes stuff that I personally like. I’m a lifelong lover of this magical part of the country and wanted to share some of my favourite spots with you, from the ‘big hits’ of the Lakes to lesser-known gems.

The Lake District is England’s largest National Park, full of rugged fells, charming villages and interesting history, especially for any fellow literature lovers. Beatrix Potter, William Wordsworth and even John Cunliffe (of Postman Pat fame!) all drew their inspiration from its landscape. It’s not hard to see why they fell in love with it. If you’re planning your first visit, you’re in for a treat. And if you’ve been before, there’s always more to uncover.

If this all sounds up your street, read on for 30 things to do in Bowness and further into the Lake District…

Things to do in Bowness and Windermere centres

1. wander around windermere or go out on the water .

How else can I start this little guide to things to do in Bowness other than with the famous Windermere itself?!

The first thing you should do when visiting is to head down to its shores at Bowness. At 10.5 miles long and 220 feet deep, Windermere is the largest natural lake in England. Having said that, it’s not actually a ‘lake’ per se, but a ‘mere’ (a lake that’s wider than it is deep). There are plenty of meres in the Lake District, but I suppose the Mere District didn’t have quite the same ring to it.

You can do proper boat cruises on Windermere if you’re not keen to hire a little rowing boat yourself. And I don’t blame you: I would definitely die. The cruise does a circular tour; check the Windermere Lake Cruises website for times and prices as details vary at different times of year.

Obviously, one lake isn’t enough on a Lake District trip. There are many more lakes/meres/tarns to see. If you’re only doing a short trip but want to whiz round a few, have a look at this well-rated minibus tour: six lakes morning tour (£32) . 

2. Treat yourself to some bits and bobs in all the independent shops

There are loads of independent shops in Windermere/Bowness. My regular blog readers will know how much I love finding unique bits to treat myself to on my travels… It’s hard to leave empty-handed. 

Here are a few excellent shops that I recommend. I’ve linked their names to their Google Maps locations so you can easily find them:

• Bath House – This is a small Cumbria-based company that makes artisan, cruelty-free, sustainable and just all-round gorgeous bath/perfume/candle type stuff. Their Bowness branch is great as it has their entire collection of perfumes to try. I especially love that their packaging is all plastic-free and you can buy refills for the bottles.  They also have branches elsewhere in the north, including in Knutsford, Cheshire and Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria , two of my other regular haunts. 
• The Northern Line – Probably the first shop I head to in Windermere. It’s SO good. They sell loads of unusual gifts, including locally made ones that feature a Lake District theme, like coasters with maps of the local area printed on them. 
• National Park Print Shop – An excellent art shop selling beautiful prints. Many are by local artists and/or are of iconic spots in the Lake District. If you have a gallery wall somewhere in your house, this is a must-do shop.
• Forget Me Not – Mainly homeware. Some nice cushions, candles, mirrors and that kind of thing. Always worth a browse.

There are definitely more I always pop into and there are always new ones opening up whenever I visit, so I’ll have to add to this over time. Happy spending.

3. Go wild buying unnecessary stuff in Lakeland and Booths

Okay, small independent shops aside, it would be a crime not to mention the double whammy of Lakeland and Booths as being one of the best things to do in Bowness. And they’re handily located next door to each other just outside the train station.

You know you’re getting old when the prospect of inspecting a DrySoon in real life is an exciting one. And if you don’t know what a DrySoon is, where have you been? Clearly not perusing the Lakeland website enough, that’s where. Lakeland , for the uninitiated, is where you go for all sorts of household stuff. If there’s a cleaning/cooking/baking/laundry problem, they will have thought of the solution. They have a great website and shops around the country, but the Windermere one is (I think) the biggest and also has a very good café. If you’re one of the many people lately who wish to replace their personality with an air fryer, Lakeland is the shop for you.

And if Lakeland wasn’t exciting enough, Bowness/Windermere also has a massive Booths . Now, this is less thrilling for me because I’ve always had a Booths fairly local to me. But I know that friends who live down south get very excited to visit a Booths when they’re up north. If you’re not lucky enough to be acquainted with Booths, it’s basically a very posh supermarket (WAY better than Waitrose and M&S) with a focus on local produce. So if you’re in self-catering, a Booths haul should be a non-negotiable.  

4. Visit the viewing station via the car ferry – one of the best things to do in Bowness without a car

If you’re doing Windermere on foot and by public transport, the car ferry (ironically) is going to be quite handy. At the time of writing, this has quite an erratic timetable and it’s best to check the ferry’s Twitter account for running information.

Get on it as a foot passenger for just £1 (return), and you can enjoy a ride across the mere and then walk up to the Claife Viewing Station . This is a pretty little stone structure with a window looking over the water and scenery beyond, framed by a stained-glass archway. It’s run by the National Trust and there’s a small café on site. You’ll notice a theme in the Lake District: you’re never more than about five metres from a café or tea room of some sort. Bliss.

5. Eat at some of Windermere and Bowness’s best restaurants

If there’s one thing I enjoy most when on my travels, it’s eating. And eating is definitely one of the easiest things to do in Bowness. There are some excellent restaurants and cafés in both towns, plus new ones opening up every time I go.

I can’t list them all or we’ll be here forever. But these are a handful that I really love. I’ve linked their names to their website/Facebook page (rather than to their Google Maps location) so you can see menus and whatnot. 

• Graze Cafe – A superb place for a veggie or vegan lunch in Bowness. It has a Japanese twist and given my Japan obsession, this makes me very happy. Everything is fresh. LOVE it.
• The Lamplighter Dining Rooms – General British menu with seasonal/local food. At first glance, the menu tends to be meaty but they do always have a veggie option. Look out for the counter from the shop in Ginger & Pickles by Beatrix Potter (one of her most underrated books IMO) in the entrance hall. Not many people know it’s there. You can also stay at the Lamplighter as it’s a hotel too .
• The Rookery Lakes – A proper vegetarian and vegan-friendly café just outside the Booths/Lakeland car park. Well worth walking up to for lunch and/or cake. Very much my kind of place. The baked sweet potatoes are 10/10. 
• Homeground Coffee + Kitchen – Brace yourself for this one because there’s always a queue. They do high-quality coffee (wasted on me as a tea drinker) but also good lunch options, including veggie ones. 

6. Have a beer or two in one of the cosy pubs and bars

We all love a cosy pub when doing a local UK break. I think Bowness’s Hole in t’Wall pub will especially appeal to my American readers, who love anything quaint and ‘olde worlde’. Think wooden beams, tankards hanging from the walls and an open fire. Perfect if you’re visiting on a cold winter’s day. They tend to have a few local guest beers on but principally it’s a Robinson’s brewery pub. This is a bit ironic for me: going all the way to the Lakes to drink beer I can get five minutes from where I live in Stockport ! But a great pub anyway.

Although I know a lot of readers will be after a traditional pub like the above, I always like to recommend somewhere that serves proper craft beer in all of my travel guides. The best place for craft beer in Windermere/Bowness is without a shadow of a doubt The Crafty Baa Windermere (not to be confused with their sister site in Keswick). Inside, it’s full of quirky decor, which they built using mostly recycled/upcycled materials. They’re into eco-friendly ways and have some good vegan options on the menu. But the best thing is, instead of just serving CAMRA-style traditional real ale (not really my thing), they do an extensive menu of proper hoppy craft beer (very much my thing).

7. Find your childhood favourites at The World of Beatrix Potter

Okay, so if you’re a Beatrix Potter fan, I must warn you that this isn’t as good as going to her house at Hill Top (more on that further down this guide). But it’s still nice, plus it’s bang in the middle of Bowness and almost all indoors so it’s one of the few decent things to do in Bowness/the Lakes if the weather is seriously awful. 

The World of Beatrix Potter is a sort of museum/experience. They have really lovely models of the characters set in different scenes like Mr McGregor’s garden and Jemima Puddleduck’s woodland glade. Unfortunately, it is a bit aimed at children and can be full of them, so if you’re as allergic as I am it’s worth bearing that in mind. There’s a bit of history about Beatrix’s life and love of nature, plus an excellent gift shop.

The whole thing probably only takes 20 minutes, so for £9 each it’s fairly pricey but I think it’s ok if you’re a fan. You can just go straight into the shop for free if that’s all you want, though. 

8. Head out for some seriously good walks

Obviously, the main thing to do in the Lake District is walking.

I’m by no means a walking expert. There are some amazing walking websites that will be far more useful for anyone wanting to get stuck in. But I thought I’d share a few popular walks that start and end in Windermere/Bowness. Many of the best and most famous walks are further afield but I wanted to include some that you could do if you don’t have a car and/or you’re pushed for time.

There’s a good bus service so this does open up a lot more, but if you’re wanting to stick to the centre then here’s a handful of good ones. I’ve linked to the AllTrails website pages for each:

• Orrest Head Circular (4.5km) – this is probably the easiest and best-known walk you can do from Windermere itself. It’s an easy walk from the centre of town, taking in the view that made Alfred Wainwright fall in love with the Lakes.
• Brant Fell Circular (4.2km) – another short one starting in town. It leads up to fantastic views from the craggy tops of the fell.
• Windermere and Scholl Knott Circular (6.9km) – this takes you through some really good farmland and woodland, again with the highlight being the view from the top. 

Things to do near Bowness, within 15 minutes’ drive

9. explore the beautiful sizergh, near kendal.

Sizergh is my favourite National Trust house and garden in the Lake District area. It’s a medieval stately home, pretty much a castle, set in a whopping 1,600-acre estate. There’s a lake and beautiful gardens, surrounded by woodland and pastures to explore. Plenty of walking potential if you have good weather. 

Inside, the house is still lived in by the Strickland family so it’s a real home as well as being a piece of history. You can spot some lovely panelling in the rooms as well as locally made furniture by Gillow of Lancaster (which was mentioned in Jane Austen’s novels, for my fellow literary geeks).

Check the official Sizergh page for opening times before you visit, as they do vary throughout the year.

It’s around a 15-minute drive from Bowness.

10. See the brilliant Blackwell Arts and Crafts House, Bowness

If you like the Arts and Crafts style of design and architecture, add Blackwell to your list of things to do in Bowness. It has all the original features, furniture and decoration, and is a Grade 1 (the top category) listed building. It’s known as being the perfect example of the Arts and Crafts movement. Even as someone who isn’t particularly into the style (although I do love a William Morris print), it’s beautiful. 

Blackwell was originally built by the architect MH Baillie Scott as a holiday home for Edward Holt. That’s one of the Holt family of Joseph Holt’s Brewery fame: anyone from Manchester or the North West in general will know the beer. Clearly brewing all that tasteless beer didn’t affect his taste in interiors because it really is a gorgeous house. The fireplace tiles are the best thing, IMO. Keep a beady eye out for those. And check the official website for opening times, as they do change throughout the year.

It’s around a 10-minute drive from Bowness.

11. Sample a local beer or 10 at Hawkshead Brewery, Staveley

Amusingly not in Hawkshead but in the pretty village of Staveley, near Kendal, you’ll find Hawkshead Brewery . It does both traditional British and modern cask as well as various keg styles. All of it is good quality, and you should get a flight to try a few.

While you’re there, you can also pop into other up-and-coming places on the same trading estate. There’s an artisan bakery, café, bicycle shop and chocolatier. Once one nice artisan/craft thing pops up, others always follow. By the time I’ve published this guide, there’ll probably be even more.

Hawkshead Brewery is around a 10-minute drive from Bowness.

12. Find the unique bridge house, Ambleside

The teeny little Bridge House in Ambleside must be one of the Lake District’s best-known buildings. Or at least one of the most photographed. It’s basically what a house and a bridge would produce if they had a baby.

The quirky building spans Stock Beck, a beck (stream) running through the centre of Ambleside. It was built on this tiny bridge in order to avoid land tax, which just goes to show how long people have been behaving like Starbucks and Amazon.

Throughout history, the little house has had many uses, including being a shed for storing apples, a counting house for the mills, and allegedly a family home for eight people. Presumably they pushed each other into the beck on a regular basis…

Ambleside and the Bridge House are around a 10-minute drive from Bowness.

Things to do near Bowness, within 30 minutes’ drive

13. look out for peter rabbit at hill top, beatrix potter’s house, near sawrey.

As a child, I was a huge Beatrix Potter fan (okay, I still am as an adult). I read all of her books several times over and adored getting lost in her detailed illustrations of all the animals. 

Visiting her former home, Hill Top, is definitely one of the best things to do in the Lake District in my book. The house is kept as it was when she was alive, with all the rooms laid out as they were. It’s almost like she’s just popped out to the shops and will be back any minute. 

If you’re a Beatrix fan, you’ll know that many of her illustrations were copied from her real surroundings. So at Hill Top, you can see loads of the scenes. Look out for:

• the dolls’ house where the Two Bad Mice go feral and trash the place
• the gate where Peter Rabbit breaks and enters to gorge on lettuce when Mr MacGregor wasn’t looking
• (and for the real connoisseurs) the top of the staircase where Samuel Whiskers rolled the rolling pin.

I’ve been many times over the years and never tire of seeing these spots. There’s also plenty of information dotted around the rooms of Hill Top about her contribution to the Lake District beyond the books, such as breeding sheep and leaving her estate to the National Trust. The staff are very knowledgeable so you can pester them for more information about her life. Oh and there’s a shop where you can buy books, soft toys and all manner of bits and bobs.

Like any National Trust place, it’s best to check the opening times on the official site before you go to Hill Top.

It’s around a 30-minute drive from Bowness, including going on the car ferry across the mere. At the time of writing, this has quite an erratic timetable and it’s best to check the ferry’s Twitter account for running information.

14. Try some of the world-famous gingerbread and see Wordsworth’s grave, Grasmere

Grasmere is on everyone’s Lake District list as it’s such a beautiful little village, surrounded by fells.

Start your visit at the brilliant Heaton Cooper Art Studio and Mathilde’s Cafe for fantastic art and delicious food. Then head to Sarah Nelson’s Grasmere Gingerbread Shop . Grasmere gingerbread has been lapped up by visitors since 1854. Not by me though. I can’t stand the flavour of ginger. Soz, Sarah. But I do like visiting the shop and picking some up for friends/family who do enjoy the horrific substance. The little shop is in used to be the village school, where both William and Dorothy Wordsworth taught in the 19th century. Naturally, the staff still dress in bonnets and aprons, which adds to the experience. 

After visiting the shop, pop into St. Oswald’s churchyard (next door). This is where the Wordsworth family are buried under a yew tree, including William himself (who planted said tree) and his sister Dorothy. I studied some of her diaries at uni, so the first time I went I was just as interested to see her grave as Will’s. 

If you happen to be in the Lakes around 5 August (St Oswald’s Day), it’s worth timing your visit to Grasmere so that it falls on that day. This is when Grasmere does a ‘rushbearing’. This involves a procession through the village, with people dressed up, music from a marching band and so on. It ends at the church, with a ceremony where people lay fresh green rushes all over the floor, filling the building with a nice smell. Rushbearing is an ancient, pre-Christian tradition designed to keep the church fresh when it didn’t have a proper floor. Today, Grasmere is one of the very few places in England where rushbearing still happens. Don’t all rush at once.

Grasmere is around a 20-minute drive from Bowness.

15. Visit the pretty market town of Kirkby Lonsdale

Now, I’m not going to bang on too much about my favourite town in the entire Lake District here as I have a whole guide to things to do in Kirkby Lonsdale . And yes, it’s the best place. Way prettier than Windermere, Bowness, Ambleside or Grasmere (and any of the popular ones) IMO. Kirkby Lonsdale is the connoisseur’s choice.

If you like cute cobbled streets, quirky independent shops, and consuming your own body weight in food/beer, you’re going to love Kirkby Lonsdale. Set on the banks of the River Lune amid verdant countryside and rolling hills, this quaint town is almost unbelievably picture-perfect. But it’s not just a pretty face. It’s a real bustling little community, with loads going on. Every time I visit, there’s something new to take in and I love it more and more.

Anyway, go and read my Kirkby Lonsdale guide and let me know if you fall in love with it too.

It’s around a 30-minute drive from Bowness.

16. Pick up some bargains at Yew Tree Barn

You know how much I love a good rummage, and Yew Tree Barn is one of the best spots in the Lakes for this. It’s a two-storey building with a gift shop and excellent café (Harry’s) downstairs, and a vintage and antique shop upstairs. Outside is a reclamation yard, so if you’re after something like a bird bath for the garden, it’s worth a look.

The gift shop is my main draw, though. They do nice artificial flowers and plants, coffee-table books, a good selection of unusual birthday cards, and all kinds of homewares. There’s also a selection of local craft beer on the shelves just outside the café. Oh and I’ve not been in the run-up to Christmas but I’ve heard their decorations and festive bits are an absolute treat.

Yew Tree Barn is around a 25-minute drive from Bowness.

17. See the world’s oldest topiary garden at Levens Hall 

Levens Hall is another of my top picks in this whole list, tbh. Do not miss it, especially on a sunny day. I don’t think it’s as well known as other gardens around the Lake District but it’s such a perfect day out. 

Levens has the oldest topiary garden in the world, created in 1694. That’s a Guinness World Record claim to fame, so be impressed. I’m into gardening and gardens, but I’m only usually interested in colourful cottage gardens rather than greenery, even when said greenery is cut into exciting shapes. But the topiary at Levens is done in a way where it fits beautifully against the backdrop of the house and softer border planting, so I adore it. Walk around the gardens and take it all in. There’s a lovely orchard at the end of the garden. Keep an eye out for jars of the ‘head gardener’s honey’, which are usually left out with an honesty box. 

Even if the gorgeous gardens didn’t exist, Levens Hall would be worth a visit just for its café. This has one of the best menus in the Lakes, with really nice and fairly healthy lunch options. There are plenty of vegan/veggie options; I like the roasted cauliflower with dahl or the beetroot and goat’s cheese salad. And of course, there are homemade cakes, which you can buy to take away.

I’ve banged on about Levens Hall loads now and not even mentioned that you can also go into the beautiful Elizabethan house and that there’s a gift shop. Anyway, just go. But check their website for prices and opening times, as these vary throughout the year.

It’s around a 20-minute drive from Bowness.

18. Treat yourself to afternoon tea, Grange-over-Sands

Writing about homemade cakes just then has reminded me that I must include my favourite afternoon tea in the Lake District. I think afternoon tea is a must-do on any Lake District trip, especially if you’re burning calories going on lots of walks. And one of the best options is the Hazelmere Café and Bakery , in Grange-over-Sands.

The Hazelmere does loads of classic lunch dishes like toasties, pies, salads, potted shrimp on muffins and so on. But really it’s all about their afternoon tea. At the time of writing, this is just under £20 a head, so not the cheapest but you do get a good spread. There are posh little butties, scones with clotted cream and their homemade blackcurrant and gin jam, plus a selection of cakes. You can choose from a massive selection of tea to wash it down (this is a bit lost on me as a builder’s tea drinker). All of it is well presented and beautifully done. The café itself isn’t pretentious or overly fussy, just a proper cosy café.

Oh and you can go and see the ducks on the pond just over the road once you’ve finished eating. 

Grange-over-Sands is around a 30-minute drive from Bowness.

19. Enjoy the estuarial town of Arnside

Arnside was another of my childhood favourites to visit in the Lake District, alongside Kirkby Lonsdale . Park up overlooking the estuary to watch the train go across the bridge while wading birds pick through the shore. This can also be accompanied by fish and chips from Arnside Chippy if you fancy.

One of the best things to do in Arnside is the circular walk around Arnside Knott , a National-Trust-owned wooded hill with great views. This is one of the nicest short walks in the area, taking about two hours but packing in loads of things to see. Look out for a ‘giraffe tree’, a pair of trees that were knotted together for a wedding around 1860, as well as great views across Silverdale and Morecambe Bay and lots of wildlife.

The village of Arnside is only small but has some really decent shops. The one I always spend the longest in is The Pier Gallery . They sell original pieces and prints by local artists, including ones of many surrounding towns and nature spots. If you want a souvenir to remember your trip by, this would be ideal. It’s also good for stocking up on birthday or blank cards. Art aside, there’s an excellent vintage shop called Homeleigh Vintage , a gift shop called The Coast Office and a second-hand higher-end clothes shop called She Sells . Not bad for a small town, and that’s just my selection of them.

Arnside is around a 30-minute drive from Bowness.

20. Look for fairies at the Fairy Steps, Beetham

I’m annoyed that I don’t have a photo of these legendary stone steps, so you’ll just have to go and see them yourself once you’ve become intrigued by the history and mystery around them…

The narrow stone staircase of the Fairy Steps, just outside the village of Beetham , is set between two rock faces. It was originally part of one of the Lake District’s ‘coffin trails’: a shortcut to transport corpses from Arnside up to the graveyard at Beetham (before Arnside got its own church). You can still see the iron rings along the passageway, which they’d thread ropes through to haul the coffins up. Cheerful.

So where do the fairies come into it? Legend has it that if you descend the steps without touching the rocks on either side, said fairies will grant you one wish. This would be quite an achievement as the staircase is only about 30cm wide in some places. Breathe in, give it a go and let me know in the comments if the wish comes true…

Side note: if your wish happens to be for a nice pub meal and a pint, head straight to the lovely Wheatsheaf pub in the village of Beetham. Wish granted.

Beetham is around a 30-minute drive from Bowness.

21. Put your photography skills to use at Tarn Hows

Technically, Tarn Hows should come under the short walks section I wrote earlier as it’s mainly a walking spot (proper accessible and flat, too). But it’s such a good place for getting beautiful photos that I wanted to write about it separately.

It’s almost like Tarn Hows was designed for photographers, it’s so picture-perfect. But it was actually made for providing water to a sawmill. A former owner of the land, James Marshall, turned what were three natural tarns (not lakes, of course) into a new body of water for powering his mill in Coniston. He had big ideas for the design around it too, planting larch and spruce in an aesthetically pleasing manner.

Don’t be put off that it’s artificial. Tarn Hows is very much a part of the Lake District. Even the Queen of the Lake District, Beatrix Potter herself, came to own Tarn Hows at one point, later bequeathing it to the National Trust in her will. It’s one of the most picturesque bodies of water in the Lakes and beautiful from about 27 million different angles, so make sure you have a full camera/phone battery.

Also, look out for the Belted Galloway cows who are currently doing a brilliant job of grazing the land; they come from Dumfries & Galloway , which is another of my favourite UK areas.

Tarn Hows is around a 25-minute drive from Bowness.

22. Explore the hidden gem of Witherslack

Witherslack is yet another of my childhood favourites in the Lake District. I used to ride at the equestrian centre there, which has sadly closed down recently, and I fell in love with the scenery I found while hacking.

If you want some spectacular views and a good pub lunch/tea (hello, Derby Arms ), you could do a lot worse than an afternoon around Witherslack. It’s a tiny, spread out village, with no shops or anything like that, just lots of incredible scenery. It’s far from the well-trodden tourist areas of the Lakes.

The main thing to do in Witherslack is walking, and there are loads of routes. One of the best for a first visit is the Whitbarrow Scar Circular . Look out for the gorgeous big houses with a stream/pond outside them. I’ve had my eye on one of those for about 20 years.

Witherslack is around a 25-minute drive from Bowness.

23. Ride the steam train on the Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway

No UK holiday is complete, in my view, without some kind of heritage railway journey. The Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railways is a popular one, but worth doing if you’re in the Lakes out of season. It can be busy and full of children in summer, so best to avoid then.

Check the official website for a timetable . It costs £10 for a return ticket, which takes you along the 5km-long line from Haverthwaite via Newby Bridge to Lakeside, which is at the southern end of Windermere. The journey is about 20 minutes each way. And, of course, there’s a tearoom at the station. How could there not be?

Things to do near Bowness, over 30 minutes’ drive

If you’re using Windermere/Bowness as a base, you don’t want to be spending hours driving around. Some places in the Lakes are deffo better to visit on another trip when you’re staying nearer to them. So here are two of my top picks of the slightly further afield places to visit. Apologies to everything I missed like Scafell Pike, Ullswater, Coniston and even the legendary Derwent Pencil Museum (to name a few).

24. Explore the foodie village of Cartmel

Cartmel is one of the prettiest villages in the Lake District. It’s mainly known for being the unofficial foodie capital of the Lake District.

You’ll probably have heard of the famous L’Enclume restaurant, with its Michelin star, run by chef Simon Rogan. He also has a more informal gastropub in the village, called Rogan & Co . But there’s also the Cartmel Village Shop , home of the famous Cartmel Stucky Toffee Pudding. This, like gingerbread, is another Lake District dessert-type thing that I don’t like, I’m afraid. But I’m assured by sticky toffee pudding fans that it’s the best in the world. The shop sells plenty of other local and artisan food and drink, too. For lunch or cake, you’ve got Cartmel Coffee and The Mallard Tea Shop . Both are lovely.

Food aside, one of the best shops in the Lakes for knick-knacks and nice little bits is in Cartmel. It’s called Perfect English and the last time I was there, I bought the most amazing pair of earrings. I could have bought the entire shop, TBH.

The church, Cartmel Priory, is also worth a look inside. 

It’s just over a 30-minute drive from Bowness.

25. Go to a beautiful open garden day at Gresgath Hall, Caton

I thought I’d end this list of things to do in Bowness and the Lake District on a good’un, and maybe one that isn’t as well known as others.

Gresgarth Hall gardens have been curated for decades by professional garden designer, Arabella Lennox-Boyd, who owns the house and garden. She’s also got connections to Italy, so the garden has a really dreamy Italian touch, as well as plenty of traditional English vibes. It’s about 10 acres and absolutely beautiful, like something out of a painting (as you can see in my photo). I could easily live there.

The open garden day at Gresgarth Hall only runs once a month, always on a Sunday. You can check the times on the official website . It’s £12 to get in, which isn’t cheap but it’s absolutely gorgeous. There’s often a plant sale outside too, which means you get to spend even more money on plants to take home, which I think has to be one of my fave hobbies.

It’s around a 35-minute drive from Bowness.

Things to do in Bowness and the Lake District – useful information for your trip

Where to stay in bowness and further afield in the lakes.

I’ve written this guide for people using Windermere/Bowness as their base, so I’ll include several tips for where to stay there below. But I’ve also included a few alternative locations, in case you fancy going somewhere different. All prices are correct at the time of writing, and yes I’m afraid it is a very expensive part of the UK. Apologies to your bank balance.

In Windermere and Bowness, try these:

• Puddle Duck Lodge, Bowness – For around £120 a night, this lovely B&B in the centre of Bowness would be a great option. As a bonus, it’s adults-only.
• Craigholme, Bowness – At around £90 a night, this B&B is one of the only places that ever comes up for under £100 a night in Bowness and Windermere. It’s well rated and well located.
• Cedar Manor, Windermere – For about £220 a night, this is somewhere for a special occasion or if you just want to treat yourself. Way of out my budget but look how gorgeous it is. 

For other places, I recommend:

• The Hare & Hounds, Levens – For around £120 a night, this beautifully decorated pub is excellent. I stayed there on my last visit to the Lakes, when many of these photos were taken. It’s a great base and more off the beaten path.
• The Red Dragon Inn, Kirkby Lonsdale – For about £95 a night, you can stay at this nice inn in my favourite town of Kirkby Lonsdale.
• The Cavendish Arms, Cartmel – At about £90 a night for a small double, this would be a good option if you want to be based in the foodie haven of Cartmel.

How to get around Bowness and the Lakes

This guide is based on having a car, because that’s how most of my readers do the Lake District (I asked!). However, there’s a surprisingly excellent bus service if you’re staying in Bowness, which you can explore on the Stagecoach website . And of course you can get to Windermere itself by train.

If you do want a car to get around, it’s perfectly doable to arrive by train and get a hire car once you’re there, which may be slightly less bad for the environment too.

When to go to Bowness and the Lakes

There’s no denying that the Lake District gets busy, especially in summer and around Windermere, Bowness, Ambleside and all those popular spots.

Going out of the busy season is definitely advisable: April and May tend to be nice, or September and October. There’s also a lot to be said for braving it into autumn and winter. Cosy pubs and bracing walks are more enjoyable without the crowds.

Save and share: 25 things to do in Bowness and the Lake District

If you enjoyed this guide to things to do in Bowness and beyond, why not pin it to your Pinterest board?

You might also like some of my other UK-based travel guides:

• 30 things to do in Kirkcudbright: the artists’ town
• 22 things to do in Knutsford, Cheshire
• 35 lovely things to do in Pitlochry, Scotland: a highland escape
• A guide to things to do in Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria
• 18 of the best UK city breaks
• Things to do in Stockport: a local’s guide
• 18 lovely things to do in Skipton: a pretty market town in North Yorkshire
• 20 things to do in beautiful North Berwick, Scotland
• The best places to visit in Dumfries and Galloway .

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The Best Things To Do In Bowness-on-Windermere, Lake District

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Bowness-on-Windermere has held a special place in my heart for many years now as it’s a place that I’ve visited with my family many times since I was incredibly young. It’s also the place that my parents went to on their honeymoon and every time we went on holiday in the Lake District , we’d always visit Bowness-on-Windermere.

If you’ve seen my recent Instagram post , you’ll know that Matt and I are currently in the process of embarking on a huge AtoZ UK road trip whereby we’ll be visiting at least one place in the UK beginning with every letter of the alphabet.

While there’s no official start or end date for our trip, nor is there a complete strict structure to it, we’ve already made a start on our challenge when we visited Bowness last week for the day.

If you’re planning a trip to the Lakes, Bowness-on-Windermere absolutely needs to be on your travel itinerary. It’s a stunning little lakeside town filled with beatific scenery, plentiful restaurants and quaint charm.

If you’re wondering what to do in Bowness-on-Windermere or you just want some inspiration for the best restaurants in Bowness-on-Windermere, check out my ultimate travel guide to one of the best places in the Lake District !

How to get there

Bowness-on-Windermere is located in South Lakeland in Cumbria, right on the bank of Lake Windermere; AKA the largest lake in England.

Bowness is probably most accessible by road. Depending on where you’re driving from, there are many routes and roads you can take. It’s just over an hour south of Carlisle via the M6 and A6, 50 mins south of Penrith on the A6 and 40 minutes south of Keswick via the A591.

You can also get the train to Windermere station and it’s roughly a 20-minute walk from there to Bowness. There are also regular bus services running from Kendal and Barrow, as well as intermittent schedules from Penrith. I’ve only ever driven to Windermere so if you intend on taking public transport, make sure to check in advance.

Where to park

If you do decide to travel to Bowness-on-Windermere via car, there’s ample parking available all throughout the town.

My favourite car park is the Rayrigg Road car park as it’s conveniently located right in the centre of town. It costs £1.80 for 1 hour, £3.40 for 2 hours, £4.40 for 3 hours and then it goes up by £1 every hour after that.

Where to stay in Bowness

There are plenty of quirky little boutique hotels and guest houses to stay in, in Bowness, as well as more lavish hotels such as the Laura Ashley The Belsfield Hotel which is a very popular place to stay in the area.

Here are some of my top recommendations for places to stay in Bowness:

• Stags Head Hotel (this is where my parents stayed on their honeymoon and it’s an adorable little pub/guesthouse!)
• Burnside Hotel & Spa
• Oakbank House

Find somewhere to stay in Bowness-on-Windermere!

The best things to do in Bowness-on-Windermere

As Bowness is a relatively small town, there’s not an overwhelming amount of things to do there, but it is an ideal place to spend a relaxing day in the town/in and around Lake Windermere.

The World of Beatrix Potter

If you’re travelling to Windermere with kids, or you’re just a huge fan of cutesy literature, make sure you pay a visit to The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction . This magical attraction brings the famous writer’s stories to life and you’ll also get to explore the adorable Peter Rabbit garden and eat delicious treats in the cafe.

Windermere Lake Cruises – best things to do in Bowness-on-Windermere

Renowned for being one of the top-rated things to do in Cumbria, a cruise around Lake Windermere is a must-do on your travel itinerary while you’re in the area.

It’s best enjoyed on a clear day so that you can take full advantage of the stunning views, but it’s still completely breathtaking at any time of year or season.

Depending on where you depart from (Bowness, Ambleside or Brockhole) will depend on how long the cruise lasts and exactly what route you take. However, on all the cruises, you can expect to be taken around the beatific Lake Windermere, admiring the spectacular views of the mini islands and central area of the lake as you go.

Standard Ticket Prices from Bowness for 1-hour cruise (valid from Saturday 4th April 2020 until Sunday 1st November 2020):

• Adults: £12

Mooch around the quaint streets

While I know this point isn’t an exact ‘thing’ to do, I really wanted to point out just how lovely it is to simply mooch around the streets of Bowness-on-Windermere.

Bowness is undoubtedly one of the cutest and most picturesque towns in the Lake District so if you’re not in any rush to do anything in particular, make sure you take some time to just wander around the town.

A stroll around the lakeside is always enjoyable but just bear in mind that it gets very busy in the summer months (even in the middle of a global pandemic!).

Bring your camera along if you’re an avid photographer as everywhere you look, there’s something beautiful to capture on camera. From the majestic swans on the waterfront to the boats swaying in the harbour, to the cobblestoned streets and archaic architecture; Bowness-on-Windermere is undeniably photogenic.

Where to eat – best things to do in Bowness-on-Windermere

Bowness-on-Windermere certainly isn’t short of incredible places to eat. From fancy restaurants to classic British pubs to quintessential fish and chip shops, you could easily spend weeks trying out all the different places to eat!

Hyltons Restaurant

When we were in Bowness last week, we ate at Hyltons Restaurant which definitely has more of a pub feel to it than a restaurant.

At the time of writing this post, we were in the midst of the Coronavirus global pandemic so we were still very much in the social distancing phase. I was so impressed with the way Hyltons handled the social distancing and there were also hand sanitiser stations situated upon entry that guests were asked (made) to use, as well as tables being set two metres apart. Staff also wore face masks, but no gloves.

Anyway, let’s get to the good bit: the food!

This was my first pub meal back in the UK since we’d started travelling all the way back in April 2019 and I was determined to make the most of it! I went for the steak and ale pie with chunky chips and my goodness, what a great choice this was for my first meal back!

The crust of the pie was crisp, yet still light and fluffy and the steak and ale filling was so tasty. The portion size was also pretty huge and it’s safe to say that I was incredibly full once I’d finished!

Matt opted for the gammon, fried egg and chips which he’d been craving for months. His gammon was succulent and juicy and while the fried egg wasn’t quite as runny as we’d hoped, it was still a truly delectable meal!

I wouldn’t hesitate to head back to Hyltons next time we’re in Windermere and I’d 100% recommend it to you guys!

If you’re looking for more places to eat in Bowness-on-Windermere, I’ve included a few more of the best restaurants and eateries below:

• Vinegar Jones – for the best fish and chips in Bowness
• Base Pizza – scrumptious pizzas with a variety of toppings to choose from
• The Flying Pig Pub – another great place for a classic British pub meal
• The Boathouse Bar & Restaurant – for lovely views of the lake as you eat
• The Easy Breeze Cafe – for light bites and nibbles

Helen’s Chocolates

Helen’s Chocolates holds such invaluable memories for me from when I was a child as we’d always go there whenever we were passing through Windermere on holiday in the Lake District.

This adorable little chocolate shop is full to the brim with a vast assortment of the most delicious chocolates imaginable. From chocolate truffles (my favourite) to chocolate lollies, scrumptious gelato, fudge, nougat and more, Helen’s is an absolute treat (pun intended!).

You can also order online if you don’t quite get your fill while you’re in Windermere!

Top picks from Helen’s:

• Fresh Orange Milk Truffle
• Salted Caramel Cup
• Pink Strawberry Cream in White Chocolate
• Clotted Cream Truffle in White Chocolate
• Fresh Milk Truffle

Roly’s Fudge Pantry

Our trip to Bowness-on-Windermere last week was also my first time visiting Roly’s Fudge Pantry .

While I do like fudge, I’m not overwhelmingly bothered about it, but Matt really loves it so we picked up some chocolate orange fudge while we were there.

It’s pretty damn expensive (over £5 for 5 pieces!), but it’s beyond delicious so if you have a particular penchant for fudge, definitely add Roly’s to your list of food places in Bowness!

And there you have it! A brief introduction to spending the day in Bowness-on-Windermere! It’s one of my favourite places in the Lake District and a place that I think everyone needs to visit if they’re passing through the Lakes!

Related posts:

• The Best Things To Do In Penrith, Lake District
• 14 Things You’ll Know If You’re From Yorkshire
• 5 Of The Best Day Trips From London
• 24 Hours In Edinburgh
• A Luxurious Stay At The Scotsman Hotel Edinburgh

Pin for later – best things to do in Bowness-on-Windermere

Would you add anything else to this Bowness-on-Windermere travel guide? Is it somewhere you’d like to visit? Let me know in the comments or on Instagram at @imjustagirl_16 .

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Things to Do in Windermere

Things to do in windermere & the south lakes.

Explore things to do in Windermere and the South Lakes with Visit Cumbria’s guide to Windermere attractions. All 33 of the best places to visit in Windermere, below, are within a 20 minute drive of Windermere lake shore.

Scroll down to browse all things to do in Windermere or jump to Windermere family attractions , boat trips on Windermere and Coniston, living museum attractions, historic places to visit in Windermere or gardens to visit in Windermere and the South Lakes. For adrenaline adventure see the Outdoor Activities around Windermere page.

Or jump to our interactive Map of things to do in Windermere and the South Lakes

Things to Do in Windermere for Families

All of the places to visit around Windermere listed on this page are suitable for children but these are the most popular with families. With lots of things to do in Windermere for children and adults, it’s the perfect base for your family holiday.

Brockhole – Windermere lake

Brockhole, situated in 30 acres of gardens between Ambleside and Windermere, is the Lake District National Park Authority Visitor Centre. One of the most popular Windermere attractions, it has its own landing stage, tree top trek, boat and bike hire, shop, tea rooms ….see all things to do here >>  

Grizedale – near Hawkshead

The Forestry Commission visitor centre is set deep in the heart of the Grizedale Forest, near Hawkshead. Things to do and see include an exhibition space, gift shop, tearoom, adventure playground, picnic tables and mountain bike hire. A good starting point for superb forest walks and mountain bike trails. ….things to do here >>  

Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway – Newby Bridge

Beautiful old steam trains run between Haverthwaite Village, Newby Bridge and Lakeside Pier on Windermere lake. Tie your 18 minute ride in with visiting some of the most popular Windermere attractions such as the Lakes Aquarium, the Lakeland Motor Museum and Windermere Lake Cruises ….things to do here >>  

Lakeland Wildlife Oasis – near Milnthorpe

A blend of museum and zoo, the Lakeland Wildlife Oasis homes exotic species as part of its conservation breeding program. There’s a butterfly house, tropical halls and visitor facilities. 20 minutes from Newby Bridge. ….all things to do here >>  

The Lakes Aquarium – Newby Bridge

From diving ducks to piranha, the aquarium houses native aquatic wildlife and more exotic species. Another of the most popular Windermere attractions, there’s also gift shop and a choice of restaurants. Located on Lakeside Pier where the boat and steam train trips call in ….things to do here >>  

The World Of Beatrix Potter – Bowness-on-Windermere

One of the most popular things to do in Windermere for children is a visit to the World of Beatrix Potter in Bowness. Here you’ll find modern displays of the favourite characters, storytelling, extensive Potter themed gift shop and restaurant. One of the premier indoor Windermere attractions for families ….more things to do here >>  

Fell Foot Park – Newby Bridge

Things to do in this Windermere lake shore park include picnics, paddling, duck feeding and rowing boat hire. There is National Trust gift shop and tea room. Fell Foot is on the Windermere Lake Cruises route and connects to Lakeside Pier for other top Windermere attractions. ….things to do here >>  

Wray Castle – Ambleside / Windermere lake

One of the best rainy day places to visit in Windermere for families, Wray Castle is a rambling mock-Gothic castle with masses of indoor and outdoor space. Things to do include dressing up, giant foam brick building & a Peter Rabbit experience. On the shore of the lake, it’s great for sunny days too ….more things to do here >>  

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Things to do in Windermere – Boat Trips

It’s fun just being on the water and an unbeatable way to see the magnificent scenery. There are also themed cruises on special dates. All of the cruise routes call in at some of the top Coniston and Windermere attractions.

Windermere Lake Cruises – Windermere lake

One of the most popular things to do in Windermere, and the 16th most popular visitor attraction in the UK, is to take a boat trip on Windermere lake. “Steamers” and traditional launches run the full length of the lake, calling it at top Windermere attractions ….things to do here >>  

Coniston Launch – Coniston Water

Just 20 minutes drive from the west shore of Windermere lake is beautiful Coniston Water. Coniston launch runs boat trips on the lakes in 2 traditional wooden launches. A more peaceful, relaxed environment. ….things to do here >>  

The Steam Yacht Gondola – Coniston Water

Also on Coniston Water is the beautiful Steam Yacht Gondola, the oldest steam yacht in the North of England.

Take the full lake cruise or hop on and off at her 3 stops around the lake, which include Brantwood, and enjoy one of the walks from the piers ….things to do here >>  

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Things to Do in Windermere – Museum Attractions

As well as fascinating exhibitions there’s lots of things to do in Windermere museums. These modern interactive visitor attractions have children’s trails, story telling, quizzes, art and crafting sessions, special family events and much more.

Lakeland Motor Museum – Newby Bridge

The all-weather Windermere visitor attraction holds a fascinating collection of 30,000 exhibits, including classic cars, motorbikes, bicycles, pedal cars & caravans and a display on the record-breaking Campbell family ….things to do here >>  

Dove Cottage & The Wordsworth Museum – Grasmere

A must see Windermere area attraction for Wordsworth fans. Dove Cottage was Wordsworth’s home for 5 years and the adjoining Museum & Jerwood Centre holds the world’s greatest collection of manuscripts, books and paintings relating to British Romanticism ….things to do here >>  

The Windermere Jetty Museum – Bowness-on-Windermere

Newly re-opened in 2019 with a brand new home built for the collection at Windermere Jetty. This is one of the most fascinating places to visit in Windermere. It houses a collection of exquisite classic craft and also offers a unique behind-the-scenes view of the conservation work ….things to do here >>  

Stott Park Bobbin Mill – Newby Bridge

A working mill built in 1835, Stott Park created the wooden bobbins vital to the spinning and weaving industries of Lancashire. Now a small Windermere attraction with guided tours, steam weekends and a gift shop selling bobbin related products. ….things to do here >>  

Blackwell – Bowness-on-Windermere

Blackwell, the Arts & Crafts house, is one of England’s most important surviving houses from the turn of the 20th century. Now a popular Windermere attraction, things to do include a program of family activities, including a children’s trail. Also a gift shop and tea rooms. ….things to do here >>

The Ruskin Museum – Coniston

Telling the story of Coniston over the years, displays range from the Stone age with Langdale axes and other implements, the Bronze age (weapons and other artefacts) to the jet era with Donald Campbell and his famous Bluebird. ….things to do here >>

Hill Top, Beatrix Potter’s Home – Near Sawrey

Some 100,000 visitors per year visit this little 17th century stone house and its lovely traditional cottage garden. This was Beatrix Potter’s home and where she wrote many of her best loved books. The house contains thousands of Potter artefacts and papers. ….things to do here >>

Brantwood, Home of John Ruskin – Coniston

Take the Coniston Launch and call in to Brantwood for tea. The former home of John Ruskin, poet, artist, critic, social revolutionary, conservationist and one of the greatest figures of the Victorian age. The house & 20 acres of gardens hold important Ruskin collections ….things to do here >>  

Townend – Troutbeck near Windermere

Townend, the Yeoman Farming House is now owned by the National Trust. It presents a unique insight into the life of one Lake District family through the centuries. Things to do include twice daily tours during the season and cooking afternoons. ….things to do here >>  

The Old Grammar School – Hawkshead

The Old Grammar School in the pretty village of Hawkshead was founded in 1585 by the Archbishop of York, Edwin Sandys. It is now a museum housing a unique collection of historic items relating to the school, whose most famous pupil was William Wordsworth. ….things to do here >>  

The Beatrix Potter Gallery – Hawkshead

Exhibitions of Beatrix Potter’s original drawings and illustrations.

The gallery is housed in the 17th Century building which was once the office of her husband, local solicitor William Heelis. Also readings of tales from Beatrix Potter’s books on selected afternoons in the school holidays. ….things to do here >>  

Historic Places to Visit in Windermere & the South Lakes

Step back in time with house tours of these historic attractions and enjoy exploring the extensive grounds and gardens. Things to do in Windermere historic houses include activity trails, wild life watching, craft rooms, quizzes, the maze at Levens Hall, and full programmes of special events in the holidays.

Holker Hall – Cartmel

The family home of Lord & Lady Cavendish, Holker Hall is probably the finest house in the Lake District. Open to the public, you can tour the house with no rope barrier restrictions and enjoy 25 acres of award winning gardens and woodlands. ….things to do here >>  

Levens Hall – Levens, near Kendal

Both the superb Elizabethan mansion and the renowned gardens are open to the public. Of special interest are the topiary gardens, the oldest in the world. There is also a tea room, gift shop, a plant centre and a children’s play area ….things to do here >>  

Sizergh Castle – Levens, near Kendal

Some 17 minutes drive from Windermere village, Sizergh Castle is a romantic medieval house set in large landscaped gardens. Things to do include wildlife spotting, house tours, a wild play trail where kids can explore and play, a cafe and a shop. A National Trust property. ….things to do here >>  

Allan Bank – Grasmere

A National Trust property, Allan Bank is a great place to see red squirrels and have a picnic. There’s also a craft room to use or browse the library, make yourself a free cup of tea, and curl up with a good read. The woodland walk takes about 45 minutes. There’s also a walled garden and formal lawns to enjoy. ….things to do here >>

Wordsworth’s Grave – Grasmere

One for Wordsworth fans, pretty St Oswald’s Church graveyard contains the graves of many of William Wordsworth’s family and that of the poet himself. It is one of the most visited literary shrines in the world. Next to the church is the famous Sarah Nelson’s Grasmere Gingerbread shop ….things to do here >>  

Places to Visit in Windermere – Gardens

Some of the loveliest places to visit in Windermere and the South Lakes, these beautiful gardens are set in England’s most glorious landscape.

Holehird Gardens – Troutbeck, near Windermere

Keen gardeners looking for things to do in Windermere will appreciate the five acres of gardens with their great diversity of plants that thrive in the area. Holehird Gardens are managed by the Lakeland Horticultural Society and have beautiful views across Windermere lake and the fells. ….things to do here >>  

Rydal Hall Gardens – Rydal

Over 30 acres of gardens, woodlands, streams, waterfalls and a sculpture path. There are mosses, native flora and trees, including a Sweet Chestnut some 500 years old with a girth of 36 feet. The formal gardens were designed by Thomas Mawson ….things to do here >>  

Stagshaw Gardens – Ambleside

If you’re looking for free things to do in Windermere to while away an hour or two in peace and quiet, stroll down to this lovely 8 acre woodland garden, just a short walk from Ambleside town. There are fine collections of rhododendrons and azaleas, a stream and lovely views ….things to do here >>  

Graythwaite Hall Gardens – Newby Bridge

Open to the public from April to August, the 12 acre gardens were originally designed by Thomas Mawson. An interesting mix of formal and informal planting is set in 1,000 hectares of woodlands, home to osprey and golden eagle. In spring the rhododendrons, azaleas, and other shrubs create a blaze of colour. ….things to do here >>  

Hayes Garden World – Ambleside

Cumbria’s most prestigious garden centre is still owned by the same family who opened it in 1921. Their history in Lake District gardening spans 200 years. Now a pleasant all weather Ambleside attraction it offers leisure shopping and a restaurant as well as a large selection of plants and all things garden. ….things to do here >>  

Dora’s Field – Rydal Village

Next to St Mary’s Church in Rydal, about 1.5 miles from Ambleside, Dora’s Field is covered with daffodils and bluebells in the spring. Wordsworth originally planted the daffodils in memory of his daughter. Surrounded by trees, it is a pleasant place to pause and sit on one of the benches provided. ….things to do here >>

Related pages:

• Main Windermere Area Guide
• All Places to Visit in the Lake District & Cumbria
• Outdoor Activities around Windermere Windermere Accommodation

Top Things to Do in Bowness-on-Windermere, Lake District - Bowness-on-Windermere Must-See Attractions

Things to do in bowness-on-windermere.

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12 Things to do in Bowness on Windermere

Bowness on Windermere is one of the most popular places to visit for a reason. Whether you live locally or you’re visiting, here are some of the favourite things our kids love to do (and we do too!).

Bowness on Windermere

We LOVE Bowness on Windermere. It’s possibly one of the most well known and popular place for visitors in the Lake District, and it’s easy to see why.

With plenty to offer for families both in, on and around the lake, there is just so much to do. Along with Windermere which is just up the road, there are places to visit and activities to try to keep everybody busy!

In this post, I’ll be talking about places in both Bowness, and Windermere. And also, a few places really nearby.

To Note: As a general rule for families, I would always recommend getting to places early if possible, especially in the school holidays. Parking is easier and it is generally less crowded. The summer especially can get very busy in Bowness and around the lake.

When planning a trip, I would always plan the parking that you’re aiming for, along with a back up parking option in case your first choice is full. It’s generally fine but having a back up eliminates any stress!

And lastly, enjoy! Pick your adventure….

The World of Beatrix Potter

This is a total classic. For anyone who has read the books, or watched the TV programmes, this is a must-see. It starts with a film to introduce Beatrix Potter and her stories, then you make your way through the experience, where all of her stories brought to life.

You’ll see all the characters from the stories, and there are all sorts of multi-sensory experiences to keep it interesting.

From our experience, you can get round the whole thing in less than an hour. But obviously leave longer if you want to visit the cafe, and if you’re anything like my kids, the gift shop.

The World of Beatrix Potter is in Bowness, and you can find parking almost directly opposite, in Rayrigg Road car park.

Ferry to Far Sawrey then Wray Castle

This is a day out that is still on our list, but it’s one that my local friends recommend to me over and over again! This day can be split into 3 sections:

First, catch the passenger ferry from Ferry Nab and take your bikes across to Far Sawrey. There is plenty of pay and display parking at Ferry Nab, and you can leave the car there all day. Have a look here for timetables and prices.

Second, check out the amazing view from Claife Viewing Station which is really close to the ferry stop. From here, head along the road signed Bank Barn/Wray Castle. Follow this as it turns into a track.

Continue on this route, making sure to keep going forwards (don’t turn off!) until you pass through a gate and the trail turns left, signed Wray Church. Then just past the church you’ll come to a road, and then with two right turns you’ll be entering Wray Castle.

The bike ride is 8 miles, and is classed as an easy trail.

And thirdly, enjoy everything that Wray Castle has to offer! I think some food and drink is in order, and a rest with a view on the picnic tables.

And when you’re ready, you can do the whole thing in reverse to get back to your car.

Orrest Head

We love this walk! We do it quite a lot for a quick blast. We were just saying how when our children were little, this felt like the BIGGEST walk ever, but now we stomp on up there in super quick time. The view at the top is a massive reward for really quite a manageable walk.

The walk is approx 3km, and lots of it is fairly steep. Still manageable for little legs, but the first bit is the steepest so don’t be put off!

You’ll need to park somewhere near the top end of Windermere. There are parking spaces along the A591 just near the traffic lights by the Windermere Hotel. If you can’t find one, then you should find street parking when you turn into Windermere. As ever though, I recommend getting there early to make sure you can park, because this is a popular walk.

From the main road (A591) you will see the start of the walk to the left of the Windermere Hotel. The walk is signed all the way up so it’s really straightforward to find your way to the summit.

At times you get two options for part of the walk – the blue sign option is accessible and is part of the Miles without Stiles series of pushchair friendly walks.

Once you reach the summit, enjoy the 360 degree views of the Lake District! This is where we crack open the chocolate buttons to celebrate getting to the top of this short but steep trail.

Take a Windermere Lake Cruise

The lake cruises operate out of Bowness and take you to all different areas of the lake. You can make a plan for the day, and either stay on a cruise right round the lake, or stop off at different places to explore.

A favourite trip of ours is any cruise that stops off at Waterhead, Ambleside, then lunch at the YHA right on the lake side. From the jetty at Waterhead, there is a little electric bus (it’s totally not a bus but I don’t know how else to describe it!) that shuttles to and from the centre of Ambleside. This is super handy if you want to spend time in Ambleside.

Another idea is to take a cruise with a stop off at Brockhole on Windermere . This is a great place for a play and an explore, with a brilliant playpark and a lovely cafe.

The lake cruises are also a great option if the weather is a bit rainy. The largest boats, the Swan and the Teal, have a load of indoor seating and you can get food and drink on board. It’s a fun way to see the lake whilst staying dry!

If you need more ideas for things to do in the area when it rains, check out this post Things to do in Bowness on Windermere in the Rain for plenty of inspiration.

Visit Windermere Jetty Museum

Honestly this is a new favourite of ours. It’s a fairly new museum, celebrating the history of life on lake Windermere. We now have an annual membership so we can come back as much as we like!

The museum itself is fairly interesting, but I would say it definitely suits older children. My 6 year old lasted about 5 minutes, but my 9 and 11 year old’s liked reading the displays and opening the drawers to find different ‘lake treasures’.

However, the younger children are catered for with a room just for them, filled with hands on toys and dressing up clothes. For the parents, this room also has a view right over the lake so, win win!

The café is worth a visit too, as it has beautiful views out over the lake and yummy hot chocolates for the kids.

The real pull of this place is the events and festivals it hosts. We’re booked in for a science festival in a few weeks which looks amazing, and they have loads of different things on sprinkled through the year.

All the information is on their website , so it’s worth checking out to see what’s coming up.

Cockshott Point

You’ll find Cockshott at the very end of the Glebe, in Bowness on Windermere. It’s an outdoor space with lake access, and just beautiful.

I’ve written a whole post on Cockshott Point which you can find here , so head to that post to find out everything you need to know if you’re planning a visit.

Homeground Cafe

If you’re in need of cake (and really, who isn’t?) you are honestly spoiled for choice in Bowness and Windermere. However, we have a favourite to share, and it’s Homeground , in Windermere village.

The menu is delicious, and our (fairly choosy) children always find something to eat there.

You can’t book, and often when you pass you’ll see a queue of eager diners snaking along the pavement. So my advice would be that if you pass and there isn’t a queue, make the most of it and head on inside!

Windermere Pump Track

Windermere pump track opened in 2021 and is super popular with children of all different ages. It’s small but challenging enough to keep older kids interested and perfect for young children too. Perfect if you don’t want a big bike ride day but the kids still want to get out on their bikes.

Located in Queens Park, Windermere, LA23 2LT.

Visit the park at Millerground

Millerground is SUCH a popular spot, and for good reason. In all, there is an easy car park, a fab playground, lake access and coffee!

To begin, the parking is pay and display at Rayrigg Meadow Parking, Rayrigg Road. There are also toilets here that are open in the summer months.

From the car park, you’ll see a big field leading to a playpark, and if you’re lucky the coffee truck will be there too. The playpark is decent, and the location makes it a great choice.

From the park area, there are steps down to the jetties at Millerground. Here you’ll find a stone ‘beach’ which is super popular for wild swimming, and for launching kayaks, paddleboards. Or simply setting up and having a picnic, and throwing stones in the lake, which is what we’ve spent a lot of time doing over the years!

There is an obvious path leading along the lake from the jetties, and this is a lovely walk if you follow it round. It brings you to a waterfall, and a steep path that leads back up to the main road. From here it’s just a little walk along the pavement back to the car park, and the whole loop is a perfect gentle walk.

Rayrigg Meadow parking is at LA23 1BP

Royalty Cinema

The Royalty cinema in Bowness is a lovely little cinema, which is almost 100 years old.

Screen 1 is a traditional cinema auditorium with the original seat layout. It always feels like such a treat coming here because it’s such a different experience.

You’ll find it on the road heading out of Bowness towards Windermere on your left. There is a pay and display car park right next to it which makes life easier too.

You can find up to date information about showings and timings here .

Hire an electric boat

This is so much fun! On Windermere you can hire anything from rowing boats to heading on a lake cruiser, but we absolutely loved seeing the lake from an electric boat.

We hired our boat from Windermere Aquatic and chose the fantail as we’d never tried one before. If you look on the website you’ll see beautiful pale blue and white boats with gorgeous tan leather interiors – ours ended up being the bright pink boat so you couldn’t miss us!

An hour’s hire definitely isn’t enough to get all around the lake, so we headed across to the west side of the shore, then followed the shoreline until we’d used half the time up, then we looped across to the east side and headed back towards Bowness.

Honestly, it was fab. I was slightly terrified when it was my turn to drive but it was so easy, even I could do it!

Brockhole on Windermere

There is so, so much to enjoy at Brockhole on Windermere. Located just outside Bowness on the A591 between Windermere and Ambleside, Brockhole needs a whole post to itself as there is just so much going on!

So far we have sampled (on a few separate visits) – archery, treetop nets, the faerie trail, the shop, the café, an Easter Egg hunt, the play park and the Lake District Story exhibition.

We still plan to try – Treetop Trek, laser clay shooting, mini golf, Krazy Karts, and Brave the Cave.

There is plenty of parking, but honestly in the school holidays and on the weekends over summer I still would always try to get there before 10:30am, as the car park fills up quickly. The car park is pay and display and you can find prices here .

Brockhole also encourages you to travel by bus or boat if possible. Stagecoach bus services 555 and 599 stop outside Brockhole, and you can find a bus timetable here.

These are some of our favourite things to do in and around Bowness on Windermere, and I hope it’s given you a few ideas too!

If you’re planning a walk local to Bowness on Windermere, have a look at my post on Skelghyll Woods which is just up the road towards Ambleside.

I'm Michelle, Lake District resident and founder of this site. You can mostly find me up a hill, on a lake, or enjoying a hot chocolate by the fire. Feel free to get in touch, I'd love to hear from you!

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Best things to do in Windermere (How to make the most of your visit)

By: Author Tracy Collins

Posted on Last updated: August 10, 2023

Are you planning a visit to Windermere in the Lake District? In this article, I will help you make the most of your visit. If you are wondering what Windermere attractions to add to your Lake District itinerary you will find that information and a lot more in this article.

Including information about the best ways to get to the Lake District, where to stay around Lake Windermere (including some really gorgeous log cabins and lodges ), where to eat in the area and my best tips to make the most of your stay this guide to Windermere contains everything you need to plan your trip.

You will also find a handy map at the end of the post indicating the locations of all the places mentioned.

Do you want to see the best of the Lake District but don’t want to do the driving (or try to find parking)? Why not book a tour? This Ultimate Tour of the Lake District includes a fully guided visit to 10 Lakes and a relaxing boat trip on Ullswater.

Click here for more details about the ultimate Lake District tour.

Bowness-on-Windermere

Ambleside / waterhead, newby bridge, 2. cruise across the lake (to bowness and lakeside), 3. hill top, 4. the world of beatrix potter, 5. lakeland motor museum, 6. fell foot park, 7. rydal water, 8. claife viewing station, 9. grizedale forest, orrest head, school knott, west shore walk, the tarns walk, 11. brockhole, 12. lakeside and haverthwaite railway, 13. lakes aquarium, 14. wray castle, 15. holehird gardens, 16. water sports on the lake, 17. book an experience at lake windermere, itinerary ideas for windermere and the lake district, how to get to lake windermere, best tours to lake windermere, recommended hotels in windermere, map of lake windermere and surrounds, final thoughts about visiting lake windermere.

Things to do in Lake Windermere

1. visit the many beautiful lakeside towns and villages .

Today, the once sleepy fishing village of Bowness-on-Windermere is now one of the most bustling tourist towns in the Lake District.

Its busy pier is the embarkation point for the lake cruises and ferries to Hawkshead. There’s also a vibrant shopping district with art galleries, antique stores and cafés.

Ambleside is a picturesque town in the Rothay Valley, about a mile from the northern tip of Lake Windermere. It’s one of the region’s most popular destinations and makes the perfect base for exploring the Lake District.

Whether you love hiking, shopping or just soaking in scenic beauty, Ambleside is a great place to start. Ambleside’s access to the lake is through the adorable village of Waterhead.

If you’re looking for waterside cafés, cosy shops or tranquil walking paths, then this little hamlet is one of the best places to visit in Windermere.

The southern landing point for Lake Windermere cruises is the small village of Lakeside.

If you step off the steamer, you’ll see charming inns and restaurants as well as the Lakes Aquarium.

It’s also where you’ll find the Haverthwaite railway station for the Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway.

Newby Bridge is a quaint village that straddles the River Leven at the southern end of Lake Windermere. It’s just south of Foot Fell Park and is a stop along the Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway.

The best way to fully appreciate all that Lake Windermere has to offer is to take a lake cruise. They’re one of the most popular things to do in Cumbria and are a relaxing way to enjoy the area’s stunning mountain vistas.

Leaving from Bowness, you’ll have a choice between two types of cruises. There are 45-minute cruises in a modern sightseeing watercraft that takes a circular path around the lake’s 18 wooded islands.

There are also 90-minute cruises that travel from Bowness to Lakeside and then back again. This cruise is on an old-fashioned steamer ship that has allocated seating.

Both cruises offer commentary on the lake’s history and points of interest. Taking a cruise is one of the top Lake Windermere activities that are fun regardless of age, mobility or weather.

Check online for cruise times and prices

This 17th-century farmhouse in Near Sawrey was once the writing retreat of famed children’s author, Beatrix Potter.

It’s now open for visitors who are looking to learn a little bit more about her day-to-day life. It’s been kept just as it was in 1906 when she bought it as a creative hideaway to dream up the likes of Peter Rabbit and Mr McGregor.

Hill Top contains over 1,000 objects related to Mrs Potter, including furniture that can be seen in some of her most popular illustrations. Fans may recognize her 18th-century grandfather clock or the antique oak press cupboard.

After touring the house, take a stroll out back through her famous garden. You’ll feel like you’ve walked right into a storybook.

To get to Hill Top, you can go to Ferry Nab in Bowness-on-Windermere and take the ferry to the Ferry House at Far Sawrey. From there, it’s only a short walk to Near Sawrey.

Alternatively, there are tours available to Hill Top including this Beatrix Potter’s Half Day Lake District Tour .

No trip to the Lake District would be complete without paying homage to Beatrix Potter . She’s the author of 23 classic children’s stories and one of the region’s most famous former residents.

The World of Beatrix Potter is an interactive experience that brings her characters and stories alive. It starts with a short film that introduces Peter Rabbit, one of her most beloved characters. When it’s finished, you’ll stroll right into Jemima Puddle-Duck’s glade and then into Mrs Tiggy-winkle’s kitchen. It’s like you’re in the story itself!

The whole adventure wraps up with a stop in Mr McGregor’s garden. During your visit, you’ll also learn about Mrs Potter’s passion for the conservation of the Lake District.

There is an adorable gift shop for you to stock up on your Beatrix Potter supplies and baby gifts. There’s also a takeaway café. So come one and come all to one of the most whimsical Windermere attractions. You don’t even have to be a kid to enjoy it!

Just south of the village of Windermere, on the southern tip of the lake, you’ll find the Lakeland Motor Museum .

Whether you’re an automotive enthusiast or just looking for something fun to do for a few hours, this museum should be on your list of Windermere places to visit.

They have a collection of over 30,000 vehicle-related items, including antique and rare cars, like a Bentley 4¼ Litre from 1936 or the British manufactured TVR high-end sports cars. There are also Vincent motorbikes and some quirky favourites like Scootacars and Amphicars.

As you tour along, there are short informational videos as well as posted information about each item. In a separate building, you can learn all about Donald and Malcolm Campbell’s attempts to set speed records.

See replicas of their 1935 Bluebird car and 1967  Bluebird K7  boat. For the children, there is a museum quiz that will keep them occupied so Mom and Dad can read all of the signs.

If you’re ready for a bite to eat, Café Ambio is right there and offers a delightful selection of cakes.

Foot Fell Park is a 7-hectare Victorian park on the southern shores of Lake Windermere.

The park was once the stately grounds of a Georgian villa and has had several wealthy owners before being updated and opened to the public. Today, it’s one of the only places in the Lake District that offers free lake access.

There are walking paths shaded by towering oaks and pines, picnic areas and wide open spaces to set those little ones free so they can burn off some energy. Inside of what was once an old, gothic-style boathouse, there’s a small café that serves hot and cold drinks, hot snacks, cakes and ice cream.

One of the most fun things to do in Lake Windermere is to hire a rowboat, kayak or paddleboard at the café and then set out onto the lake for a relaxing afternoon under the Cumbrian sun. You can even book a private sailing experience on Lake Windermere.

If you get a little wet on the lake, don’t worry. There are newly constructed changing rooms onsite that have secure lockers and showers.

If all the activity on Lake Windermere feels too hectic, take a detour and explore Rydal Water instead. It’s a much smaller lake, 77 acres as compared with Lake Windermere’s whopping 3,640 acres.

It’s north of Lake Windermere and sits at the foot of Loughrigg Fell. When you see its tranquil atmosphere, you’ll understand why it was a favourite place of William Wordsworth , poet and Lake District resident. He owned two houses on its shores — Dove Cottage and Rydal Mount, both of which are interesting things to see in Windermere.

In the mood for a stroll? Take the circular walk around Rydal Water.

The path ambles through the woodlands and along the shoreline and only has a few steep areas. There’s a footbridge or two and if you’re lucky, you may even encounter a few grazing sheep along the way.

No matter what you do, Rydal Water makes an ideal spot for a picnic or some bird watching. In keeping with its serene image, boating on the lake is prohibited.

Welcome to one of the first tourist related attractions in the Lake District. In 1790, the Claife Viewing Station was built on a hillside above Windermere to accommodate a new influx of wealthy tourists.

It was created to resemble an old ruin and had coloured windows intended to mimic what the landscape would look like during different seasons. By the 1830s, it had been expanded and became something of a local landmark. Eventually, though, it became less popular and was all but abandoned.

Today its popularity has had a resurgence because of its restoration by the National Trust . It’s a fun place to stop and take in the views that have been so pleasing to tourists from so long ago.

Getting there is easy. All you do is take the ferry from Bowness and follow the West Shore Walk up the shoreline. In addition to the marvellous view, the viewing station has a café and picnic area, so you can make a whole day of your trip.

For a day of outdoor exploration and fun, take the family to Grizedale Forest. Between Windermere and Coniston Water, it’s 2,500 hectares of scenic forest that is especially popular for hiking and biking.

There are many footpaths, so when you arrive, it’s best to purchase a map. There are walks available for any skill level and many have lovely views of the countryside. There are also seven biking trails, both cross country and downhill.

Don’t have a bicycle? They have some there available to rent. If you’re looking for adventurous things to do at Windermere, there is zip-lining, Tarzan swings and rope bridges that are suitable for children aged 10 and up.

For the smaller kids, there is an adventure playground and 90 wonderful sculptures made of natural materials that are scattered throughout the forest.

There is a tearoom and gift shop on-site as well. If you’re planning on spending the day, make sure you have appropriate, waterproof footwear as some of the trails are gravel and may get slightly waterlogged after a rain shower.

This hike offers maximum yield for minimal effort. It’s an easy, circular walk and in only 20 minutes, you’ll be enjoying one of the most breathtaking vistas the Lake District has to offer. It takes you back toward Windermere by way of the scenic St. Catherine’s Wood and High Hay Wood. The Orrest Head walk is truly one of the best things to do around Lake Windermere.

This is a 3-and-a-half-mile circular walk that leaves from the centre of Bowness-on-Windermere. It ambles through woods and fields and up to the summit of Brant Fell, 192 meters high. While you’re catching your breath, you’ll enjoy a lovely view of the lake.

Plan at least two hours to tackle this 5-mile circular walk that winds through the countryside toward the summit of School Knott. Follow the signs up the hillside and don’t forget to turn around for a lovely view of Lake Windermere. This hike is not terribly difficult but does have a few steep sections along the way.

This 4-mile ambling trail starts as soon as you get off the ferry and is a good choice for those who have mobility issues. It has no hills and you can walk as little or as much as you like. The path skirts the shore of the lake and allows easy access to the Claife Viewing Station and eventually Wray Castle.

Leaving out of Far Sawrey, the walk is over six miles long and treks through some rugged countryside, passing both Moss Eccles Tarn and Wise Een Tarn. It’s a pleasant walk but a little more challenging than some of the others.

Read more – 11 beautiful walks and hikes in the Lake District

If you’re looking for things to do in Windermere for families, look no further. Brockhole Lake District Visitor’s Centre offers outdoor activities appropriate for every age and fitness level.

For those adventurous souls, how about treetop nets, zip-lining, archery or kayaking? If you have something a little tamer in mind, why not have a lakeside picnic or take a stroll amongst the 30 acres of historical gardens?

There’s also a mini-golf and a woodland playground for the kids. The Brockhole Café offers family-friendly food and has terrace seating so you can take in those spectacular views of the lake and surrounding countryside.

Brockhole is located conveniently between Ambleside and Windermere. Some activities are seasonal, so check online to see what is available before you go.

Tour the scenic Leven Valley the old-fashioned way, aboard a comfortable carriage pulled by a steam locomotive. It’s all aboard at the Haverthwaite station, at the southern end of Windermere.

Take a 50-minute trip with stunning views to the Lakeside Pier, and all you need to do is sit back and enjoy the ride. Once you’re in Lakeside, you can visit the Lakes Aquarium, shop or board a cruise.

You can also get a combined ticket that includes both the price of a cruise and a train ticket. At the train station itself, you can grab a bite to eat at the tea room or bring along a picnic.

There’s a woodland play area for the kids or you can take a peek in the engine shed to get an up-close and personal look at the steam and diesel locomotives. Check online for departure times and availability.

For a relatively small museum, the Lakes Aquarium packs a big punch, especially if you are travelling with young children.

It’s in Newby Bridge on the southern shore of Lake Windermere and has an amazing variety of sea creatures. Not only does it boast the largest collection of freshwater fish in the UK, but it also features fish from around the world like pufferfish, piranhas and clownfish for those Finding Nemo fans.

The aquarium isn’t just all about the fish, however. There are reptiles, amphibians and a few mammals thrown in for good measure. Explore 30 different habitats including an underwater otter tunnel that really allows you to commune with the creatures themselves and see the world from an underwater perspective.

If you have a rainy day while visiting Lake Windermere and want something to do that will take less than two hours, you won’t do much better than a trip to the Lakes Aquarium.

As you approach Wray Castle, you may assume it’s yet another medieval fortress-like so many others on English soil. You’d be wrong, however. It was built in the 1840s by James Dawson, a retired surgeon from Liverpool and his heiress wife.

It’s immediately clear why he chose the location for his gothic-style statement — the views are stunning and would make anyone feel like royalty. Wray Castle has the trappings of a regular castle — turrets, towers and informal grounds.

The family lived there until the 1920s and eventually, the castle became the responsibility of the National Trust and was opened to the public in 2011.

When the inside of the castle is open, visitors can see the church-like woodwork and activity rooms. The grounds are lovely and fun to explore. A walk from the castle down to the lake is particularly enchanting.

Wray Castle’s grounds are open year-round but keep in mind that the parking is limited and does require a fee.

Join the National Trust for free entry to their properties.

Whether you are a life-long gardening enthusiast or just someone who occasionally stops to smell the roses, a visit to the Holehird Gardens is one of the best things to do in Windermere.

A mile north of the town of Windermere, it’s a collection of gardens run by volunteers from the Lakeland Horticultural Society. The wide variety of plants, colours and wildlife are an absolute delight to the senses.

There is a woodland garden, rock garden and stream garden, but everyone’s favourite tends to be the walled garden. Originally put in place in 1870, the walled garden was later expanded around the turn of the century by Thomas Hayton Mawson, one of Britain’s most famous landscape architects.

Plan to spend at least an hour walking around and soaking in the stunning views of the rolling hills and lake in the distance. A £5 donation is required to enter — quite a bargain for such an amazing place.

Among the best Lake Windermere things to do are the wide variety of water sports.

Have you ever wanted to learn how to sail? You can hire a boat and take lessons. What about waterskiing or wakeboarding? They have that too. There’s also canoeing, row boating and paddleboarding.

If you’re looking for things to do in Windermere for couples, how about taking out a double kayak? There’s nothing more romantic than paddling around the lake together in such a majestic setting.

• Kayak on Derwent Water – See the best of the lakes on this ever-changing kayak tour on and around scenic Derwentwater. 
• Canoe on Derwent Water – Nicknamed “the jewel of the Lake District” this guided tour is the perfect way to discover Derwent Water. 

Here are some of my top picks of experiences in the Lake District:

• Film & TV Locations Tour – Some of the best TV and Film has been famously captured in many diverse and expansive areas in the Lake District. Boasting a vast collection of locations across most of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, this tour picks up on just a small selection.
• Breweries and Distilleries (Full Day ) – Visit a number of local breweries where you can try before you buy, or even learn about the brewing processes. Whether it’s beer or Gin there is something for all tastes.
• Lake District – Scavenger Hunt Adventure (7 Days Self-guided) – Travel-themed scavenger hunt with hundreds of destinations & challenges. Contact-free travel and a truly immersive way to explore the region!
• Forests & Wildlife (Full Day) – A fully immersive tour that will capture the imagination of both young and old alike. Witness the sights and sounds of the many different species of animals and birds native to the Lake District, but also see some from much further afield.
• Private Sailing Experience on Lake Windermere – Charter a skippered yacht for a 2-hour sailing experience, get involved and take control of the yacht or just sit back and enjoy the stunning scenery unfold around you.

Plan your visit to Lake Windermere

If you are putting together your Lake District itinerary – whether you are planning one day in the Lake District or even 2, 3,4 days or more – you will find everything you need to know in my Lake District Travel Guide .

As well as a comprehensive guide to the best things to do in the Lake District you will find itinerary suggestions and tips to make the most of your trip.

If you are unsure of which towns and villages to include in your Lake District itinerary you will find my guide to 24 of the prettiest towns and villages in the Lake District an invaluable resource.

• The M6 motorway runs to the east of the Lake District – take junction 36 and then the A590 for Windermere.
• London to Lakes – 5 hours
• Manchester to Lakes – 1 and a half hours
• York to the Lakes – 2 hours
• There is a mainline train station at Windermere. From Manchester Piccadilly, it takes 1 hour 40 minutes (with one change at Oxenholme)
• It is possible to catch a National Express Coach from a number of major cities including Manchester or London.

Another option for those of you who don’t want to drive to the Lake District (or take public transport) is to book a tour. These are some of the options available from nearby cities.

• From Manchester: Lake District Sightseeing Day Trip
• Lake District Day Trip from London with Afternoon Tea
• From Chester: Lake District Full-Day Guided Sightseeing Tour

Best places to stay in Lake Windermere

There are lots of great hotels in the Windermere area. You can find a small selection below or for more check out my guide to the best places to stay in Lake Windermere.

• Luxury – Kotel Windermere
• Midrange/Boutique – Wateredge Inn
• Budget – Westmorland Inn

Read – You will find more suggestions in my England Accommodation Guide

So there you have it – lots of fab ideas and suggestions to make the most of your stay in Windermere.

Don’t miss my complete Lake District Travel Guide which contains everything you need to know to plan your visit including practical tips, itineraries and more inspiration.

If you are looking for other attractions in the region my top 10 things to do in the North West has lots of suggestions.

If you enjoy visiting cities my travel guide for Liverpool includes what to see, where to stay, itinerary suggestions and tips to make the most of your visit.

• Places to go
• Things to do
• Where to stay
• Plan your visit

Enjoy one of our up and coming events!

• Explore Coniston Water
• Explore Derwentwater and Keswick
• Explore Grasmere and Rydal
• Explore Langdale Valley
• Explore Northern Lakes
• Explore Ullswater
• Explore Wasdale, Wastwater and the West Coast
• Boat hire and boat trips on Windermere
• Birdspotting
• Brockhole, the Lake District Visitor Centre
• Coniston Boating Centre
• The Countryside Code
• Car parks in the Lake District
• Plan your winter visit to the Lake District
• Getting to and around the Lake District
• Accessible for all
• Coronavirus (Covid-19) news
• Weather in the Lakes
• Webcams, videos and photos
• Frequently asked questions
• Supporting the National Park

• Visiting >
• Places to visit >
• Explore Windermere and Ambleside >

Things to do in Windermere

Windermere , England's largest lake and its surrounding area is packed with loads of things to do, whatever the weather and however active or relaxed you want to be.

Get on the water

The best way to really enjoy Winderemere is to get on the lake. From cruise boats, to motor boats, rowing, kayaking and canoeing, paddleboards, sailing and swimming, find out how and where to get on the water, and book your boat online.

Boat hire, boat cruises and swimming on Windermere lake

Walking and hiking

The Windermere area has short easy-access walks, to longer routes and some classic Lake District summits with views over the lake.

Walking routes near Windermere

Join one of our guided walks

The western shore of Windermere, and Grizedale forest, are particularly good for family-friendly cycling.

Cycle routes and bike hire

Five great guided walks in and around Ambleside

26 Jun 2014

Your Two Day Windermere Itinerary by Langdale Chase

07 Nov 2017

Top places to visit with families around Windermere

Brockhole  on windermere.

Enjoy the famous adventure playground, paddle in the lake, and explore the fabulous Mawson designed gardens with good pushchair and wheelchair access. Hire a boat on the lake , with motor boats, rowing boats, kayaks and paddle boards for hire. Challenge yourself with archery, laser clay or inside caving. Gift shop, cafe , and The Gaddum restaurant on site. Free admission. Pay and display car park.

Fell Foot Park

This Victorian park, restored to its former glory, offers substantial access to the lakeshore, where there are leisure facilities. Fine picnic areas, a cafe and rowing boat and kayak hire make it an ideal day out for families.

Lakes Aquarium

Go on a journey of discovery! Set on the lakeshore, this award winning attraction has the UK's largest collection of freshwater fish.

Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway

Hard working steam locomotives travel three and half miles into the Leven Valley. Take a return journey or combine your trip with a lake cruise or a visit to the Aquarium of the Lakes.

World of Beatrix Potter

All of Beatrix Potter's tales are brought to life in three dimensions. An indoor re-creation of the Lakeland countryside, complete with sights, sounds and even smells.

Wray Castle

Families can explore the activity rooms inside the castle, where there’s plenty of space for creative play. With a natural playground in the grounds and a path to spacious grassy area on the lakeshore, its a great for the whole family whatever the weather.

Windermere attractions gallery:

Beatrix Potter's former home Hill Top

Claife viewing stations with views over Windermere lake.

Sunset over Windermere lake.

Wray Castle on the shore of Windermere

Take a boat cruise along part of all of Windermere lake.

Holehird house and gardens

Historic houses and museums around Windermere

Beatrix potter's hill top and gallery.

Children's author, artist, farmer and conservationist. Find out more about this amazing woman and the real places which so inspired her.

Blackwell - The Arts and Crafts House

Overlooking the lake, this Arts and Crafts housel has fine examples of decorative arts, furniture and objects inspired by nature. There are superb examples of stained glass, carved oak and iron work.

Stott Park Bobbin Mill - English Heritage

A fully working Victorian mill, Stott Park is typical of the many mills which once supplied the spinning and weaving industry.

Townend - National Trust

Typical Lakeland farmer's house from the seventeenth century with all original interiors, woodwork and domestic implements

Windermere Jetty

Hear tales of workers and boat owners, their lives and adventures, and discover the fascinating developments in design and technology that drove boat-building in the Lake District. Stunning views over the lake from the cafe.

Gardens to visit around Windermere

Graythwaite hall gardens.

Laid out in the late nineteenth century, the Arts and Crafts garden is a delight. In spring the rhododendrons, azaleas and flowering shrubs are in glorious bloom.

Holehird Gardens

Ten acres of a huge variety of alpines, heathers, specimen trees and shrubs maintained by the Lakeland Horticultural Society.

Cinema and theatre around Windermere

Old laundry theatre.

The only professional in-the-round theatre in Cumbria with an exciting and stimulating programme of performing arts.

Zeffirellis cinemas

Zeffirellis independent cinema in Ambleside has five screens. It plays the latest releases plus live-streamed theatre and opera performances.

Royalty Cinema

In Bowness-on-Windermere, three screens offering the latest releases in comfortable surroundings.

Balloon flights

• Lake District Balloon Rides
• Pendle and Cumbria Balloon Flights
• Beckside Golf Course - 01539 821415 at Ellerbeck Farm, Crook
• Windermere Golf Club
• Pitch and Putt at the Glebe, Bowness-on-Windermere
• Mini golf at Brockhole on Windermere

Horseriding

• Lakeland Pony Treks - in Troutbeck

Pop in to Bowness Bay Information Centre for help and advice

We can help you with booking tickets and attractions, ideas for walks places to visit, and we've got a range of guidbooks, maps and gifts. See us on the south side of Bowness Bay, home to  Bowness Information Centre .

The Lake District National Park Authority looks after this unique corner of England, encouraging people to enjoy and understand its beauty and helping those who live and work here. Our staff include rangers and field workers, advisers at our visitor centres, planners and ecologists.

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