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 Windermere and Bowness on Windermere are technically two towns, with Bowness on the lakeside and Windermere only 1/2 a mile inland providing the railway link. It is almost impossible to separate the two, and so for the purposes of this page we will regard them as one resort.
It may be of interest to note that Wordsworth did his utmost to prevent the 1847 construction of the railway line from Kendal to Windermere. He stated that it would encourage too many tourists and part of a sonnet written by him urged the "protest against the wrong".
 Reaching the towns by road is simple enough. For those travelling by the M6, exit at J36, and follow the A590 & A591.The approach to Bowness via Windermere can be slow. The roads are not designed to cope with the high volume of traffic experienced at weekends and Bank Holidays. However, be patient and you will arrive at Bowness Pier with options of long-term parking at Braithwaite Fold by following the promenade to Glebe Road, or continue to the end, turn right and first right again to reach Ferry Nab car park.
 Bowness has developed from a haven for wealthy Lancashire businessmen to the now thriving and at times very crowded holiday destination. Ferries ply regularly between here, Waterhead, Lakeside and Brockhole. There are facilities for motor-boat hire, sailing, canoeing and fishing as well as the lakeside amusement arcade, ice-cream stalls, pubs, cafes and restuarants. There is a large grassed area on which to walk or lay and take in the fine down-lake views of heavily wooded slopes and the imposing Langdale Pikes.
 Children will enjoy the "World of Beatrix Potter" exhibition, whilst Dad will be happy to browse in the Steamboat Museum. Family fun is to be had on the lovely setting of the well laid-out putting green. There is a cinema on the road to Windermere; an area surrounded by shops, cafes and restaurants and souvenir sales. Continuing further into Windermere, you will find Bed & Breakfast, Guest Houses and Hotels, all of a very high standard but sensibly priced. Next to Windermere Station is the well-stocked Booths Supermarket and "Lakeland", a large store of attractive design selling a wide range of specialist items.
 Returning down the hill to Bowness finds the Old Laundry Theatre; the only professional theatre in the area and supported by several well-known TV and theatre personalities.
Bowness's St. Martins Church was built in the 1480's and enlarged to it's present size at it's time of restoration in the mid 1800's. In it is a 15th Century stained glass window showing the coat of arms of one John Washington; an ancestor of the U.S.A 's George Washington.
Windermere Golf Club on the Crook Road has much to attract temporary members. Call the secretary or visit the web-site for details.
 A modern car/passenger ferry operates at 20 minute intervals from Ferry Nab to Sawrey. The 10 minute crossing saves drivers several miles on the journey to Hawkshead and Coniston. The wooded hill on the Sawrey side is Claife Heights. According to legend this was home to the "Crier of Claife" whose call to the ferryman for a boat on stormy nights enticed one to his death. Even now a small notice on todays ferry advises that "a return journey is not guaranteed in bad weather". Is the "Crier" still at large?
Tourists will find all they need in these fine towns. The guest accommodation, self catering, caravan and camping sites are all that you would expect in such a well frequented and much loved area.
How to get there:
By rail: From the West Coast Main Line, change at Carnforth or Oxenholme for Windermere.
By road: Situated on the A591, Windermere and Bowness are easily accessible from the M6 motorway, exiting at J36.
Local links:
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| Jambo Restaurant |
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Jambo is a small, cosy restaurant in Windermere, at the heart of the beautiful Lake District. The Proprietors, Kevin and Andrea strive to provide quality food and wines at reasonable prices. They are both fully trained chefs and have worked in the catering industry for 15 years, Kevin is also a Master Chef of Great Britain. |
Address: Jambo Restaurant, Victoria Street, Windermere, Cumbria LA23 1AE
Phone: +44 (0)15394 43429
Fax: +44 (0)15394 43821
Website: www.jamborestaurant.co.uk
Email: kevatjambo@aol.com |
| Lucy4 at the Porthole |
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Unique in style and atmosphere, Lucy4 offers "fiendishly good fun and informal dining". Choose from the interactive menu a selection of wines and beers, delicious food for all tastes including meat, fish and vegetarian.
For a devil of a good time:
Phone: +44 (0)15394 42793
Email: info@lucy4attheporthole.co.uk |
Address: Lucy4 at the Porthole, Ash Street, Bowness-on-Windermere, Cumbria LA23 3EB
Phone: +44 (0)15394 42793
Website:www.lucysofambleside.co.uk/lucy4/
Email: info@lucy4attheporthole.co.uk |
| The Lighthouse Cafe Bar and Restaurant |
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Welcome to the lighthouse cafe bar & restaurant in Windermere, the heart of the English Lake District.
Brand new in 2002 with a neat, metropolitan feel. The lighthouse caters for a casual lunch or daytime snack to a romantic or family evening meal in pleasant surroundings with a choice of stylised floors. |
Address: Acme House, Main Road, Windermere, Cumbria LA23 1DY
Phone: +44 (0)15394 88260
Website: www.lighthousecafebar.co.uk
Email: info@LighthouseCafeBar.co.uk |
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Windermere Taxi Services and Wedding Car Hire - Courteous, friendly reliable service. Local and long distance.
Phone: +44 (0)15394 42355
Lakes Taxis/Windermere Village Taxis. Prompt and reliable.
Phone: +44 (0)15394 44055 or 46777
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(C of E) St. Martins
Built 1483. A church booklet with a cover drawing by the well-known Alfred Wainwright describes objects of interest within the church.
(C of E) St. Marys Parish Church.
(RC) Our Lady and St. Herberts
(Methodist) Bowness Methodist Church
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