The Lake District is popular with millions of tourists each year. Rich with heritage, beautiful backdrops and incredible food, it truly is a national treasure. There are 16 beautiful lakes to explore and soak in the stunning scenery within the district, but the most famous would be lake Windermere.
Windermere is the largest body of water in England, with an impressive 300 billion litre capacity. It is close to many towns and villages, but only one sits on the edge of the water and whilst you would, for name’s sake, expect this to be the village of Windermere, it is actually the town of Bowness-On-Windermere.
A Brief Background of Bowness-On-Windermere
Only a 40-minute drive from our touring caravan sites near the Lake District, Bowness-On-Windermere is well worth the day trip. This town is a honey pot for tourists, with a great heritage dating back to as early as 1415. Despite humble beginnings as a fishing village, the town grew due to its impressive tourist industry and holiday homes in the 19th Century. It was also the boat building centre of The Lakes and provides sailing yachts, rowing boats and steamboats, all used on the lake. The introduction of the train line in 1847 also helped the town’s growth, with visitors coming from further afield to enjoy the tranquillity and beauty that Bowness-On-Windermere offered.
Activities for All The Family
The primary reason Bowness-On-Windermere is so popular for visitors is its vast amount of activities, many of which are based on the lake itself.
Boat Cruises – There have been many significant vessels on the waters of Lake Windermere, and the history of the boats is fascinating, which you can find locally at the Windermere Jetty Museum. However, today, the leading operator of lake cruises is Windermere Lake Cruises, which are docked within Bowness-On-Windermere. They offer trips across the lake from a collection of 17 vessels, with four impressive steamers; the MV Swan, the MV Teal, the MV Swift and the MV Tern. They also offer self-drive boats for hire, allowing you to be your own captain on the lake for as little as £38 for an hour. Situated on the water’s edge of Bowness, their ticket stalls will be able to provide you with full details of prices and timetables.
The World of Beatrix Potter – The Lake District has been an inspiration for much literature over the years, one of which is the beautiful childhood tales of Peter Rabbit, Jemima Puddleduck and, of course, the Flopsy Bunnies. As a tributre to the beautiful books, an attraction has been constructed in the heart of Bowness. This attraction offers you to explore their world with recreations of the sights, smells and sounds that bring the literature to life. Whether you have children or not, this incredible addition to the town offers a beautiful afternoon for all.
Glebe Park – If the weather is forgiving on your day trip to Bowness-on-Windermere, then the beautiful Glebe Park is certainly worth a stop with a picnic. It also offers a range of leisure activities from crazy golf, mini-golf, tennis and even the modern game of footgolf.
Shopping in Bowness – Being the tourist capital of Lake Windermere, Bowness offers a range of boutique shops and unique retail businesses that can only be found within the Lake District. These include shops such as Lakeland Potteries and Helen’s Chocolates, as well as many galleries for you to discover local pieces of artwork.
Museums – With all the incredible heritage of the Lake District, there are many local museums dedicated to showcasing the area’s local history. A notable museum on the list is the Windermere Jetty Museum, which explores the 200-year-old boating history with talks, interactive activities and art exhibitions.
If you are more interested in keeping on dry land, there is the option to visit Blackwell House. This attraction offers a step back in time with a holiday home designed exactly how the Blackwell family would have kept it many years ago. Complete with art exhibitions, the finest craftsmanship and exciting holiday programmes, it is an excellent addition to The Lakes attractions.
Brockhole on Windermere – If you are looking for a day filled with exciting outdoor activities, Brockhole can offer all this. From thrilling Treetop Trekking, offroad driving experiences for children, clay shooting, kayak tours, archery and much more, it will be a day out like no other.
Places to Eat
Being one of the most popular tourist areas of the Lake District, Bowness-on-Windermere offers plenty of high-quality dining. Most local restaurants are independently run and offer the most delicious produce and dishes with locally sourced ingredients. Whether you are looking for a light bite or a hearty evening meal, there is no shortage of delicious restaurants to provide for you.
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and with the likes of these cafés, it could also be the most delicious;
For a later meal in the evening then, you will be amazed by the beautiful dishes available from local restaurants;
Transport
Whilst a car is a preferable option, many visitors often choose to take public transport to Bowness-On-Windermere due to the busy car parks and roads. There are many buses which can take you to Bowness-On-Windermere, but the best option would be travelling by train if you were to opt for public transport. Trains to Windermere can be found on the Trainline website, and the station is only a mile from the town of Bowness-On-Windermere. You can access the route from Carnforth Railway station, just 10 minutes from our caravan park in Lancashire.
Our caravan park is an ideal location for anyone wishing to visit the Lake District, whether you are looking for rentals or holiday homes for sale in Lancashire. Enquire and book online to ensure you guarantee a stay in our peak seasons.
