What is there to See and Do in the Lake District?
Bowness on Windermere Local Attractions
PLACES TO EAT
Places To Eat
(ie. Within Walking distance of Stockghyll Cottage, but borrow one of our torches.)
At anytime of year especially at the weekends or if you have a favourite restaurant, it's a good idea to book a table in advance.
Some places don't take bookings so you just have to wait, but most do.
We haven't eaten at all these this year and are relying in some cases on guests' comments. They are in no special order, but if they're on the list they are good and shouldn't disappoint. Others, not on the list, may be good but we have no information at the moment.
Do ask about pricing if you phone as some do specials at certain times and some are a touch pricey, but nice for a special occasion.
(* Personal Favourite)
Restaurants | Type | Details |
---|---|---|
The Albert | English Pub | Walk In |
Flying Pig | English | Walk In |
*Rastelli's Pizzeria | Italian | 015394 44227 |
Jackson's Bistro | English bistro | 015394 46264 |
Lake Raj | Indian | 015394 45900 |
The Angel Inn | English | 015394 44080 |
Hyltons | Traditional English | Walk In |
The Old John Peel | English Pub | Walk In |
Villa Positano | Italian | 015394 45663 |
Shahibs | Indian | 015394 43944 |
Bodega Bar & Tapas | Spanish Tapas | 015394 46825 |
The New China Boat | Chinese | 015394 46326 |
House of Siam | Thai cuisine | 015394 22412 |
The Hole in't Wall | English Pub | Walk In |
Quality is Everything
Local Attractions
Far too much to mention here, but these links take you to areas which have visitor attractions that we find interesting, and you may too.
Attractions in Windermere
Steamer Trips – Lakeside Steam Railway – Aquarium of the Lakes – Blackwell House – Hill Top – Ambleside – Walks – Boat Hire – Stagshaw Gardens
To See Local Attractions In Windermere
Attractions In Windermere
Steamer Trips
Steamers and Launches sail daily throughout the year between Ambleside, Bowness and Lakeside. Evening or Jazz/Buffet cruises during summer. Island cruises daily.
Lakeside/Haverthwaite
Railway Connect with the Lake cruises for a steam train trip to Haverthwaite. Licensed restaurant, souvenir shop and engine sheds to see.
Blackwell House
This elegant Arts and Crafts Movement house has spectacular views across Windermere. Changing historical and contemporary exhibitions of the applied arts.
Beatrix Potters Hill Top
Beatrix Potter wrote many of her famous children's stories whilst living in this 17th century farmhouse which has been preserved as she left it.
Hayes Garden World
Beatrix Potter wrote many of her famous children's stories whilst living in this 17th century farmhouse which has been preserved as she left it.
Various hire centres around Windermere offer activities.
Attractions in Ullswater
Helvelyn – Waterfalls – Steamer Trips – Walks – Beautiful Lake – Motor & Sail Boat Hire – Dalemain – Rheged – Alpaca Farm
To See Local Attractions In Ullswater
Attractions In Ullswater
Ullswater Steamers
Helvellyn
At 950 metres (3,118 feet) above sea-level, is the third highest peak in England. Rated as Very Hard it's best to follow a guide like the link below.
Rheged
Dalemain
Activities
Walking & Waterfalls
Visit Aira Force waterfall or watch Golden Eagles at Haweswater. Or just drive about the area enjoying the wonderful views.
Attractions in Coniston
Hawkshead -Tarn Hows – Bluebird Cafe – Brantwood – Grizedale Forest – Coniston Launch – Steamboat Gondola – Boat Hire
To See Local Attractions In Coniston
Attractions In Coniston
Steamboat Gondola Coniston Launch
Brantwood
The home of John Ruskin, artist, philosopher, writer. Also stunning views of Coniston, lovely gardens, terrific cafe with terrace overlooking the lake and wonderful local art gallery.
Coniston Boating Centre
Eat in the Bluebird Cafe.
Dalemain
Fishing
Ruskin Museum
History of copper mining, Donald Campbell, lacemaking, John Ruskin, Herwick sheep and dry stone-walling. A lovely little museum.
Grizedale Forest Park
Walk, hire a cycle, bring your own. Miles and miles of marked trails or even Go Ape In Grizedale
Attractions in Grasmere
Grasmere Village – Rydal Water – Gingerbread – Shops – Cafes – Rowing Boats – Walks – Wordsworth
To See Local Attractions In Grasmere
Attractions in Grasmere
Dove Cottage
Was the home of William Wordsworth from December 1799 to May 1808. Tour the cottage and gardens where he wrote his famous works.
Hayes Garden World
A great place to spend time. Even if the weather isn't special there's plenty of indoor shopping to be done. Much more than just garden goodies.
Armitt
Experience 2000 years of local history. Interactive displays, workshops, talks and changing exhibitions.
Walks from Ambleside
STRENUOUS FULL TO HALF DAY WALKS FROM AMBLESIDE
These walks are described in detail on John Dawson's Lake District Walks website and we give the relevant link.
Heaton Cooper Gallery
Ever popular art of landscape painters, father and son, Alfred and William Heaton Cooper and grandson Julian Cooper.
Attractions in Keswick
Derwent Water – Cruises – Museums – Shopping – Buttermere – Crummock Water – Loweswater – Honister Slate Mines
To See Local Attractions In Keswick
Attractions in Keswick
Keswick Town
This pretty market town offers a wide range of attractions for visitors, from shops and restaurants to museums with a difference.
Keswick Launch
Keswick launches are a fantastic and convenient way to explore. You can hire rowing boats and self drive motor boats from the Keswick boat landings.
Bowderstone
This 2000 ton stone, some 30 feet high, fifty feet across and ninety feet in circumference, rests in a state of delicate balance.
Castlerigg Stone Circle
Castlerigg Stone Circle is one of the most visually impressive prehistoric monuments in Britain.
Osprey Watch
The Bassenthwaite Ospreys are wild birds that nest in the forest overlooking Bassenthwaite Lake.
Buttermere
A beautiful small lake in the Newlands Valley with a pleasant walk around it. Also Crummock Water and Loweswater.
Wordsworth Trail Attractions
Dove Cottage – Grasmere – Rydal Mount – Rydal Village – Wordsworth House – Cockermouth
To See The Wordsworth Trail Attractions
The Wordsworth Trail
Wordsworth House
This grand house in Cockermouth is where William Wordworth was born and brought up until he was eight.
Hawkshead Grammar School
From 1779 until 1787 William attended the Grammar School in Hawkshead, lodging with Ann Tyson at Colthouse.
Dove Cottage
In December 1799 William and Dorothy moved into Dove Cottage, in Grasmere. Here Wordsworth wrote much of his poetry. He left in 1808.
Rydal Mount
The Wordsworth Family moved into Rydal Mount in 1813 and rented the house continually for 46 years until the death of Mary Wordsworth in 1859.
Dora's Field
After his daughter Dora died in 1847, William went down to the field between Rydal Mount and the main road, and planted hundreds of daffodils as a memorial to Dora.
Wordsworth's Grave
William Wordsworth planted eight of the yew trees in the churchyard at St Oswald's in Grasmere, and one of them marks the grave of him and his wife Mary.
South Lakes Peninsula
Holker Hall – Levens Hall – South Lakes Animal Park – Yew Tree Barn Antiques – Sizergh Barn (see cows being milked)
To See Local Attractions In South Lakes Peninsula
South Peninsula
Levens Hall
With it's World-famous 300 year old topiary garden and wonderfully atmospheric 14th century family home this is a must to visit.
South Lakes Wild Animal Park
Even if you don't like zoos you'll love this. Animals free to roam, and you can roam too!
Lakeland Motor Museum
A super collection of over 30,000 motoring related exhibits in a relaxed and intriguing setting.
The Dock Museum
A great modern museum with the history of Barrow shipbuilding as it's central theme.
Furness Abbey
The impressive remains of an abbey founded by Stephen, later King of England it was one of the richest Cistercian monasteries in England.
Beetham Nurseries
Lovely plant nursery with a huge range of plants which we have always found to be dependable. Lovely garden cafe.
Gleaston Water Mill
A restored water-powered corn mill with a traditional English tea shop and food and gift shop as well as an apiary (bees).
Beatrix Potter Trail
Holker Hall – Levens Hall – South Lakes Animal Park – Yew Tree Barn Antiques – Sizergh Barn (see cows being milked)
To See the Beatrix Potter Trail Attractions
The Beatrix Potter Trail
HillTop
Delightful small 17th-century house where Beatrix Potter wrote many of her famous children's stories. Visit the website to check on opening times.
Beatrix Potter Gallery
Gallery showing original book illustrations by Beatrix Potter, with information about her life.
Check the website for opening times.
Hawkshead
A very pretty small village with Beatrix Potter connections, cafes, shops and beautiful countryside as well as nearby Tarn Hows.
Beatrix Potter Attraction
Come & see Peter Rabbit, Jemima Puddleduck, Mrs. Tiggy-winkle and all their friends at the definitive Beatrix Potter Attraction in the English Lake District.
Wray Castle
Beatrix Potters family rented Wray Castle for holidays. Beatrix was 16 when they stayed here in 1882. There are lovely walks along Windermere's shore.
Peter Rabbit
Information about Beatrix Potter and her life, the characters and the area.
Gift Shop - Collectables and gifts all with a Beatrix Potter connection to be bought on-line or in the local Peter Rabbit shops.