Holly's Cumbria Guidebook

Holly
Holly's Cumbria Guidebook

Sightseeing

With something to appeal to all different tastes, the narrow streets of this traditional lakeland village are thronged with holidaymakers and day-trippers in the summer especially, and nonetheless the atmosphere is entirely relaxing and laid back. With a beautiful setting, a vibrant town centre and nightlife, the famous Windermere steamers, and the rest of the Lake District on your doorstep, Bowness-on-Windermere represents the Lake District at its best. Along with enjoying the lake frontage, perusing the enticing local shops, wiling away time in the cafes and dining out in the many excellent restaurants, there are plenty of attractions and things to see and do in Bowness and the surrounding area. There are also beautiful Bowness walks nearby.
Bowness Bay
With something to appeal to all different tastes, the narrow streets of this traditional lakeland village are thronged with holidaymakers and day-trippers in the summer especially, and nonetheless the atmosphere is entirely relaxing and laid back. With a beautiful setting, a vibrant town centre and nightlife, the famous Windermere steamers, and the rest of the Lake District on your doorstep, Bowness-on-Windermere represents the Lake District at its best. Along with enjoying the lake frontage, perusing the enticing local shops, wiling away time in the cafes and dining out in the many excellent restaurants, there are plenty of attractions and things to see and do in Bowness and the surrounding area. There are also beautiful Bowness walks nearby.
Near the lake and the steamer pier on Glebe Road in Bowness bay is an extensive open parkland area, perfect for picnics, and nearby are public tennis courts, putting green, crazy golf, and an excellent 18-hole pitch-and-putt course, which takes a couple of hours to complete and makes for a fun-filled afternoon.
The Glebe
Glebe Road
Near the lake and the steamer pier on Glebe Road in Bowness bay is an extensive open parkland area, perfect for picnics, and nearby are public tennis courts, putting green, crazy golf, and an excellent 18-hole pitch-and-putt course, which takes a couple of hours to complete and makes for a fun-filled afternoon.
Steamers and passenger launches come and go from the piers in Bowness Bay, and you can choose to take part in the main cruise route that operates between Ambleside in the north and Lakeside in the south, stopping and re-alighting as you wish to explore, or you may wish to take the 45 minute Islands Cruise, which allows you to see up close the iconic islets and inlets of England’s longest lake. If you are torn between the many things to do in Bowness, this one is a must.
9 locals recommend
Bowness Pier - Windermere Lake Cruises
Glebe Road
9 locals recommend
Steamers and passenger launches come and go from the piers in Bowness Bay, and you can choose to take part in the main cruise route that operates between Ambleside in the north and Lakeside in the south, stopping and re-alighting as you wish to explore, or you may wish to take the 45 minute Islands Cruise, which allows you to see up close the iconic islets and inlets of England’s longest lake. If you are torn between the many things to do in Bowness, this one is a must.
We recommend a visit to this fabulously preserved house, dating from the turn of the last century, and full of wonderful examples of Arts and Crafts furniture. You can sit in Blackwell’s historic chairs and enjoy the splendid views from the windows, rather than merely observing from behind a rope barrier.
42 locals recommend
Blackwell - the Arts & Crafts house
42 locals recommend
We recommend a visit to this fabulously preserved house, dating from the turn of the last century, and full of wonderful examples of Arts and Crafts furniture. You can sit in Blackwell’s historic chairs and enjoy the splendid views from the windows, rather than merely observing from behind a rope barrier.
We love this exhibition as it enchants children and adults alike, and it will encourage you to go across the car ferry or round the lake to Sawrey and Miss Potter’s home at Hilltop. Her tales are vividly brought to life by the detailed models, and children will delight in their encounter with Peter Rabbit, Jemima Puddle-Duck and friends, and exploring Mr. MacGregor’s garden.
103 locals recommend
The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction
Crag Brow
103 locals recommend
We love this exhibition as it enchants children and adults alike, and it will encourage you to go across the car ferry or round the lake to Sawrey and Miss Potter’s home at Hilltop. Her tales are vividly brought to life by the detailed models, and children will delight in their encounter with Peter Rabbit, Jemima Puddle-Duck and friends, and exploring Mr. MacGregor’s garden.
Learn all you need to know about kayaking, windsurfing and sailing with the help of fully qualified instructors. You can also choose to stay ashore and try orienteering, Nordic walking, navigation and or rock climbing.
Windermere Outdoor Adventure Centre
Rayrigg Road
Learn all you need to know about kayaking, windsurfing and sailing with the help of fully qualified instructors. You can also choose to stay ashore and try orienteering, Nordic walking, navigation and or rock climbing.

Food scene

As much as the Lake District is geared to active holidays, it is also a wonderful place to relax, and finding a beer garden around Bowness-on-Windermere is amongst the best things to do on a sunny day. The Angel Inn located on Helm Road and The Ship Inn by the waterside on Glebe Road offer excellent options for sitting out with a leisurely pint. If you fancy going further afield, The Mortal Man in Troutbeck has a wonderful beer garden looking down the valley, and The Wateredge Inn’s garden at Waterhead in Ambleside is superbly placed right by the lake.
22 locals recommend
The Angel Inn
Helm Road
22 locals recommend
As much as the Lake District is geared to active holidays, it is also a wonderful place to relax, and finding a beer garden around Bowness-on-Windermere is amongst the best things to do on a sunny day. The Angel Inn located on Helm Road and The Ship Inn by the waterside on Glebe Road offer excellent options for sitting out with a leisurely pint. If you fancy going further afield, The Mortal Man in Troutbeck has a wonderful beer garden looking down the valley, and The Wateredge Inn’s garden at Waterhead in Ambleside is superbly placed right by the lake.
One of the best brunch spots in the Lakes!
51 locals recommend
Homeground Coffee + Kitchen
56 Main Rd
51 locals recommend
One of the best brunch spots in the Lakes!
The BEST place to go for a lakeside bacon butty in the Lake District.
27 locals recommend
The Bluebird Café by the Lake
12 Lake Rd
27 locals recommend
The BEST place to go for a lakeside bacon butty in the Lake District.

Museums

The Dock Museum is a striking modern building on a scenic channelside site with free admission. Built in a historic nineteenth century dock, the museum is home to a wealth of objects on the social and industrial history of the Furness area. Barrow-in-Furness was a small farming village rapidly transformed into a bustling industrial town within a few decades. It has been the cutting edge of technology for more than a century with submarines, airships, warships and beautiful liners being built in this little-explored town. Find out more about the fascinating heritage of the area from cave finds, Viking treasure, Victorian life, Anderson shelters and the Second World War as well as Barrow’s long history building vessels (and still building submarines today). Our facilities include landscaped site and channelside walks linking to the Cumbria Coastal Way, playground, cafe and we are fully wheelchair accessible.
18 locals recommend
The Dock Museum
18 locals recommend
The Dock Museum is a striking modern building on a scenic channelside site with free admission. Built in a historic nineteenth century dock, the museum is home to a wealth of objects on the social and industrial history of the Furness area. Barrow-in-Furness was a small farming village rapidly transformed into a bustling industrial town within a few decades. It has been the cutting edge of technology for more than a century with submarines, airships, warships and beautiful liners being built in this little-explored town. Find out more about the fascinating heritage of the area from cave finds, Viking treasure, Victorian life, Anderson shelters and the Second World War as well as Barrow’s long history building vessels (and still building submarines today). Our facilities include landscaped site and channelside walks linking to the Cumbria Coastal Way, playground, cafe and we are fully wheelchair accessible.
The impressive remains of an abbey founded by Stephen, later King of England, including much of the east end and west tower of the church, the ornately decorated chapter house and the cloister buildings. English Heritage is carrying out emergency conservation work to stop the ruined Abbey church sinking into the soft ground. This follows earlier routine inspections which revealed serious cracks in the walls. Medieval masons used large pieces of oak in the foundations and after 500 years, this timber is now gradually giving way. While excavating the grave of a prosperous medieval abbot, a hoard of medieval treasures was discovered at Furness Abbey. This discovery unearthed the first crozier (a staff with a crook on top) to be excavated in Britain in over 50 years and an impressive gemstone ring was also found.
13 locals recommend
Furness Abbey
Manor Road
13 locals recommend
The impressive remains of an abbey founded by Stephen, later King of England, including much of the east end and west tower of the church, the ornately decorated chapter house and the cloister buildings. English Heritage is carrying out emergency conservation work to stop the ruined Abbey church sinking into the soft ground. This follows earlier routine inspections which revealed serious cracks in the walls. Medieval masons used large pieces of oak in the foundations and after 500 years, this timber is now gradually giving way. While excavating the grave of a prosperous medieval abbot, a hoard of medieval treasures was discovered at Furness Abbey. This discovery unearthed the first crozier (a staff with a crook on top) to be excavated in Britain in over 50 years and an impressive gemstone ring was also found.

Nature Reserve

With stunning views across Morecambe bay, this shingle island reserve is full of interest and a fantastic place for bird watching. South Walney Nature Reserve is home to the only grey seal colony in Cumbria.
12 locals recommend
South Walney Nature Reserve
1 Coast Guard Cottages
12 locals recommend
With stunning views across Morecambe bay, this shingle island reserve is full of interest and a fantastic place for bird watching. South Walney Nature Reserve is home to the only grey seal colony in Cumbria.