A guide to holidays in Bowness-on-Windermere
Found on the eastern edge of Lake Windermere, Bowness-on-Windermere is one of the most popular towns in the Lake District. Its prime lakeside location means that there is plenty to see and do in the area, on the doorstep of our holiday cottages. Although the history of the town dates back to the early 15th century, however, its beauty wasn’t truly discovered until the 19th century, when it fast became a hit with holidaymakers. Today, several Victorian buildings overlook the town and give the town its classic Lakeland appeal.
If you’re planning on visiting to see the beauty of Lake Windermere for yourself, Bowness-on-Windermere certainly doesn’t disappoint. The steam-powered Windermere Lake Cruises run on a regular basis, where you can enjoy a leisurely tour of the entire lake from the water, or use it to travel to other lakeside resorts such as Ambleside. You can also explore the entirety of the lake on foot with the Windermere Way, a 45-mile-long footpath which passes through Bowness, giving you the chance to enjoy stunning views of the lake from all angles. To brush up on your knowledge some more take a look at our guide to the largest lakes in the Lake District.
One of Bowness-on-Windermere’s top attractions has to be the World of Beatrix Potter, featuring life-sized models of many of the much-loved characters from the writer’s books, including Peter Rabbit, Benjamin Bunny and Jemima Puddleduck. The local area has many ties to Beatrix Potter and you can also learn all about her life in the Lake District at this attraction.
The town centre has much to offer in the way of shopping, with a winning mixture of high street, independent and boutique shops. With so many shops packed into the streets of the town centre, a shopping trip is a must. During your trip, you will find plenty of fantastic places to stop off for lunch, afternoon tea or dinner, ranging from tea rooms to cosy pubs and bistros, ideal for those looking to dine out while on their self-catering break.
Two miles away you will find the neighbouring village of Windermere, where the headquarters of popular kitchenware brand Lakeland is based and you can enjoy a variety of lakeside activities. Ambleside is located around five miles away and Grasmere, where popular poet William Wordsworth spent much of his life, lies ten miles away, meaning there are plenty of fantastic places to visit and explore within a short distance of Bowness-on-Windermere. A ferry can also be taken across the lake, saving a drive of around fifteen miles, to Near and Far Sawrey, also having many connections to Beatrix Potter.
If you’ve been inspired to base your Lake District holiday in the lively town of Bowness-on-Windermere, take a look at our collection of Bowness-on-Windermere holiday cottages and self-catering rentals. We have a variety of accommodation to rent, from luxury lodges to apartments with lake views – discover the full collection above.