Jan 27 2009
Bowness-on-Windermere
Bowness is popular centre for tourists in the Lake District, is surrounded by many vantage points giving spectacular views of the countryside and the lakes. One of the best panoramas can be obtained at Orrest Head, a 238m hill which lies just north of the town. Its summit can be easily reached by following the meandering path through the woods, which begins opposite Windermere station next to the Windermere Hotel. The route is signposted all the way and culminates in rough stone steps leading to the top. The distance from Windermere Hotel is approximately 1.5km. A short distance south of Windermere is its suburb, Bowness-on Windermere and when most visitors speak of Windermere they really are referring to Bowness. In fact Windermere town itself is about a mile away from the lake and before Victorian times was called Braithwaite not Windermere. Bowness-on-Windermere is a charming little town on the banks of Lake Windermere which at 10.5 miles long is the largest lake in England. The lake has 14 islands, including the privately owned 30 acre Belle Isle. Bowness itself has many quaint narrow streets and St Martin’s Church, which dates back nearly 1000 years, has some of the oldest stained glass windows in Britain. It is thought that some of this glass may have come from the Carmel Priory.
What to do and Where to go in and around Bowness:
The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction is a fascinating experience regardless of your age. It features all 23 of Beatrix Potter’s Tales brought to life in an indoor recreation of the Lake District countryside. There is also a great gift shop and tea room.
Windermere Lake Cruises offer a variety of interesting cruises some of which stop off to connect with the Mountain Goat minibus or incorporate visits to Brockhole National Park Visitor Centre and Wray Castle.
Brockhole National Park Visitor Centre is a wonderful place to visit, whatever the weather. Its lakeside setting is located in 30 acres of beautiful terraced gardens giving spectacular views and boasting many unusual trees, plants and shrubs. There is an abundance of wildlife at the Park and a bird hide in which to look for rare species. There is an exciting adventure playground and a games lawn where you can play croquet or putting. There are plenty of wonderful places to sit and have a picnic and enjoy the spectacular lake and mountain scenery. Brockhole house was built in 1895 as a residence for a wealthy Manchester silk merchant. It now houses exhibitions, film and slide shows as well as a restaurant with terrace and a gift shop. The whole park has good wheelchair access . Throughout the year the Centre puts on special event activity days that all the family can enjoy. These could include such things as kite making and flying, taster sessions at rafting, canoeing, biking or geocoaching as well as fascinating film shows and talks/exhibitions.
On the east shore of Windermere, near Newby Bridge, is the lakeshore Victorian park, Fell Foot Park. It is an ideal place to enjoy access to the lake at this point and perfect for picnics. There is a children’s play area and activities as well as boat hire facilities. There are fantastic views of the fells and lake and, in spring and early summer, the park has glorious displays of daffodils and rhododendrons. Also, at Newby Bridge is one of the finest examples of early 20th century Arts & Crafts houses, Blackwell. now given a Grade 1 listing. It was designed by the Arts & Crafts architect Baillie Scott at the end of the 19th century as a spectacular holiday home for a wealthy Manchester brewery owner. Beautifully restored, its original decorative interiors are still intact. In line with the essence of the Arts & Crafts movement, the design of the house is light and airy with decorative panelling, inglenook fireplaces, stained glass, ceramic tiles, and plasterwork all crafted from traditional local materials. All the downstairs rooms are open to the public and around half of the upstairs. There are no roped off ‘no go areas’, as the visitor is encouraged to experience the house as it was originally intended. A lift has been installed to give access to the upper floor for disabled visitors. All the rooms are beautifully furnished and decorated with wonderful views of the lake. There is a cafe with a garden terrace that looks out over the lake and mountains. Blackwell also has a contemporary craft shop where studio ceramics, glass, jewellery and textiles of very high quality can be purchased. A book shop sells a wide selection of books on arts and craft and architecture.
The Lakes Aquarium is situated on the southern shore of Lake Windermere at Lakeside, Newby Bridge. In March 2008 the aquarium installed a new feature, the Virtual Dive Bell. This comprises a virtual journey to the bottom of an African lake and the traveller encounters hippopotami, Nile crocodiles and bull sharks. With the use of interactive screens, multiple choice quiz questions and exciting computer games the attraction has been extremely popular with all age groups. The virtual journey then moves through different continents of the world to explore and discover hundreds of creatures that live in lakes across the globe. There are also otter feeding sessions twice daily and the aquarium’s mascot, Oscar the Otter is introduced to spectators. The Aquarium also has a lakeside restaurant and regular events, quiz trails and craft activities as well as two gift shops to make the visit an unforgettable experience for all the family.
The Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway runs a steam train service between the Lakeside Aquarium and The Lakeland Motor Museum. The steeply graded railway takes an enchanting route through lake and river scenery of the Leven Valley. The service operates from April to the end of October but throughout December they run Santa Special trips for children.
1.5 miles north of Newby Bridge is Stott Park Bobbin Mill which has been a working mill since 1835 producing wooden bobbins for the Lancashire spinning and weaving industries.
At the further northern end of the Lake, at Troutbeck village in the beautiful Troutbeck valley, is Townend. This charming white-washed stone yeoman’s farmhouse was lived in by the Browne family from 1626 until it passed into the hands of the National Trust in 1943. the house itself is a beautiful example of vernacular architecture of the 17th century. The building has tall chimneys gracing its slate roof and beautiful mullioned windows in their oak frames. It is an amazing museum, that gives the visitor a fascinating insight into how life was lived in the Lake District during these times. The interior has fine oak panelling and beautiful carved oak furniture, much of which was crafted by a long-dead ancestor of the Browne family. Also on display are papers and books linked to the family throughout this period as well as some fascinating domestic implements. Opposite the house is a wool barn with a spinning gallery where fleeces used to be stored. Visitors can meet the latest Mr Browne, ancestor of the original George Browne and his wife Susanna in 1626. Craft sessions are also held at the house where the visitor can try their hand at making rag rugs.
Eating and drinking in Bowness: There are numerous restaurants and pubs in Bowness. The pedestrianised Ash Street in the centre of the town is full of a variety of good restaurants with cuisine from all over the world. There are fine Mediterranean restaurants, Italian, traditional British, Thai, Chinese and an American restaurant. For a substantial meal following a day’s walking on the fells, try Gibbys, a traditional British restaurant where you can get great roasts, steaks or bistro-style dishes for very reasonable prices. For something a bit different try the relaxed informal Lucy4 cafe/restaurant. It offers a fabulous pick and mix menu with a wide range of wines and beers to accompany the food. For Mediterranean dishes there is the traditional, family run Italian restaurant, Villa Positano which serves good pizza and pasta dishes at very reasonable prices. Alternatively, the atmospheric Spanish Tapas Bar, Bodega Bar & Tapas has an excellent choice of tapas where you can fill up for as little as £4.00. For something really special visit the magnificent oak panelled restaurant of the Holbeck Ghyll Country House Hotel. As well as boasting the Michelin Star it has also received a rating of 7/10 in the Good Food Guide. The cuisine is a mixture of English and French and the restaurant setting has stunning lake and mountain views. One of the most charming pubs in the towns is the ancient ‘Hole int Wall’. This is the oldest pub in the town (circa 1612) and retains its olde world charm. A small building constructed of the traditional grey slate. Inside, the decor is very quaint and charming with lots of low beams and roaring log fires. It sports a plaque that Charles Dickens frequented the premises when he visited the area. This pub does get very busy at the weekend but its well worth visiting, especially when they have free, live folk musicians performing. For visitors who are looking for a pub which also offers accommodation The Brown Horse Inn set in the Winster Valley close to the lake is a beautiful 1850’s coaching inn that offers great accommodation as well as bar and restaurant facilities.
Accommodation in Bowness: Bowness is a great choice for accommodation. There are plenty of very good hotels and guest houses, try Virginia Cottage, a charming traditional guest house ideally located in the very heart of Bowness and less than a minute’s walk from Lake Windermere.