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Some things to do, and places to visit in The Lake District

Attractions

Bowness on Windermere Lake Cruises

Boats sail from the Bowness piers throughout the year, offering a variety of trips including full or half lake cruises, an islands cruise, a cruise to Lakeside and its steam railway, and combined cruise and walk options. The piers are about 250 metres from Virginia Cottage.
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Dove Cottage and the Wordsworth Museum

Dove Cottage was William Wordsworth’s home from 1799 to 1808 during his most prolific years as a poet. It is located 5 miles north of Bowness on Windermere on the edge of Grasmere.
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Blackwell House

Located 1.5 miles south of Bowness on Windermere, Blackwell is one of England’s finest houses from the turn of the last century, being an important example of Arts and Crafts architecture designed by M H Baillie Scott.
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Holker Hall and Gardens

Owned by Lord and Lady Cavendish, Holker Hall is a stately home containing many treasures, including a magnificent library of over three thousand books and a hand carved cantilever staircase. The award winning gardens cover acres of parkland, with a herd of fallow deer. The house is located about 1½ miles from Cartmel, some 15 miles from Bowness.
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Beatrix Potter Attraction

Located only 300 metres from Virginia Cottage, it is the only official Peter Rabbit attraction in the UK. Recently refurbished, all 23 tales are brought to life, from Mr McGregor’s garden to the woodland glade. A new multi-screen presentation guides you through the pioneering life of Beatrix Potter.
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Places

Bowness & Windermere

The linked towns of Windermere and Bowness at the heart of the Lake District have been an attraction for visitors since Victorian times and the arrival of the railway. With the lake shore of Windermere so close, there is always something to do whatever the season – walking along the lakeside, enjoying panoramic views of the lake and mountains from several viewpoints, experiencing a whole host of water-based activities, luxuriating in the pleasures of travelling around the area by steamer, open-top bus or steam train or discovering the lake for yourself by hiring a rowing boat or dinghy, or taking a cruise.

Away from the lake shore is a varied choice of heritage sites, historic houses, fortified farm houses, colourful gardens and other visitor attractions

Ambleside

Although there has been a settlement here since pre-Roman times, Ambleside is largely a Victorian town. Ambleside has now become a major tourist resort with shops, hotels and restaurants, and is one of the best town bases for exploring the Lake District.

Many well known characters have been connected with Ambleside, including William Wordsworth, Hardwicke Rawnsley, John Ruskin and Beatrix Potter. More about these people can be found in the The Armitt Museum, William Wordsworth had an office here, in Church Street, as a result of his role as Collector of Stamps for Westmorland. He was elected to the post soon after his family moved to their house at Rydal Mount. There is a chapel devoted to the memory of William Wordsworth.
Stepping Stones between Ambleside and Rydal
Stepping Stones between Ambleside and Rydal
Bowness waterfall - fabulous dog walk
Bowness Waterfall - Fabulous dog walk

In addition there are many other attractions within easy walking distance or a short drive and there is an excellent bus service throughout the Lake District…

  • Lake Windermere with boating, yachting & fishing
  • Horse riding & pony trekking
  • Fell & woodland walks
  • Climbing
  • Water sports
  • Steamboat museum
  • Shops & restaurants
  • Cycle Hire

Find Us

Angus and Sheridan Reid
Virginia Cottage B and B,
Kendal Road,
Bowness on Windermere,
Cumbria.
LA23 3EJ

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