Whether you have been there once or a thousand times, the Lake District is always a winner, and Bowness-on-Windermere is one of the more popular places in the area. Staying in town lets visitors appreciate it free from day-trippers, so why not consider basing yourself there in one of our fantastic cottages to rent? The relaxed, friendly atmosphere combined with an excellent variety of amenities plus a location that makes it easy to explore will help you to have the holiday of your dreams. Read more
Sitting in large gardens (with tennis court!), this welcoming bright and airy holiday apartment is perfectly placed in a tranquil location overlooking lake Windermere, yet within just a mile of Bowness-on-Windermere with its shops and eating establishments. The Loft offers the best of both worlds for those who want to relax and unwind whilst being within easy reach of the areas many attractions.
Ideally placed with views over Lake Windermere, this modern stylish holiday apartment sits in extensive grounds where guests can enjoy peace and tranquility, along with an all-weather tennis court, putting area and croquet lawn. The many amenities of Bowness-on-Windermere are just a mile away. A perfect retreat to enjoy the many attractions of the Lake District.
Rydal Cottage is a mid-19th-Century holiday cottage on a no-through road near the centre of Bowness-in-Windermere. The holiday home sleeps four people in two bedrooms and is wonderfully convenient for the eastern shore of Windermere, Catbells, and other famous Lake District sights. It's well-equipped for self-catering yet also close to cafes, restaurants and pubs if you don't want to cook. Guests who have stayed at Rydal Cottage love how tranquil it is, even in summer when the national park is at its busiest. Short breaks and extended stays are welcome all year round.
Landrigg Howe is a spacious, single-storey property on a quiet cut de sac in Bowness-on-Windermere, ideal for families or groups of friends. It accommodates six guests across three bedrooms, with two bathrooms. The property enjoys a large communal garden at the front, a tiered terrace at the rear with garden furniture and private parking for three cars, two on the drive & one in the garage. The convenient village location means you can easily explore without a car. A ten-minute walk takes you to the shores of Lake Windermere and the pier for Windermere Lake Cruises. Nearby, you'll find plenty of cafés, restaurants, and bars, including the popular Bodega Tapas and The Angel Inn is a 2 minute walk away, perfect for dining out.
Luxuriate in elegant surroundings with stunning views in this Windermere lakeside holiday home. North Highfield was built as a gentleman's residence and boasts beautiful Victorian details with modern comforts. It sleeps 12 people in six well-appointed bedrooms, with four reception rooms, five bathrooms, and extensive grounds. It's a fantastic location for your next family reunion or get together with friends. Windermere village and Bowness-on-Windermere are both within easy reach, as are places like Scafell Pike and Orrest Head.
Windermere is at the heart of the Lake District, and Kempton is close enough that guests can stroll to the water's edge and drink in the views of this beautifully scenic landscape. The three-bedroom self-catering retreat comfortably sleeps up to six people, giving them space and privacy within easy reach of shops, cafes and pubs, as well as sightseeing cruises and favourite Lake District attractions. Kempton is perfect for families and friends as well as couples who appreciate a little extra space around them on holiday.
Treat the family to a stay at Sandown, a lovely holiday cottage on the edge of Bowness village only a short stroll from shops, cafes, pubs and beautiful Windermere. Guests can access lovely walks and bike rides from the door and are close to favourite attractions including the World of Beatrix Potter and Wray Castle. Explore Windermere by boat, kayak, or on a hop-on-hop-off sightseeing ferry. Sandown sleeps up to seven guests in four lovely ensuite bedrooms and is perfect for families and friends.
Exceptional both inside and out, this stylish well presented lodge sits in one of the most enviable positions in the Lake District, with a rural location close to Lake Windermere. Enjoy an alfresco meal on the terrace watching the sun set in the evening, and by day discover the many attractions of nearby Bowness and Windermere.
A delightful stone holiday cottage that offers the best of both worlds - a stunning peaceful corner of the Lake District, yet within easy reach of the more popular tourist traps and attractions. A wonderful location in the Cumbrian village of Bowland Bridge within the Lake District - perfect for relaxing in the Lakes or walking!
"Costapacket" is a 3 bed holiday Lodge sleeping up to 4 guests in Cumbria. Troutbeck, near Penrith in Cumbria, boasts a long history deeply connected to its Lake District setting. The village's origins trace back to Norse times, evident in its name, which derives from Old Norse—"Trout" for the fish and "Beck" for...
"Elderflower Lodge" is a 1 bed holiday Lodge sleeping up to 2 guests in Cumbria. The historic, South Lakeland village of Cartmel is renowned as the prettiest village in the Lake District. The Priory Church, one of the finest ecclesiastical buildings in the north of England, remains the heart of the community with its...
"Kessock" is a 5 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 10 guests in Cumbria. For the Lake District National Park, the dynamic twin towns of Bowness and Windermere are a popular choice, with each offering a diverse selection of attractions, facilities, shops, and restaurants. Windermere Lake Cruises in Bowness offer a...
"Rock Cottage" is a 2 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 4 guests in Cumbria. Beetham is a village of grey limestone cottages and cobbled forecourts in south Cumbria, just north of the border with Lancashire. It was once the centre of the ancient parish of Beetham and rests within the Silverdale and Arnside designated...
"Top Lodge, 4 Skiptory Howe" is a 2 bed holiday Lodge sleeping up to 4 guests in Cumbria. Troutbeck Bridge is nestled close to the renowned Kirkstone Pass, within the Lake District National Park. It is made up of a scattering of Lakeland cottages, along with a popular local pub, serving real ales and fine food. Windermere and...
"Honeypot Cottage" is a 2 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 4 guests in Cumbria. Brigsteer is a hamlet between the towns of Helsington and Levens and about five miles from Kendal in Cumbria. Brigsteer is located on the edge of the Lyth valley with Scout Scar overlooking the village itself. Village amenities include a...
"Merewood" is a 2 bed holiday Lodge sleeping up to 4 guests in Cumbria. The small village of Troutbeck Bridge lies between the famous towns of Windermere and Ambleside, close to the renowned Kirkstone Pass, within the Lake District National Park. Made up of a scattering of Lakeland cottages, this quiet village...
"High Lindeth" is a 5 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 10 guests in Cumbria. The vibrant twin towns of Bowness and Windermere hold enduring appeal for visitors to the Lake District National Park, with each providing a range of nearby attractions, amenities, shops and restaurants to suit all tastes. A variety of boat...
"Lady Barn" is a 3 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 6 guests in Cumbria. Town End is a charming village that embodies the quintessential rural English experience, nestled within the scenic countryside of Cumbria. Characterised by winding lanes, traditional stone cottages, and lush, rolling fields, this village...
"Becks Fold" is a 4 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 10 guests in Cumbria. Coniston is a lovely village set at the tip of Lake Coniston, in the midst of spectacular mountain scenery, in the Lake District National Park. Coniston has a number of amenities, and is the ideal base for a variety of outdoor pursuits. There...
"Tent Lodge" is a 6 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 12 guests in Cumbria. Nestling at the head of Coniston Water, the pretty village of Coniston is surrounded by some of the most beautiful scenery in the Lake District National Park, making it a superb base for touring, with Hawkshead, Ambleside, Windermere and...
"Parkgate" is a 5 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 10 guests in Cumbria. The vibrant twin towns of Bowness and Windermere hold enduring appeal for many visitors to the Lake District. Both of these towns provide a range of attractions, amenities, shops and restaurants to suit all tastes. Boat trips are available from...
"Edgemere Retreat" is a 2 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 4 guests in Cumbria. The historic, South Lakeland village of Cartmel is renowned as the prettiest village in the Lake District. The Priory Church, one of the finest ecclesiastical buildings in the north of England, remains the heart of the community with its...
"Bull Pen at the Graythwaite Estate" is a 5 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 10 guests in Cumbria. The picturesque village of Hawkshead still retains the charm and character that so endeared it to its most famous residents - William Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter. Cars are banned from the village, leaving visitors free to wander the wealth of...
"The Old Bakehouse" is a 2 bed holiday Apartment sleeping up to 4 guests in Cumbria. A historic market town with a fine reputation for shopping, Kendal nestles on the banks of the River Kent and is known as the Southern Gateway to the Lakes. Its old cobbled lanes and byways branch off the attractive main street, and the stone...
"Satterthwaite Farmhouse - Sleep 8" is a 4 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 8 guests in Cumbria. Satterthwaite enjoys a peaceful, picturesque location between the lakes of Coniston and Windermere, just south of Hawkshead village. The sleepy hamlet is surrounded by a natural playground of stunning landscapes to explore; a great base for...
"Bank End Barn" is a 5 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 11 guests in Cumbria. Grizebeck is set in the Lake District National Park with spectacular views of the Duddon Estuary, Furness Fells and the Coniston mountains. Grizebeck is set in pretty countryside and superb for those wanting to spend some time away from it all....
"Lakeside at Louper Weir" is a 4 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 8 guests in Cumbria. Bowness-on-Windermere is a town on the shoreline of England's largest lake, Lake Windermere in Cumbria. Hosting a multitude of pubs, shops and a variety of cuisine, you will be able to get all the essentials for a self-catered stay or choose to...
"Church View" is a 5 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 8 guests in Cumbria. The charming Edwardian resort of Grange-over-Sands is set between the Lake District fells and Morecambe Bay and offers one of the mildest climates in the north of England. Formerly a small fishing village, the introduction of the Furness...
"Hawkrigg Farm" is a 5 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 10 guests in Cumbria. The village of Far Sawrey has a pub/restaurant, whilst Bowness, with all its shops, restaurants and leisure facilities, is just a short distance across the lake by ferry. Also close by is ‘Hill Top’, once the home of Beatrix Potter, and...
"River Barn" is a 1 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 2 guests in Cumbria. Set in beautiful countryside just 4 miles from the golden sands of Hayle beach, the peaceful village of Townshend enjoys a quiet life, undisturbed by the tourist crowds just a few miles away. The seaside town of Hayle, 4 miles, has 3 miles of...
"The Old Bunkhouse" is a 3 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 6 guests in Cumbria. Situated in the heart of the Lake District National Park is the lovely village of Grasmere, probably best known as the home of William Wordsworth, a place he once described as "The most loveliest spot that man hath found". Any visit to Grasmere...
"Dove Holme Cottage" is a 1 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 2 guests in Cumbria. Situated in the heart of the Lake District National Park is the lovely village of Grasmere, probably best known as the home of William Wordsworth, a place he once described as "The most loveliest spot that man hath found". Any visit to Grasmere...
"Swallows Nest" is a 1 bed holiday Apartment sleeping up to 2 guests in Cumbria. Nestling at the head of Coniston Water, the pretty village of Coniston is surrounded by some of the most beautiful scenery in the Lake District National Park and makes a superb base for touring, with Hawkshead, Ambleside and Windermere just a...
Popular towns in and around The Lake District:
AmblesideBowness-on-WindermereCartmelCockermouthConistonGrasmereGrizebeckHawksheadKendalKeswickKirkby StephenPenrithRavenglassSilverdaleUllswaterUlverstonWasdaleWindermereSome local suggestions:
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Sailing and Watersports - Bowness sits on the eastern shore of Windermere - the largest body of water in the entire Lake District National Park. It is a magnet for those who love the water, and there are lots of ways to explore its surface including sailing, paddle-boarding, kayaking and waterskiing. Local businesses, like Low Wood Bay Watersports and Windermere Canoe Kayak, can help with advice, equipment hire and even lessons, so make the most of their expertise. An alternative to dipping yourself in the admittedly chilly water of Windermere is to let someone else do the hard work while you sit back and enjoy the scenery. Windermere Lake Cruises offers a variety of tours ranging from 45 minutes to three hours, including hop-on-hop-off services that drop visitors close to favourite Lake District attractions like the Lake District Aquarium and the Lakeland Motor Museum.
Shopping - Bowness is well-served with a wide variety of locally owned pubs, cafes and shops that sell outdoor clothing and equipment, food, homewares and gifts. Windermere village is a mile north of town with shops of its own plus a mainline train station linking the area with Kendal, where there are several shopping centres and a mainline station with trains to Carlisle and Penrith.
History - Until the mid-1800s, Bowness was just a quiet fishing village. The arrival of the steam train and the choice of wealthy families to build holiday houses there resulted in a tourism boom that has never waned. Despite the Lake District’s annual influx of some 14 million visitors, Bowness and Windermere combined have fewer than 9,000 residents so still feels small and personal. Visitors can enjoy the legacy of the Victorians in the elegant buildings dotted around town, as well as the extensive restoration of St Martin’s Church, which was built in 1483 but repaired and preserved in the late 1800s. William Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter both loved the Lake District so much that they made it their home, with Potter being instrumental in founding the National Trust to help preserve the landscape. The World of Beatrix Potter is in Bowness while her home, Hill Top, lies across the water. Dove Cottage, the home Wordsworth shared with his sister when they both moved to the area, is in Grasmere.
The Views - The scenery in the Lake District is bold and beautiful and best enjoyed up close rather than just through the window of a car or a train. The steep incline to the Post Knott viewpoint may leave you slightly out of breath, but the views will take your breath away all on their own. Other favourite views are those from Loughrigg Fell overlooking Windermere, Grasmere, Loughrigg Tarn and the Langdales.
Walking and Cycling - We have arguably left the best for last. The plentiful choice of walking and cycling routes in and around Bowness on Windermere is one of the prime reasons for its year-round popularity. Popular walks include the path up to Orrest Head which is famous among fans of Alfred Wainwright for being his first fell walk. Other way-marked routes include the West Shore Walk, the Tarns Walk and the path through Brant Fell. Grizedale Forest is nearby while Scafell Pike is 18.5 miles away if you fancy scaling the highest mountain in the country. Those seeking Wordsworth’s daffodils should head north to the shores of Ullswater where thousands of yellow flowers bob their heads in the spring. The Yorkshire Dales National Park is only 20 miles east of Bowness, opening up another enormous playground for walkers and cyclists.
These are only five reasons to stay in Bowness-on-Windermere, but after a holiday there you will be able to add many more.
