Bowness-on-Windermere pier

A piece of fairytale

Bowness-On-Windermere, Cumbria (inc. Lake District), England North West

Recommendation added: 20/10/2006 12:02
By: velvet202 (YSUK rating +187)

velvet202 has been thanked 8 times for this contribution

"In the North Western part of England, well hidden between the Red Screes mountain and Helm Crag, lies Bowness, a small village of only 2000 residents, and the subject of many spooky stories. One says that Bowness-on-Windermere was once the place where a beautiful young girl met and fell in love with the devil. When she realized who her lover was, she swore to never see him again. In her grief she built a wall of stone around her in the middle of the village. The devil – betrayed and ashamed – cursed the village to eternal forgetting so no stranger would ever find his way there to rescue the girl from her misery.

Walking through Bowness now, it still looks as if it has never been touched by technology. In the higher parts of the village, mobile phones are useless, television reception is poor but works - well, sometimes, and internet is available only 2 miles away. But what a tourist misses in technology, he quickly gains back when looking at the untouched nature.

Bowness certainly offers an exquisite display of lush fields, green woods and blossoming trees. In every direction, the scenery stretches away to the distant mountains with their jagged, rocky outcrops. One specific path leads through hosts of wild flowers
around the village toward the magnificent Lake Windermere, which spans a distance of 12 miles, and where you will find Lakeside Pier and a breathtaking view of the surrounding area.

This part of the UK is unknown to most foreigners. Even Fellfoot Park and Wray Castle, which are both situated on the southern end of the lake, are hardly mentioned in international travel guides. Bowness in its excellent location provides the best starting point to visit these.
Wray Castle is a huge family mansion that is now owned by the National Trust. Built in the Gothic Revival style in the early nineteenth century, it is not big and has never served as a fortress, but is nevertheless very lovely with its Gothic arches, many small towers, richly adorned stone decorations and high windows.

For sports fanatics and visitors with children, the activities are endless – tennis, walking, hiking and cycling are all available within a short distance of the village. Alternatively, why not go swimming, windsurfing and sailing in the deep, clean waters of the lake? Or take a boat trip, where you will pass some of the most beautiful mansions in the UK, including Langdale Chase Hotel.
For older visitors or those with children, numerous chairlifts will make hiking a whole new experience. From high points such as Orrest Head, numerous smaller lakes will stretch to one side. To your other side you will see the imposing Victorian mansions that were built by prosperous businessmen from Lancashire in the late nineteenth century that now serve as high quality accommodation for tourists.

Visitors can arrive by railway or car on the LA23. For a small fee, many hotels offer a pick-up service from Manchester airport. The Bowness-on-Windermere Tourist Information Board may even arrange a pick-up for you. From the airport, it is a 30-minute drive.

Families with children should stay at a farm to experience the real country life. As a parent, you may miss the comfort of a four-star hotel, but the kids will love the experience of milking cows and preparing home-made butter.
Bowness may not be renowned as a culinary capital, but it still provides excellent food. And while it may be tempting to enjoy the local food and beverages, it is advisable to cut back on the beer as the local one is much stronger than the usual British standard. Many a visitor has complained that a pint can be one too many.

WHERE TO STAY
Langdale Chase Hotel offers excellent value for money as all rooms include ensuite bathroom as well as complimentary breakfast.

WEATHER
The best months to go are March – October, when the temperatures range from 14°C to 29°C.

TIPS
Visiting the lake and the Castle are a must, but it can be quite tiresome with children. Plan your holiday well ahead and divide it into sports and fun days with the kids, and sightseeing days for the adults.
There are many recreational activities to choose from. Cycling, jogging, and swimming and sailing in the clean sea to name but a few, but while you're there, also try horse riding. It's an excellent way to explore the untouched nature while keeping fit and the children will love grooming the tame animals."