Stay · Traditional Hotel
Macdonald Old England Hotel
23 Church Street, Bowness-on-Windermere
Lakefront Location
## Victorian Grandeur on Windermere
The Macdonald Old England Hotel epitomises Lake District luxury, its white Victorian facade reflecting elegantly in the waters of Windermere. Built in the 1840s, this iconic hotel has hosted everyone from Victorian industrialists to modern celebrities, all drawn by its unparalleled lakefront position and timeless charm.
## Prime Waterfront Positioning
Many of the beautifully appointed rooms offer direct lake views, where you can wake to the sight of sailing boats and steam launches beginning their daily journeys. The hotel's private gardens slope right down to the water's edge, creating an exclusive lakeside sanctuary that feels worlds away from the bustling Bowness streets just behind.
## Classic Dining and Leisure
The Hole in t' Wall restaurant serves refined British cuisine with panoramic lake views, while the Library Bar offers an extensive whisky selection perfect for evening contemplation. The hotel's spa provides a tranquil retreat, and the heated indoor pool overlooks the gardens and lake beyond.
## Booking Your Lakeside Escape
Lake-view rooms command premium rates but are worth every penny, especially during the quieter months when you might spot red deer drinking at the water's edge. The hotel offers excellent boat trip packages, and you're perfectly positioned for exploring both the bustling attractions of Bowness and the quieter eastern shores of Windermere.
Nearby
The Hole in t' Wall
Traditional Pub, Bowness££££
The oldest pub in Bowness, right in the heart of the village, pouring Robinsons' cask ales alongside a long list of gins and serving hearty pub food all day. Low beams, a heated beer garden and plenty of old stories keep it busy year round.
Hylton's Restaurant
British, Bowness££££
Hyltons Steak House and Grill sits on cobbled Ash Street in the middle of Bowness, serving 40-day aged Aberdeen Angus steaks, tomahawks to share, burgers and proper fish and chips from noon until 9pm daily.

Windermere Lake Cruises
Boat Trips, Windermere££££
England's largest lake seen from the water is a different beast entirely. The full-length cruise from Ambleside to Lakeside is magnificent.
Walks nearby
Easy · 5.6 km · 175 m up
Brant Fell from Bowness
About 1 hour 30 minutes
A short loop from Bowness over Post Knott to the rocky top of Brant Fell, with one of the best views over Windermere, returning on the Dales Way.
Easy · 2.5 km · 108 m up
Orrest Head from Windermere station
About 30 minutes
A short climb straight from Windermere station through woodland to Orrest Head, a 360 degree viewpoint over Windermere and the central fells.
Moderate · 8.3 km · 257 m up
Carron Crag trail, Grizedale Forest
About 2 hours
Grizedale's purple waymarked trail from the visitor centre to Carron Crag, the forest's highest point, with views to the Coniston fells.