Eat and drink · Country House
The Belsfield
Kendal Road, Bowness-on-Windermere
A 4-star heritage hotel above Bowness with sweeping views over Windermere, where the Brasserie serves lunch, dinner and afternoon tea and the Art Deco bar and sunset terrace make the most of the lake.
Nearby
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.
Macdonald Old England Hotel
Traditional Hotel, Bowness, dogs welcome££££
This Victorian grande dame commands prime position right on the shores of Windermere, where you can watch steam launches chug past from your bedroom window. The hotel's traditional elegance suits its lakefront setting perfectly. It's the kind of place where afternoon tea feels obligatory and evening drinks on the terrace watching the sunset over England's largest natural lake become a cherished ritual.
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.
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.