Windermere, Grasmere & The Lakes

A wonderful two-day break to discover the Lake District's most popular visitor destination, the stunning Bowness-on-Windermere, home to England's largest lake with quaint stone cottages and lakefront pubs - splendid!What's Included?
- Coach travel with reserved seating- One night dinner, bed and breakfast at The Holiday Inn Express, Barrow in Furness- Visit to Bowness-on-Windermere- Visit to enjoy the countryside and lakes visiting Ambleside and GrasmereThe Lake District - England's largest National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site AND home to the highest mountain (Scafell Pike), longest lake (Windermere) and deepest lake in the country (Wastwater) - there's an unrivalled list of things to see and do in The Lakes.\n\nBowness-on-Windermere - A busy town right on the shore of the largest lake in The Lake District -and England: Windermere. You'll find traditional stone cottages, lakefront pubs, B&Bs - and lots and lots of water sports!\n\nAmbleside - At the Northern end of Windermere lies the popular market town of Ambleside - traditional grey slate buildings surrounded by fells and a hive of restaurants, cafés, pubs and outdoor clothing specialists (there's an unrivalled range of water sports in this area!).\n\nGrasmere - The pretty former home of William Wordsworth rests alongside Grasmere Lake, surrounded by a panorama of fells, mountains, woodlands, and lush farmland. Old cottages, local slate houses and Victorian villas are scattered amongst hotels, galleries and tourist shops - including its famous gingerbread shop (est 1854!).

The Lake District
A unique tapestry of mountains, lakes & tarns\nThe Lake District is England's largest National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site AND home to the highest mountain (Scafell Pike), longest lake (Windermere) and deepest lake in the country (Wastwater). The national park's unique landscape is the product of geographical processes over the last 500 million years.\n\nYou might have noticed that it rains a lot here. This, combined with extra deep glacial valleys and volcanic rock that doesn't allow the water to seep away, is the reason there are so many lakes and tarns.\n\nAn unrivalled list of things to see & do\nDotted around this peaceful - and photogenic part of the world are many historic towns and villages, vast farmland, ancient dry-stone walls, and so much more. If you're heading here for an adventure or to get back to nature - you can walk, hike, hire a boat, camp.. the list is unrivalled.\n\nIf you like to eat and drink, there are many cosy pubs to treat yourself to a locally distilled beer (or something stronger), and if you want to stock up on local delicacies or gifts for loved ones, there are countless quaint little shops.\n\nDon't miss - If you haven't already, try Kendal Mint Cake, a locally made energy-boosting snack enjoyed by hikers worldwide!

Bowness-on-Windermere
Right on the shore of Windermere
The tiny town of Bowness-on-Windermere - not to be confused with Windermere town, is right on the shore of the largest lake in the Lake District, and England: Windermere. It sprung up after the opening of the railway line from Oxenholme and Kendal to Windermere in 1847 - because it was the nearest accessible point to the lake.\n\n
Luxurious hotels on the lakeshore
Today, traditional stone cottages, lakefront pubs, B&Bs - and lots and lots of water sports can be found in Bowness. As you scan the surroundings from the middle of the lake (you can hire easy-to-drive boats from Bowness Bay Marina), you will see the ex-Victorian residences lining the lake shore. A lot of these have now been converted into luxurious hotels.\n\n
A great base for exploring The Lake District
Busy year-round, there are regular ferries departing from the tourist town and crossing the large lake. Only a short walk will take you to Orrest Head, the first 'summit' Alfred Wainwright visited in his book 'Lakeland'. Also found in Bowness - see the famous characters from Beatrix Potter's famous books come to life at The World of Beatrix Potter, a must-see attraction for the whole family.