Windermere and Bowness are the most visited part of the Lake District and have the widest range of accommodation. The choice is large enough to be confusing. Here is how to navigate it.
Windermere vs Bowness: which to choose
Windermere is the town (about a mile from the lake, confusingly). Bowness is the lakeside village. They are connected by a 20-minute walk or a 5-minute drive. Windermere town is quieter, cheaper, and has the railway station. Bowness is busier, more expensive, closer to the pier and the boats, and has more restaurants and pubs immediately accessible.
If you are here primarily to walk, Windermere town is the better base. The A591 gives quick access to Ambleside and the central Lakes. If you want the lake itself, the boats, and the Beatrix Potter visitor centre, Bowness is more convenient.
Hotels
The Windermere Hotel (LA23 2JF) is a comfortable, centrally located mid-range option in Windermere town. The Lakeside Hotel (LA12 8AT) at the south end of the lake is the most atmospheric hotel on Windermere itself, though it is at the far end of the lake and requires a car for most things. The Belsfield Hotel in Bowness has the best lake views of any hotel in the immediate area.
B&Bs and guesthouses
B&Bs in the Windermere and Bowness area range from basic to genuinely excellent. The competition is fierce and standards are generally high. Expect to pay £80 to £140 per room per night for a good B&B in peak summer. Breakfast is usually included. The High Street in Windermere town has a concentration of options that are easy to compare in person.
Self-catering
Self-catering in the Windermere area means primarily apartments in Bowness and cottages in the surrounding villages. For families, self-catering is usually more practical and often more economical. Near Sawrey and Far Sawrey, across the ferry, have good cottage stock in quiet settings. The Windermere ferry (LA22 0LP) crosses the lake in 10 minutes and is a useful back route to the Coniston side.
When to book
School holiday weeks (July and August, Easter, half terms) require 6 to 12 months' advance booking for the best options. Bank holiday weekends in the Lakes are extremely busy. Off-season, October to March, and midweek options remain available with shorter notice and at lower prices.
Practical notes
- →Parking in Bowness in summer is a significant problem. Confirm whether your accommodation has parking before booking.
- →Windermere railway station connects to Oxenholme on the West Coast Main Line. London to Windermere by train is around 3 hours with one change.
- →The Windermere Lake Cruises pier at Waterhead (LA22 0EY) is a 20-minute walk from Windermere town or a 10-minute walk from central Bowness.
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Damian Roche
Founder, Churchtown Media. Builder of TheLakesGuide.co.uk, TheLakesWildlife.co.uk, and HikeTheLakes.com. Southport-based. Regular Lakes visitor for decades.
