At Blenheim Lodge in Bowness-on-Windermere, we often welcome guests who visit with us via public transport. Blenheim Lodge is located about 5 minutes’ cab ride from Windermere train station and bus depot, Windermere. However, more energetic guests may decide to walk, take a bus (and then walk), or cycle from the train station – there is a bicycle hire shop at the station – to our guest house in Bowness. Once guests are checked into Blenheim Lodge, they can explore much of the Lake District without benefit of private transport if they are so minded.

Some gorgeous Lakeland scenery on the way to Keswick. Isn’t this a fantastic photo of Grasmere Lake? Two canoeists row in the still deep silence of a glassy lake which reflects the beauty of its surroundings. (Photo courtesy of www.cumbriaphoto.co.uk.)

So what can visitors see in a day without their own motor vehicles? Well, there are a number of options. Assuming that guests are doing all their sightseeing on their own and not taking any organised tours run by local agents, the following are some day trip options to explore. The presumption is that guests would start out from Blenheim Lodge in the morning soon after breakfast, and spend the rest of the day enjoying Lake District landscapes and attractions.

  • Take a 7-minute walk to Lake Windermere pier. Explore England’s largest natural lake and the villages located on its shores or just a little further inland. You can easily spend a whole day hopping on and off the ferries run by Windermere Lake Cruises (www.windermere-lakecruises.co.uk), visiting Waterhead on the shore or Ambleside just a mile inland, Ferry House on the shore or Hawkshead, also a mile inland, and Lakeside.
‘A short walk from the centre of Ambleside . . . leads to Stock Ghyll Force, a spectacular 70 foot waterfall which may be viewed safely from a railed viewpoint. In spring the area under the trees is a carpet of daffodils.’ (Words and photo courtesy of www.visitcumbria.com/amb/stock-ghyll-force.htm.)
  • If you fancy doing some walking, why not take a ferry to Waterhead or Ferry House and explore the footpath to Wray Castle between these two points? This walk can be combined with a shorter walk up to Stockghyll Waterfall in Ambleside.
  • For a day travelling to the North Lakes, buy an explorer ticket that will allow you to hop on and off the buses travelling between Bowness to Keswick. Stop off at Rydal and Grasmere on the way and visit Wordsworth’s previous homes, Rydal Mount and Dove Cottage. There are also other stops you can make along the way, where you can enjoy wooded walks by stunning lakes.
  • For a day in and around Bowness and Windermere, take a walk through the two towns and get your bearings on the area. At the top of Windermere, a walk leads to Orrest Head viewpoint, whilst in Bowness-on-Windermere, just behind our B&B, The Dales Way Walk winds its way through acres of woodlands and fells to three viewpoints. Take in fantastic far-reaching views of Lake Windermere and the surrounding fells and mountains when you reach the view points.
Don’t you think this sunset is gorgeous? A striation of pale blue grey sky, red and orange streaks of sun setting, purple blue mountains, almost colourless water, and a dark landmass in the foreground, which is Brantfell viewpoint, accessed from the farm gate at the back of Blenheim Lodge, our Bowness-on-Windermere guest house. A perfect end to a busy day! (Photo courtesy of www.cumbriaphoto.co.uk.)


Well, these are just four suggestions that our visitors can think about doing when travelling on public transport. Lakeland is walking country, and these options naturally include walks as well as transportation by bus and boat. We find that visitors have such a lot to see and do even when visiting for more than a week, that they often tell us that they wish they had more time to stay. Our answer is to invite them back for another stay to make new happy memories!

Walking in Bowness-on-Windermere along the shores of Windermere Lake. Across the water is a folly on Belle Isle, a private island in the middle of the Lake.(Photo courtesy of www.cumbriaphoto.co.uk.)

‘Blenheim Lodge . . . panoramic Lake views, peace and tranquillity, nestled against acres of beautiful fields and woodlands, in the heart of the English Lake District National Park.’

Visit our website: www.blenheim-lodge.com

Email: enquiries@blenheim-lodge.com