Bowness-on-Windermere and Windermere

I wonder sometimes about the number of similar or identical names that are given to towns, cities, villages and hamlets in one country, not to mention many countries in the world. For example, a search for ‘Windermere’ will not only return the Windermere that is in the Lake District, but also one in Canada, located on . . . wait for it . . . the shores of Windermere! And in the Lake District itself, the name, ‘Windermere’, is often used to indicate not just Windermere town itself, but also Bowness-on-Windermere. Thus, there can be much confusion at times for people who do not know this area.

Windermere is noted as the only town in the Lake District National Park which has a main line railway running into it. One can reach Windermere from London’s Euston station in approximately 3 hours; whilst a train journey from Edinburgh takes around 2 hours. Good rail connections also exist between Windermere and the nearest main international airport, Manchester Airport. A short 5-minute taxi or bus ride from Windermere Station will take one to Bowness-on-Windermere.

Windermere town is situated on the A591, and spreads northwards toward Lake Windermere. It is about 1.25 miles from Lake Windermere itself. Bowness-on-Windermere, on the other hand, is a settlement on the shores of Windermere; and Bowness spreads southwards toward Windermere town. The road which connects Windermere and Bowness is part of Lake Road or the A591, a long main road that wends itself through several Lakeland towns and villages.

Many people mistake Bowness-on-Windermere and Windermere for each other, and the reason for this might be their proximity to each other and a similarity in their names. Both have bustling communities, and both are popular with visitors. However, I think the main reason for this confusion might be the fact the Windermere town has the same name as the closest lake, also Windermere.

Both Bowness-on-Windermere and Windermere are now almost interchangeable in the minds of a great many visitors. However, there is one essential difference: Bowness is the more convenient town to be based at if one wants to walk to the Lake, which is, of course, the main draw. Instead of walking 1.25 miles from Windermere town to Lake Windermere, visitors staying in Bowness will take no more than 5-10 minutes to walk to the Lake and pier, depending on where they are putting up.

Bowness-on-Widnermere is also home to The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction, the Old Laundry Theatre, the Steam Boat Museum (currently being refurbished), and a number of annual festivals and events. In 2012, for instance, the Olympic Torch came to Bowness-on-Windermere. For guests staying at Blenheim Lodge, a 2-5-minute walk will take them to Bowness centre and Lake Windermere, where they may take advantage of a plethora of amenities such as restaurants, pubs, cafes, a bank, cinema, post office, spas, etc.

Blenheim Lodge has a private on-site car park for our guests. Our easy walking proximity to local bus stops and the pier means that guests who prefer to explore the Lake District by bus and passenger ferry need not to take their cars. There is also a car ferry 0.75 mile from Blenheim Lodge which takes foot passengers. Car parking can be expensive in the Lakes, so excellent connections to popular Lakeland towns and sights is a bonus.

At the end of the day, choosing to stay in Bowness-on-Windermere or Windermere is a personal choice for travellers to this part of the Lakes. Both are centrally located and are good bases for touring the Lakes, with Bowness possibly having the edge by virtue of being by Lake Windermere itself. However, if being close to the train station and bus depot are important, then Windermere is a better choice.

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.’