Our butcher delivered our order today and exclaimed, ‘Everyone is back to work, and we are so busy!’ It’s true: those guest houses, eateries, and attractions that had taken a rest over the past eight weeks are now open with a vengeance. While the Lake District is open throughout the year, some family-owned businesses do take a break during the quieter winter season. However, Valentine’s Day sees the Lake District getting back into its stride, hence there are lots and lots to see, do, and, not forgetting our butcher, eat!

blenheim lodge lake district
Two inviting cups of tea site on the dressing table in The Fairfield, our largest bedroom at Blenheim Lodge.

So what is around to do? Well, in Bowness-on-Windermere, where Blenheim Lodge is located, Windermere Lake Cruises are continuing with their usual winter timetable, taking into account the shorter days, which are inexorably lengthening even as I write. The ferries never really shut down; only when the winds are very high and there are heavy rains do the ferries not sail for the sake of passenger safety.

windermere lake cruises, bowness bay, lake district
Take a cruise on Lake Windermere from Bowness Bay. (Photo by Tony West, courtesy of www.cumbriaphoto.co.uk.)

Locally, there is also the famous World of Beatrix Potter Attraction. This is a fun exhibition which attracts both children and adults alike. It is only a 5-minute walk from our Bed and Breakfast, Blenheim Lodge.

The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction is a firm favourite with children and adults. This attraction is a hop, skip and jump from Blenheim Lodge, our guest house is Bowness-on-Windermere. (Photo courtesy of www.cumbriaphoto.co.uk.)
The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction is a firm favourite with children and adults. This attraction is a hop, skip and jump from Blenheim Lodge, our guest house is Bowness-on-Windermere. (Photo courtesy of www.cumbriaphoto.co.uk.)

Meanwhile, the buses that ply what is arguably the most beautiful motorway in England continue to do so in February as they do throughout the rest of the year. The route between Windermere in the South Central Lakes to Keswick in the North Lakes takes approximately 60 minutes and visitors can hop on and off to explore pretty villages and admire beautiful Lake and mountain scenery along the way.

This is just a small part of the beautiful road that we drove to Keswick from Bowness-on-Windermere, with surrounding mountains, green fells and sparkling lakes to admire! (Photo courtesy of www.cumbriaphoto.co.uk.)
This is just a small part of the beautiful road that we drive to Keswick from Bowness-on-Windermere, with surrounding mountains, green fells and sparkling lakes to admire! (Photo courtesy of www.cumbriaphoto.co.uk.)

For walkers, the fells are of course always open. Climb high (but go carefully) or trek lower level walks, and you will come across some truly spectacular views anywhere in the Lakes. Our Bed and Breakfast itself nestles into acres of National Trust countryside and is tucked snugly against Brantfell, the fell for which our road, Brantfell Road, is named. A minute’s stroll from our front door will take guests to the farm gate that opens onto the Dales Way Walk. Follow this footpath or wander at will, but do try to take in at least one of the four viewpoints behind our guest house. Two are 10 minutes’ walk from our door, one is 20 minutes’ walk from us, and the summit is 40 minutes’ walk away.

A Winter scene quite out of sync with our current warm May weather in Bowness-on-Windermere. I chose this photo of Windermere as seen from Brantfell viewpoint which is 40 minutes' walk from the access gate a minute's stroll from our guest house, because the mountains, fells, water, and sunshine reflected on the snow makes me think of God's creative genius and how we are all part of His creation. (Photo courtesy of www.cumbriaphoto.co.uk.)
Lake Windermere as seen from Brantfell viewpoint which is 40 minutes’ walk from the access gate a minute’s stroll from our guest house. (Photo courtesy of www.cumbriaphoto.co.uk.)

Fancy visiting the Western Lake Distict but do not want to drive so that you can concentrate on enjoying the scenery instead of the wildly twisting narrow roads? Well, how about joining a tour bus that will pick you up and drop you back at our abode? We can arrange tours for you. Oh, and also help with organising other activities too. Just ask.

Negotiating down steep narrow tracks on Hardknott Pass, Lake District National Park.
Negotiating down steep narrow tracks on Hardknott Pass, Lake District National Park. You can see the remains of a Roman military settlement to the top right of this photograph.

Do you like exploring historic properties? There are plenty in the Lakes to explore, including Wordsworth’s sweet Dove Cottage.

Dove Cottage
William Wordsworth’s Dove Cottage.

I hope this little post will whet your appetite concerning things to see and do. There is such a lot more which I am sure you would discover for yourself if you were to come visit.  And if you are searching for a place to stay, you would be more than welcome to check out our B&B. We have late availability and would be delighted to have you visit with us.

antique four poster bed, blenheim lodge, guest room | Bowness on Windermere | Cumbria Lake District
The Coniston is one of our bedrooms boasting the view you see above. This bedroom contains a William IV 4-Poster bed complete with a pleated silk ceiling and drapes.

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

Telephone: 015394 43440