Touring the Lake District National Park

Have you ever leafed through glossy vacation magazines and travel guides about the Lake District National Park and said to yourself, “Oh! I’d love to visit that place?” Or perhaps read an article in the newspapers about some fascinating historical location which you wanted to know more about? What about those vistas of unimaginable beauty that you saw online and wished to see with your very own eyes?

Roll on some days, weeks, months, or even years . . . and, suddenly, you’ve made holiday plans to visit those same wonderful places you’d been dreaming of. But now come the questions: “I’m not driving. How will I get there?” Or, if you’ve decided to drive after all, “How far is it from where I might stay? Will it be easy to find my way around? What will the roads be like?”

Researching your trip

So you do more research and contemplate taking the buses instead, but their timetabling does not suit: it takes an age to get to just one place, never mind the many that you wish to see. You need to change buses at least three times and all operate infrequently. And then you find out that when you finally reach its vicinity, you’ll still have to walk along a lonely windy mountain pass to get to your destination.

Mostly, you are short of that most precious of commodities – time! The answer . . . or, part answer? (Continue reading for a potential solution.)

Location, location, location

Location is key . . . particularly if you don’t want to drive or hike or ride far on the buses.  Ask yourself the following questions:

• Do you want a town centre location with all its attendant hustle and bustle?
• Or would you prefer staying in a calmer environment, where you can relax and hear the birds sing?
• Perhaps you’d like to stay in a quiet spot, yet be within touching distance of local amenities and public transport?

If you’ve answered “Yes!” to the second and third questions, then how about making your Lake District base in our characterful Victorian house, Blenheim Lodge? Our cosy and welcoming Bed and Breakfast sits serenely cocooned against acres of peaceful countryside, with sheep and cows at pasture and where shy wild deer roam.

Blenheim Lodge, Bowness on Windermere

Blenheim Lodge is perfectly situated in Bowness on Windermere, only a short 3-5 minutes’ walk to the village centre and shores of Windermere. Bowness itself is a busy village. Shops, eateries, services, tourist attractions, and transport links are easily accessible. Yet, where our family home is situated, it is so quiet you can quite literally hear a pin drop! It’s an idyllic location if you’re looking for that quintessential Lakeland village experience.

The Lake District National Park

There is much to see and do in the Lake District National Park. And, for guests staying at Blenheim Lodge, there are good private and public transport links to many areas by boat and bus. For example, one can hop onto a ferry from Bowness Bay – (a 5-minute walk from our front door) – and sail to Waterhead; and, from thence, walk the mile or take a bus or taxi into Ambleside, another popular Lakeland village.

As in every part of the world, there are also places which are less easily accessible by public transport. For instance, although there are buses traversing some mountain passes, these can be infrequent. The scenery, however, is ever stunning and it would be a shame not to see it. There is also much to attract the sightseer, artist, photographer, hiker, geographer and historian alike. The fells, as mountains are called in Cumbria, have so much history, and are also the natural environment of the iconic Herdwicks, widely acknowledged as the sheep which have “landscaped” this beauteous land.

Go out and explore!

Getting to the Lake District is one thing, but going out to explore is another matter altogether. Depending on your interests, there are so many opportunities for you to satisfy your curiosity about the Lakes. Consider its history, its landscapes, and how it continues to draw people here to live, work and visit. It’s a magical place indeed!

Famous writers

The splendour and serenity of the Lake District attracted many important authors. For those interested in Lakeland authors such as William Wordsworth, Beatrix Potter, John Ruskin, and Arthur Ransome, to name a few, you can visit their former homes and the places that inspired them. Beatrix Potter’s Hilltop is particularly popular with tourists.

Cumbrian heritage

Or perhaps you might be interested in tracing the historic contributions of Cumbria’s Roman conquerors? High Street, which the Romans used as a thoroughfare between Forts Galava and Brocavum, was also the place to congregate on market days and during festivals for generations well beyond their time. Galava, at Waterhead on the edge of Ambleside, is easily accessible by ferry and public or private road transport from Bowness on Windermere.

The beauty of the Lakes

Writers, newscasters, visitors and residents talk about the natural beauty of the Lake District National Park. There are admiring comments about its fells, valleys, lakes, rivers, forces (or waterfalls), trails, and more whenever its natural attributes are mentioned. And, do you know what? It’s all true! The Lake District is incredibly picturesque! Dig deeper, and there’ll be always more to enthral.

Make your own discoveries

“Time is of the essence,” so the saying goes. For visitors to the Lake District, this cannot be more true. Most people have only a limited amount of time to stay in the Lakes, and perhaps even less to plan the best means of getting around our UNESCO World Heritage Site. Staying at Blenheim Lodge B&B in Bowness means that you are already staying within the Lake District National Park, so you are that much closer to where all the “action” is. Bowness has excellent public and private transport links, which make it easier to tour and navigate the Lakes.

Touring the Lake District

But what can you do to use your limited time in the Lakes even more effectively, especially if you may also wish to take a rest from driving so that you can actually look around rather than concentrating on finding your way or negotiating the narrow roads and winding high passes of the Lakes? Well . . . how about taking a back seat and letting someone else chauffeur you instead? Make that a driver who is knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the Lake District National Park and has its history and local up-to-date information at his or her fingertips. Think about that same someone being able to throw in some Cumbrian anecdotes that will bring your tours to life. Next, let someone else do the work, whilst you relax, and enjoy your day!

Book your discounted B&B stay and tours at Blenheim Lodge

If the idea of getting away to the Lake District for both a relaxing yet re-energising getaway appeals to you, why not book directly with us at Blenheim Lodge for a discounted stay? Choose an en-suite room with far-reaching Lake Windermere and fell views for a tranquil getaway at our peaceful B&B! Take advantage of our Special Offers, and save! Currently, we are offering savings of up to £10 off per night on our Autumn and Winter rates.

Plan your stay

To help you make the most of your stay, we can also help you organise door to door tours prior to arrival or whilst you are here. Tours include visits to some of the most iconic homes, attractions, and scenic areas in the Lake District National Park, and start at a very reasonable £26 per head for a day’s outing!

A Lake District holiday with seasonal vibes and views at Blenheim Lodge

Lake Windermere is England’s largest natural body of water and only 5 minutes’ walk from our front door. Practically on our doorstep are also beautiful peaceful walks crisscrossing numerous organic fell acres immediately behind our B&B. The best known is The Dales Way, which stretches from Ilkley in the Yorkshire Dales to Bowness on Windermere in the Lake District. (As an aside, Blenheim Lodge is the first guesthouse accommodation off The Dales Way in Bowness – and a literal gentle minute’s stroll to The Dales Way footpath itself!)

The Dales Way footpath

Easy hikes from Blenheim Lodge

Our guests often enjoy the gentle hike to Brantfell summit, just 20 minutes from our front door. At the top, you will enjoy 360-degree views of your surroundings. If you are short of time, however, 10-15 minutes’ stroll from Blenheim Lodge to Post Knott or Biskey Howe will offer 180-degree panoramas.

Lake Windermere views from Blenheim Lodge

A reminder! Don’t forget to look out of your bedroom window! Our elevated position on Brant Fell means that 10 of our guest rooms have excellent views of Lake Windermere and fells both near and far.

Why wait? Come join us now at Blenheim Lodge. We look forward to welcoming you!

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.’