Holiday rentals and lettings in Bowness-on-Windermere

Table of contents

• At a glance: what should you know about renting a holiday rental in Bowness-on-Windermere?
• Holiday rental in Bowness-on-Windermere: find your perfect retreat
• Exploring Bowness-on-Windermere: our top recommendations
• Activities: what are the top things to do and see in Bowness-on-Windermere?

• Plenty of choice: With 293 holiday lets on offer, Bowness-on-Windermere has everything from lakeside cottages to family-sized apartments, many with a garden or balcony.
• Central lakeside base: Stay in the heart of town or fan out to Ambleside, Troutbeck or Hawkshead depending on the pace you're after.
• Well-reviewed rentals: Guests consistently praise well-equipped kitchens, comfortable lounges and easy access to the lake shore.
• Best visited May to September: Expect the calmest waters and longest days in summer, with quieter, cheaper stays in low season.
• Unmissable sights: Don't miss the World of Beatrix Potter, a Windermere cruise and the trails around Wray Castle.

Bowness-on-Windermere's holiday rentals range from cosy lakeside cottages and Victorian terraced houses to modern apartments with balconies overlooking the fells. Many are just a short stroll from the promenade and pier, so you can be on the water within minutes of unpacking. Here's what to look out for:

• Free, fast Wi-Fi
• Private gardens or balconies
• Pet-friendly cottages
• Well-equipped kitchens
• Private parking

Quiet cabins are ideal if you're looking for a truly rural break, while homely B&Bs let you wake up to a tasty cooked breakfast.

What are the best areas to stay in Bowness-on-Windermere?

Bowness-on-Windermere itself is the best base for lake cruises, restaurants and the pier, while quieter villages nearby suit those after a slower pace. The table below details areas for specific interests:

What do our guests say?

Guests consistently highlight how convenient Bowness-on-Windermere rentals are for reaching the lake, the pier and the town's restaurants on foot, alongside comfortable interiors and thoughtful touches like local recommendations left by hosts. Families particularly appreciate rentals with private gardens, while couples favour those with a lake or fell view from the window.

Bowness-on-Windermere sits on the eastern shore of Lake Windermere, within Cumbria's Lake District National Park in the north-west of England.

✈️What is the best way to get to Bowness-on-Windermere?

Getting to Bowness-on-Windermere is straightforward, with good options by car, train and coach. Here are the most common ways to get to the town:

• Car: Leave the M6 at Junction 36 and follow the A590 and A591 through Kendal and Windermere; the drive is around five hours from London and under two hours from Manchester or Liverpool.
• Train: Take the West Coast Main Line to Oxenholme, then change onto the branch line to Windermere station, from where Bowness is a short taxi ride or a pleasant 20-minute walk downhill.
• Coach: National Express and local operators run regular coach services into Windermere from major UK cities.

🥗Where to eat in Bowness-on-Windermere?

According to Google Maps data and reviews, Hooked is the best-rated restaurant in Bowness-on-Windermere. Below is a table showing the top 5 highly-rated restaurants hand-picked by our travel experts.

⭐Our guests' recommendation: Our guest traveller Emma and James recommend the Hole in t' Wall, one of Bowness's oldest pubs, for a cosy evening meal: the log fire and hearty, unfussy menu make it a firm favourite after a day on the water.

☀️When is the best time to visit?

The best time to visit is from May to September, when long daylight hours make the most of the lake and surrounding fells; early autumn also rewards visitors with quieter trails and colourful woodland.

Spring

• Best for: Wildflowers, lambing season and quieter trails before the summer crowds
• Weather: Mild and changeable, with sunny spells between showers
• Atmosphere: Calm and unhurried, with many rentals available at lower rates

Summer

• Best for: Watersports, lake cruises and long days exploring the fells
• Weather: Warmest of the year, generally mild rather than hot
• Atmosphere: Lively, with the pier, restaurants and high street at their busiest

Autumn

• Best for: Woodland walks as the fells turn gold and russet
• Weather: Cooler and crisper, with an increasing chance of rain
• Atmosphere: Peaceful, with the region's autumn half-term bringing a brief return of families

⭐Our hosts' recommendation: Local hosts in Bowness-on-Windermere often point guests towards a quiet evening cruise on the lake as the sun sets behind the fells, followed by a walk along the promenade back to your rental.

1. Follow the Beatrix Potter Trail
2. Cruise or paddle Lake Windermere
3. Cycle the Kendal 8 or Langdale trails
4. Hike from the Drunken Duck to Tarn Hows
5. Explore the Wray Castle estate

1. Follow the Beatrix Potter Trail

   Fans of Beatrix Potter's stories can retrace her footsteps around the Lake District she loved. Her farmhouse home, Hill Top, is packed with original furniture, paintings and her porcelain collection, and its garden is just as she left it. The National Trust has mapped a free, downloadable trail linking the places that inspired her best-loved tales.

2. Cruise or paddle Lake Windermere

   England's longest lake stretches for 18 kilometres right past Bowness's pier, and there's no better way to see it than from the water. Hop aboard a leisurely lake cruise to Ambleside for a pub lunch, or hire a rowing boat, kayak or paddle board and set your own course. Every summer the lake also hosts the Great North Swim, the UK's biggest open-water swimming event.

3. Cycle the Kendal 8 or Langdale trails

   Cyclists of all abilities are well catered for around Bowness-on-Windermere. The Kendal 8 is a gentle 33-mile loop along quiet lanes with rolling ascents and wide-open views, ideal for a relaxed day out. More experienced riders can tackle the 17-kilometre Langdale trail, which climbs into dramatic scenery beneath the Langdale Pikes.

4. Hike from the Drunken Duck to Tarn Hows

   Start at the characterfully named Drunken Duck, a cosy pub with its own brewery next door dating back to 1997, before setting off on the 10-kilometre Tarn Hows walk via Black Crag.

5. Explore the Wray Castle estate

   This Gothic Revival mansion dates back to 1840 and sits in extensive grounds on the western shore of the lake, easily reached by bike or on foot. While the rooms are unfurnished, visitors can admire the elaborate woodwork and ornate floor tiles.