The old vicarage
Nigel & Georgina's Guidebook
Food scene
The food here is excellent quality. Only a ten minute drive from the house. Booking advised.
12 locals recommend
The Brown Horse Inn
The food here is excellent quality. Only a ten minute drive from the house. Booking advised.
Another pub with excellent quality food. There tends to be lots of different types of food on the menu, not your standard Fish & Chips etc.
27 locals recommend
The Punch Bowl Inn, Crosthwaite
Another pub with excellent quality food. There tends to be lots of different types of food on the menu, not your standard Fish & Chips etc.
This is our favourite pub in the lakes. Open fires, beamed ceilings, great atmosphere and amazing food. It must have one of the best views in the Lake District and is only a twenty minute walk from the house - turn left out of the gate, follow the lane and turn left at the end. This place will not disappoint.
50 locals recommend
The Masons Arms
This is our favourite pub in the lakes. Open fires, beamed ceilings, great atmosphere and amazing food. It must have one of the best views in the Lake District and is only a twenty minute walk from the house - turn left out of the gate, follow the lane and turn left at the end. This place will not disappoint.
Around a 15 minute drive from the house, towards Kendal. Always worth a visit, with friendly and attentive staff. The beef and ale pie is highly recommended.
26 locals recommend
The Black Labrador
Around a 15 minute drive from the house, towards Kendal. Always worth a visit, with friendly and attentive staff. The beef and ale pie is highly recommended.
This is one of our favourite places on Windermere. The food is fine dining, with a relatively limited menu and the service is second to none in an unrushed, modern, impeccable way.
Small portion sizes, but it always seems to be enough. Boasts one of the top 100 wine cellars in the world!!
The Samling Hotel
Ambleside RoadThis is one of our favourite places on Windermere. The food is fine dining, with a relatively limited menu and the service is second to none in an unrushed, modern, impeccable way.
Small portion sizes, but it always seems to be enough. Boasts one of the top 100 wine cellars in the world!!
This place has two Michelin stars and is owned by renowned chef, Simon Rogan. Only a 15 minute drive into Cartmel. Booking essential.
71 locals recommend
L'Enclume
Cavendish StreetThis place has two Michelin stars and is owned by renowned chef, Simon Rogan. Only a 15 minute drive into Cartmel. Booking essential.
If you fancy a fantastic meal in equally fantastic surroundings, this one is for you. 20 minute drive from the house.
19 locals recommend
Gilpin Spice
Crook RoadIf you fancy a fantastic meal in equally fantastic surroundings, this one is for you. 20 minute drive from the house.
If you fancy a well made cocktail, a long beer or small nibbles, this is a great place. Right in the centre of Bowness and has extensive outdoor seating so that you can people watch. Canopy, outdoor heaters and blankets means you can enjoy the place in all weathers.
20 locals recommend
The Fizzy Tarté
Ash StreetIf you fancy a well made cocktail, a long beer or small nibbles, this is a great place. Right in the centre of Bowness and has extensive outdoor seating so that you can people watch. Canopy, outdoor heaters and blankets means you can enjoy the place in all weathers.
We love to go here as they have loads of outdoor seating, right by the river. Food is good too. Ten minutes from the house.
30 locals recommend
The Swan Hotel and Spa
We love to go here as they have loads of outdoor seating, right by the river. Food is good too. Ten minutes from the house.
Try the Sunday lunch menu. Formal dining and the food is great - not to mention the view from the place.
Miller Howe Hotel
Rayrigg RoadTry the Sunday lunch menu. Formal dining and the food is great - not to mention the view from the place.
If you can't get in at L'enclume, then try Simon Rogan's other place in Cartmel
28 locals recommend
Rogan and Co
Devonshire SquareIf you can't get in at L'enclume, then try Simon Rogan's other place in Cartmel
Low Wood Bay Resort & Spa
Ambleside RoadThe Boathouse
Nice quality food, right on the marina.
Wheatsheaf Inn
This is a great village pub with fantastic, high quality pub food. Booking a must!
Shopping
This place is always worth a look and has a small cafe which serves great food - try it for breakfast.
Also has some very different shopping, from architectural antiques to Sedbergh Soap. If you want to buy a gift for somebody, then take a trip here. Only a 7 minute drive from the house.
14 locals recommend
Yew Tree Barn, WRS Architectural Antiques, Gallery, Harry's Cafe Bar
This place is always worth a look and has a small cafe which serves great food - try it for breakfast.
Also has some very different shopping, from architectural antiques to Sedbergh Soap. If you want to buy a gift for somebody, then take a trip here. Only a 7 minute drive from the house.
If in Bowness, this place is always worth a look. A lot of the things are very 'bling' and they also have lots of other decorative pieces.
FAB Home Interiors
Glebe RoadIf in Bowness, this place is always worth a look. A lot of the things are very 'bling' and they also have lots of other decorative pieces.
Small gift shop in Windermere village. Very different things stocked and some very nice things for new babies if you want to buy a gift for a newborn.
Scottie & Russell
2 Crescent RdSmall gift shop in Windermere village. Very different things stocked and some very nice things for new babies if you want to buy a gift for a newborn.
Sightseeing
This is such a pretty place. A walk around the lake takes around an hour, but parking can be challenging when busy.
88 locals recommend
Tarn Hows
This is such a pretty place. A walk around the lake takes around an hour, but parking can be challenging when busy.
Only a ten minute drive from the house, this Edwardian seaside town provides for a nice walk along the promenade and has a choice of nice cafes.
39 locals recommend
Grange-over-Sands
Only a ten minute drive from the house, this Edwardian seaside town provides for a nice walk along the promenade and has a choice of nice cafes.
This is such a peaceful place to the west of Lake Windermere. If you head towards the trout fishery, you can park and have a nice picnic right on the edge of the lake. You can also hire boats, pay to fish or try the tea and cakes in the small cafe.
7 locals recommend
Esthwaite Water
This is such a peaceful place to the west of Lake Windermere. If you head towards the trout fishery, you can park and have a nice picnic right on the edge of the lake. You can also hire boats, pay to fish or try the tea and cakes in the small cafe.
A very pretty village to the west of Lake Windermere. Plenty of places to eat and drink and smaller shops selling art, gifts, clothing etc.
59 locals recommend
Hawkshead
A very pretty village to the west of Lake Windermere. Plenty of places to eat and drink and smaller shops selling art, gifts, clothing etc.
Walk up the Old Man of Coniston and then reward yourself with a meal and a beer in one of the hostelries.
59 locals recommend
Coniston
Walk up the Old Man of Coniston and then reward yourself with a meal and a beer in one of the hostelries.
A town on the northern edge of Lake Windermere. Good shopping and good food.
145 locals recommend
Ambleside
A town on the northern edge of Lake Windermere. Good shopping and good food.
A trip out to the Wrynose Pass and Hardknott Pass will not disappoint you. A drive through stunning scenery that will not disappoint you. Admittedly, the roads are narrow and steep, so not for the nervous driver, but take a picnic and you'll have a great experience.
9 locals recommend
Wrynose Pass
A trip out to the Wrynose Pass and Hardknott Pass will not disappoint you. A drive through stunning scenery that will not disappoint you. Admittedly, the roads are narrow and steep, so not for the nervous driver, but take a picnic and you'll have a great experience.
Only a 6 minute drive from the house. Walk to the top and you have spectacular views on all sides. A moderate walk that will take around 35 minutes each way.
35 locals recommend
Gummer's How
Only a 6 minute drive from the house. Walk to the top and you have spectacular views on all sides. A moderate walk that will take around 35 minutes each way.
Only a short stroll from the house. This is a very old church that is open every day and holds services on a Sunday.
Cartmel Fell Church
Only a short stroll from the house. This is a very old church that is open every day and holds services on a Sunday.
The priory in Cartmel is an amazing place. Something so large in such a small village.
33 locals recommend
Cartmel Priory
The SquareThe priory in Cartmel is an amazing place. Something so large in such a small village.
A great place to visit. Take a walk up the Old Man and treat yourself to a pub lunch afterwards.
59 locals recommend
Coniston
A great place to visit. Take a walk up the Old Man and treat yourself to a pub lunch afterwards.
Windermere
Windermere village (not the lake) is well worth a walk around.
Ullswater
Peace and quiet and a very large lake.
Activities
Kankku
Victoria Street4x4 Off-roading if you'd like to try something different. Get your hands on a Land Rover!
Learn all about Beatrix Potter and the characters she created.
103 locals recommend
The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction
Crag BrowLearn all about Beatrix Potter and the characters she created.
Only a ten minute drive towards Newby Bridge and you can enjoy all sorts of automotive nostalgia.
52 locals recommend
Lakeland Motor Museum
Only a ten minute drive towards Newby Bridge and you can enjoy all sorts of automotive nostalgia.
A cruise on Lake Windermere is a great way to spend your time. The larger boats have a small bar on board - nothing better than a Hot Chocolate on a cold winter's day! You can disembark at Ambleside, have a walk around the town and then get the boat back.
Bowness on Windermere Terminal station
A cruise on Lake Windermere is a great way to spend your time. The larger boats have a small bar on board - nothing better than a Hot Chocolate on a cold winter's day! You can disembark at Ambleside, have a walk around the town and then get the boat back.
Windermere Aquatic hire boats out for two hour slots. The new electric boats are suitable for all weather as they are covered. Another great way to have a picnic! We recommend the Fantail type boat - £70 for two people for two hours.
Head south to see the exclusive millionaire properties on the east shore or go north towards the fells and Ambleside.
Windermere Aquatic LTD
Glebe RoadWindermere Aquatic hire boats out for two hour slots. The new electric boats are suitable for all weather as they are covered. Another great way to have a picnic! We recommend the Fantail type boat - £70 for two people for two hours.
Head south to see the exclusive millionaire properties on the east shore or go north towards the fells and Ambleside.
If you fancy a ride on a steam train, then don't miss this. Only a ten minute drive from the house.
69 locals recommend
Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway
If you fancy a ride on a steam train, then don't miss this. Only a ten minute drive from the house.
Race meetings are held in Cartmel on most bank holiday weekends. It's not Ascot, so take a picnic and enjoy the day.
33 locals recommend
Cartmel Racecourse
Race meetings are held in Cartmel on most bank holiday weekends. It's not Ascot, so take a picnic and enjoy the day.
Three screens and the home to a Wurlitzer organ. There are organ recitals on certain days of the year. Check their website for details.
14 locals recommend
Royalty Cinema
Lake RoadThree screens and the home to a Wurlitzer organ. There are organ recitals on certain days of the year. Check their website for details.
Provides a gym and swimming pool.
The centre often holds shows by various acts and comedians, check their website for upcoming shows.
8 locals recommend
Kendal Leisure Centre
Burton RoadProvides a gym and swimming pool.
The centre often holds shows by various acts and comedians, check their website for upcoming shows.
This is a beautiful house and tearooms and they often hold events in their grounds. Well worth a visit.
49 locals recommend
Holker Hall and Gardens
This is a beautiful house and tearooms and they often hold events in their grounds. Well worth a visit.
This museum has everything to do with L&H - something a little different and you won't end up in "another fine mess".
42 locals recommend
Laurel and Hardy Museum
This museum has everything to do with L&H - something a little different and you won't end up in "another fine mess".
Cumbria Crystal
Unit 4 Canal StLovely quality crystal and workshops where you can make your own glass keepsake.
Shed 1 Distillery
North Lonsdale RoadWho doesn't like gin?
Go Ape Grizedale
Challenge yourself. It's fun!
Nice spot for sunbathing whilst dipping into the lake for a swim. Only ten minutes from the house.
96 locals recommend
National Trust - Fell Foot Park
Nice spot for sunbathing whilst dipping into the lake for a swim. Only ten minutes from the house.
Levens Hall
Great coffee shop and famous topiary gardens.
Windermere Canoe Kayak
B5285If you want to get close up to the lake - here's how.