There are a number of trips you can do on Lake Windermere, for example up to Ambleside or to the Aquarium. If you are in a car it might be worth getting the ferry (v. close to Bowness) and taking a trip to Hawkeshead and/or Coniston. Last time we used it, it was about £3 each way.

But make sure you pop into the Old England Hotel (behind the church) and have a drink in the bar, preferably on the balcony overlooking the Lake. It's a gorgeous spot and we have done that a few times, depending on the weather of course!

Last time we ate in the Angel Inn the food was excellent. Has a nice Conservatory for an after dinner drink. If you like a drink there are a couple of pubs we always visit, the Hole Int Wall pub-explorer.com/cumbria/pub/holeintwallwind… and the Royal Oak www.royaloak-windermere.co.uk/index.cfm

Have fun, lovely place,

Mike

The Old England maybe fine for a drink with a view, if you want to take a mortgage out!!!! Our choice is The Belsfield - superb uninterrupted view of the lake, and if it isn't raining, has a fantastic garden to sit out in.

The Angel is another of our favourite haunts. Sitting in front of the log fire, which has the best log stacking in Cumbria, with a cheese platter, olives and bread and glass of cab sauv....ah the memories! Being a walk away from everywhere, it is a really great place to stay, and just wandering the cobbled streets will take up at least half a day.

As for things to do, the steamboat museum... lake cruise....but our favourite was catching the car ferry across the lake and driving or walking to Hawkshead. On the way you can visit Hill Top Farm, the former home of Beatrix Potter. Another great day out is on the ferry to Ambleside, sauntering around and then catching the bus back to Bowness.

There's Holker Hall, a lovely historic house and gardens with birds of prey towards the south of the lake, or you could drive north to Langdale, which has stunning scenery.

The cheese platter in the Angel sounds great, might do that next time. It's amazing how long a pint of Guinness will last in the Old England at those prices!

Mike

Thanks for all your suggestions.The more I hear about The Angel Inn the more I look forward to our stay.

My husband and I will be in Bowness in May with a group and want to do some walking on our own instead of the expensive "optional excursion." If we take the ferry and walk to Hawkshead, as suggested by one poster, how far is it? Any suggestions?

we have stayed twice at the angel, it's great, ask for room one, it's the biggest and best in the hotel. have only eaten breakfast there but it was lovely. for evening meals we have eaten in local restaurants, there are lots of international restaurants. i love walking around in the evening when you can smell all the coal fires!

Have just returned from our stay at the Angel Inn.We stayed in Room 14 in the gatehouse and it was huge with a large settee and chair.We went on a cruise round the lake, sat at the pier watching the swans and the world go by and had afternoon tea on the terrace of the Old England in the brilliant February sunshine.I can't speak highly enough of The Angel Inn-will be writing a review shortly.

Have just returned from our stay at the Angel Inn.We stayed in Room 14 in the gatehouse and it was huge with a large settee and chair.We went on a cruise round the lake, sat at the pier watching the swans and the world go by and had afternoon tea on the terrace of the Old England in the brilliant February sunshine.I can't speak highly enough of The Angel Inn-will be writing a review shortly.