Lake District
Bowness and Windermere are the real heart of the Lake District. Popular for walking, watersports and just seeing the fabulous views. Lake Windermere is its biggest attraction ... 22 miles of breathtaking scenery. Not far from Bowness is the town of Windermere with its specialist shops, cafes and restaurants.
Hawkshead, Coniston and Grasmere are great places to visit . Grasmere, famous as the last resting place of William Wordsworth. Wordsworth's Dove Cottage, has been carefully preserved and is open to the public together with the adjacent Wordsworth Museum. Don't miss a visit to the famous Grasmere gingerbread company when you are there! To the south of Grasmere is the little village of Rydal and another former home of William Wordsworth, Rydal Mount. Sitting at the head of Coniston Water is the village of Coniston. It is a Mecca for walkers who come to climb the Old Man of Coniston which dominates the skyline above the village. East of Coniston, near the head of Esthwaite Water, you'll find the cobbled streets and whitewashed stone cottages of Hawkshead. Hawkshead has an old world charm which makes it extremely popular with tourists.
Ambleside - It's proximity to the Langdales attracts walkers and climbers from far and wide whilst its central location makes it a perfect choice for day visitors. Many old and beautiful buildings, most of which are built of slate but probably the most visited and most photographed is Bridge House. This tiny two roomed building was originally an apple store built on the bridge over the beck, to avoid land tax. The river running through Ambleside and under Bridge House is Stock Ghyll, which at one time powered 12 watermills along its length, grinding corn and helping to produce bobbins, fabric and paper. A short walk out of Ambleside will take you up to Stock Ghyll Force, a 70' waterfall which can be viewed safely from a railed platform.
Kendal - sitting in the valley of the river Kent, bordered on three sides by the Lakeland fells and some simply stunning countryside, Kendal couldn't wish for a more attractive setting. Many of the town's beautiful old buildings are built from local limestone which gives the town its nickname ' the Auld Grey Town' and for those interested in discovering the secrets of its cobbled back streets and alley ways, there are a number of trail guides available from the local tourist information street. On the banks of the Kent, below the ruins of Kendal Castle is Abbot Hall, a Georgian townhouse and home to various exhibitions of work by artists such as Romney, Ruskin and Turner.
Kendal is approx 20 minutes by car from Capernwray House, Bowness and Windermere approx 25 minutes, Ambleside approx 30 minutes, Coniston, Grasmere , Hawkshead approx 40 minutres
