natural environment of windermere & bowness...
Lake Windermere
This 17km-long lake is fed by the rivers Brathay and Rothay at its northern end and outflows into the River Leven at its southern end. The lake holds the largest population of goldeneye ducks in the Lake District and is also noted for a species of fish called Windermere Char - a ‘relic' fish from the last Ice Age, traditionally ‘potted' into dishes and eaten as a local delicacy.
Viewpoints
The short walk to Orrest Head is well worth the uphill effort, for at the top is an outstanding panoramic view of the lake and surrounding mountains. There are a number of ways of getting to the top all passing through Elleray Woods, noted for its varied bird and insect life (booklet available from the Tourist Information Centre in Windermere).
Other nearby viewpoints can be found at Biskey Howe, Post Knott, Hammar Bank and Queen Adelaide's Hill. The latter was named after Queen Adelaide, consort of William IV, who disembarked from her boat at Millerground to walk up the hill in 1840. Cockshott Point, a rocky promontory jutting into Windermere, provides magnificent views over the lake.
Holehird Gardens, Patterdale Road, Windermere
This 10-acre hillside garden, managed by the Lakeland Horticultural Society since 1971, has been transformed from an abandoned rock garden into a ‘garden for all seasons', with specimen trees, a walled garden with herbaceous borders and displays of alpine plants. The national plant collections for astilbe, hydrangea and polystichum ferns are held here. Open daily all year. Free admission but donations welcomed.
Highlands Wood
An ancient semi-natural oak woodland with varied ground flora and birdlife. A waymarked circular trail can be followed round the wood. Access from Holehird Gardens.
Brockhole, Windermere
The gardens at Brockhole, stretching down to the shores of Windermere, were laid out by Thomas Mawson, the internationally acclaimed landscape gardener from Windermere. A wide variety of interesting trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants can be seen against the dramatic backdrop of the lake. Children's adventure playground. Picnic areas and café. Regular guided tours of the grounds. Free admission, but with on-site parking charges. The gardens are open all year round with lake cruises departing from the jetty during the summer months.
Fell Foot, Newby Bridge, Ulverston
A restored Victorian park with picnic areas, a tea room and boat hire. Open all year round (tea room Mar-Oct only). Hop on the ferry across to Lakeside to enjoy the attractions on the other side - see Visitor Attractions. Windermere Lake Cruises stop at Fell Foot during the summer months only.
The Cross Lakes Experience allows exploration without a car. Combining travel by lake steamers and launches, Mountain Goat and Stagecoach buses it allows travel between Windermere, Bowness, Hawkshead, Grizedale and Coniston. Seasonal service. For timetable information, telephone 015394 45161.
The Dales Way
An attractive walk that starts at Ilkley in West Yorkshire and finishes in Bowness-on-Windermere following ancient trackways and riverside paths and passing through many interesting villages on its 80 mile (129 km) route and taking in the best of the natural enviroment along the way.
