Winterfell Cottage Guidebook
Sightseeing
Things to do and places to see!
Avoid the traffic by taking the ferry to Ambleside or Lakeside great sightseeing too!
Windermere Ferry station
Avoid the traffic by taking the ferry to Ambleside or Lakeside great sightseeing too!
Fascinating insight into the history of the lake and its uses. Interesting exhibitions.
29 locals recommend
Windermere Jetty, Museum of Boats, Steam and Stories
Rayrigg RoadFascinating insight into the history of the lake and its uses. Interesting exhibitions.
One of the UK’s finest examples of Arts & Crafts architecture and just a few minutes drive from the house. Combine with eating at The Brown Horse, Winster.
42 locals recommend
Blackwell - the Arts & Crafts house
One of the UK’s finest examples of Arts & Crafts architecture and just a few minutes drive from the house. Combine with eating at The Brown Horse, Winster.
Fascinating insight into how we used to live. National Trust property so membership gains access or pay on door.
Townend
Holbeck LaneFascinating insight into how we used to live. National Trust property so membership gains access or pay on door.
All things Beatrix Potter, good for small kids.
103 locals recommend
The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction
Crag BrowAll things Beatrix Potter, good for small kids.
If you have an interest in cars and boats! Also some memorabilia that will take many back to their childhood. Home to the Campbell Bluebird exhibition.
52 locals recommend
Lakeland Motor Museum
If you have an interest in cars and boats! Also some memorabilia that will take many back to their childhood. Home to the Campbell Bluebird exhibition.
Fabulous historic steam train rides through beautiful Lakeland scenery. Book ahead with children for the Santa trip at Christmas.
69 locals recommend
Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway
Fabulous historic steam train rides through beautiful Lakeland scenery. Book ahead with children for the Santa trip at Christmas.
Lakes Aquarium
Great for a rainy day and interesting for kids and adults alike
William Wordsworth used this idyllic setting as inspiration for some of his writing, see how he used to live and visit the historic village of Grasmere. Got to try the famous Grasmere Gingerbread!
55 locals recommend
Dove Cottage
William Wordsworth used this idyllic setting as inspiration for some of his writing, see how he used to live and visit the historic village of Grasmere. Got to try the famous Grasmere Gingerbread!
Home of the famous Beatrix Potter. Combine with trip to Hawkeshead, Tarn Hows and lunch at Cuckoo Brow or Tower Bank Arms
6 locals recommend
Beatrix Potters Farm station
Home of the famous Beatrix Potter. Combine with trip to Hawkeshead, Tarn Hows and lunch at Cuckoo Brow or Tower Bank Arms
Lovely walk or cycle by lake from ferry. Great cycling for kids as very quiet road followed by organised activities in holidays.
54 locals recommend
National Trust Wray Castle
Lovely walk or cycle by lake from ferry. Great cycling for kids as very quiet road followed by organised activities in holidays.
Beautiful gardens with some of the oldest topiary in the world. Fascinating house, gardens and of course great kitchen/cafe.
77 locals recommend
Levens Hall
Beautiful gardens with some of the oldest topiary in the world. Fascinating house, gardens and of course great kitchen/cafe.
Another historic house and gardens that is worth a trip. Open air theatre for the family on a summers evening, book on line.
49 locals recommend
Holker Hall and Gardens
Another historic house and gardens that is worth a trip. Open air theatre for the family on a summers evening, book on line.
One I have not yet ticked off my list! If you like 30s slapstick movies you will enjoy.
42 locals recommend
Laurel and Hardy Museum
One I have not yet ticked off my list! If you like 30s slapstick movies you will enjoy.
Interesting castle and gardens. great cafe too. Worth a half day trip!
74 locals recommend
Sizergh Castle
Interesting castle and gardens. great cafe too. Worth a half day trip!
Good entertainment for small and large kids alike. A fun family day out.
85 locals recommend
South Lakes Safari Zoo
Melton TerraceGood entertainment for small and large kids alike. A fun family day out.
Families will enjoy the farming skill showcased such as shearing and herding with Meg the border collie. Check web page for events. Also featured in our eats section.
Lakeland Farm Visitor Centre
FarmFamilies will enjoy the farming skill showcased such as shearing and herding with Meg the border collie. Check web page for events. Also featured in our eats section.
Entertainment
Royalty Cinema
Lake RoadGreat for a rainy day or an organ recital if that's your thing.
Multiple cinemas and also do eat/watch deals for their own restaurant. Ambleside in general and Zeffirellis in particular cater well for vegetarians.
64 locals recommend
Zeffirellis
2 Compston RdMultiple cinemas and also do eat/watch deals for their own restaurant. Ambleside in general and Zeffirellis in particular cater well for vegetarians.
Historic theatre only runs at certain times of year, make sure to book ahead.
14 locals recommend
The Old Laundry Theatre
Crag BrowHistoric theatre only runs at certain times of year, make sure to book ahead.
If travelling this far north on your holiday dont miss this fabulous Imax cinema.
34 locals recommend
Rheged
If travelling this far north on your holiday dont miss this fabulous Imax cinema.
Food scene
Our favourite eatery and a 45 minute walk across the fells if you want to build an appetite. Sunday lunch a favourite. Eat outside on a sunny day in their beer garden.
12 locals recommend
The Brown Horse Inn
Our favourite eatery and a 45 minute walk across the fells if you want to build an appetite. Sunday lunch a favourite. Eat outside on a sunny day in their beer garden.
Relaxing bar with pleasant seating outside on a sunny day. We used to love this place for food but tend not to eat here now but still enjoy the bar and outside seating.
22 locals recommend
The Angel Inn
Helm RoadRelaxing bar with pleasant seating outside on a sunny day. We used to love this place for food but tend not to eat here now but still enjoy the bar and outside seating.
The Albert Bar
Queens SquareCosy pub dining with real fire on winters day. Good for families
Small menu of expertly cooked fish and seafood. Make sure to book and check what’s fresh in. Plenty of parking nearby in Windermere.
9 locals recommend
Hooked
Ellerthwaite SquareSmall menu of expertly cooked fish and seafood. Make sure to book and check what’s fresh in. Plenty of parking nearby in Windermere.
ChoccoBar Hot Chocolate House
Off Lake RdIf you like chocolate you will love this
Up the hill in Windermere. Fabulous breakfasts but be ready to queue. Combine with walk up School Knott , Orrest Head or Brant Fell to build up an appetite.
51 locals recommend
Homeground Coffee + Kitchen
56 Main RdUp the hill in Windermere. Fabulous breakfasts but be ready to queue. Combine with walk up School Knott , Orrest Head or Brant Fell to build up an appetite.
Walking distance from house so no need for car. Main restaurant is fine dining with Lake views and afternoon teas get good reviews. The recently opened Bistro restaurant serves quality food in a friendly relaxed atmosphere.
Storrs Hall
Walking distance from house so no need for car. Main restaurant is fine dining with Lake views and afternoon teas get good reviews. The recently opened Bistro restaurant serves quality food in a friendly relaxed atmosphere.
Stop off here on any trip across the lake to Hawkshead or nearby attractions. nice atmosphere and good family friendly food. Short walk from ferry.
9 locals recommend
Cuckoo Brow Inn
Stop off here on any trip across the lake to Hawkshead or nearby attractions. nice atmosphere and good family friendly food. Short walk from ferry.
Nice spot for lunch. Combine with visit to Hawkeshead or Hilltop, the home of Beatrix Potter.
Tower Bank Arms
Nice spot for lunch. Combine with visit to Hawkeshead or Hilltop, the home of Beatrix Potter.
Great cafe serving own farm produce with outside seating. Farm shop and amazing butchers section! Don’t miss the minted lamb chops. Kids and adults will love the planned activities and Meg the collie.
Lakeland Farm Visitor Centre
FarmGreat cafe serving own farm produce with outside seating. Farm shop and amazing butchers section! Don’t miss the minted lamb chops. Kids and adults will love the planned activities and Meg the collie.
Lovely to sit outside on sunny day with their own beer and lunch. Combine with nearby walk and visit to the Lakeland Farm.
13 locals recommend
Watermill Inn & Brewery
A591Lovely to sit outside on sunny day with their own beer and lunch. Combine with nearby walk and visit to the Lakeland Farm.
Urban Food House
Lake RoadGreat food well cooked and nicely presented with friendly service.
Friendly and professional service and great steaks and burgers. Reserve a window table for a fabulous view across the lake.
Boardwalk Bar and Grill
Friendly and professional service and great steaks and burgers. Reserve a window table for a fabulous view across the lake.
Walks
Stunning view from steep climb up path to top. Short walk suitable for children.
29 locals recommend
Orrest Head
Stunning view from steep climb up path to top. Short walk suitable for children.
Easily accessible on foot from Bowness and Windermere. Unchallenging walk that gives great views.
8 locals recommend
Brant Fell Viewpoint
Easily accessible on foot from Bowness and Windermere. Unchallenging walk that gives great views.
Yet another fabulous view of the lake. Car park at beginning of walk but with limited spaces. Avoid if particularly wet!
35 locals recommend
Gummer's How
Yet another fabulous view of the lake. Car park at beginning of walk but with limited spaces. Avoid if particularly wet!
Loughrigg Fell
Amazing views across Ambleside and Lake Windermere
Easy walk round scenic tarn. If you tell your kids money does not grow on trees don't take them there. If you do tap a coin into the local money tree.
88 locals recommend
Tarn Hows
Easy walk round scenic tarn. If you tell your kids money does not grow on trees don't take them there. If you do tap a coin into the local money tree.
Lovely lakes walk with scenic tarn as destination. Can get busy on fine day. Take your cossie if weather fine and have a dip.
10 locals recommend
Easedale Tarn
Lovely lakes walk with scenic tarn as destination. Can get busy on fine day. Take your cossie if weather fine and have a dip.
Outdoor Activities
Great for kids, organised activities in holidays. Treetops experience for little and not so little monkeys
67 locals recommend
Brockhole
Great for kids, organised activities in holidays. Treetops experience for little and not so little monkeys
Windermere Canoe Kayak
B5285For messing about on the lake! Parking nearby.
Short drive along the lake towards Newby Bridge. Great park for kids. Don’t miss the annual stone skimming championship.
96 locals recommend
National Trust - Fell Foot Park
Short drive along the lake towards Newby Bridge. Great park for kids. Don’t miss the annual stone skimming championship.
Great to hire cycles and get out on country tracks and lanes. Try the ferry from ferry nab and cycle to Wray Castle, suitable for families.
Total Adventure Bike Hire
9 Church St Great to hire cycles and get out on country tracks and lanes. Try the ferry from ferry nab and cycle to Wray Castle, suitable for families.
Lakeland Adventures (Boat Charter)
1 Glebe RdWhy not charter your own small skippered yacht for 2 hours upwards and see the Lake up close and personal!
Sailing Experiences on Lake Windermere
Holly RoadWhy not charter your own small skippered yacht for 2 hours upwards and see the Lake up close and personal!
For riding enthusiasts! Hacks out through local woods can be booked on line.
Bigland Hall Equine Group
Brow Edge RoadFor riding enthusiasts! Hacks out through local woods can be booked on line.
Fishing permits available for here and lake Windermere from Windermere, Ambleside and District Angling Association (WADAA)
Ghyll Head Reservoir
Fishing permits available for here and lake Windermere from Windermere, Ambleside and District Angling Association (WADAA)
Visitors and golfing enthusiasts can book their tee off time on line.
7 locals recommend
Windermere Golf Club
Visitors and golfing enthusiasts can book their tee off time on line.
This experience gets great reviews and having walked with Alpacas before and found them to be fascinating its definitely on my to do list!
7 locals recommend
Alpacaly Ever After
Braithwaite FarmThis experience gets great reviews and having walked with Alpacas before and found them to be fascinating its definitely on my to do list!
Neighbourhoods
Bowness-on-Windermere
Access to boat trips, shopping, restaurants and cafes
A short walk (uphill) from Bowness. Train station, shops and yes more restaurants
56 locals recommend
Windermere
A short walk (uphill) from Bowness. Train station, shops and yes more restaurants
Hawkshead
Quaint village short day trip on ferry from nearby Ferry Nab
Short drive away and a must if looking for new outdoor gear! Great pie shops, speciality vegetarian restaurants, cinemas and pubs.
145 locals recommend
Ambleside
Short drive away and a must if looking for new outdoor gear! Great pie shops, speciality vegetarian restaurants, cinemas and pubs.
Don’t miss Hawkshead Brewery (check timetable for festivals), Wilfs Cafe and Wheelbase, a mecca for all things bike.
10 locals recommend
Staveley
Don’t miss Hawkshead Brewery (check timetable for festivals), Wilfs Cafe and Wheelbase, a mecca for all things bike.
Pretty little village and home to Cartmel races. Avoid on a race day unless that is your destination. Fabulous restaurants and home to the 2 Michelin starred L'Enclume and its sister restaurants.
61 locals recommend
Cartmel
Pretty little village and home to Cartmel races. Avoid on a race day unless that is your destination. Fabulous restaurants and home to the 2 Michelin starred L'Enclume and its sister restaurants.
Pretty little market town, renowned as the birthplace of Stan Laurel, and home to the world’s only Laurel and Hardy Museum. Annual Dickens festival and regular markets/events.
89 locals recommend
Ulverston
Pretty little market town, renowned as the birthplace of Stan Laurel, and home to the world’s only Laurel and Hardy Museum. Annual Dickens festival and regular markets/events.
City/town information
Lancaster
County town with historic castle, Williamson Park, shopping and more.