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South and Central Lakes – The Golden Triangle!

South and Central Lakes – The Golden Triangle!

If you are limited on time or want a beginner’s guide to the Lakes, the South and Central Lakes are great for providing a snapshot of what this World Heritage site has to offer. This easily accessible area has so much going on. You can cruise on a lake, reach a summit, delve into Cumbria’s history and heritage and dig into some tasty local treats, all within a small (yet perfectly formed) area.

Day1
Morning

If arriving by Avanti West Coast at Oxenholme station, take a Northern train to Windermere station (19 mins). Arrive at Windermere Station and follow the signs down to Bowness-on-Windermere and The Lake. You might want to take your time to browse the many boutique shops and eateries on the way! Dependent on your persuasion there are lots of local attractions well worth a visit. There’s the World of Beatrix Potter, if you follow one of our most famous authors and the new Windermere Jetty, Museum of Boats, Steam and Stories.

Lunch

Take your pick, if you can, from the plethora of cafés, inns and restaurants on offer.

Afternoon

Take a cruise from the pier with Windermere Lake Cruises. Head to Brockhole- The Lake District Visitor Centre for adventures for all ages. Take to the Trees on springy tree top trampolines or clip, climb and slide your way through the woodland on the areal adventure that is Tree Top Treck. Hire a boat, bike or Kayak or try your hand at Laser Clay Shooting. 

Over summer you can hire a bike from Windermere Train Station and catch the Bike Boat to the lesser explored Western Shore of Lake Windermere.  The easy cycle trail has a mock gothic castle and renovated Victorian Viewing Station to discover.

If you prefer to amble then head to Waterhead for the pretty village of Ambleside.  There are lots of quirky shops and ginnels to explore.

If you don’t want to catch the boat back from Brockhole or Ambleside you can catch the regular 555 or 599 service back to Bowness-on-Windermere. Look out for the open top service which runs over summer.

Overnight

There is accommodation to suit all tastes and budget in Bowness-on-Windermere and Windermere. Find yours here.

Day 2

Morning

Catch the 555 or 559 bus from Windermere Station to Rydal (just outside Ambleside). Alight at the bus stop by Rydal Church and Rydal Mount, the former home of William Wordsworth. 

Head up round the back of Rydal Mount and join the Coffin Trail. Don’t let the name put you off, this is an easy 3 mile wooded route connecting Rydal and Grasmere. The route was used to transport coffins from Rydal to the Church in Grasmere, hence the name. The route is obvious and well-trodden but be sure to take a map just in case. It brings you out on the outskirts of Grasmere Village, fabled for its gingerbread. This lovely village is well worth exploring and has a lot of links to William Wordsworth and other Romantic Poets.

If your legs are tired from yesterday’s adventures, then why not take an intrepid Mountain Goat tour. The booking office is by Windermere Station and they have a number of tours exploring the iconic landscape of this World Heritage site. Pre-booking is essential. The fantastic drivers impart a wealth of local knowledge about the area and its heritage.

Lunch

Wherever you end up there is sure to be somewhere good to eat

Afternoon

Either head back on the Coffin Trail to Rydal and catch the bus from there or catch the bus from the village green in Grasmere back to Windermere.

Overnight

Either enjoy another nights stay or head home on the train.

Add all items to itinerary

Itinerary Items

Item
1 Bowness on Windermere
2 The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction
3 Windermere Jetty Museum
4 Windermere Lake Cruises, Bowness
5 Brockhole on Windermere Visitor Centre
6 Claife Viewing Station
7 Stagecoach 555
8 Rydal Mount and Gardens
9 Mountain Goat Tours
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Product Information

  1. Bowness on Windermere

    Bowness on Windermere

    Situated on the shores of lake Windermere, the bustling town of Bowness offers a great variety of visitor attractions, accommodation and shops.

  2. Meet Peter Rabbit at The World of Beatrix Potter in Bowness-on-Windermere, Lake District
    Meet Peter Rabbit at The World of Beatrix Potter in Bowness-on-Windermere, Lake District
    Experience a magical world at The World of Beatrix Potter in Bowness-on-Windermere, Lake District
    Purchase unique and special gifts at The World of Beatrix Potter in Bowness-on-Windermere, Lake District
    Search for Peter Rabbit in the gardens at The World of Beatrix Potter in Bowness-on-Windermere, Lake District
    Enjoy afternoon tea at The World of Beatrix Potter in Bowness-on-Windermere, Lake District
    Exterior and Peter Rabbit Garden at The World of Beatrix Potter in Bowness-on-Windermere, Lake District
    Exhibitions and galleries at The World of Beatrix Potter in Bowness-on-Windermere, Lake District
    Meet the characters of Peter Rabbit at The World of Beatrix Potter in Bowness-on-Windermere, Lake District
    Meet Peter Rabbit at The World of Beatrix Potter in Bowness-on-Windermere, Lake District
    Experience a magical world at The World of Beatrix Potter in Bowness-on-Windermere, Lake District
    Purchase unique and special gifts at The World of Beatrix Potter in Bowness-on-Windermere, Lake District
    Search for Peter Rabbit in the gardens at The World of Beatrix Potter in Bowness-on-Windermere, Lake District
    Enjoy afternoon tea at The World of Beatrix Potter in Bowness-on-Windermere, Lake District
    Exterior and Peter Rabbit Garden at The World of Beatrix Potter in Bowness-on-Windermere, Lake District
    Exhibitions and galleries at The World of Beatrix Potter in Bowness-on-Windermere, Lake District
    Meet the characters of Peter Rabbit at The World of Beatrix Potter in Bowness-on-Windermere, Lake District

    The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction

    Crag Brow, Bowness-on-Windermere

    A magical indoor attraction that brings to life all 23 Beatrix Potter's Peter Rabbit tales. Meet all your favourite characters and find out more about Beatrix Potter herself.

  3. The Heritage Boat Osprey at the Windermere Jetty Museum in Windermere, Lake District
    The Heritage Boat Osprey at the Windermere Jetty Museum in Windermere, Lake District
    MV Jane in the Boathouse at Windermere Jetty Museum in Windermere, Lake District
    Exhibits at Windermere Jetty Museum in Windermere, Lake District
    Family Days Out at Windermere Jetty Museum in Windermere, Lake District
    Interactive Exhibits at Windermere Jetty Museum in Windermere, Lake District
    Enjoy the Views from Windermere Jetty Museum in Windermere, Lake District
    See the History and Heritage at Windermere Jetty Museum in Windermere, Lake District
    See the Boathouse at Windermere Jetty Museum in Windermere, Lake District
    Beautiful views over Windermere from Windermere Jetty Museum in Windermere, Lake District
    Excellent Service at Windermere Jetty Museum in Windermere, Lake District
    The Heritage Boat Osprey at the Windermere Jetty Museum in Windermere, Lake District
    MV Jane in the Boathouse at Windermere Jetty Museum in Windermere, Lake District
    Exhibits at Windermere Jetty Museum in Windermere, Lake District
    Family Days Out at Windermere Jetty Museum in Windermere, Lake District
    Interactive Exhibits at Windermere Jetty Museum in Windermere, Lake District
    Enjoy the Views from Windermere Jetty Museum in Windermere, Lake District
    See the History and Heritage at Windermere Jetty Museum in Windermere, Lake District
    See the Boathouse at Windermere Jetty Museum in Windermere, Lake District
    Beautiful views over Windermere from Windermere Jetty Museum in Windermere, Lake District
    Excellent Service at Windermere Jetty Museum in Windermere, Lake District

    Windermere Jetty Museum

    Windermere

    Windermere Jetty Museum is a vibrant, family-friendly visitor attraction dedicated to the boats, people and the rich history of Windermere, England’s largest natural lake.

  4. Windermere Lake Cruises in the Lake District, Cumbria
    Windermere Lake Cruises in the Lake District, Cumbria
    Windermere Lake Cruises in the Lake District, Cumbria
    Windermere Lake Cruises in the Lake District, Cumbria
    Windermere Lake Cruises in the Lake District, Cumbria
    Windermere Lake Cruises in the Lake District, Cumbria
    Windermere Lake Cruises in the Lake District, Cumbria
    Windermere Lake Cruises in the Lake District, Cumbria
    Windermere Lake Cruises in the Lake District, Cumbria
    Windermere Lake Cruises in the Lake District, Cumbria
    Windermere Lake Cruises in the Lake District, Cumbria
    Windermere Lake Cruises in the Lake District, Cumbria
    Windermere Lake Cruises in the Lake District, Cumbria
    Windermere Lake Cruises in the Lake District, Cumbria
    Windermere Lake Cruises in the Lake District, Cumbria
    Windermere Lake Cruises in the Lake District, Cumbria
    Windermere Lake Cruises in the Lake District, Cumbria

    Windermere Lake Cruises, Bowness

    Windermere

    No visit to The Lake District, Cumbria, would be complete without a visit to England’s largest lake, Windermere; And what better way to experience it than from onboard a world-famous Windermere Lake Cruises ‘steamer’? Steamers and launches sail daily between Ambleside, Bowness and Lakeside. …

  5. Grounds and exterior at Brockhole on Windermere Visitor Centre in the Lake District
    Grounds and exterior at Brockhole on Windermere Visitor Centre in the Lake District
    Treetop Trek at Brockhole on Windermere Visitor Centre in the Lake District
    Grounds and exterior at Brockhole on Windermere Visitor Centre in the Lake District
    Treetop Trek at Brockhole on Windermere Visitor Centre in the Lake District

    Brockhole on Windermere Visitor Centre

    Windermere

    Visitor centre with interactive exhibitions, Mawson gardens, adventure playground, shop and information centre. Lakeshore access for all.

  6. Walking near Claife Viewing Station at Hawkshead, Lake District
    Walking near Claife Viewing Station at Hawkshead, Lake District
    Photogenic scenery at Claife Viewing Station at Hawkshead, Lake District
    Signposting at Claife Viewing Station at Hawkshead, Lake District
    Cafe entrance at Claife Viewing Station at Hawkshead, Lake District
    Stunning views at Claife Viewing Station at Hawkshead, Lake District
    Stunning views at Claife Viewing Station at Hawkshead, Lake District
    Walking near Claife Viewing Station at Hawkshead, Lake District
    Photogenic scenery at Claife Viewing Station at Hawkshead, Lake District
    Signposting at Claife Viewing Station at Hawkshead, Lake District
    Cafe entrance at Claife Viewing Station at Hawkshead, Lake District
    Stunning views at Claife Viewing Station at Hawkshead, Lake District
    Stunning views at Claife Viewing Station at Hawkshead, Lake District

    Claife Viewing Station

    Hawkshead

    There is a charge for parking but National Trust members park free.

  7. Stagecoach 555
    Stagecoach 555

    Stagecoach 555

    Lancaster • Kendal • Windermere • Ambleside • Grasmere • Keswick

  8. Exterior at Rydal Mount, Wordsworth's Family Home in Ambleside, Lake District
    Exterior at Rydal Mount, Wordsworth's Family Home in Ambleside, Lake District
    Gardens at Rydal Mount, Wordsworth's Family Home in Ambleside, Lake District
    Gardens at Rydal Mount, Wordsworth's Family Home in Ambleside, Lake District
    Gardens at Rydal Mount, Wordsworth's Family Home in Ambleside, Lake District
    Saddlery Tea Room at Rydal Mount, Wordsworth's Family Home in Ambleside, Lake District
    Exterior at Rydal Mount, Wordsworth's Family Home in Ambleside, Lake District
    Gardens at Rydal Mount, Wordsworth's Family Home in Ambleside, Lake District
    Gardens at Rydal Mount, Wordsworth's Family Home in Ambleside, Lake District
    Gardens at Rydal Mount, Wordsworth's Family Home in Ambleside, Lake District
    Saddlery Tea Room at Rydal Mount, Wordsworth's Family Home in Ambleside, Lake District

    Rydal Mount and Gardens

    Ambleside

    Wordsworth's best loved family home for 37 years. It was here that he wrote many of his poems. He became Poet Laureate to Queen Victoria at the age of 74 and was his most successful.

Itinerary Distances

Sort By Shortest Journey

FromToDistance * (metric)
Bowness on Windermere (54.365,-2.91875)The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction (54.36537,-2.91906)0.04
The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction (54.36537,-2.91906)Windermere Jetty Museum (54.37082,-2.92193)0.57
Windermere Jetty Museum (54.37082,-2.92193)Windermere Lake Cruises, Bowness (54.36229,-2.92331)0.86
Windermere Lake Cruises, Bowness (54.36229,-2.92331)Brockhole on Windermere Visitor Centre (54.40138,-2.94189)4.06
Brockhole on Windermere Visitor Centre (54.40138,-2.94189)Claife Viewing Station (54.35135,-2.94154)5.01
Claife Viewing Station (54.35135,-2.94154)Rydal Mount and Gardens (54.44885,-2.98202)10.05
Rydal Mount and Gardens (54.44885,-2.98202)Mountain Goat Tours (53.96196,-1.08371)121.47
Total Distance *142.04 miles
Estimated Journey Time4.57 hours

* Approximate distance by road

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