Bowness

[Ukholidaylover]

We're staying in Bowness later this year and are after some walks either from Bowness or ones with easy drives... easier roads rather tham easy distance! We did Tarn Hows as one of our days out last week and the roads were quite hairy!

Or any hidden gems anyone cam recommend? We're going in October so hopefully a quieter period to visit.

Bumping for the evening crowd!

There is a huge car park in Ambleside by the mini golf. You can walk from there to Grasmere via the Coffin Route, Rydal Water, and Loughrigg Tarn and Fell.
October is a lovely time to visit 🙂

Thanks Curbside! We've done Rydal Water before but none of the others. Are any easier walks than others?

To be honest - most of the roads around Bowness and into the Lakes are going to be similar to the road to Tarn Hows - which actually isn't that hairy compared to most I used to drive it twice a day for work but I now live further afield.

If you're happy to drive to Ambleside, you can park there all day and (depending on your fitness) do things like:

Loughrigg Fell via Lily Tarn.
Rydal Water to Grasmere and back via the Coffin Route. Try the gingerbread while you're there, and you can always get the bus back to Ambleside for only a few quid if you're tired.
Wansfell Pike.
Stock Ghyll Force (waterfalls up the back of the Salutation Hotel)
Walk up to High Sweden Bridge.
Walk from Ambleside to Waterhead and get a chocolate dippy ice-cream from the café, or try one of their blueberry scones.

Or, go back past Tarn Hows and head to Coniston and have a day by the water - there's a café or you can hire boats etc.

@coffeecupsandfairylights Driving in the Lakes stresses me out so much, don't know how you did it twice a day! Very happy to drive to Ambleside... its the narrow roads with passing places that scare me haha. I've heard many good things about about Grasmere gingerbread so would love to try that. What is the coffin route? Thanks for all your lovely suggestions.

@Ukholidaylover you get used to it I used to drive over from the coast to Ambleside for work - it was mad busy in summer but quite nice the rest of the time, lol.

The Coffin route is a lovely (mostly shaded) path that was traditionally how they carried coffins from rural homes to the church in Grasmere. It's a lovely path with really great views across the waters.

You could also drive to Grasmere if you didn't want to walk it - the roads are fine for driving and I promise there are no passing places! Keswick is also perfectly driveable but it's probably about an hour in the car.

@coffeecupsandfairylights is the Coffin Route sign posted? Been having a look on Google maps but it doesn't seem obvious. Really liking the sound of this option.

As long as there's no passing place type of roads I'll give anywhere a go. Is there anywhere you could recommend to eat in Ambleside?

Thanks so much again for all the suggestions.

Leave the car at your accommodation, hop on the 599 bus to Windermere, then the 555 or the train to Staveley, then walk back to Bowness on the Dales Way. Lovely walk over fields and lanes with great views as you descend to Bowness. You'd probably need a map as although its signposted I don't think you can follow it using just the signposts.

@Ukholidaylover yes, it's well signposted and a very popular walking route. If you grab a map in the post office in Ambleside they'll be able to help you too.

As for food, I would recommend Doi Intanon for a Thai meal, Zeffirelli's for pizza (it's vegetarian but don't be put off, the food is amazing!), Dodds (another Italian place that does meat too) and The Fulling Mill who do great grazing platters and lovely cocktails.

There is an easier route from Rydal to Grasmere along the left hand side of Grasmere. Turn right at the top and follow the road down.
www.mudandroutes.com/routes/easy-walk-coffin-route-ambleside-to-grasmere/ This shows the way from Ambleside if you wanted to do the Coffin Route. Either do it as a linear walk or come back past Grasmere (this time with it on your right) There is a lovely little cafe at Rydal Hall.

If you can catch it open, Allan Bank NT at Grasmere is nice on a fine day. Spend as long as you want and sit in the gardens. All the rooms are open and you can find a spot in there too.

The A591 between Ambleside and Grasmere is wider than those up to Tarn Hows. But the more you drive the narrower roads the easier it gets!

Oh and if you park at the White Moss Common car park run by Lowther Estates, be aware that ‘buying extra time’ includes the initial parking charge again. We avoid that car park now, as that and other fast practices by Lowther Estates piss us off.

Definately go to Grassmere for the gingerbread it is lovely. There is a nice walk in Windermere up Orrest Head- starts near Booths. Amazing views from the top, there is an easier route or a quicker but steeper route up.

If you don't mind a longer walk the walk from bowness to ambleside is lovely and you won't have to drive anywhere. Its been a few years since i've done it but I don't remember it being to challenging just long particularly if you do both ways