Do you fancy a Cruise? (Attractions in Ambleside)

Member Name: rosiesmum

Product:	Attractions in Ambleside
Date:	16/05/01 (148 review reads)
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Lake Windermere is the largest lake in Britain situated in the Lake District spreading from Lakeside right through to Ambleside with beautiful Bowness right in between the two.

There is always something to do all year round in this lovely part of the country.
Walking is a very popular pass time with visitors and there are twelve really good walks around Windermere Lake itself. A guidebook for these can be bought for £2.00 at the cruise network office situated in any of the towns along the lake.

Both Windermere and Bowness have a wide range of shops and restaurants, they do get very busy in the summer months but parking facilities are very good. Obviously you have to pay but far better than squeezing your vehicle into a tight spot in the town centre and then getting a ticket because you have not got back in time, I speak from experience here.

The Lakeside and Haverthwaite Steam Railway is a brilliant day out and connects with the Lake steamer from Bowness. You can really see the Lake in all its glory.
Another way to discover the lake is to hire a cruiser or even an old fashioned rowing boat for an hour or two, mind you I don’t fancy rowing a boat for over ten minutes myself, but the option is there if you have the stamina.

The Windermere Steam Boat Museum is a really interesting place, the Victorian boats are kept in prestige condition, I was quite taken up with them.

My favourite day out though is a trip on a cruise boat from Ambleside to Bowness and then a quick five minute walk from the pier to The World of Beatrix Potter in the Old Laundry buildings. The Kids just love it here, mind you the grown ups get quite into it as well.

There are numerous ways of seeing the lake, from full or half lake cruises, cruises that stop off at the Aquarium in Lakeside for a break, or as I mentioned the Beatrix Potter stop off. You can even book an evening cruise and be served wine, great one this for the romantics
out there.

The prices vary depending on which cruise you pick but I do like the idea of the family ticket for £16.50 taking you around half of the lake. Two adults and up to three children, children under five go free and wait for this all well behaved dogs go free too. That is a bargain.

Driving to the Lake District on the M6 you just take junction 36 and follow the brown signs with a cruise boat on.
If you are driving to Windermere itself take the A590, but for Bowness it is better to follow the A591.
The roads have improved over the last five years so it is an enjoyable drive from the motorway.

If you are thinking about a day out in the Lake District this is one area to visit and I suggest you visit www.windermere-lakecruises.co.uk so that you can plan the ideal trip before hand. There is nothing worse than getting there and standing on the pier wading through the different options wasting half of your day.

Hotels and campsites are plentiful around Ambleside and Windermere from the five star to the bed and breakfast establishments. Contact the Tourist Information Centre in Windermere and they will provide you with lists of accommodation to choose from, or visit www.touristinfomation/windermere.

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