The Lakes Setting

The Lakes Setting

What better place to come and stay or visit in the most beautiful English Lake District.

Holidays and breaks have been taken in the Lake District since before Roman Times, due to its beautiful scenery and a great literary and cultural heritage. Lakeland boasts many places to visit and explore so there will always be a wide variety of activities to take part in, with its Beatrix Potter and Wordsworth connections, picturesque villages and spectacular views. Whether you choose to visit in winter or summer, autumn or spring, you will be able to explore and appreciate the beautiful landscape and its changing colours with the seasons. The perfect antidote to hectic modern life.

The Lake District is one of the most beautiful places to visit in the United Kingdom, with high peaks and dazzling lakes, there is so much to see and do. Lindeth Howe sits in the heart of the National Park overlooking the largest lake in the country, Lake Windermere. Guests can sit on the sun terrace and enjoy afternoon tea or a glass of wine and relish in what the Lake Country has to offer. Bowness-on-Windermere often referred to as the heart of the Lake District, is only a short walk away. Here you can enjoy the many attractions and shops or take a cruise across Lake Windermere to other popular areas such as Hawkshead, Ambleside, and Lakeside.

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The Lakes Setting

The first settlers came to the lake district in around 3000BC to hunt and to farm and by the time the Romans arrived the area was extensively farmed by Celtic tribes. The Romans built a villa on Belle Isle and a fort “Galava” whose remains can still be seen at Ambleside.

The 10th century saw Norsemen farming the Lake District and many places are of Norse origin including Windermere from Vinandermere or Vinanders Lake, also Bowness from Bull Ness, the place where the village bull was kept.

Bowness is an old village. There has been a church there since 1203, and it was the port of the lake, the predominant industry being Char fishing. Windermere, however, is a modern village. Prior to the building of the Oxenholme to Windermere railway in 1847, it was known as Birthwaite and originally was no more than half a dozen dwellings around a farm.

The building of the railway brought a radical change, opening up the area to a flood of tourists. Shops and hotels were built, many of which still stand today. Travel within the area was then by boat or horse and carriage. In 1855 21,000 carriages passed through the village of Troutbeck Bridge, just north of Windermere. The village has changed greatly over the last 100 years, especially with the arrival of the motor car, and is now a thriving tourist centre offering superb attractions and facilities for the visitor.

The Lake.

Windermere is ten and a half miles long and up to 200 ft deep in places. The bed of the lake is owned by South Lakeland District Council, having been presented to Windermere Urban District Council by H.L Groves high sheriff of Westmorland in 1939. The water is owned by United Utilities who extract many gallons each day for use in the industrial cities of Lancashire.

There has been a ferry service across the lake for possibly as long as 500 years, the change from steam power coming in 1870. Flying boats have taken off from the lake, the first in 1911, and during the second world war Sunderland flying boats were built at White Cross Bay.

The Lake District as a destination

The Lake District is a picturesque area with stunning scenery and holds the key to many adventures here, where you can discover, explore or be inspired.  Over 16 million people visit the Lake District each year and around 75% choose to drive throughout their stay.  There are plenty of ways to explore the Lake District without your car and every time you do you will discover something new.

Cumbria and the Lake District is easily accessible from the West Coast Mainline, which stops at Oxenholme, Penrith, and Carlisle.  The scenic Lakes line runs from Oxenholme to Windermere, which is the perfect way to reach the Lakes without your car.  There are so many ways to experience the Lake District from Lindeth Howe.  When you are here, why not take a cruise on Windermere or Coniston.  Enjoy a cycle with on a pedal bike or electric bike with the ability to charge from the many points around the Lake District.  There is a huge range of amazing walks that suit all walking abilities from our perfect base.  Great days out and value tickets on the open-top bus service traveling between Grasmere – Rydal – Ambleside – Waterhead – Brockhole – Windermere – Bowness on Windermere and beyond.  The Central Lakes Group Rambler for families/groups up to 5 from only £17.00 for a single journey within the central lakes zone.  www.golakes.co.uk/bybus

If you want to sit back and relax and let someone else do the driving why not book a Mountain Goat Tour where you can tour the Lake District sat on one of the 16 seater minibusses.

Why not Potter around the Lake District, visiting attractions such as The World of Beatrix PotterThe Beatrix Potter Gallery or visit Hilltop which is the house that still lies in the same state that Beatrix Potter left it when she passed away in 1943.

The Lake District is perfect for all occasions and for all.  The most scenic areas of Britain to walk in, climb up striking fells.  Take a romantic Lake Cruise on WindermereUllswater or Coniston or learn to sail on a private charter.  The Lake District is a romantic destination to propose, renew your vows or commit to the one you love and tie the knot!  What better place to enjoy all that the Lake District has to offer than to stay in the heart of the Lake District, one mile south of Bowness on Windemere at our luxury hotel, Lindeth Howe.

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