Things to do in Bowness on a rainy day…

Luckily for both tourists and locals, Bowness is a great place to be both rain and shine, with the town offering an abundance of activities for all weathers!

Here’s a list of our favourite indoor activities in Bowness… 

  • Royalty Cinema

Watching a film at Bowness’ Royalty Cinema is an ideal activity for a rainy day.   Built in 1926, the cinema is a historic gem situated on Lake Road. The cinema has three screens showing both new releases and screenings of less commercial films. The venue also hosts unique organ concerts using a rare Wurlitzer Theatre Pipe Organ dating back to 1927. The antique organ is owned by the Furness Theatre Organ Project who restored the organ and now host and perform concerts between Spring and Autumn.

  • The Old Laundry Theatre

The Old Laundry Theatre is a quirky theatre established in 1991 and restored from a redundant Edwardian Laundry. Initially bought to house the World of Beatrix Potter attraction, the venue ended up being too large for the exhibition and resulted in being the perfect shape for a theatre development. The theatre has since welcomed famous names including Alan Carr, Jenny Éclair, Victoria Wood and Sue Perkins. The venue regularly hosts plays by Sir Alan Ayckbourn along with classic music, folk music, comedy and film shows. When the weather outside is bringing you down, come and have a laugh at the theatre!

  • Windermere Jetty Museum

An award-winning museum dedicated to the boats, people and rich history of Windermere, Windermere Jetty Museum is situated in Bowness Bay and is a perfect rainy day activity. At the museum, all the family can explore Windermere’s 200 year-old boating history through interactive displays, boat trips and sightseeing historical boats and equipment. A collection of boats are displayed in the museums gallery built right over the water including a rowing boat once owned by Beatrix Potter; she frequently used the boat to fish on Moss Eccles Tarn beside her home in Near Sawrey.

  • Brockhole House

A rainy day exploring the inside of Brockhole House is an ideal family day out.  The 19th century house sits within stunning woodland nearby Windermere lake. The home once belonged to a wealthy silk merchant called William Gaddum and his wife Edith Potter, who was a cousin of famous author and artist Beatrix Potter. The house is now a beautiful arts and crafts villa; explore the stunning Gaddum Gallery and enjoy some tasty food at The Gaddum Resturant overlooking the rainy shores of Windermere. The house also has a gift shop selling local food and drink, gifts, maps and guide books.

  • Blackwell

Blackwell is a rare, architectural gem and art gallery offering a snapshot into what is was like to live in the early 20th century. Designed by architect Mackay Hugh Baillie between 1897 and 1900, the grade I listed building is one of the UK’s finest examples of Arts & Crafts architecture. Almost all of the houses’ original features survive along with immaculate furniture and finishes all set within the tranquil surroundings of Windermere. On a rainy day, you’re welcome to explore the gardens but a day viewing art exhibitions in the house will be much warmer!

  • Take a boat trip

Take a trip over Windermere lake on one of the Windermere’s Lake Cruises. Most of the cruises and steamers have covered decks; the larger cruises offer a ‘sail and dine’ experience where you can enjoy the views of Windermere with a drink in hand! Listening to the rain hit the deck and lake from a cosy seat with a drink can be a strangely relaxing experience!