Top Family Friendly things to do in Bowness

The Lake District is a great place for families and children, and Bowness is no exception. From boat trips, to little hikes and museum visits, here are some of the best things to do in Windermere as a family…

  • Camping

Bowness offers a great selection of family friendly campsites with plenty of space for kids to enjoy ball games and a night under the stars… 

Fallbarrow Holiday Park

Prices vary depending on season and accommodation type

A modern take on camping, Fallbarrow Holiday Park offers a range of ‘glamping’ opportunities from caravans, chalets and lodges. The park is situated in Bowness right on the peaceful lakeshore providing the perfect spots for launching your own kayaks and boats or simply having a family swim or barbecue! The park has their own bar and restaurant, so no need to travel far. If you fancy something different, Bowness town centre is within walking distance of the park to explore more bars and restaurants. The park also host regular night-time entertainment to keep everyone busy!

Braithwaite Fold (Bowness on Windermere)

Prices start at £11.30 per person, per night

A Camping and Caravanning Club set on the shore of Lake Windermere, Braithwaite Fold is a family friendly site welcoming both members of the club and new visitors.  The site is within walking distance of Bowness town, with plenty to do for families in the surrounding area from water activities on the lake, to woodland hikes and attractions such as the World of Beatrix Potter.

Park Cliffe Camping and Caravan Estate 

Basic camping starts at £26 per pitch, per night, camping pods start at £50 per night

Located 3 miles from Bowness along the shores of Windermere, Park Cliffe is a peaceful site away from the hustle and bustle of the town and into the areas countryside. The site welcomes campervans and tents alongside offering their own camping pods, caravans and lodges. The lake is accessible from the estate and offers stunning views over the water and to the fells beyond. The campsite is large with plenty of space for children to explore and is teeming with wildlife to spot including squirrels and deer.

  • Little Walks for Little Legs

Bowness and the surrounding area is an ideal place to walk with kids; from lakeside strolls to adventurous woodland trails, these routes have all you need to your little ones occupied and interested along the way!

  • Orrest Head

A little hill with a spectacular viewpoint, Orrest Head is a great walk for older children who can hike unaided.  You can start this walk from Bowness town. The hill is easy to navigate and a great way to introduce kids to a bit of incline in preparation for future mountain walks. The route passes a Gruffalo sculpture carved from wood at the foot of Orrest Head, which kids love to find! Little ones will feel rewarded when they reach the top, which has a big trig point for them to touch at the summit to celebrate their achievement!

- Gummer’s How

Another little hill standing on the eastern shore of Windermere, Gummer’s How is a gentle hill walk with a short scramble to the top, adding a bit of excitement to the route for little ones. The summit offers beautiful views over lake Windermere and is a perfect place for a hill top picnic. The route starts at the car park on the road opposite Fell Foot Park around 15 minutes away from Bowness and follows a well signposted path to the summit.

-Windermere Western Shore path to Wray Castle

This walk includes a boat trip and a castle providing a fun, exciting day for children. To explore the western shoreline of lake Windermere, you can catch a ferry from Bowness to the start point nearby Ferry House. From here, a track leads you to the flat, lakeshore path, which finishes at Wray Castle. At the castle, you can enjoy a coffee and a cake whilst the kids explore the extremely child friendly Wray Castle, which has a number of play area rooms and outdoor climbing frame. If you don’t fancy walking back, you can return via one of the Windermere Lake Cruises.

  • The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction

One of the most popular attractions in Bowness, The World of Beatrix Potter is a vibrant, fun family exhibition bringing to life the famous author’s tales featuring the award-winning Peter Rabbit Garden, interactive exhibits, a character-themed café and a world famous gift shop. Children can explore their favourite Beatrix Potter tales through visiting fun sets inspired by the books alongside learning about the author through talks and displays.

  • Wray Castle

A historic, Gothic Revival castle sitting on the shores of Lake Windermere, Wray Castle is a must visit Windermere attraction for families. The castle is renowned for being child friendly transforming the castle rooms into kids attractions including fancy dress, a play area room filled with soft building bricks, an arts and crafts room and an interactive Peter Rabbit themed room showing the children’s episodes on a TV screen. For warmer days, there is also an outdoor play area with a wooden fort, climbing frame and big tyre swing. The café also serves cakes, drinks and snacks to fuel your little ones!