Visit the southern and central Lake District from Coniston

The south and central Lake District includes the charming towns and villages of Windermere and Bowness-on-Windermere, Ambleside, Hawkshead and Grasmere, many of which are known around the world and are popular destinations for visitors to this World Heritage site and all of which are just a short journey from the Black Bull in Coniston.

Of course the South Lakes includes Windermere, England’s largest lake, and for many, no visit to the National Park would be complete without a chance to take in the beautiful views from out on the water in either a hired rowing or motor boat, or on one of the iconic ‘steamers’ or motor vessels operated by Windermere Lake Cruises from Bowness-on-Windermere, Lakeside near Newby Bridge or Ambleside.

Windermere town itself has a great selection of independent shops, galleries and cafés and is a great place to while away a few hours. If you’re feeling energetic then it’s worth taking a short hike through the woods and to the top of Orrest Head and the chance to drink-in the expansive views across to Coniston Old Man, the Langdale Pikes, Scafell Pike, Great Gable, Fairfield and the Central Lakes massif.

Need convincing? Well, it was from Orrest Head that Alfred Wainwright was first inspired, commenting it as “our first ascent in Lakeland, our first sight of mountains in tumultuous array across glittering waters, our awakening to beauty”.

Linked to Windermere town is the hugely popular and bustling Bowness-on-Windermere, again with many shops and bars with access to the lake around Bowness Bay, the Glebe and Cockshott Point, along with the Windermere Ferry which runs between Ferry Nab, Bowness, and the western shore at Sawrey.

Head north from Windermere and you’ll find the Brockhole on Windermere visitor centre, owned and operated by the Lake District National Park, and which boasts a wealth of activities to suit all interests from the Arts & Crafts historical house and extensive grounds and gardens to adventure playground, mini golf and Treetop Trek and the Lake District Story Exhibition.

The town of Ambleside sits at the northern tip of Lake Windermere and is flanked by the surrounding hills of Loughrigg Fell, Snarker Pike and Wansfell Pike to name but a few. As you might expect, Ambleside is well-blessed with shops selling outdoor clothing, footwear and equipment for fell-walkers and climbers to prepare them for their adventures in the Lake District fells.

Ambleside also has an independent cinema, Zefirellis, along with the acclaimed Armitt Museum and Library, with plenty of restaurants, bars and cafés.

The main A591 road takes you north again through Rydal to Grasmere, famed for its connections with William Wordsworth who lived in the village until his death in 1850 and who described the place as “the loveliest spot that man hath ever found”.

A visit to the village wouldn’t be complete without sampling the famous Grasmere Gingerbread, a sweet-yet-spicy treat devised by local cook Sarah Nelson in 1854 and loved the world over.

But the South Lakes isn’t just about the Lake District itself, and the region also includes the main towns in the area of Kendal and Ulverston, the delightful Cartmel – famed for its sticky toffee pudding, horse racing and even boasts its own Michelin-starred restaurant – as well as Kirkby Lonsdale which sits on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales and Arnside and Grange-over-Sands on the shores of Morecambe Bay.

Whatever your interests, we’re sure you’ll find plenty to discover and enjoy in the South Lakes during your stay, and all within easy reach of the Black Bull in Coniston.

We have provided links to other organisation’s websites in good faith and with the intention that these will be of interest to people planning a stay at the Black Bull Inn & Hotel, Coniston. Please note that we are not responsible for the content published on these websites, nor can we be held responsible for the accuracy of information provided. 

Should any organisation wish to have the link to their website or reference to them removed, please contact us and we shall happily oblige.

Visit the southern and central Lake District from Coniston

The south and central Lake District includes the charming towns and villages of Windermere and Bowness-on-Windermere, Ambleside, Hawkshead and Grasmere, many of which are known around the world and are popular destinations for visitors to this World Heritage site and all of which are just a short journey from the Black Bull in Coniston.

Of course the South Lakes includes Windermere, England’s largest lake, and for many, no visit to the National Park would be complete without a chance to take in the beautiful views from out on the water in either a hired rowing or motor boat, or on one of the iconic ‘steamers’ or motor vessels operated by Windermere Lake Cruises from Bowness-on-Windermere, Lakeside near Newby Bridge or Ambleside.

Windermere town itself has a great selection of independent shops, galleries and cafés and is a great place to while away a few hours. If you’re feeling energetic then it’s worth taking a short hike through the woods and to the top of Orrest Head and the chance to drink-in the expansive views across to Coniston Old Man, the Langdale Pikes, Scafell Pike, Great Gable, Fairfield and the Central Lakes massif.

Need convincing? Well, it was from Orrest Head that Alfred Wainwright was first inspired, commenting it as “our first ascent in Lakeland, our first sight of mountains in tumultuous array across glittering waters, our awakening to beauty”.

Linked to Windermere town is the hugely popular and bustling Bowness-on-Windermere, again with many shops and bars with access to the lake around Bowness Bay, the Glebe and Cockshott Point, along with the Windermere Ferry which runs between Ferry Nab, Bowness, and the western shore at Sawrey.

Head north from Windermere and you’ll find the Brockhole on Windermere visitor centre, owned and operated by the Lake District National Park, and which boasts a wealth of activities to suit all interests from the Arts & Crafts historical house and extensive grounds and gardens to adventure playground, mini golf and Treetop Trek and the Lake District Story Exhibition.

The town of Ambleside sits at the northern tip of Lake Windermere and is flanked by the surrounding hills of Loughrigg Fell, Snarker Pike and Wansfell Pike to name but a few. As you might expect, Ambleside is well-blessed with shops selling outdoor clothing, footwear and equipment for fell-walkers and climbers to prepare them for their adventures in the Lake District fells.

Ambleside also has an independent cinema, Zefirellis, along with the acclaimed Armitt Museum and Library, with plenty of restaurants, bars and cafés.

The main A591 road takes you north again through Rydal to Grasmere, famed for its connections with William Wordsworth who lived in the village until his death in 1850 and who described the place as “the loveliest spot that man hath ever found”.

A visit to the village wouldn’t be complete without sampling the famous Grasmere Gingerbread, a sweet-yet-spicy treat devised by local cook Sarah Nelson in 1854 and loved the world over.

But the South Lakes isn’t just about the Lake District itself, and the region also includes the main towns in the area of Kendal and Ulverston, the delightful Cartmel – famed for its sticky toffee pudding, horse racing and even boasts its own Michelin-starred restaurant – as well as Kirkby Lonsdale which sits on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales and Arnside and Grange-over-Sands on the shores of Morecambe Bay.

Whatever your interests, we’re sure you’ll find plenty to discover and enjoy in the South Lakes during your stay, and all within easy reach of the Black Bull in Coniston.

We have provided links to other organisation’s websites in good faith and with the intention that these will be of interest to people planning a stay at the Black Bull Inn & Hotel, Coniston. Please note that we are not responsible for the content published on these websites, nor can we be held responsible for the accuracy of information provided. 

Should any organisation wish to have the link to their website or reference to them removed, please contact us and we shall happily oblige.