Places to eat:
Tapios- Tapas style, sharing plates in the heart of Windermere.
Cafe Italia- Pizza, pasta and cocktails, in central Windermere.
The Windermere Speakeasy- Unique haunt specialising in cafe classics & Mediterranean bites, plus coffee, cocktails & wine.
Villa Positano - Excellent Italian restaurant served by Italian people. Very well known locally for Fish and of course Pizza and Pasta.
Porto - Elegant restaurant serving local dishes and British favourites.
Garden Bar - Light meals and al fresco drinks, located facing the lake shore and now features their new pop up Tiki Bar.
Baha - Buzzing atmosphere often with live music. Serving the very best in Asian street food.
The Boat House - dine in a quaint marina off the beaten track. Great for lunch, dinner or drinks.
Boardwalk- Relaxed lakeside establishment with a terrace offering steaks, burgers and hotdogs.
The Brown Horse Inn - Voted Pub Chef of the Year 2020, this traditional Lakeland pub offers great food, drinks and a play area for kids.
The Hare and Hounds Inn, Bowland Bridge- Lovely country pub set in picturesque hamlet. Great food in a traditional country pub.
Masons Arms - Traditional country pub with great views.
Chesters by the River - Vegetarian lunch, snacks, cakes. Lovely walks from the door of the restaurant as well as a great shop and bakery.
Hawkshead Brewery in Staveley - Craft beer experience and sharing platter food
Henrock - Fine dining from Simon Rogan
Lake Road Kitchen - Created by one of the chefs from Noma, this restaurant offers a 5,8 and 12 course tasting menu.
The Magic Roundabout - Great for breakfast, also open for lunch and dinner. Right in the centre of town. Can sit outside when the weather is nice and watch the world go by.
Mio Mondo - Fantastic breakfast with outside seating as well as inside. Quirky place with friendly atmosphere.
Home Ground - Best for breakfast and lunch. Don't take bookings so go early or late for lunch to avoid queues.
Folk - A stones throw from The White House this hidden gem is a fantastic spot to grab breakfast or brunch. A modern menu that really gets the taste buds going.
Walks:
Where we got engaged: Stanley Ghyll. 'one of the finest waterfall ravines in the Lakes. Beautiful surrounding woodlands. There is a viewing platform over a 150foot ravine, which is spectacular.
Scafell Pike - 978m - highest mountain in England. This is a tough, steep hike - but so very worth it
Gummer s Howe - Minimum effort walk for maximum view reward. Takes about 20 minutes to walk up there and gives views all the way down Lake Windermere.
Tarn Hows - Near to Chesters, approx 45 minute walk around a beautiful tarn - Nice and flat.
Orrest Head - Approx 90 minute walk situated just outside of Windermere - great views.
Brant Fell - Approx 90 minute walk located above Bowness - lovely views
Things to do:
Windermere Lake Cruises - Cruises from Bowness to Lakeside and Ambleside.
Beatrix Potter - Hill Top is where Beatrix Potter lived near Hawkshead. There's also the Beatrix Potter experience in Bowness.
Levens Hall - Beautiful Topiary gardens, cafe and stately home.
Greenlands - Open farm and soft play for kids, great butchers and farm shop
Blackwell - One of the best Arts and Crafts houses in the country. Also has a cafe.
Hayes Garden world- Garden Centre, Shop and Cafe