Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Where to Eat
In addition to the restaurants reviewed here, see “Where to Stay,” below, for dining
options at hotels.
Francine's Coffee House & Restaurant MODERN EUROPEAN The
colorful array of hanging baskets provide a warm welcome. Inside, the compact eatery
is clean and relaxed with white walls, flowers, and muted lighting. You can start the
day with breakfast ciabattas, full English or vegetarian breakfast, or come later for the
lunch and dinner set menu. There's also an a la carte menu. Savor dishes like game
terrine, seared sea bream, or Lakeland lamb hotpot, rounded off with sticky-toffee
pudding. Everything is meticulously presented.
27 Main Rd., Windermere. &   01539/444088. www.francinesrestaurantwindermere.co.uk. Main
courses £9.95-£16. MC, V. Tues-Sun 10am-3pm and Wed-Sun 6:15-11pm.
Villa Positano ITALIAN Tucked away in the heart of Bowness, look out for the
green canopy that marks the alley entrance to this long-running family favorite. Villa
Positano is a lively restaurant, where the buzz of music and conversation is accompa-
nied by classic Italian pasta, pizza, steak, and chicken dishes. In peak season, it gets
crowded so book ahead or come early.
Ash St., Bowness. &   01539/445663. Reservations recommended. Main courses £5.95-£8.95. MC, V.
Daily 5:30-10pm.
Shopping
Windermere is the place for sailing and watersports gear. Windermere Canoe
Kayak, Ferry Nab Road, Bowness ( &   01539/444451; www.windermerecanoe
kayak.com), sells and rents boats, or bikes if you want to cycle around the lake.
The busy town center of Bowness is packed full of gift, chocolate, jewelry, and
swimwear stores. Head to the World of Beatrix Potter shop (see above) for toy
Peter Rabbits and books, and the Lakeland kitchen gadget store in Alexandra Build-
ings next to the station ( &   01539/488100; www.lakeland.co.uk).
Entertainment & Nightlife
Bowness and Windermere are popular bases for gentle lake cruises (see above) as
well as watersports. You can rent canoes from the waterfront at Bowness from Win-
dermere Canoe Kayak (see above) or the Low Wood Watersports & Activity
Centre, 3 miles north of Windermere on the A591 ( &   01539/439441; www. www.
elh.co.uk), for sailing, kayaking, waterskiing, wakeboarding, and power-boating
instruction and hire.
The oldest pub in Bowness is the Hole in t' Wall, Lowside ( &   01539/443488 ),
dating back to 1612. The friendly bar room is decorated with a hodgepodge of anti-
quated farming tools, and a large slate fireplace lends warmth on winter days. There's
a good selection of real ales on tap and an eclectic mix of vegetarian, seafood, and
local game dishes.
Drive a short distance south of Windermere to Cartmel Fell, situated between the
A592 and the A5074, for a pub-lover's dream. The Mason Arms, Strawberry Bank
( &   01539/568486 ), is a Jacobean pub with original oak paneling. The pretty garden
offers a dramatic view of the Winster Valley beyond, while the pub offers so many
beers that there's a 24-page catalog to help you order, and a reasonable menu with
various tasty vegetarian options.
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