Enjoy A Stay on Lake Windermere
Walking, relaxing, swimming, eating, exploring; there’s not much you can’t do here on Lake Windermere! From rainy day adventures to summer swimming, we’d love to welcome you to enjoy everything the Lake District has to offer.
Your Unforgettable Lake District Holiday
From local walks to delicious food, there’s something for everyone at White Cross Bay. We’ve collected information to suit guests looking for adventure and/or unwind so why not take a read? Our brochure is also available below for reading on the go.
White Cross Bay: A Perfect Spot for A Holiday
This Parkdean holiday site provides a lovely spot for a family get away. White Cross Bay is a beautiful setting, ideally situated on Lake Windermere and equidistant from the idyllic small towns of Ambleside and Bowness. You can take advantage of this outstanding location with the privacy of your very own lodge and plenty of activities to enjoy.
Within the main complex, you will find everything you need to make your holiday one to remember. Just some of the features include:
- Large Restaurant/Bar (The Boathouse)
- Small Convenience Shop for Essentials
- Leisure Facilities (Swimming Pool, Jacuzzi, Steam Room & Sauna)
- Amusement Arcade
- Children’s Outdoor Playground
- Multi-Sports Games Court
Check out the notices in reception for details of bookable activities for children as well as nightly entertainment in The Boathouse
Click to enlarge
Have An Adventure This Holiday!
Whether you want to try out new activities with friends or visit brand new places, Lake Windermere is the perfect place for grand adventures. We have spectacular local walks and physical activities, perfect for even novices to enjoy.
Stunning scenery and beautiful walks aside, there are lots of other activities to enjoy on your visit to the Lakes – especially when the weather isn’t at its best. Just for starters, families can adventure into the World of Beatrix Potter and guests will enjoy catching the latest releases at the local cinemas!
Brockhole-on-Windermere
A 10-minute walk from WhiteCross Bay (in the direction of Ambleside) you will find ‘Brockhole on Windermere’ with a variety of outdoor (but covered) activities, an adventure playground, water sports, and boat hire. You will also find the Lake District Visitor Centre here.
Description Title
- Boat Hire
- Kayak Tours
- Archery
- Mini Golf
- Go Wild Adventure Playground
- Treetop Adventure
- Axe Throwing
Plus Much More!
Go Off-Road with Kankku
Why not try your hand at off-roading with Kankku!
Whatever the weather, seven days a week all year round, you can take the wheel of a specially prepared KANKKU vehicle. Designed for complete beginners as well as experienced 4x4 drivers, you can really take on a journey off the beaten track in the Lake District National Park.
Nick and the Kankku team will be with you every step of the way too, using their technical knowhow to put you in the driving seat on some of England’s most dramatic and demanding off road trails. The perfect challenge to witness some unforgettable views.
Hiking & Local Walks
You are in the heart of the Lake District National Park - one of the most stunning places in the UK, or indeed the world! There are countless stunning walks here on the doorstep of Whitecross Bay and many more within easy reach. Some are more gentle than others, so there’s something for everyone! There are also plenty of fully dog-friendly options for safe off-lead walking – perfect for exploring with 4-legged friends. In our brochure, we’ve detailed some of our absolute favourite local walks, so be sure to take a look! Whichever route you take, you’ll get amazing views.
Ambleside
At the northern end of Windermere is the popular market town of Ambleside, perfectly located in the heart of the national park. Surrounded by majestic Lakeland fells, Ambleside’s roots are in the medieval woollen trade, but the town you see today is primarily Victorian, built of traditional grey slate. With easy access to Grasmere, Keswick, Windermere and an unrivalled range of water sports, walks, climbs, cycling, and much more, Ambleside is very popular with both leisure visitors wanting a relaxing break and outdoor enthusiasts looking for a challenge.
About
Ambleside’s specialist shops offer a welcome variation on high street chains. There is no shortage of outdoor clothing specialists waiting to kit you out in the latest gear for any activity, from walking to windsurfing.
There are also some fabulous restaurants, cafés, and pubs for delicious dining.
If you’d prefer a more culture-inspired holiday, the Armitt Museum Art Gallery and Reference Library gives you the chance to explore the history of life and arts of the Lakes and of course, lots to learn about Beatrix Potter. There’s also information on the nearby remains of a Roman site, which is free to explore. Zeffirellis is Ambleside’s famous independent cinema, offering viewings of films made by new and emerging talents, while Fellinis shows art-house and independent films, as well as holding performances.
There’s also The Old Courthouse Gallery which showcases the best arts and crafts on offer in the Lakes.
The Windermere Lake Ferry Terminal at Waterhead Pier in Ambleside dates back to 1845. Ferries can be taken to Bowness and Lakeside pier near Newby Bridge, Wray Castle, and Brockhole Visitor Centre.
Supermarkets
Co-op and Tesco Express
Places to Eat
Lucy’s of Ambleside
Force café
The Old Stamp House
Fresher’s Café
Lake Road Kitchen
Dodd’s Restaurant
The Ambleside Inn
www.inncollectiongroup.com/ambleside-inn
Sheila’s Cottage
The White Lion
https://www.emberinns.co.uk/nationalsearch/northwest/the-white-lion-hotel-ambleside
Activities
Ambleside Climbing wall
https://www.amblesideadventure.co.uk/
Rheged Arts Centre
Zeffirellis Cinema, Ambleside
Beatrix Potter Hilltop Farm
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/lake-district/hill-top
Bowness-on-Windermere
Bowness-on-Windermere is a thriving holiday town, the largest in the Lake District National Park, situated on the shores of Lake Windermere. This dynamic town boasts hundreds of shops, eating and drinking establishments and many fine cultural and historical attractions. The views from Bowness out across the lake and up to the mountains are some of the finest in the Lake District.
About
The range of activities and things to do is almost endless. From golf, walking and horse riding to water skiing and sailing or if you want to take things at a slower pace there are many visitor attractions to browse around.
The fine C15th church of St. Martin's is picturesquely set back from the road by a lovely approach festooned with trees and plants.
Many kinds of lake excursions can be made from here, from the hiring of wooden rowing boats to sailing on the 'steamer' taking visitors further out across England's longest lake (almost 11 miles long).
Elsewhere in Bowness, visit The World of Beatrix Potter™ Attraction (which includes the Peter Rabbit Garden) and the many boating and aquatic attractions. Also, the Windermere Jetty Museum of boats, steams and stories is worth a visit.
For transport links, it is also a perfect location. A car ferry takes you across the width of the lake from just south of Bowness, to Sawrey and Hawkshead. The village of Windermere grew around the railway station, about a mile and a half from the lake. The village was originally called Birthwaite, but the railway company decided to call the station after the lake.
Supermarkets
Windermere: Booths and Sainsburys
Places to Eat
Bowness-on-Windermere
Porto Restaurant
The Magic Roundabout
www.themagicroundaboutbowness.co.uk
The Angel Inn
www.inncollectiongroup.com/angel-inn
The Brown Horse Inn
Lago
Francine’s Restaurant
www.francinesrestaurantwindermere.co.uk
House of Siam
https://siamcafewindermere.co.uk/
The Albert
https://www.robinsonsbrewery.com/pubs/the-albert-bowness-on-windermere
Windermere
The Magic Wok
Eat in or Take Away: 2A Crescent Rd, Windermere LA23 1EA
The Little Chippy
https://www.facebook.com/thelittlechippywindermere/
Cafe Italia
Activities
The World of Beatrix Potter (Bowness)
https://www.hop-skip-jump.com/
Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway
https://www.lakesiderailway.co.uk/
Bowness Escape Rooms
Windermere Lake Cruise
https://www.windermere-lakecruises.co.uk/cruises-fares/evening-cruise
Lake District Wildlife Park
https://www.lakedistrictwildlifepark.co.uk
Wray Castle
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/wray-castle
Lakes Aquarium
Other places to visit
Grasmere
Activities
Grasmere Gingerbread shop
https://www.grasmeregingerbread.co.uk/
Eating
The Yan at Broadrayne Farm
Tweedies
The Swan
Kendal
Supermarkets
Sainsburys, Asda, Lidl, Aldi, Tesco Express
Eating
Ye Olde Fleece Inn
Troutbeck
Getting About Is A Piece of Cake!
Our lodge offers parking for guests, but if it’s public transport or guided tours you’re after, there’s plenty to choose from!
Taxis
If you’re planning take advantage of a night out at one of the restaurants in the most local towns, there are a number of local taxi firms that you can use.
Taxis to/from Bowness/Windermere
ACE Taxis: 015394 45445
Taxis to/from Ambleside
Lakeside Taxis: 015394 88888
Buses
There is a bus stop on the A591 very close to the entrance to Whitecross Bay. Turn right towards Windermere and you’ll see the bus stops on either side of the road.
Bus Route 555 goes from Kendal to Keswick with stops including Windermere, Ambleside, Rydal, Grasmere and Thirlmere.
From Ambleside, you can change buses and pick up the 505 bus and it will take you to Hawkshead and Coniston.
Mountain Goat Tours
Mountain Goat Tours operate half day and full day tours of the Lake District and are well worth checking out. See the area without the worry of driving on the narrow lanes!
sTAY AT 24 pONY mEADOW
We’d love to welcome you for an unforgettable holiday in the Lake District.
24 PONY MEADOW