Westward House, Bowness-on-Windermere, Cumbria

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Westward House

North West England Cumbria Bowness on Windermere

Sleeps 6
Perfect for Families

Elegant Lake District holiday home, with wonderful lake views, perfectly located for an active family break on the shores of Windermere

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Location in the English Lakes is one thing, but if you're saying 'lakeside' and 'lake view' you had better be able to back it up! So no worries on that score for the elegant family holiday home that is Westward House, a semi-detached half of a large, traditional Lakeland stone house right on the shore of Windermere, England's largest lake. From the sunroom and raised, slate terrace with a superb view, and the manicured lakeside gardens and private jetty, this is your own personal Lake District, right outside the doors and windows.

The house is beautifully presented inside, a very handsomely furnished home-from-home, with more wonderful views from the lounge and dining room. Luxurious it might be, but it's no museum piece – it makes a great base for an active family holiday with older children (minimum age for stays is 12), given that there's bike storage available, your own lake frontage (you can moor your own boat at the jetty), canoe and kayak rental a mile away, and plenty of room in the house to spread out. Accommodation is in three upstairs rooms with super-king-sized beds, one of which can be converted into two single beds; the two west-facing rear rooms have the all-important lake views. Two bedrooms are en-suite, and there's a large family shower room too, adjacent to the third room, so no hanging around waiting for others in the morning.

If you're staying put, there's everything you need for a relaxed holiday. The high-spec kitchen is fully equipped for making family dinners with a lakeside view, and you've got an open log fire, three TVs, an iPod dock and WiFi. Outside, there's a barbecue and comfortable rattan garden seating, and one of the best vantage points in the Lakes for watching the world go by – or, rather, the steamers that pootle up and down Windermere, right at the end of the garden. There's a games room for rainy days, and garden games for sunny ones. Enjoy an al fresco breakfast and a dip of the feet (or more!) in the water in the morning, while the nearest pub is about a mile away, if you fancy a change of scene.

Remember that location though? Westward House is brilliantly sited for an active family break, just a mile from the car-and-passenger ferry crossing to Far Sawrey on the other side of the lake. The walking and cycling opportunities from there are excellent (including up to Beatrix Potter's Hill Top home and into Grizedale Forest). Or it's a couple of miles into the small waterside town of Bowness, where cruises depart daily up and down the lake, taking you north to the bright lights of Ambleside or south to Lakeside for the aquarium and steam train rides. As for pubs and restaurants, you're handily positioned for some of the best-known experiences in the Lakes, whether it's the classic, old 'Hole in t' Wall' pub in Bowness or one of the super-stylish country-house hotels that ring this part of Windermere.

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Rated ★★★★★ over 11 reviews

★★★★★

Soothing, stylish and a stunning view

Thank you Westward House! we’ve loved being here at this spectacular waterside haven. The soothing, stylish decor and the stunning views across the gardens down to the Lake make this house the perfect place for reflection, for family gatherings and for exploring the magic that is ‘The Lakes’. The house is outstanding in every way - every detail has been thoughtfully considered by the owners. Whilst the photos online are impressive, the reality is breathtaking. See you again very soon.

Aug 18, 2023 by William

★★★★★

An outstanding Lakeside house

What a wonderful stay - in an outstanding lakeside house! Every little detail has been thought of to make your stay hugely comfortable and the décor throughout is so chic. Lunch and a walk from Chester’s is an absolute ‘must’ while you’re in the area. Than you for giving us the perfect setting for a much needed break where we didn’t have to think about a thing. I’ll miss the “marshmallow” bed! Bliss… We’ll be back very soon I hope.

Aug 18, 2023 by Steve

★★★★★

Thrilled to be back here

My first visit to Westward House was with my young family in the mid 1960’s. We have returned this week, over 50 years later! It has brought back so many shared memories of happy times. We are just as thrilled to be here as we were all those years ago. What a wonderful week of weather we have had - and a perfect end to a fantastic summer. The house and location are perfect. We couldn’t have asked for more. Thank you.

Aug 18, 2023 by Sylvia & family

★★★★★

Another idyllic week!

Thanks for another idyllic week at Westward House, even better weather than before. Managed more sailing and canoeing, with visits to places where we had never been before in over 40 years of coming to the Lakes. Very good of you to arrange the Windermere 17’ and Firefly races with the start/finish line opposite the jetty. However, the full smoke Red Arrows flypast to mark our last afternoon was probably the greatest achievement, only matched by the Canada geese formations! We hope to come again soon and will be recommending Westward House to just one carefully selected friend. We don’t want it to become too booked up, do we?

Aug 18, 2023 by Charles

★★★★★

It’s like a 5 star Hotel

We felt relaxed as soon as we walked into Westward House - the views have been breathtaking - every day the views have been magnificent - watching sunrise, breakfast on the patio - watching the amazing sunsets everyday - each one different. We have been blessed with the hottest week so far. The house is like a five star hotel - we loved every part of the house, the lounge, sun room, dining room & bedrooms. You have thought of everything and we wanted for nothing. We feel thoroughly spoilt and my family have had the time to relax and unwind. Definitely a secret to keep (this location), we will be back.

Aug 18, 2023 by SK and family

★★★★★

Absolute perfection

Dipping toes off the jetty, watching sunsets from the sun room, the sound of geese, sparrows and housemartins in the morning - absolute perfection. A special holiday with my parents and pregnant wife that gave us the relaxation we were hoping for. Thanks for such a beautiful home and garden for the week!

Aug 18, 2023 by Marsh family - Suffolk

★★★★★

* Number One for us in the UK!

We have rented houses for the last 25 years and this is up there in the top 3* - a really lovely house, views, beautifully presented. Thank you very much and we look forward to our return.

Jul 11, 2023 by David & Alison

★★★★★

Absolutely beautiful

Had a fabulous weekend at Westward House. Stopped en-route at The Punch Bowl for supper - highly recommended! The house is absolutely beautiful, so comfortable and with everything you could possibly need. We walked up the Old Man of Coniston on Saturday. When we came back we had drinks in the conservatory with the sun setting on the Lake … what a perfect day! Many thanks,

Jul 11, 2023 by John R

★★★★★

Lake Windermere at your back door!

Beautiful location and an exquisite house. To wake up in the morning and see beautiful Lake Windermere at your back door is like being in a dream. We had a wonderful week, shopping, boating, relaxing…. and yes, of course eating. Everything about this place is pleasing and we want to thank Neil & Andrea for all their help. Looking forward to a return visit. Many thanks

Jul 11, 2023 by Paul

★★★★★

It offers everything you could possibly want!

What an amazing place. We have had a wonderful time at Westward House. We have had a very relaxing week on the Lake and exploring the mountains. Some very good restaurant recommendations too, which made our stay that much more enjoyable & memorable, including Chesters by the river (the cakes were amazing!!), The Punchbowl Inn and Spice at Gilpin Hotel. We very much look forward to coming back next year! Thank you very much.

Jul 11, 2023 by Rob

★★★★★

A whole week of happy memories - gone in a flash!

I’m wondering how to keep this place a secret so that we can come back again. Passed the entrance so many times over several decades, never thought we would have the chance to stay in such a lovely place. On the water every day with a mixture of fun and peace.

Jul 9, 2023 by Charles