Shopping
Ambleside
Right at the heart of the Lake District, this large village is a bustling centre for tourism. Offering most services including banks, food shops, boots the chemist and a host of excellent cafes and restaurants. For a real treat head for Lucys on a Plate serving superb contemporary eating or the Apple Pie Eating house for traditional cakes baked locally. Ambleside is known for its curious Bridge House, a National Trust property perched over the river as you head north towards Grasmere.
Bowness
Bowness is one of the most popular and busy tourist towns in Cumbria. It offers a full range of services and is set on the shores of Lake Windermere. It is the obvious destination for day trippers and has jettees from which you may take boat trips up the lake. It is a great place to go and feed the ducks, but be careful of the plentiful.