What’s going for it? A ghostly Beatrix Potter is often to be seen of an evening wandering Bowness in her nightie, wailing “Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair!” Ms P lived by Near Sawrey, just across Lake Windermere, a safe distance from the coach parties. Prescient. For these days the universe she created has ballooned into an empire mightier than those ruled over by that other Potter, Harry, Thomas the Tank Engine and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles combined. Bowness is its imperial heart. This time of the year, its lanes and alleys course with rabid pensioners hungry for a glimpse of Mrs Tiggy-Winkle. I quite like the brash, seasidey, kiss-me-quickness of the town. Under its cutesy tat, though, or off season, its real charm emerges – the lanes of whitewashed cottages, the coy glimpse of the lake over a stone barn, the sight of a bunny rabbit in a veg patch. It’s all still there, if you know where to look. Use your imagination.
The case against… 50% coach tours, 25% gift shops. Barely affordable. Holiday homed to the hilt.
Well connected? Trains: more or less hourly from Windermere to Kendal (14 mins), and Oxenholme Lake District (20 mins), where you connect with the West Coast Mainline. Driving: Kendal 20 minutes, the M6 30, Lancaster 50. Plenty of buses to Keswick, Kendal, Ambleside, Grasmere, etc. Ferry services across the lake, too.
Schools Primaries: the town’s Goodly Dale, St Martin & St Mary CofE and St Cuthbert’s Catholic are all “good”, says Ofsted. Secondaries: The Lakes School, alas, “requires improvement”, but is “taking effective action”.
Hang out at… Plenty of fancy options, like Holbeck Ghyll, Linthwaite House or Jerichos in Windermere village. Plenty of homely ones, too; try the Hole in t’Wall or the Royal Oak.
Where to buy Bowness is the older of the two. Expect late 19th century and Edwardian, lots of “Lakeland” whitewash, mock tudor and stone. The centres have some fine cottages and terraces and a few town houses, but the big money heads up valley-side lanes off Kendal Road for views over the lake. There is high demand. Large detacheds and town houses, £700,000-£1m. Detacheds and smaller town houses, £300,000-£700,000. Semis, £400,000. Terraces and cottages, £320,000. Flats, £130,000-£400,000. Little for long-term rent.
Bargain of the week Little. This nice four-bed stone Victorian terrace for £235,000 is as close as we’ll get. With hackney-leigh.co.uk.
From the streets
Mike Graham “I’m born and bred, and never get tired of the views. People are always stopping for a chat. We love The Lamplighter for a good meal.”
Daniel Barnes “Windermere has changed a lot in recent years, with trendy bars such as The Pig, Fodder and The Crafty Baa. It’s a gateway to the mountains and yet only 15 minutes from the M6.”
- Do you live in Canterbury? Do you have a favourite haunt or a pet hate? If so, please lets.move@theguardian.com by Tuesday 13 September.
