Looking for family-friendly things to do in Bowness-on-Windermere in July and August 2026?
There’s plenty to enjoy in and around Bowness without the need to travel far including lakeside walks, on the lake experiences and hands-on fun at local cultural attractions.
Whether you’re visiting the Lake District for the day, staying a bit longer, or after a summer activity close to home, Windermere Jetty Museum makes a great base for memorable family days out by the lake.
Start your day by the water
Bowness-on-Windermere is one of the Lake District’s most popular spots for families, with easy access to England’s largest lake, family attractions, cafés, shops and boat trips all within walking distance of each other – it’s no surprise why!
Begin around Bowness Pier and take in the views across Windermere, or hop on board one of Windermere Lake Cruises. Their red cruise route is a scenic way to explore north of the lake, with the opportunity to stop at Windermere Jetty Museum.
Hop into the world of Beatrix Potter
This July marks 160 years since the birth of Beatrix Potter, the beloved children’s author and illustrator whose ties to the Lake District run deep.
There is no better time to visit, with special events and activities taking place throughout the year, such a paint your own Peter Rabbit, Jeremy Fisher Cress Boat making, biscuit decorating and Happy Birthday Peter Rabbit musical performances. Find out more here.
Want to see more Beatrix Potter? You can take the ferry and taxi to Hill Top House, the bus going towards Ambleside and change to the 555 bus and get off at Hawkshead Tourist Information Centre to visit the Beatrix Potter Gallery, or keep walking up the road to Windermere Jetty Museum to see the rowing boat used by Beatrix Potter on Moss Eccles Tarn, a small mountain lake she bought in 1903.
Learn more about Beatrix Potter’s rowing boat.
Enjoy a free interactive experience at Windermere Jetty Museum
Kick off your visit to Windermere Jetty Museum exploring Summer of Senses, a free interactive exhibition in the Learning Centre.
Hear, see, touch and smell your way through the hands-on sensory stations, brought to life with illustrations by artist Bryony Cousins, inviting families to explore how humans and animals use their senses to make sense of the world.
This immersive experience is perfect for curious kids who love to get hands-on, ask questions and discover something new — and it’s completely free to visit!
Continue the adventure inside the museum
Continue the adventure with a range of activities included with museum admission.
Look, listen and interact with the environment around with you with the Summer of Senses Trail. Enjoy Jetty Tails storytelling sessions inspired by the animals featured in Summer of Senses interactive exhibition on Tuesdays at 10.30am and 2pm, until Sunday 30 August.
Inside, you’ll find historic vessels, interactive displays, curious objects and stories from over 200 years of life on Windermere. Don’t miss a peek at the working Conservation Workshop, where internationally significant vessels are cared for and restored, offering a genuine behind-the-scenes look at heritage craftsmanship in action.
Wander around our Embodied: The Making of a Windermere Skiff exhibition which traces the craft, materials and process behind making the museum’s newest skiff with boatbuilder Line Packer and master artisan Steven Beresford – from early ideas and sourcing materials right through to its launch on the water.
A visit to Windermere Jetty Museum offers a great way to see how creativity, engineering and traditional boatbuilding skills can come together, and how we are keeping Windermere’s 200 year history alive.
Explore England’s largest lake aboard a piece of history
Make special memories during your visit to Windermere with a 30-minute heritage boat trip aboard one of Windermere Jetty Museum’s beautifully restored historic vessels. Boat trips currently run aboard Osprey, a restored Edwardian steam launch, with Penelope II taking over in August.
Ticket prices: Adults: £16.50 | Children (5–15): £8 | Under 5s go free | Family ticket (2 adults + up to 3 children): £35
Little Skippers eat for less this summer
Planning to make a full day of your visit to Windermere? Children can eat for less at Windermere Jetty Museum’s Lakeshore Café as part of the Great British Summer Savings Scheme.
Stop for lunch, enjoy seasonal food, and take in views across Windermere from the café – a lovely spot to pause, whether you’re refuelling after the museum or grabbing something sweet before heading back into Bowness.
Get outdoors at Windermere
Windermere has plenty of outdoor activities to get hearts racing. This includes crazy golf, mini golf and tennis courts at Glebe Park, treetop trek obstacle course at Zip World Windermere, Critter Creek Adventure Golf, paddlesports with Windermere Canoe Kayak and more!
Join in the summer festivities
Interested in being part of community events this summer? There’s plenty going on across Windermere, including the following at Windermere Jetty Museum.
Join us for the free Escape 2 Make Arts Festival on Thursday 20, offering a day out filled with creative activities and workshops for young people and families.
Plan your family day out in Bowness-on-Windermere
Regardless of what you plan to do this summer, we hope you leave Windermere with plenty of memories and inspiration.
Plan your visit to Windermere Jetty Museum
