On our recent holiday to the Lake District, we were thankfully blessed with some fine weather. On one sunny and pleasant day we drove to the Village of Bowness on Windermere.

I have been here before on a previous trip to the area. I remembered it to be a delightful place. My memory served me well as we were greeted with sparkling waters and boats bobbing up and down on the water.

After tea and cake at the cafe in the tourist information centre, where every visitor to Windermere seemed to want to fuss Thelma, we walked into town. The streets here are sprinkled with independent shops and galleries where you can buy unique little knick nacks and gifts.

There is the obligatory Beatrix Potter shop, where little Miss was happy to spend some of her holiday money. Artisan chocolate shops (where I was happy to spend my money), and a wonderful little place to buy loose leaf teas called Moxie.

For a tea lover like me, that was quite a find and I bought a delicious Lapsang Souchong and some herbal Tum Tum. I’ll definitely be ordering from them again as they are online too and I’ve not seen such a varied range of blends before.

As the afternoon slipped away, we headed back down to the lakeside to find somewhere for dinner. There’s quite an unassuming pub, up some stairs and hidden away by an amusement arcade, The Lake View. We thought we would give it a try. Upstairs, we had a table in a quiet little private area overlooking the lake, it couldn’t have been any nicer. We watched the boats sail out into the lake while I tucked into the biggest fish and chips I’ve ever seen. I couldn’t finish it was so big.

After dinner, we were going on our own boat trip. A circular islands tour. Booked on the last sailing, we hadn’t anticipated that we would be the only ones on it. It was quite special and felt like a private charter. The 45 minute journey took us right out into the largest lake in England, where along the shoreline we could admire multi-million pound mansions, quiet shorelines and wooded islands. During Victorian times the islands had invited visitors to pick lillies and other such random pursuits that the Victorians were want to engage in. I feel like I need to read more about Victorian England.

We sailed amongst multiple leisure craft, and saw some that had been run aground by the storms in December. I love being on the water, it’s such a leisurely experience. I think one day I might like a boat.

By the time we were back in the car to head back to the cottage it was early evening. Everyone was tired from the activities of the day, but it had been a lovely day out in such a beautiful village. I can see why Beatrix Potter liked the area so much.