Brockhole

The Brockhole Lake District Visitor Centre, also known as the Brockhole National Park Visitor Centre, is a visitor centre and tourist attraction managed by the Lake District National Park Authority. It is situated on the shore of Lake Windermere, roughly equidistant between the towns of Bowness-on-Windermere and Ambleside. It includes the Brockhole house and 30 acres (12 ha) of grounds, including 10 acres (4.0 ha) of formal gardens and an adventure playground. The centre organises a number of activities, including orienteering, kayaking and open water swimming, as well as regular exhibitions.[1][2]

For the village in West Yorkshire, see Brockholes. For the nature reserve in Lancashire, see Brockholes (nature reserve).
Brockhole Lake District Visitor Centre
Brockhole House
Location within Cumbria
General information
Locationshore of Lake Windermere, Cumbria, England, United Kingdom
Coordinates54.401026°N 2.942883°W / 54.401026; -2.942883

Entrance to the centre and its grounds is free of charge, although a charge is made for car parking.

History

The site that is now the visitor centre was bought in 1896 by William Gaddum, a silk merchant from Manchester, to build a summer house. He had the house built the following year, to a design by the architect Dan Gibson. The gardens were created by Thomas Mawson. Mawson, who is known for his work in the design of gardens during the Arts and Crafts movement, had previously collaborated with Gibson at Graythwaite Hall.

Beatrix Potter was a frequent visitor to the house, and makes reference to it in her Journals. In 1946 William Gaddum died and the house was sold. In 1948 the house was converted into a convalescent home. The Lake District National Park Authority purchased the property in 1966, and in 1969 it was opened as the UK's first National Park Visitor Centre.[1][2]

The centre is situated off the A591 road between Windermere and Ambleside. Stagecoach bus routes 555 (Lancaster to Keswick) and 599 (Bowness-on-Windermere to Grasmere) stop outside the centre. Both these routes also serve Windermere railway station.[3]

In the grounds of the centre is a jetty served by a number of boat services provided by Windermere Lake Cruises between March and October. A passenger launch service runs from Ambleside, returning to Ambleside via Wray Castle on the opposite side of the lake. A second launch service runs from Bowness-on-Windermere, returning to Bowness via Ambleside. A third service, known as the Bike Boat and operated with a boat adapted to carry cycles, shuttles across the lake to and from Bark Barn in Claife.[3][4][5][6]

  • The entrance
  • The gardens
  • The jetty
  • The view

References
  1. "House and gardens". Lake District National Park Authority. Archived from the original on 15 June 2018. Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  2. Historic England. "Brockhole, Lakes (1001463)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  3. "Getting here". Lake District National Park Authority. Archived from the original on 14 June 2018. Retrieved 14 June 2018.
  4. "Green Cruise". Windermere Lake Cruises. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 12 June 2018.
  5. "Red Cruise". Windermere Lake Cruises. Archived from the original on 13 June 2018. Retrieved 13 June 2018.
  6. "Bike Boat". Windermere Lake Cruises. Archived from the original on 13 June 2018. Retrieved 13 June 2018.
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