Windermere and Bowness after 1847 GAZ Windermere

Windermere and Bowness after 1847

Economic Activity: A significant change occurred with the opening in 1847 in Birthwaite (a hamlet in Applethwaite) of the terminus of a branch of the main railway line from Lancaster to Carlisle.  Windermere became a magnet for day trippers from the industrial towns of Lancashire, as well as for more affluent incomers who built fine villas above the shores of the lake, including Belsfield, Elleray, Holehird and Blackwell (see Institutions). There was a period of rapid building around the new station and in Bowness. Many of the new residences were lodgings for visitors, ranging from large and luxurious hotels to simple bed-and-breakfast establishments. By the later 19th century, Bowness Bay was developed as a centre for recreation, with pleasure boats and other leisure attractions, to become  one of the major tourist resorts in the Lake District.

Industrial growth also took place: slate quarrying in Applethwaite; bobbin manufacture and an iron works at Troutbeck Bridge and a bobbin/sawmill at Thickholme in the later 19th century.

During the Second World War a flying boat factory, building Sunderland flying boats, was established by the lake at Calgarth.  It opened in 1941 with an extensive temporary housing estate for the workforce.  The site became the White Cross Bay caravan park in 1954.

Places of worship: In the 19th century two more Anglican churches were built: St Mary in Applethwaite (i.e. Windermere), built as a private chapel in 1847-8, consecrated as a separate parish church in 1856, and St John, Lake Road (now closed), in 1886.  The Wesleyan Methodist chapel in Bowness was built 1882 and there was another in Windermere. The Religious Census of 1851 records a community of Christian Brethren. A Congregational chapel was built at Troutbeck Bridge in 1857 and the Carver Memorial chapel (now United Reform Church) was built in 1879-80. The first Roman Catholic church opened in 1884 and was rebuilt in 1963. A Christian Science church opened in 1978.

Schools: Two private schools linked to St Mary’s chapel were opened by the incumbent thereof in the 1850s; the secondary part, intended for the sons of clergymen, survived as a college until 1938. At present (2012) there are 5 schools: 3 primary schools and two secondary - an LEA comprehensive (the Lakes School at Troutbeck Bridge, opened 1965) and an independent boarding school (Windermere School, formerly St Anne’s school, which moved to the town from St Annes, Lancs, in 1924).

Other institutions:  In the 19th century a circulating library, newsroom and reading room opened in Bowness, to cater for the influx of visitors. A Working Men’s Institute opened in 1875.  Windermere spawned societies for the more leisured: the Windermere Scientific and Literary Association; Windermere Sailing Club ( opened in 1860 and became Royal Windermere Yacht Club in 1887); Windermere Golf Club (opened in 1891); A homeopathic establishment opened in 1858, later transferred to the existing Hydro hotel.  Of the private villas, Holehird was converted to a Leonard Cheshire Foundation home in 1961. It is surrounded by large gardens, open to the public. Blackwell was opened as an Arts & Crafts House in 2001. Windermere Steamboat Museum opened in 1977.