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Finsthwaite is an attractive, small village surrounded by hills and woods. Lake Windermere, the Windermere Lake Cruises Pier and the Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway are all a few minutes walk away. Finsthwaite is five minutes drive from the A591 and the A592, the main access routes to the South Lakes area. There is no village shop, but fuel and groceries etc. can be obtained from the Newby Bridge Garage (2 miles). Supermarkets can be found in Ulverston, Grange-over-Sands, Windermere and Kendal.

There are excellent walks in the immediate area and details of a number of these can be found in the village hall.

Also within easy reach of the village are the attractions listed below:

• The Bobbin Mill
• High Dam
• The Motor Museum
• The Aquarium
• The National Trust’s Fell Foot Park.
• Holker Hall and Gardens
• Levens Hall
• Sizergh Castle
• Beatrix Potter’s home at Hill Top
• Wray Castle (NT) [a great place for youngsters]

Interesting traditional towns:

• Kendal
• Ambleside
• Hawkshead
• Grange-Over-Sands
• Ulverston

There are great walks in all directions both on the fells and around the shore of Morecambe Bay.

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In the village

St Peter’s Church. One of the graves in the churchyard belongs to 'the Finsthwaite Princess', Clementina Johannes Sobieski Douglas of Waterside, who was buried on 16th May 1771. It is widely believed she was the daughter of Prince Charles Edward, the Young Pretender (Bonnie Prince Charlie), by Clementina Walkinshaw.

The Bobbin Mill

A 10 minute walk down the village lane takes you to the English Heritage Stott Park Bobbin Mill which offers discounts for groups, check website for opening times and events.

High Dam

Just 20-30 mins walk through the woods take you to this hidden gem, with all the charm of the more famous Tarn Hows.

The Lake Shore Footpath

This will take you in a few hours all the way to the Windermere car ferry or even to Ambleside for the very keen.

For a shorter walk (15-20 mins) you can take the footpath behind the church over to Lakeside where you can get on the Lakeside Steam Railway or visit the Aquarium or have a drink in the conservatory of the Lakeside Hotel. Why not take a trip on one of the traditional Windermere Steamers to Bowness or the passenger ferry across to the National Trust waterside park of Fell Foot, which is great for swimming and where there are rowing boats for hire, and other seasonal activities?

Take a Boat or a Bike

Take a boat from Lakeside to Bowness, Ambleside or Brockhole the National Park Visitors' Centre where there is much to do including Tree Top Trek and the Nets (booking advised), boats and bikes for hire, an orienteering course, an adventure playground and cafe.

Grizedale Forest

Grizedale Forest just 20 mins drive away is well known for it’s mountain bike trails and walks for all abilities.

Local Fell Walks

Popular walks nearby include Gummers How, Tarn Hows, Claife Heights, Latterbarrow, Humphrey Head and the Grizedale Sculpture trail.

Nearby Tourist Attractions

Tourist Attractions - all within 20 -30 mins drive - include: Several National Trust properties including Beatrix Potter’s home at Sawrey, Fell Foot and Wray Castle. Also worth a visit are Brantwood and Blackwell, and check out the programme at the Brewery Arts Centre in Kendal and Zeffirelli’s Cinema in Ambleside.

Fitness and Well-Being

The Whitewater Hotel

Hotel Spa, Gym and Swimming Pool. There are several hotels nearby which offer temporary membership

Outdoor Activities

Available nearby are: Canoeing, climbing, gorge scrambling, hill walking, horse riding and mountain biking. All are within fairly easy reach, i.e. a 10-30 minute drive away.