Noise, crime, crowds Rise in tourism stokes tensions in bustling Lake District town

Even on a weekday afternoon at the very tail end of summer, Bowness-onWindermere is bustling with life. Outside the town's pubs and bars, drinkers sip lager and sparkling wine in the warm September sun.

- Hannah Al-Othman

The Cumbrian town has been a tourist destination since the 19th century, but in recent years it has become even more popular. According to VisitBritain, last year the Windermere cruises that leave from Bowness were the eighth most popular paid attraction in England, and in 2022 saw more visitors than Stonehenge, Windsor Castle and St Paul's Cathedral.

But the resort's popularity is causing tensions with residents, who say they are struggling with more visitors, noise at night and more crime on their streets, as well as a loss of local amenities such as grocery shops.

Now Cumbria police have voiced concerns about the growth in the town's nighttime economy, objecting to plans to turn Laurel Cottage guest house, in the heart of Bowness, into a bar.

A spokesperson for Cumbria Constabulary said: "In the last five to 10 years this small town has seen significant fast growth in the number of licensed premises in the form of bars and other licensed premises. Not by coincidence there has been a significant increase in the amount of anti-social behaviour reports and violent crime."