Bownessie Facts

Whilst there have been many reported sightings, Windermere's rather shy monster still remains a myth today.

Whether you are a believer or not, here's some interesting things you may not know about this rather shy creature. 

Bownessie is the affectionate name given to the elusive that some think lives in the water of Windermere, named affectionately after the nearby town of Bowness. 

If you are curious about a sighting of Bownessie then the Lake District is the place to come. Why not go to the most popular attraction - Windermere Lake Cruises. We recommend a relaxing jaunt on one of their delightful steamers to see if you're lucky enough to catch a sighting of our Bownessie. Get your cameras or binoculars ready to see if you can spot Bownessie! Post on Facebook @Bownessie and @visitenglandslakedistrict with any of your photos!

Alternatively, walk around the beautiful grounds of the mock-gothic Wray Castle Estate and perhaps glancing across the Lake for a glimpse of something unusual stirring in the water's surface. 

The grounds of Wray Castle, on the quiet and more eerie western shore of Lake Windermere, is where two previous sightings of Bownessie have been reported, and we say it is a great place for a lake monster hunt. Take a picnic, some binoculars and of course a camera to record any sightings. You'll need several shots to be convincing as the mystery close-up shot from kayakers Tom Pickles, 24, and Sarah Harrington, 23, in 2011 raised criticism for leaving too much out of the shot. 

Myths have long been associated with the Lake District and we certainly like a good story in the local pubs in the area.

Discover the current local sightings and theories surrounding this Legend.

Windermere is 11 miles long and although it has a busy resort atmosphere, is actually home to several endangered freshwater species, such as European eels and more recently the native Arctic Charr. Bownessie sizes still remain mysterious. 

Perhaps this is enough to make any great creature stay hidden, which explains why Bownessie remains such a mystery. 

Reported sightings of our England's Lake monster Bownessie offer a much longer tale. Let's take a look at the history of Bownessie sightings.

In 2006, journalism lecturer, Steve Burnip reported a "30ft creature with humps".

"20ft ripples" were left behind by Bownessie, claimed Lakes TV director in 2009, about the Bownessie-sized disturbance of the water caught on video as he was filming for a Bownessie documentary. 

"The length of three cars", is the size of the mythical Bownessie, according to Tom Pickles and Sarah Harrington who were out kayaking on Windermere in 2011 when they snapped what they thought was Bownessie. 

"Five or six meters long in length", according to local witness Colin Honour who recorded a sighting in 2012. 

If you spot the mysterious Bownessie making a guest appearance during your holiday along the Windermere shores, do send us your snaps!