The biggest marina on Windermere is calling for the 10mph speed limit on England’s longest lake to be lifted in the week of its fifth anniversary.

This week, marks five years since a 10mph restriction was brought in – banning water-skiing, jet-skiing and power boating on the 10.5 mile long lake. Windermere was the only lake left in the whole of the Lake District where power-boating and water-skiing could take place.

Jason Dearden, Managing Director, runs Windermere Marina Village on the edge of the lake near Bowness, which is home to over 400 boat owners and draws visitors from the North West, North East and Cumbria, as well as around 11,000 visitors a year staying at its lakeside cottages and apartments. It is the biggest and most sheltered Marina on Windermere, and the largest in the whole of the North.

He believes a relaxation of the 2005 ban or a commitment to rethink it by the Lake District National Park Authority this year, would be a welcome gesture to tourism around the Lake following the floods, as well as assisting in the area’s economic recovery.

He also thinks that representations should be made to review the 10mph byelaw if there’s a change of Government after the general election.

One of the major reasons the ban was brought in was to reduce “conflict” between different types of people using the lake and make the lake more tranquil.

Mr Dearden believes Windermere is large enough to have a scheme which allows room for all types of waterborne activities – sailors, power-boaters, canoers and water-skiers – sharing the water harmoniously.

Mr Dearden said: “We are five years on from the ban and many tourism businesses would like to see a rethink because it unfairly excludes a proportion of visitors from enjoying England’s longest lake. We wouldn’t dream of banning certain visitors from enjoying Scafell Pike, so why have a rule which stops certain visitors wanting to enjoy Windermere.”

“If there is conflict between different types of people using the Lake, all we need to do is start looking at what those conflicts are and finding out how they can be managed – so everyone can enjoy Windermere.”

“We have to get out of the mindset of treating the lake like a village duck-pond and believing this byelaw somehow makes it quiet. It is the bigges and most popular lake in the Lake District and the most developed. There are over 16 lakes and bodies of waters across the Lake District if people are seeking total tranquillity.”

“In the Norfolk Broads, where there are a lot of waterways and a lot of water users, the national park authority there has a system which regulates what every users can do and it works. All we need to do is adopt a similar policy for Lake Windermere and it will really assist tourism. If we are trying to convert a younger audience of visitors to discover the Lakes, we have to offer what they want.”

Water-skiers, power-boaters and jet-skiers were an important visitor to the Marina as they often had a high-disposable income and made repeat visits – staying and spending in the local area as they pursued their hobbies.

Windermere Marina Village, a family-owned tourism business, is close to completing a £3 million upgrade of the Marina and taking bookings again for the new tourism season. Following the floods of last year, the water level of the lake rose 10 feet – swamping the Marina’s 29 ground level Windermere cottages meaning holiday cancellations. The Marina employs around 55 people and its 11,000 annual guests use local restaurants, shops, cafes and visitor attractions, making it a significant contributor to the local economy of Bowness and Windermere.

For more information, please contact Tracii Monet at Windermere Marina Village on 015394 46551 or visit http://www.wmv.co.uk

Windermere Marina Village are offering cycling enthusiasts a £50 discount on self-catering cottage breaks if they ditch their cars and arrive by bike.

With Windermere station a mere 10 minute ride away and numerous trails on our doorstep you won’t need a car to get the most out of your biking break. Four-star self-catering cottages, secure bike storage and a wash down station ensure you and your bike are well catered for at Windermere Marina Village.

Occupying an enviable position on Windermere Lake, the marina is the largest in the North of England offering not only moorings but also Windermere cottages. The cottages overlooking the marina are spacious, well-equipped and offer you a little luxury after a day out cycling. Many of the cottages have double rooms that can be converted to twins offering flexibility for groups and can be booked for 3, 4 or 7 night breaks. Throughout your stay you will also enjoy full use of our onsite bar, bistro & leisure club; soothe those aches and pains with a dip in the Jacuzzi or pint on the terrace.

Jason Dearden, Managing Director of Windermere Marina Village & mountain biker says “We want to provide cyclists with the facilities they need and are keen to encourage people to leave their cars at home, reduce their carbon footprint and enjoy the stunning Lake District landscapes; so we’ve installed secure bike storage, provided flexible accommodation and an incentive to book”.

For further details of the facilities on offer please check out the website at http://www.wmv.co.uk/bike-holidays-lake-district.asp or call the reservation team on 015394 46551. Please quote “Car Free” to receive your £50 discount and ensure the bike storage is booked along with your cottage.

Applegarth Villa Hotel and Restaurant in Windermere, the Lake District, announce the completion of five refurbished rooms.

The five rooms have all been individually designed in collaboration between the owners of Applegarth Villa their interior designer. The rooms are part of the ongoing development of Applegarth Villa which last year saw JR’s Restaurant refurbished along with the outside terrace. The newly refurbished rooms have been fitted with all the facilities expected by today’s hotel guest; power showers, 32 inch flat screen televisions, Egyptian cotton sheets, Wifi and ipod docking stations. Two of the rooms have even been fitted with flat screen televisions in the bathroom!

The guest rooms are not the only refurbishment at the Applegarth. This week sees the launch of their new website. The new site has been designed to be easy to navigate and reflect the continuing development of the hotel and its brand. Showing images and details of the new rooms along with links to their restaurant and Windermere lake cruises websites, the new site is a comprehensive online brochure and information resource. With online sales such a large proportion of a hotel’s revenue, updating a website is as important as the updating of the hotel itself.

Applegarth Villa and JR’s Restaurant has been owned by Alan and Suzanne Mumford since 2001. Applegarth Villa is a magnificent Arts and Crafts period property set in a quiet area of Windermere Village within easy walking distance of the train station and shops with the unique benefit of free and private off road parking. Elegantly appointed, Applegarth Villa offers a choice of Windermere accommodation from classic double rooms to luxury four-posters with views over the Lakeland fells. Alan and Suzanne have created a classic Lake District hotels experience whilst offering a modern twist with the contemporary design and technology. In continuation of their quest to meet the needs of the modern hotel guest, Applegarth Villa offer luxury Windermere lake cruises on their 50 feet Sealine T50 Flybridge cruiser. The boat, located on Lake Windermere, can hold up to 12 people and can be chartered out for half or full day cruises complete with refreshments throughout. It is the largest motor yacht on Lake Windermere and offers total luxury.

For further information on the refurbished rooms, availability and cruises, go to http://www.lakesapplegarth.co.uk or telephone 015394 43206.

The Woodlands Hotel in Windermere launch a new luxury suite for the 2009 season.

The new newest addition to the Woodlands Hotel accommodation, is the recently completed executive suite. The suite is located within the main hotel building offering a large amount of space but with all the facilities of a hotel right on site. A luxury bathroom has been fitted complete with roomy stand up shower. The fitting have been chosen for their upmost quality. Far larger than a normal hotel room, the new suite has plenty of room to walk around along with a seating area and can actually sleep three persons or be a luxury Windermere hotel break for a romantic couple. A further suite is set for completion in December 2009.

Woodlands is one of the few Windermere hotels to achieve a five star guest accommodation status. Sarah and Alan Ayres, the proprietors, were thrilled to be recognised for their hard work by the AA, which was awarded for their exceptional standards of quality guest accommodation and service.

Woodlands Hotel in Windermere is a handsome Edwardian Villa situated between the villages of Windermere and Bowness in Cumbria – the Lake District, just a few minutes away from the shores of Lake Windermere. Guests will enjoy the luxury, stylish and contemporary Boutique accommodation being offered at Woodlands, which has now been formally recognised as being one of the finest hotels in Windermere. There are a total of fifteen luxury and en-suite guest bedrooms including a choice of single, double or twin bedded rooms. The resident’s bar and lounge is an exciting space for guests to relax after a long day’s site seeing and exploring. According to the AA, a five star Guest House needs to demonstrate an awareness of each guest’s needs with nothing being too much trouble. All bedrooms must be en-suite or have a private bathroom, with excellent quality beds and furnishings. Breakfast must include specials/home-made items, high quality ingredients, and fresh local produce. The new suite meets and even exceeds The AA’s five star criteria.

Sarah and Alan have not compromised or neglected their environmental policy through these refurbishments and improvements. They continue to support the Tourism and Conservation Partnership and hold a CBEN bronze award for good environmental practice. With the escalating effects of using a car on both the environmental impact and the rise in fuel costs, Woodlands offer a collection service from Windermere train station.

For more information on the new suite or to check availability go to http://www.woodlands-windermere.co.uk or telephone 015394 43915