Wesleyan Methodist Chapel, Lake Road Bowness on Windermere,

Bowness Wesleyan Methodist Chapel was erected in 1883 on a site called “Stone Cliff” on an earlier OS map. Both map and the physical appearance suggest that it was a disused quarry. The land cost £386.18.9d and the building £1984.18.6½d. The main contractors were H Pattenson (builder, £805), JG Parker (carpenter, £518.16.0d), Mr Russell (plumber, £69.13.0d). The heating system cost £55 and window glazing £59.18.0d. The architect was a Mr Walker. The chapel measured 47 feet by 31feet and seated 250. Beneath it were a large schoolroom, three smaller rooms, a kitchen and a two bedroom caretaker’s house. In 1940 the chapel had 194 sittings and there were two schoolrooms and one other room. It was a Methodist place of worship in 1991 but the chapel is now the Lakes Christian Centre and the caretaker’s house continues to be in residential use.

The chapel was built of local stone with a slate roof and ashlar yellow sandstone dressings. Apart from the main entrance and the three-light window above it the openings are in a plain early English style. This is a fairly late example of the chapel being built above the other rooms which were in effect in a basement or semi basement.