Most of Windermere's western and eastern shores are privately owned or inaccessible, which makes Rayrigg Meadow a genuinely useful piece of public land. It sits on the eastern shore a mile or so north of Bowness, accessible by footpath from the town, and provides a flat walk along the water's edge with clear views across to the wooded hills of the Claife Heights on the opposite bank. The meadow itself is managed by South Lakeland District Council and is one of the few spots where you can sit on the grass by the lake without paying for access to a hotel garden or a cruise boat.
The path north from Bowness along the lakeside connects Rayrigg Meadow with Brockhole, the Lake District National Park visitor centre, about a mile further on. Brockhole has its own grounds and a jetty where Windermere Lake Cruises boats stop, so you can walk the path one way and return by water. The lakeshore stretch is flat and paved for much of the distance, making it accessible with pushchairs and suitable for an easy evening walk from town.