With Furness being a Parliamentarian stronghold, Piel Harbor was the safest place for the fleet to anchor.
It falls within the north-western counties of Cumberland, Westmorland and Lancashire (Furness district), about one-half being within the first ' of these.
Bowness lies at the head of a small bay, is served by the lake-steamers of the Furness Railway Company, and is a favourite yachting, boating, fishing and tourist centre.
The church of St Martin is ancient, and contains stained glass from Cartmel priory in Furness.