Indian people

Welcome to the English Lake District

A warm welcome to our Indian travellers

Windermere is England’s largest lake, in the heart of the Lake District. We offer cruises from 45 minutes to 3 hours - or you can even spend all day on and around the lake with our fantastic Freedom of the Lake ticket.

It's no surprise that Windermere Lake Cruises is the most popular attraction in The Lake District and is always in the top ten things to do when visiting England and the UK*.

No matter where you start your journey, be it Bowness, Ambleside or Lakeside the spectacular voyage gives the traveller magnificent views of mountain scenery, secluded bays and the many wooded islands.

Cruises available

Yellow cruise

Yellow Cruise

Bowness ↔ Lakeside

40 minutes 1-way ⇥

90 minutes return cruise ↺


Start your cruise from Bowness or Lakeside:

  • From Bowness: Stay on board for a beautiful 90-minute non-landing cruise or hop off at Lakeside to visit attractions and get a later boat back.
  • From Lakeside: Travel north to Bowness, get off and explore the bustling village before getting a later boat back to Lakeside.

Each cruise includes a fascinating commentary on the history, attractions and points of interest surrounding Windermere.

Great for:

Find out more about the Yellow Cruise or Book

Red cruise

Red Cruise

Bowness → Windermere Jetty (Museum) Brockhole → Ambleside (Waterhead) → Bowness

35 minutes 1-way: Bowness Ambleside (Waterhead)

70 minutes return cruise ↺

Start your cruise from Bowness, Windermere Jetty (Museum), Brockhole or Ambleside (Waterhead):

  • From Bowness: Stay on board for a beautiful 70-minute non-landing cruise or hop off at any pier to explore and get a later boat back.
  • From Ambleside (Waterhead) Travel south to Bowness, get off and explore the bustling village before getting a later boat back to Lakeside.
  • From Windermere Jetty or Brockhole: only smaller boats call in to these stops. Board here and change at Bowness for a circular cruise.

Each cruise includes a fascinating commentary on the history, attractions and points of interest surrounding Windermere.

Great for:

Find out more about the Red Cruise or Book

Blue cruise

Islands (Blue) Cruise

Bowness

45 minutes circular return cruise ↺

Start your cruise from Bowness.

  • Enjoy a 45 minute circular cruise from Bowness, enjoy contrasting scenery of mountains, wooded shorelines and lovely tranquil bays.
  • The cruise includes a fascinating commentary on the history, attractions and points of interest around the central part of Lake Windermere.

Great for:

  • Anyone with limited time available and who wants a great introduction to England's largest natural lake.
  • Departs ever 30 minutes during the summer season

Find out more about the Islands Cruise or Book

Green cruise

Green Cruise

Ambleside (Waterhead) Wray Castle Brockhole Ambleside (Waterhead)

70 minutes return cruise ↺

Start your cruise from Ambleside (Waterhead), Wray Castle or Brockhole.

  • From Ambleside: Stay on board to enjoy a 70 minute cruise in a traditional wooden launch.
  • From Wray or Brockhole: Change at Ambleside & explore the area before catching a later boat back to your starting pier.

Great for:

  • Breathtaking views of the Lakeland Fells and mountains from a smaller, traditional wooden launch (no facilities on board).
  • Exploring the beautiful village of Ambleside with walks, Roman remains, waterfalls and shops/cafes.
  • Visiting Brockhole - Lake District Visitor Centre: a great spot for children
  • Visiting Wray Castle : A different type of castle that is great for children and families

Find out more about the Green Cruise or Book

Freedom

Freedom of the Lake

Unlimited travel for 24 hours

Not sure which cruise to choose? Then explore them all with our popular 'Freedom of the Lake ticket' - unlimited boat travel on Lake Windermere for 24 hours on all our routes.

Great for:

  • Exploring all of Lake Windermere from all of our vessels and routes (10.5 miles long)
  • Travelling the full length of Lake Windermere from Bowness, Ambleside or Lakeside. It takes 3 hours to do the full length.
  • Relaxing and unwinding on board our historic 'steamers' with cafes/bars and inner/outer seated viewing lounges.

Find out more about the 'Freedom of the Lake' or Book

Buffet

Summer Evening Buffet Cruise

A stunning evening cruise from Bowness with two-course meal, live music and bar.

90 minutes return cruise ↺

Available June to September

Great for:

  • Breathtaking views as we watch the sunset behind the distant Lakeland Fells
  • A meal with a difference: Delicious 2-course buffet meal with tea/coffee (vegetarian and vegan diets accommodated)
  • Partying with friends: Dance the night away with out live band/performer, bar and dancefloor.

Find out more about the Buffet Cruise or Book