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Bike Boat

Explore the western shore by bike or ride a circular route from Brockhole

Warning Image

COVID19: THIS CRUISE IS CURRENTLY NOT RUNNING

To maintain social-distancing and keep everyone on board safe, we've had to change our cruises with:
✔️ Social-distancing ✔️ Ticketed seating ✔️ More space to enjoy the views ✔️ Enhanced cleaning ✔️ Limited timetables

FOLLOW THIS LINK TO SEE WHICH CRUISES ARE CURRENTLY RUNNING

⚠ The information below is for reference only. Please keep checking back to find out when we are re-opening fully.

Bike Boat Map

Bike Boat : Brockhole > Bark Barn > Brockhole

The Bike Boat operates between Brockhole - The Lake District Visitor Centre and the traffic-free western shore of Windermere and provides a convenient circular route that the whole family can enjoy.

The lake shore cycle route is mostly traffic-free and provides a flat and scenic day out for cyclists of all levels.

The Bike Boat is a great choice for a day's adventure - set out in the morning from Brockhole and return in the afternoon from Bark Barn.

Foot passengers can also use this service but priority will be given to cyclists.

An image of the bike boat crossing Lake Windermere

Bike Hire

Timetable

Operates daily 25 May - 2 June, weekends 15 June - 14 July and daily 20 July - 1 September 2019.

Departs BrockholeDeparts Bark Barn
10:15am10:30am
10:45am11am
11:15am11:30am
11:45am12 noon
2pm2:15pm
2:30pm2:45pm
3:45pm4pm
4:15pm4:30pm

A couple getting on the bike boat at bark barn

Bike Bus

If your legs are tired or you're feeling the strain, don't forget that the Stagecoach 599 bus services (Bowness < > Grasmere) can take 2 bikes on board. Services depart roughly every 20 minutes and it costs 20p extra per journey per bike. View the timetable here.

Buying tickets

We're sorry but these tickets cannot be purchased online. Simply buy your tickets on the day from Brockhole Pier.

(When boarding at Bark Barn, simply pay when you depart the boat at Brockhole)

Additional Information

  • Single Bike Boat tickets are also available - Adults - £3.60, Child - £2.20, Family (2+3) - £10.40 | Sorry, not available online.
  • Bike Boat tickets are not valid on the car ferry that is operated by Cumbria County Council. It costs £1 to take your bike on this service.
  • Looking for cycling routes? There are loads of ideas on the Go Lakes Cycling website (external link)
Explore the traffic-free western shore of Windermere by bike

Explore the traffic-free western shore of Windermere by bike

More images of the Bike Boat

Additional Information

Download Timetable & information leaflet (PDF) Service Status Map of route Access and Facilities

Download Timetable & information leaflet (PDF)

Bike Boat Information Leaflet

File Size: 902.533 kB

Service Status

green

✔️ Scenic cruises

Red Cruise (Bowness ↔ Ambleside), Yellow Cruise (Bowness ↔ Lakeside) & Islands Cruise (Bowness ↺)

⚠️ We're doing things differently to keep everyone safe. More information >

✔️ Self-drive boat hire (Socially-distanced, of course)

Book your boat now for 1 or 2 hours from Bowness (Beach/Dock) or Ambleside (Waterhead).

Boats can be hired from Bowness & Ambleside for dates up to 31 August as part of a trial. Online bookings only and if popular, more dates and more piers will be added.
⚠️ We're doing things differently to keep everyone safe. More information >

✔️ On-shore cafes

Boatman's Cafe in Bowness and The Pier Cafe Bar (Waterhead) are now open.
Special arrangements will be in place so that customers and staff can safely keep social-distance.

Map of route

Load Map

Access and Facilities

Disabled Access

This cruise is operated by one of our smaller vessels that has been adapted for bikes. There is limited wheelchair access.Our most wheelchair-friendly vessels are ‘steamers’ (marked in black on some of our timetables) that can be accessed by a ramp from the pier to the main cabin which is under cover and is on the same level. These operate on our most popular routes - red cruise and yellow cruise. Our other vessels have limited access for wheelchairs but sometimes can be accommodated on board. Please call us to discuss your access requirements.

Concessions for Disabled Customers

If a disabled adult in your group needs a carer, then the carer travels free. For more information about this scheme and to see all the terms and conditions, please read our company policy for disabled passengers.

On-Board Facilities

Toilets are available on all our ‘steamers’ and launches (check for disabled access) but not our traditional launches. Many of our vessels have licensed bars and/or tea bars. So whilst enjoying the marvellous panoramic views, why not treat yourself to a tipple of your choice.

Conditions of Carriage

Our services are provided in accordance with our Conditions of Carriage which can be found on our homepage under ‘About Us’.

No Smoking Policy

For the safety and comfort of all passengers and crew, Windermere Lake Cruises Ltd operates a no smoking policy on-board its vessels, piers and shore premises. This includes electronic cigarettes.

Upgrade this cruise

Why not upgrade this cruise and get unlimited travel on our vessels for 24 hours with our Freedom of the Lake ticket?

Freedom Of The Lake ®

Sail around the lake on any of our cruises. Valid For 24hrs from first use.

Upgrade
Freedom Of The Lake ®