Buffet Cruise

Live music with a freshly prepared buffet

The Summer Evening Buffet Cruise starts again in June 2020.

Book your cruise by entering a date in the 'Book your Cruise' box below.

Enjoy a freshly prepared buffet, a relaxed atmosphere and a unique viewing point for some of the Lake District's most beautiful scenery.

Our resident band 'Trickle Charge' will be playing a selection of Latin rhythms, mainstream jazz and tasteful pop as you cruise the entire length of Windermere.
This popular two and a half hour cruise includes a quality two-course cold buffet, a fully licensed bar (includes draught ale and lager) and a dance floor later in the cruise.
This elegant cruise is a great way to spend a summer evening and are always extremely popular - make sure you book your place early to secure your place.

When we sail

Saturdays - from 6 June to 29 August 2020, departs 7pm from Bowness Pier 1
Wednesdays - from 1 July to 26 August 2020, departs 7pm from Bowness Pier 1

Sample of buffet served (may be subject to change at caterers discretion)

Home-roasted ham; Chicken breast marinated and poached in white wine, garlic and mixed herbs; Pasta with flaked Salmon, juicy prawns and Marie Rose sauce; Homemade vegetarian quiche; New potato salad with spring onions and chives, Crunchy red and white cabbage coleslaw; Tomato and red onion salad with a basil dressing; Summer leaves with vinaigrette, Greek Salad with feta and olives, fresh bread rolls and butter
Lemon posset; Fresh fruit Pavlova; Caramel banoffee pot
Tea and coffee
Special dietary requirements can be catered for - simply call us when making your booking.

Preview of the food available and a couple on board

Ticket prices

Tickets must be booked in advance and can be bought online (enter date below) or by calling 015394 43360. All prices include the full lake cruise, live band, 2-course buffet and tea & coffee.

Adults £34.95
Child (aged 5-15) £20
Family (2 adults & up to 3 children) £90

Steamer MV Swan or Teal on the Summer Evening Buffet Cruise

Pricing information

There is a discount of £2 per person for groups of 12 adults or more and the organiser can sail completely free of charge (call us to make a group booking).
You are advised to book these cruises early as they tend to get booked up quite quickly.
Local Resident Card holders (LA or CA postcodes) can get 20% discount up until Wednesday 22 July inclusive - please call to book your tickets.
Please note only one special offer listed above can be used within a booking (i.e 20% local discount OR Group discount).
Please ring us on 015394 43360 to reserve your place or book online by selecting a cruise date below in the 'Book your cruise' section below.

Photos of the bar and dancefloor on the Summer Evening Buffet Cruise on Lake Windermere

Additional Information

The cruise returns to Bowness Pier at 9:30pm
Well-behaved dogs are allowed on board but please be aware that the journey lasts 2½ hours and there are no toilet facilities for dogs.
Bar on board now accepts cash, cards and contactless payments.

A summer evening cruise on England's finest lake
A relaxed atmosphere, great music and delicious food can be enjoyed alongside stunning views on this cruise.

Timetable

Sails Saturday nights 6 June - 29 August 2019 and Wednesday nights 1 July - 26 August 2019

We're sorry, this cruise isn't sailing today. Please contact the booking office for more information.

PDF Timetable Service Status Route Map Access & Facilities

PDF Timetable

Buffet Cruise Poster

File Size: 382.06 kB

Service Status

green

All our services are operating as normal as per our winter timetable

🔴 Red Cruise (Bowness → Brockhole → Ambleside → Bowness)

🟡 Yellow Cruise (Bowness ↔ Lakeside) Weekends only in January

🔵 Islands Cruise (Bowness ↺)

Winter closures in January 2020

January is one of the quietest months on and around Lake Windermere. We sail every day, but customers should be aware of the following restrictions:

Windermere Jetty Museum of Boats, Steam and Stories (a stop on our Islands Cruise) is closed 6 to 24 January inclusive. Our boats will not stop here during this time.
Yellow Cruise (Bowness ↔ Lakeside) does not operate Monday to Friday between 6 January to 7 February inclusive. Boats only operate Saturdays and Sundays.
Brockhole on Windermere (a stop on our Red Cruise) is closed 6 January to 13 February inclusive, except at weekends. Our boats will call in on Saturday/Sunday only.

Route Map

Load Map

Access & Facilities

Disabled Access

This cruise is operated by one of our ‘steamers’ and offers wheelchair access.The boats can be accessed by a ramp from the pier to the main cabin which is under cover and is on the same level. Unfortunately the toilets are down a number of steps but we do have toilets on Bowness Pier. If you have any specific access requirements or questions, then please call us to discuss.

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.