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Cross Lakes and bus

A combined boat and bus ticket for travel between Bowness and Hawkshead/surrounding villages.

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Boat & Bus Tickets

Sorry, this ticket can't be bought online at the moment. Just buy your boat/bus tickets at Bowness Pier

A map of the boat and bus stops

For a great day out, why not explore the Lake District by boat and bus?

This convenient boat and bus ticket allows you to park the car and explore the quieter side of Windermere and the villages and countryside from the western shore. Travel from Bowness to Ash Landing on our regular Cross Lakes Shuttle and then take the bus on to destinations such as Hill Top, Far Sawrey and Hawkshead.

Your ticket includes:

Ash Landing

Bowness to Ash Landing by boat (every day)

The regular shuttle from Bowness Pier 3 whisks you to Ash Landing and your awaiting 525 bus. Enjoy stunning views of woodlands, historic buildings an islands along the way.

The journey takes approximately 20 minutes.

Mountain Goat

Onward travel via Mountain Goat 525 bus (every day except most Fridays)

The Mountain Goat 525 bus conveniently picks you up from Ash Landing Car Park - 100 metres walk from our pier. From there, the bus takes you on route to Hawkshead. This service provides easy access to Hill Top, Far Sawrey and Hawkshead.

You can get off at any stop and return on a later bus/boat back to Bowness later in the day.

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Travelling to Hill Top - the former home of Beatrix Potter?

We also offer a combined boat and bus ticket that includes entry into this National Trust property. More Information >

Standard Ticket Prices (valid from Saturday 5th April 2025 until Sunday 2nd November 2025)

AdultsChildren
£14.40£11.00

Additional Information

  • You can't purchase this ticket online - simply purchase your ticket at Bowness Pier. Show your boat ticket to the bus driver to get on board the 525 bus.
  • 🐕 Well-behaved dogs travel free
  • Your tickets is valid on any departure of the day
A traditional launch on the Bownesss to Ash Landing route

A traditional launch on the Bownesss to Ash Landing route

Gallery of images

Additional Information

Downloads Service Status Route Map Access and Facilities

Downloads

Boat & Bus Timetable (Bowness < > Hawkshead)

File Size: 409.907 KB

Service Status

amber

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Change of timetable - Friday 13 June to Monday 16 June

Due to the Great North Swim and Windermere Marathon over the weekend of 13-15 June, we have a change to our advertised timetables.

  • Friday 13 - Sunday 15 June - running a regular Red Cruise/Green Cruise timetable with extra shuttle boats for the sporting events.
  • Monday 16 June - no boats will call into Brockhole and the ticket office will be closed

    The area around Ambleside, Brockhole and Bowness will be busy this weekend (13-15 June). Please leave extra time for your journey and to find parking

Today's Service Status

🔴 RED CRUISE Bowness → W'Mere Jetty Museum →Brockhole → Ambleside Waterhead → Bowness

⚠️ No/Limited access to Brockhole

🟡 YELLOW CRUISEBowness ↔ Lakeside

✔️ Services OK

🔵 ISLANDS CRUISE

Bowness → Bowness

✔️ Services OK
🚤 MOTOR BOAT HIRE from Bowness
Bowness Beach / Bowness Dock ↻

✔️ Services OK

🚤 MOTOR BOAT HIRE from WaterheadWaterhead (near Ambleside) ↻

✔️ Services OK

🚤 MOTOR BOAT HIRE from LakesideLakeside ↻✔️ Services OK
🟤 YELLOW CRUISE & STEAM TRAINHaverthwaite ↔ Lakeside ↔ Bowness

✔️ Services OK

🟢 GREEN CRUISEAmbleside → Wray Castle → Brockhole → Ambleside

⚠️ No/Limited access to Brockhole

🚶 WALKERS TICKETBowness → Brockhole → Wray Castle → Walk → Car Ferry→ Bowness⚠️ No/Limited access to Brockhole
🚣 ROW BOAT HIRE from BownessBowness Beach / Bowness Dock ↻

⚠️ Too windy

🚣 ROW BOAT HIRE from WaterheadWaterhead (near Ambleside) ↻

✔️ Services OK

⚪ CROSS LAKES SHUTTLE

Bowness ↔ Ash Landing✔️ Services OK
⚫ FELL FOOT FERRYLakeside ↔ Fell Foot

✔️ Services OK

🕑: We are now running to our peak season timetable.

Route Map

Load Map

Access and Facilities

♿ Disabled Access

This service is one of the least accessible routes we offer and is operated by tradiational launches:

  • ❌ Not recommended for customers with limited mobility

Please visit our Accessibility section for more information.

Wheelchair users are strongly advised to call us to confirm which vessel is operating on which service, particularly in poor weather conditions. As on rare occasions, the vessels operating each route can change.

Upgrade This Cruise

Did you know that you can make more of your cruise by upgrading it? Why

not combine your cruise with a local attraction, or enjoy a full day on

Windermere with the Freedom of the Lake.

Freedom Of The Lake ®

Freedom Of The Lake ®

Unlimited boat travel for 24 hours on all routes | ⚓ See the full lake on this ticket: Lakeside ↔ Bowness ↔ Ambleside in 🕘 over 3 hours

Upgrade Book Now