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Freedom Of The Lake ®

Enjoy a full day out on Windermere

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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.

Explore the whole of Windermere and enjoy a full day out with a Freedom of the Lake ® ticket.
Our best value cruise ticket is valid on all scheduled sailings and is valid for 24 hours from time of purchase or when you exchange your online e-voucher for your ticket at our piers.

The ticket is valid on all of our cruises including:

  • Full length of Windermere | Lakeside ↔ Ambleside (Waterhead) - combining Red & Yellow Cruise
  • Red Cruise | Half of the lake: Bowness → Windermere Jetty (Museum) → Brockhole → Ambleside (Waterhead) → Bowness
  • Yellow Cruise | Half of the lake: Bowness ↔ Lakeside*
  • Islands (Blue) Cruise | Bowness ↺
  • Green Cruise | Ambleside (Waterhead) → Wray Castle →Brockhole → Ambleside (Waterhead)
  • Cross Lakes Shuttle | Bowness ↔ Ferry House
  • Fell Foot Ferry | Lakeside ↔ Fell Foot

The Freedom of the Lake ® ticket allows you to sit back, relax and see the whole of the lake. Travel the full length of Lake Windermere in just under 3 hours.

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Temporary closure

We’re following governmental advice and doing our bit to stop the spread of Coronavirus.
Sorry, but there are no cruises today.
Keep an eye on social media and our service status page for up-to-date information.

Additional Information

Explore Windermere to the full with 'The Freedom of the Lake'.

Explore Windermere to the full with 'The Freedom of the Lake'.

Enjoy a full day on Windermere and have time to explore the full length of the lake.

Additional Information

Download Timetable (PDF) Service Status Route Map Access & Facilities

Download Timetable (PDF)

Summer 2020 Full Timetable/Information (4 April 2020 - 1 November 2020)

File Size: 3.111 MB

Handy 1 Page Summer Timetable (4 April 2020 - 1 November 2020)

File Size: 435.823 kB

Lake Spotter's Guide - information on the main things to look out for around the lake

File Size: 1.112 MB

Service Status

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Beat the crowds

Service Status

🔴 RED SERVICE Bowness ↔ Ambleside Waterhead✔️ Services OK
🔴 RED SERVICE & BROCHOLE
Bowness → Brockhole → Ambleside Waterhead → Bowness

✔️ Services OK

🟡 YELLOW SERVICE
Bowness ↔ Lakeside

✔️ Services OK

🟤 YELLOW SERVICE & STEAM TRAIN
Haverthwaite ↔ Lakeside ↔ Bowness
✔️ Services OK
🟣 FULL LAKE
Ambleside Waterhead ↔ Bowness ↔ Lakeside
✔️ Services OK
🔵 ISLANDS CRUISE

Bowness ↻

✔️ Services OK
🚤 SELF-DRIVE BOAT HIRE from Bowness
Bowness Beach / Bowness Dock ↻
✔️ Services OK
🚤 SELF-DRIVE BOAT HIRE from WaterheadWaterhead (near Ambleside) ↻
✔️ Services OK


Route Map

Load Map

Access & Facilities

Disabled Access

Our most wheelchair-friendly vessels are ‘steamers’ (marked in black on the timetable) that can be accessed by a ramp from the pier to the main cabin which is under cover and is on the same level. Our other vessels have limited access for wheelchairs but sometimes can be accommodated on board. Please call us to discuss your access requirements. Our 'steamers' operate on our red cruises and yellow cruises. We're sorry, but other cruises operated by our smaller, traditional vessels are not accessible for wheelchair users.

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

Did you know that you can make more of your cruise by upgrading it? Why not combine your Freedom of the Lake cruise with a local attraction?

Freedom Of The Lake & Motor Museum

Freedom Of The Lake & Motor Museum

Enjoy a full day out on Lake Windermere from Ambleside, Bowness, Brockhole or Lakeside followed with a trip down memory lane.

Upgrade
Freedom Of The Lake & Lakes Aquarium

Freedom Of The Lake & Lakes Aquarium

Our best value cruise ticket is valid on all scheduled sailings (includes blue, red, yellow and green cruises) for a period of 24 hours. Includes entrance to the spectacular Lakes Aquarium at Lakeside.

Upgrade