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Freedom of the Lake & Windermere Jetty (Museum)

A day out on Windermere with a visit to Windermere Jetty: Museum of Boats, Steam and Stories.

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This ticket is available for 4 April 2020 onwards.

This ticket is only available during our peak summer season (April - end of October) and isn't running at the moment.

The information below is for reference only and for booking tickets from 4 April 2020 onwards.

NEW FOR 2019!

Make the most of the sights, smells and sounds of life on the lake, at the Lake District’s newest attraction.

Windermere Jetty Museum of Boats, Steam and Stories is a spectacular new museum on the shores of Windermere. Architecturally stunning, housing one of the world’s most important collection of historic boats, the museum also offers up incredible views across the lake.

Best of all, there’s no better way to visit than by boat – combine a day on the water with a visit to the museum for the perfect day out.

Windermere Jetty Logo

Your day:

Start your day at any of our piers (Lakeside, Bowness, Brockhole or Ambleside) and disembark at Windermere Jetty. We drop you within a few steps of the museum; inside, explore interactive galleries and see classic boats both in and out of the water – dating from 1870 to the present day. See boats as they are restored in the live conservation workshop, or simply sit in the lakeside café and enjoy both the good food and great views.

When you're done, simply grab a later sailing from outside the museum and explore the rest of what Windermere has to offer. Don't forget this ticket offers unlimited boat travel for 24hours.

Your ticket includes:

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Freedom of the Lake

Get to Windermere Jetty on the Red Cruise: Bowness > Windermere Jetty (Museum) > Brockhole > Ambleside > Bowness

Explore all of Windermere with our 24hour Freedom of the Lake ticket. When you want to visit the museum, then board a launch service on the Red Cruise that stops at Windermere Jetty. They are marked in red on our timetables.

If you're starting this ticket at Ambleside or Brockhole, please note you'll have to change at Bowness to catch the boat to Windermere Jetty.

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A visit to Windermere Jetty

Windermere Jetty is a spectacular new museum on the shores of Windermere that showcases the sights, smells and sounds of life on the lake.

Steam launches, sailing yachts, motor boats and record-breaking speed boats are exhibited in the boathouse, on the water, and in the exhibition galleries, whilst a live conservation workshop will be open every day – where you can see the collection of historic boats painstakingly restored.

How to buy:

  • Book your cruise/combined ticket by entering a date below and following the payment instructions
  • You'll be sent an email voucher after purchase via our safe and secure website
  • Print off the email voucher/show it on your phone on the day to exchange it for your tickets
  • Buy online & get over £40 worth of discount vouchers to use at local businesses.

Additional Information

Experience the history of Windermere both on and off the water.

Experience the history of Windermere both on and off the water.

Immerse yourself in Windermere's boating heritage by arriving at Windermere Jetty (museum) on the Red Cruise.

Additional Information

Downloads Service Status Route Map Accessibility

Downloads

Handy 1 Page Summer 2019 Timetable (6 April - 31 October)

File Size: 514.663 kB

Summer 2019 Full Timetable/Information (6 April - 31 October)

File Size: 1.273 MB

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

File Size: 1.112 MB

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.

Route Map

Load Map

Accessibility

Disabled Access

Windermere Jetty (Museum) can only be accessed by our smaller modern launches that are not suitable for wheelchair access. If you are travelling by wheelchair we would recommend other cruises that use our larger ships called 'steamers' (marked in black on our timetables and on Red & Yellow routes) or visiting Windermere Jetty by car.

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 .

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.

Dogs

All well-behaved dogs are welcome on board and travel for free. More information

Bikes

Bikes are welcome on board our larger vessels if space is available. Each bike will cost £1 per journey pier to pier payable on the day of travel. More information