Menu

Green Cruise

Enjoy a cruise on a traditional wooden launch. Hop off at any stop to visit some great family attractions.

Ambleside (Waterhead Pier) > Wray Castle > Brockhole > Ambleside (Waterhead Pier)

  • Board one of our traditional launches from Ambleside (Waterhead Pier) for a beautiful cruise around the northern end of Windermere (50 minutes circular cruise).
  • Alternatively, hop off at any stop and get a later boat back to enjoy a full day out with fun family activities at Brockhole (Lake District Visitors Centre) and at Wray Castle.

The Green Cruise is a perfect choice for families, with some great family attractions just minutes from our piers:

Brockhole main house and gardens as viewed from the pier

Brockhole (Lake District Visitor Centre)

Our pier is situated within the grounds of this scenic lakeside park and all our passengers get free entry. The visitor centre, indoor attractions and cafe are a few minutes walk through the grounds.

Brockhole is open all year and has great outdoor activities such as lake-shore walks, adventure playgrounds, orienteering, mini golf and pony rides as well as the exciting Treetop Trek ropes course and Treetop Nets. With a huge range of special events throughout the year, it's a place to explore as part of your Green Cruise.

The drive up to Wray Castle showing a cyclist and the main entrance

Wray Castle

Situated on the quiet western shore of Windermere, this Victorian neo-gothic and scenic grounds are managed by The National Trust.

Not your typical castle, the building is free of traditional furnishings and has fun activities such as castle-building and dressing-up spaces. With other great family attractions like rope swings, gardens and scenic views plus a fascinating castle tour, it's definitely worth a visit.

Standard Ticket Prices (valid from Saturday 6th April 2019 until Thursday 31st October 2019)

  • Prices below are return fares
  • Book a ticket in advance by selecting a date in the 'Book Your Cruise' box below.
  • Tickets for today must be purchased at one of our booking offices
Adults Children Families
£9.00£4.50£24.00

Additional Information

Traditional wooden launch

Traditional wooden launch

Take a circular cruise on Windermere on one of our traditional wooden launches

Photo Gallery and Video

Book Your Cruise

Select a date to view prices and sailing times.

  • Save online by booking in advance.
  • Child prices are valid for children aged 5 - 15 years. Children under 5 travel free.
  • Family tickets are valid for 2 adults and 3 children.

Timetable

  • This cruise starts from Ambleside Pier (Waterhead) or Brockhole Pier.
  • You may board at Wray Castle and pay for your ticket upon arrival at Brockhole Pier.
  • Departure times from Wray Castle are 15 minutes after the vessel leaves Ambleside.

Todays sailings from Ambleside

Depart AmblesideArrive BrockholeVessel type
09:5010:20Traditional Launch
10:5511:25Traditional Launch
12:1012:40Traditional Launch
13:3014:00Traditional Launch
14:4015:10Traditional Launch
15:5516:25Traditional Launch
17:1517:45Traditional Launch

Todays sailings from Brockhole

Depart BrockholeArrive AmblesideVessel type
10:2010:40Traditional Launch
11:2511:45Traditional Launch
12:4013:00Traditional Launch
14:0014:20Traditional Launch
15:1015:30Traditional Launch
16:2516:45Traditional Launch
17:4518:05Traditional Launch

Additional Information

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

Download Timetable (PDF)

Green Cruise Timetable (Summer 2019)

File Size: 1.285 MB

Service Status

green

All services on all routes are operating as normal today

Changes to Red Cruise

  • Thursday 6 June: Brockhole is closed and boats on this service will not call in. (i.e. Bowness > Windermere Jetty > Ambleside > Bowness)
  • Friday 7 June: Red Cruise running as normal but likely to be very busy with swimmers and spectators.
  • Saturday 8 June: Red Cruise running as normal but likely to be very busy with swimmers and spectators.
  • Sunday 9 June: Red Cruise running as normal but likely to be very busy with swimmers and spectators.
  • Monday 10 June: Brockhole is closed and boats on this service will not call in. (i.e. Bowness > Windermere Jetty > Ambleside > Bowness)

Changes to Green Cruise

  • Thursday 6 June: Brockhole is closed and boats on this service will not call in. (i.e. Ambleside > Wray Castle > Ambleside only)
  • Friday 7 June: Green Cruise running as normal but likely to be very busy with swimmers and spectators.
  • Saturday 8 June: Green Cruise running as normal but likely to be very busy with swimmers and spectators.
  • Sunday 9 June: Green Cruise running as normal but likely to be very busy with swimmers and spectators.
  • Monday 10 June: Brockhole is closed and boats on this service will not call in. (i.e. Ambleside > Wray Castle > Ambleside only)

🏊 More information for swimmers/spectators

🚢 More information for people wanting to avoid the crowds

Route Map

Load Map

Access & Facilities

Disabled Access

This cruise uses one of our traditional wooden launches and will have limited access for wheelchair users. Wheelchair users are strongly advised to call us to confirm which vessel is operating on which service as not all of our vessels are suitable for wheelchair users, particularly in poor weather conditions. On board toilet facilities on all vessels can only be reached by means of the stairs, however there are adapted toilets at Lakeside, Bowness and Ambleside Piers.

Our most wheelchair-friendly vessels are ‘steamers’ (marked in black on some cruise 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 - our red cruise and yellow cruise.

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.

Dogs

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

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.

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 ®

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

Upgrade
Freedom Of The Lake ®