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Green Cruise

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

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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.


Ambleside (Waterhead) → Wray Castle → Brockhole → Ambleside (Waterhead) | See route map below

  • Board one of our traditional launches from Ambleside (Waterhead) 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.
  • You can also start your journey at Brockhole (ticket office) or Wray (pay when you arrive at Ambleside).

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 4th April 2020 until Sunday 1st November 2020)

  • Prices below are return fares
Adults Children Families
£9.50£4.75£25.50

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

Additional Information

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

Download Timetable (PDF)

Handy 1 page Green Cruise Timetable

File Size: 507.568 kB

Green Cruise / Walkers Ticket Leaflet - Summer 2020

File Size: 1.244 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

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 ®