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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.


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 (online /telephone bookings only).

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

Green cruise map

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 archery 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 castle 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 27th March 2021 until Sunday 31st October 2021)

  • Prices below are return fares
  • Book your tickets by selecting a date in the 'Book Your Cruise' box below.
Adults Children Families
£10.00£5.00£27.00

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.

  • 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), Wray or Brockhole Pier.
  • The boat arrives at Wray 15 minutes after departing Ambleside.
  • Your ticket is valid for a full return from whichever pier you start from: Ambleside → Wray → Brockhole → Ambleside → etc.
  • Starting from Wray? We don't have a ticket office at Wray, tickets must be bought online or via the booking office 015394 43360.
  • Download a full timetable in PDF format

Today's sailings from Ambleside

Depart AmblesideArrive BrockholeVessel type
09:4510:15Launch
11:0011:30Launch
12:1512:30Launch
13:3013:45Launch
14:4515:00Launch
16:0016:15Launch
17:1517:30Launch

Today's sailings from Brockhole

Depart BrockholeArrive AmblesideVessel type
10:1510:35Launch
11:3011:50Launch
12:4513:05Launch
14:0014:20Launch
15:1515:35Launch
16:3016:50Launch
17:4518:05Launch

Additional Information

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

Download Timetable (PDF)

Green Cruise Timetable (19 July - 31 October 2021)

File Size: 571.567 kB

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

File Size: 1.112 MB

Service Status

green

Service Status

🔴 RED CRUISE Bowness ↔ Ambleside Waterhead✔️ Services OK
🟡 YELLOW CRUISE
Bowness ↔ Lakeside

✔️ Services OK

🟤 YELLOW SERVICE & STEAM TRAIN
Haverthwaite ↔ Lakeside ↔ Bowness
✔️ 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
🟢 GREEN CRUISEAmbleside → Wray Castle → Brockhole → Ambleside
✔️ Services OK
🚶 WALKERS TICKETBowness → Brockhole → Wray Castle → Walk ↻
✔️ Services OK

⚪ CROSS LAKES SHUTTLE

Bowness ↔ Ferry House❌ Not in service (Covid-19)
⚫ FELL FOOT FERRYLakeside ↔ Fell Foot
❌ Not in service (Covid-19)


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 ®

Freedom Of The Lake ®

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

Upgrade Book Now