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Red Cruise & Windermere Jetty Museum

Enjoy our most scenic half-lake cruise with a visit to this fascinating lakeshore museum.

Make the most of the sights, smells and sounds of life on the lake, at this stunning attraction on the edge of Bowness village.

Windermere Jetty Museum is a spectacular 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 scenic cruise around the northern half of Windermere with a visit to the museum for the perfect day out.

Boat arriving at Windermere Jetty Pier with logo superimposed on top

Your day:

Start your day at 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 back to your starting point on our regular Red Cruise service (from outside the museum)

Your ticket includes:

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Red Cruise

Bowness > Windermere Jetty Museum > Brockhole > Ambleside > Bowness

Our most scenic cruise with stunning views of the Lake District scenery.

Our smaller modern launches stop at Windermere Jetty Museum after leaving Bowness on the Red Cruise, it takes 10 minutes. They are marked in red on our timetables. This ticket allows to you to get off and explore each stop to create a full circuit of the route or simply visit the museum and then just come straight back.

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 Museum

Experience the sights, smells and sounds of lake-life in a stunning location.

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.

Standard Ticket Prices (valid from Saturday 5th April 2025 until Sunday 2nd November 2025)

  • Prices below are return fares
  • Book your tickets by selecting a date in the 'Book Your Cruise' box below.
Families Children Adults
£68.50£14.00£25.00

Additional Information

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
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.

View 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 up to 3 children.

Timetable

This e-ticket can be used to start from either Bowness, Windermere Jetty Museum, Ambleside (Waterhead) or Brockhole and is valid on all scheduled departure times on the day of travel.

Today's sailings from Bowness

Depart BownessArrive AmblesideVessel type
09:5010:25MV Swift
09:5010:25MV Swift
10:1510:45Steamer
10:2010:50Steamer
10:4011:20Launch
11:1011:40Steamer

Today's sailings from Ambleside

Depart AmblesideArrive BownessVessel type
09:5010:20Launch
10:3511:05MV Swift
11:0011:30Steamer
11:3012:00Launch
12:0012:30Steamer
12:2012:50MV Swift
13:1013:40Steamer
13:5014:20MV Swift
14:1514:45Steamer
14:5015:20Launch
15:1515:45Steamer
15:4016:10Launch
16:2016:50Steamer

Additional Information

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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 🕘 over 3 hours

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Annual Pass

Unlimited cruising for a whole year. | ⚓ Valid on any daytime cruise every day except Christmas Day 📆 364 days

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