Explore Windermere
Choose your boat:
Choose your boat:
Scenic walk and boat trips.
Leave the car behind and enjoy a beautiful autumnal walk around Windermere. The Autumn Walker's Ticket combines 2 boat cruises with a stunning 4 mile walk along the quiet western shore. To complete the circuit you'll catch the council-run Windermere Car Ferry and then follow the lake-shore trail through National Trust's Cockshott Point.
Enjoy stunning views of the lake and the vibrant, seasonal colors of the trees from the lake-shore path.
Please allow over 4 hours to enjoy this day out and bring suitable outdoor clothing and footwear.
Leave the car behind and enjoy a beautiful autumnal walk around Windermere. The Autumn Walker's Ticket combines 2 boat cruises with a stunning 4 mile walk along the quiet western shore. To complete the circuit you'll catch the council-run Windermere Car Ferry and then follow the lake-shore trail through National Trust's Cockshott Point.
Enjoy stunning views of the lake and the vibrant, seasonal colors of the trees from the lake-shore path.
Please allow over 4 hours to enjoy this day out and bring suitable outdoor clothing and footwear.
(plus £1.15 per person on the Car Ferry)
| Ticket Type | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult | £17.25 |
| Child | £9.95 |
| Family (2 adults + up to 3 children) | £47.25 |
Sorry, this ticket cannot be bought online, just come to any ticket office on the day to purchase your tickets.
Windermere Car Ferry will cost £1.15 per person - this is not included in the springtime walker's ticket. Find out more on their website.
Ambleside → Wray Castle → Walk to Ferry House (4 miles/6.4km) → Car Ferry to Ferry Nab → Walk to Bowness Pier (1 mile/1.6km) → Bowness → Ambleside
Bowness → Ambleside → Wray Castle → Walk to Ferry House (4 miles/6.4km) → Car Ferry to Ferry Nab → Walk to Bowness Pier (1 mile/1.6km)
Alternatively, you can start at Bowness, sail north to Ambleside and catch the traditional wooden launch to Wray Jetty and then follow the lake shore south to Ferry House. Catch the Car ferry back to Bowness for your third boat trip of the day.
Start at Brockhole or Windermere Jetty (Museum)
You can also start your circuit at Windermere Jetty (Museum) or Brockhole, but please note that there is limited car parking at these venues/piers.
You can choose to start your circular route from Bowness, Ambleside, Brockhole or Windermere Jetty Museum (click to jump to that section).
Suggested timings are listed below:
Join your 1st boat of the day, Red Cruise to Ambleside, then change at Ambleside for Green Cruise to Wray Castle:
| Depart Bowness (Red Cruise) | Arrive Ambleside | Depart Ambleside (Green Cruise) | Walk Begins from Wray to Ferry House (walk takes 2hrs+) | Depart Ferry House (Car Ferry every 20 mins) | Arrive in Bowness (25 min walk from Ferry) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 09:50 | 10:25 | 11:00 | 11:20 | 14:15–14:35 | 14:45 |
| 10:15 | 10:50 | 11:00 | 11:20 | 14:15–14:35 | 14:45 |
| 10:40 | 11:20 | 12:15 | 12:35 | 15:15-15:35 | 16:00 |
| 11:10 | 11:40 | 12:15 | 12:35 | 15:15-15:35 | 16:00 |
Please note: this is a 4.5-mile walk to the Car Ferry along a scenic lakeshore forest path. Download map
Join your 1st boat of the day to Ambleside, then change at Ambleside for Green Cruise to Wray Castle, walk and then 2 boats back to Brockhole:
| Start at Brockhole | Arrive Ambleside | Depart Ambleside (Green Cruise) | Walk Begins from Wray to Ferry House (walk takes 2hrs+) | Depart Ferry House (Car Ferry) | Arrive Bowness | Depart Bowness (Red Cruise) | Arrive Brockhole |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10:10 (Red Cruise) | 10:25 | 11:00 | 11:20 | 13:30 (arrive 14:00) | 14:00 | 14:50 | 15:15 |
| 10:20 (Green Cruise) | 10:40 | 11:00 | 11:20 | 13:30 (arrive 14:00) | 14:00 | 14:50 | 15:15 |
| 11:05 (Red Cruise) | 11:20 | 12:15 | 12:35 | 15:00 (arrive 15:30) | 15:30 | 16:00 | 16:15 |
| 11:30 (Green Cruise) | 11:50 | 12:15 | 12:35 | 15:00 (arrive 15:30) | 15:30 | 16:00 | 16:15 |
| 11:55 (Red Cruise) | 12:10 | 12:15 | 12:35 | 15:00 (arrive 15:30) | 15:30 | 16:00 | 16:15 |
Join your 1st boat of the day to Wray Castle, enjoy your walk to Ferry House and then head back to Bowness for your boat back to Ambleside:
| Depart Ambleside (Green Cruise) | Arrive Wray | Walk Begins from Wray to Ferry House (walk takes 2hrs+) | Depart Ferry House (Car Ferry) | Arrive Bowness | Depart Bowness (Red Cruise) | Arrive Ambleside |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 09:50 | 10:05 | 10:10 | 12:40 | 13:10 | 13:30 | 14:00 |
| 11:00 | 11:15 | 11:20 | 14:15 | 14:45 | 14:50 | 15:30 |
| 12:15 | 12:30 | 12:35 | 15:05 | 15:35 | 15:35 | 16:05 |
| 13:45 | 14:00 | 14:05 | 16:40 | 17:10 | 17:10 | 17:45 |
Join your 1st boat of the day to Ambleside, then change at Ambleside for Green Cruise to Wray Castle, walk to Ferry House and catch the boat back to Bowness and change for boat to Windermere Jetty Museum:
| Depart Windermere Jetty (Red Cruise) | Arrive Ambleside | Depart Ambleside (Green Cruise) | Walk Begins from Wray to Ferry House (walk takes 2hrs+) | Depart Ferry House (Car Ferry) | Arrive Bowness | Depart Bowness (Red Cruise) | Arrive Windermere Jetty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10:50 | 11:20 | 12:15 | 12:35 | 15:15 | 15:35 | 16:00 | 16:10 |
Explore our full gallery for more stunning images.
Wray jetty
Wray Castle is a 10 mins diversion from the route
Cross Lakes Shuttle connects Ash Landing to Bowness
Walkers coming to Ash Landing pier
Explore our full gallery for more stunning images.
From a full day of adventure on Windermere to exploring exciting events on and off the water, see how you can make the most of your Lake District adventure.
14 November 2025
Local people enjoying their retirement in The Lake District can get some amazing discounts at Windermere Lake Cruises and other local attractions.
21 November 2025
Local people enjoying their retirement in The Lake District can get some amazing discounts at Windermere Lake Cruises and other local attractions.
28 November 2025
Local people enjoying their retirement in The Lake District can get some amazing discounts at Windermere Lake Cruises and other local attractions.
5 December 2025
Local people enjoying their retirement in The Lake District can get some amazing discounts at Windermere Lake Cruises and other local attractions.
12 December 2025
Local people enjoying their retirement in The Lake District can get some amazing discounts at Windermere Lake Cruises and other local attractions.
13 December 2025
Enjoy a festive morning filled with fun, games, and a hearty breakfast with Santa himself.
19 December 2025
Local people enjoying their retirement in The Lake District can get some amazing discounts at Windermere Lake Cruises and other local attractions.
24 December 2025
Santa’s band of elves will be there to welcome you and your child into their workshop where you’ll be whisked away on a magical, festive journey.
26 December 2025
Local people enjoying their retirement in The Lake District can get some amazing discounts at Windermere Lake Cruises and other local attractions.
2 January 2026
Local people enjoying their retirement in The Lake District can get some amazing discounts at Windermere Lake Cruises and other local attractions.
9 January 2026
Local people enjoying their retirement in The Lake District can get some amazing discounts at Windermere Lake Cruises and other local attractions.
16 January 2026
Local people enjoying their retirement in The Lake District can get some amazing discounts at Windermere Lake Cruises and other local attractions.
23 January 2026
Local people enjoying their retirement in The Lake District can get some amazing discounts at Windermere Lake Cruises and other local attractions.
30 January 2026
Local people enjoying their retirement in The Lake District can get some amazing discounts at Windermere Lake Cruises and other local attractions.
6 February 2026
Local people enjoying their retirement in The Lake District can get some amazing discounts at Windermere Lake Cruises and other local attractions.
13 February 2026
Local people enjoying their retirement in The Lake District can get some amazing discounts at Windermere Lake Cruises and other local attractions.
20 February 2026
Local people enjoying their retirement in The Lake District can get some amazing discounts at Windermere Lake Cruises and other local attractions.
27 February 2026
Local people enjoying their retirement in The Lake District can get some amazing discounts at Windermere Lake Cruises and other local attractions.
6 March 2026
Local people enjoying their retirement in The Lake District can get some amazing discounts at Windermere Lake Cruises and other local attractions.
13 March 2026
Local people enjoying their retirement in The Lake District can get some amazing discounts at Windermere Lake Cruises and other local attractions.
20 March 2026
Local people enjoying their retirement in The Lake District can get some amazing discounts at Windermere Lake Cruises and other local attractions.
27 March 2026
Local people enjoying their retirement in The Lake District can get some amazing discounts at Windermere Lake Cruises and other local attractions.
Make the most of your time on Windermere by upgrading your cruise. Combine your trip with a visit to a local attraction, or enjoy unlimited travel all day with Freedom of the Lake.
