27th July 2024 Media Release

Windermere Lake Cruises retains spot in VisitEngland’s Top Ten most popular paid for attractions

Windermere Lake Cruises has retained its spot in the Top Ten list of most popular paid for attractions in England.
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Latest figures show Windermere Lake Cruises has retained its spot in the Top Ten list of most popular paid for attractions in England.

Other attractions in the Top Ten include other world famous locations including the Tower of London, Windsor Castle and Stonehenge. The rankings are compiled by VisitEngland, the national tourism body.

The Tern at Ambleside

Managing Director of Windermere Lake Cruises, Nigel Wilkinson MBE, says: ““We are very proud to feature in this Top Ten list of truly world-class attractions. It’s not only testament to the enduring natural beauty of England’s longest lake but also to the amazing work carried out by our teams who go above and beyond to make the visitor experience so wonderful.”

The latest Annual Visitor Attractions Survey collated by VisitEngland also shows regional breakdowns of visits to paid for attractions.

Bowness Bay

In the North West region, Windermere Lake Cruises is ranked as the second most popular ‘paid-for’ attraction just below Chester Zoo.

Nigel Wilkinson says: “It’s very satisfying retaining our position in the Top Ten rankings when you consider the strength of the competition both nationally and regionally. It is proof that the natural beauty of Windermere continues to be a huge draw for visitors both nationally and internationally.”

Nationally, the survey shows that while visits to visitor attractions in England increased last year overall figures are still down on pre-pandemic levels.

VisitEngland Director Andrew Stokes says: “It’s good to see continued growth in visits to our wonderful attractions and this survey underlines what we know from the industry, that there remains ground to be covered to get our sector back to pre-pandemic levels and that the cost-of-living crisis continues to bite.

“With the summer holidays fast approaching I urge everyone to show your support, boost local economies through tourism and make magical memories in England’s high quality and varied attractions.”

Tourism is one of England’s largest, most valuable industries, supporting 200,000+ businesses, employing about 2.6 million people and, in 2023, generating £70.2 billion in domestic visitor spending.

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