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Discover the beauty of Lake Windermere at your own pace, safely in your own space.

Discover the beauty of Lake Windermere at your own pace, safely in your own space.

Self Drive Motor Boat Hire

Explore Windermere at your own pace with the hire of your own motor boat

Warning Image

Book online to click & collect your boat from Bowness or Waterhead.
⚠️We've changed the way we work to keep customers & staff safe.

🚗 Please leave plenty of time to visit us/park as on sunny days we get quite busy
Top tips for beating the crowds this summer >

Hire a boat from Bowness Beach or Waterhead for 1 or 2 hour sessions

  • No boating experience is necessary as we provide full safety instructions, a sailing guide to the lake and buoyancy aids for everyone on board. If you get into trouble at any time, our safety boat will come to your rescue.
  • Our boats can be hired for 1 or 2 hours.
  • Contact-less hiring experience in line with social distancing guidelines. 🎞️ Watch the safety briefing before arrival.
  • £30 deposit is taken when booking, but refunded automatically when you bring the boat safely back on time.*

🛒 BOOK NOW | 📄 Download full price list for 1-6 passengers (PDF)

⚠ Please arrive within plenty of time for your booking. Boats are non-refundable or transferable.

A luxury motor boat heading out to explore Windermere

Luxury Motor Boats

Our range of quiet electric self-drive boats available at Bowness and Waterhead and are a great way for you and your family to explore Windermere in comfort.

  • Maximum 6 people (1 person must be over 18).
  • Comfy padded seating.
  • Rollback roof for all weathers.
  • Quiet electric engine and easy to drive.
  • Accompanied children under 16 go FREE.
CostPer extra adultUnder 16s
One hour hire (1 or 2 adults)£38£6FREE
Two hour hire (1 or 2 adults)£70£6FREE


📄 For more hire options and prices, please see our fact sheet. | 🛒 BOOK NOW

Luxury Motor Boat

Luxury Motor Boat

With a quiet, electric motor these easy-to-drive boats are a great way to explore the northern half of Lake Windermere.

📷 View our gallery of self-drive boats

📷 View the interior in our 360° VR tour

Please be aware that you will need to arrive 15 minutes before your booked slot for safety training and lifejacket fitting.

A £30 deposit will be taken when you book. This will be returned to you if the boat is returned on time and isn't damaged.

  • To ensure compliance with Government legislation please only complete your reservation if your party consists of no more than two households and you are adhering to the guidance in place at the time of sailing.
  • Bookings are limited to a maximum group size of six, a valid ticket must be purchased for every person traveling, including children of any age.
  • Child prices are valid for children aged 15 years and under.

Book Your Boat

Select a location and a date to view prices and sailing times.

Book Now

How to find us in Bowness or Waterhead

Bowness Beach or Bowness Dock? What's the difference?

About 400metres 😀 Bowness Beach - open every day | Bowness Dock - open 2-5 April

To keep everyone safe and to maintain social-distancing, we've introduced two hire points within the busy village of Bowness.

Both locations are a few minutes' walking distance from the main Bowness Pier (where the main cruises go from).


Waterhead - right next to Ambleside (Waterhead) cruises pier

Our Waterhead hire point is 2 minutes' walk from Ambleside (Waterhead) Pier where the main cruises go from.

ℹ Check your e-ticket after booking for clear instructions and a small map of how to find us.

Restrictions on hire
Please note 🚫 No alcohol allowed on board 🚫 6 persons maximum (including babies) 🚫 No smoking
⚠ Please arrive within plenty of time for your booking. Boats are non-refundable or transferable.

Choose from Bowness Beach, Bowness Dock or Waterhead hire points.

Choose from Bowness Beach, Bowness Dock or Waterhead hire points.

Book Now