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Discover the beauty of Lake Windermere at your own pace

Discover the beauty of Lake Windermere at your own pace

Self Drives & Rowing Boats

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

Hire a boat from Bowness and Ambleside piers for 1 or 2 hour sessions

  • No boating experience is necessary as we provide full safety instructions, a sailing guide to the lake and life jackets 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 (2 hour hire may not be available during busy times)
  • There's no need to book, but some luxury cabin boats can be pre-booked.
A luxury Cabin boat heading out to explore Windermere

Luxury Motor Boats

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

  • Maximum 6 people
  • Comfy padded seating
  • Roll back roof for all weathers
  • Quiet electric engine and easy to drive
  • Accompanied children under 16 go FREE
 One HourPer Extra AdultUnder 16s
Luxury Motor Boat (1 or 2 adults)£34£6FREE


For more hire options and prices, please see our fact sheet.

Luxury Cabin Boat

Luxury Cabin Boat

With a quiet , electric motor these easy-to-drive boats are a great way to explore the north of Windermere. View the interior in our 360° VR Tour

Traditional Cabin Boat

Our traditional cabin boats are available from Bowness Pier only and are great for exploring the many islands and pretty lake shore around Bowness-on-Windermere

  • Maximum 6 people
  • Sliding roof
  • Electric engine
  • Accompanied children under 16 go FREE
 One HourPer Extra AdultUnder 16s
Traditional Cabin Boat (1 or 2 adults)£30£6FREE

For more hire options and prices, please see our fact sheet.

Traditional Cabin Boat from Bowness Pier

Traditional Cabin Boat from Bowness Pier

With a sliding cabin roof and steering wheel (no rudder), a trip in a Cabin Boat on Windermere makes a great day-trip experience.

Traditional Rowing Boats

Rowing boats are available from the wooden huts to the right of Bowness promenade and from Ambleside (Waterhead) Pier. We are open in the summer every day from 9am.

  • Maximum 6 people
  • Classic Windermere design
  • No available to book - just turn up on the day.
 One HourPer Extra AdultUnder 16s
Rowing Boat (1 or 2 adults)£16£4FREE

For more hire options and prices, please see our fact sheet.

Rowing Boat

Rowing Boat

Our wooden rowing boats can make a great romantic trip out on Lake Windermere. Enjoy a slower pace and take in the stunning views.

Book in Advance (NEW)

Book a hire slot in advance

There's no need to book, but a few of our luxury motor boats can now be pre-booked from Bowness Pier. To book in advance, simply call us on 015394 43360 or chat with us (click LIVE CHAT below) and leave a few details.

  • 2-hour bookings can be made for certain time slots from 9 am to 2 pm
  • 1-hour bookings can be booked for certain times slots from 9 am to 4 pm
Book in Advance

Book in Advance

Luxury Self-Drive Boats can now be booked in advance for certain slots from Bowness.