Explore Windermere
Choose your boat:
Choose your boat:
Bowness Beach Hire Point
Ambleside (Waterhead)£50 deposit is taken when booking, that gets refunded when you bring the boat safely back on time: 5-7 day bank process time
Explore Windermere at your own pace with the hire of your own motor boat.
Our quiet, electric self-drive boats are an excellent way for you and your family to explore Windermere in comfort.
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.
Please arrive within plenty of time for your booking. Boats are non-refundable or transferable.
Easy-to-drive boats available from Bowness Beach - right next to the village centre as well as Waterhead Dock.
Self-drives are great for families
Fun adventures for everyone
Enjoy stunning scenery with friends
A self-drive boat at Waterhead
Easy-to-drive boats available from Bowness Beach - right next to the village centre as well as Waterhead Dock.
As a family of four we had a fantastic time on the boat. Easy to use and lots of friendly and helpful people showing you everything plus the weather was brilliant so couldn’t have gone any better. Would highly recommend this and cannot wait to come back now thank you very much. ~Liam. Google Reviews.
Great trip on the lake in the boat. Very careful about safety instructions and spotlessly clean and well looked after boat. Highly recommended! ~Fi M. Google Reviews.
Highlight of our visit was taking a boat out around the lake. The staff were super friendly, informative, helpful and they were great with our dog who was even allowed on board! Beautiful way to see the lake and thankfully we were blessed with the weather. Would 100% recommend. Laura McNamara. Google Reviews
Fantastic time hiring a boat for an hour. Third year in a row we have done it and it's always excellent. Book online as it does get fully booked. Easy, swift service once we arrive and great staff. Highly recommend! ~Morgan Ditchburn. Google Reviews.
As a family of four we had a fantastic time on the boat. Easy to use and lots of friendly and helpful people showing you everything plus the weather was brilliant so couldn’t have gone any better. Would highly recommend this and cannot wait to come back now thank you very much. ~Liam. Google Reviews.
Great trip on the lake in the boat. Very careful about safety instructions and spotlessly clean and well looked after boat. Highly recommended! ~Fi M. Google Reviews.
Highlight of our visit was taking a boat out around the lake. The staff were super friendly, informative, helpful and they were great with our dog who was even allowed on board! Beautiful way to see the lake and thankfully we were blessed with the weather. Would 100% recommend. Laura McNamara. Google Reviews
Fantastic time hiring a boat for an hour. Third year in a row we have done it and it's always excellent. Book online as it does get fully booked. Easy, swift service once we arrive and great staff. Highly recommend! ~Morgan Ditchburn. Google Reviews.
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.
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.
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Boats can be hired for 1 or 2 hour slots
| From | 1 hour | 2 hours | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| {* row.time *} | Unavailable | |||
Select time & duration
Boats can be hired for 1 or 2 hour slots
| From | 1 hour | 2 hours | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| {* row.time *} | Unavailable | |||
Download our full price list for 1-6 passengers
Self-drive price list