Windermere Lake Cruises
Windermere Lake Cruises
4.5
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Full view
About
Windermere Lake Cruises is a leading tourist attraction in the heart of the Lake District on England's largest lake. Steamers and Launches sail daily throughout the year with Summer season connections for The Lakeland Motor Museum, Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway,Lake Aquarium, the Lake District Visitor Centre at Brockhole, Fell Foot Country park, Wray Castle and Ferry House (with connecting sevices for Hilltop and Hawkshead). Combined tickets are available. Windermere Lake Cruises offer more than a ferry service. We hold private charters, lunch cruises, buffet cruises, corporate hospitality, public sailings and group travel. The perfect all-weather attraction.
Bowness-on-Windermere, Cumbria, England
Awards
Travellers' Choice
2023
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4.5
4,477 reviews
Excellent
2,971
Very good
1,179
Average
202
Poor
63
Terrible
62
Samira M
1 contribution
Nov 2023 • Family
Fantastic boat hire experience and service. Felt extremely safe and everything was explained very well by Ahmed and Craig. Will definitely be coming again in the summer with the children.
Written 10 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Inspire730341
1 contribution
Oct 2023 • Couples
A brilliant way to get away from the crowds, the lake provides peace and tranquility, the company very professional and the boat a perfect way to explore the lake at your leisure.
Written 31 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SharonJT67
Durham, UK5,207 contributions
Oct 2023 • Friends
Since I last did the Ambleside (red) cruise in March, the prices have risen again & without concessions I think it’s a bit overpriced now, whilst enjoyable, I won’t be rushing back. Whilst I don’t own a dog, I am not a dog hater as the majority of people are decent & respect other travellers keeping dogs under the tables, they should not be allowed on the seats, despise ignorant people!
Written 30 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SUSAN T
5 contributions
Oct 2023 • Family
Saw it, booked online same day and went sailing. Loved it and had a great laugh. Staff were polite, helpful and informative. Ahmed has a great sense of humour and was very helpful. Great all round service.
Written 28 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Judith B
2 contributions
Oct 2023 • Friends
Really nice, staff lovely. Couldn’t really hear the tannoy sound system from anywhere on the ships. But a really nice stress free way to sightsee the lake. Took the freedom of the lake pass and we really felt like we had got a good deal. Even had a beer on board. Super.
Written 27 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Simon Lewis
Lincoln, UK11 contributions
Oct 2023 • Family
We love the Lakes! and have been a number of times on a lake cruise travelling on “Swan”
This time we boarded in Bowness on Windermere and sailed to Ambleside
As always the crew were very friendly and the views are spectacular!! Well worth a trip if you haven’t done it before.
It’s a lovely way for a day out, as you can plan how long you want to stay in Ambleside (it’s about a mile walk from the dock to Ambleside or you can easily jump on a bus!
Ambleside is lovely with nice shops, pubs and eateries so we spent a few hours there before heading back in time to get on the next boat to Bowness
A Great Day Out!!
This time we boarded in Bowness on Windermere and sailed to Ambleside
As always the crew were very friendly and the views are spectacular!! Well worth a trip if you haven’t done it before.
It’s a lovely way for a day out, as you can plan how long you want to stay in Ambleside (it’s about a mile walk from the dock to Ambleside or you can easily jump on a bus!
Ambleside is lovely with nice shops, pubs and eateries so we spent a few hours there before heading back in time to get on the next boat to Bowness
A Great Day Out!!
Written 26 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kim g
Brighton2 contributions
Oct 2023 • Family
Friendly staff. Good boats for a family . Easy to use and lots of fun . Good value for money for two hours
Written 25 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Neil H
1 contribution
Oct 2023 • Family
We hired a self drive electric boat, good safety imformation, and the boat was really easy to use and drive, my 5 year old son loved doing 360° spins on the lake.
Would use them again in the future.
Would use them again in the future.
Written 24 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David P
1 contribution
Oct 2023 • Solo
Just taken a mini cruise from Fell Foot with John as skipper on the boat.
Wonderful character, great guide, full of humour and knowledge and an incredibly relaxing trip around the bottom half of Windermere. Thank you.
Wonderful character, great guide, full of humour and knowledge and an incredibly relaxing trip around the bottom half of Windermere. Thank you.
Written 21 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paul G
Burton upon Trent, UK108 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
We took a trip on the MV Swift, it was superb, very well organised and polite, friendly staff. The trip to Ambleside and return took approximately 80 minutes.
Written 19 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
gem8104
Birmingham, UK29 contributions
Can you hop on and off at different points around Lake Windermere?
gem8104
Birmingham, UK29 contributions
How do you book tickets in advance? Can this be done online?
Amanda F
California
Do you need to book days in advance or just the day of is fine?
Outandabout
Keswick, UK50 contributions
Turn up on the day is ok. But remember it's busy at weekend and bank holidays
Amy K
Beverley, England, United Kingdom1 contribution
Can I take a pram on the steamer?
Hello, Yes you can
munsuel
Bingley, UK6 contributions
Is it necessary to book before going on steamer from Lakeside
Veronica F
Morpeth, UK107 contributions
Yes, it needs to be done on-line beforehand. We found it really straight forward & thoroughly enjoyed our trip.
ceewash
Bury, UK11 contributions
Hi Thinking of doing the islands cruise with 2 elderly people. Are there a lot of steps involved ? Is inside or outside easier to get to? Thanks x
Claire W
Darlington, UK336 contributions
Hi. Not sure if the size of the boat for the island cruise but the other boats didn’t have too many steps if you’re downstairs. If you use the chat function on their website they respond straightaway and are really helpful
celticbill
West Lothian, UK248 contributions
Hi is there parking available nearby, thank you.
Scoobz10
Manchester, UK3 contributions
Lots of parking available.
nic2990cambsuk
melton mowbray42 contributions
Hi, I'm looking at booking the steam train and boat from Hatherwaite to Bowness. When you get to Bowness, is it walkable distance to the centre and the attractions such as Beatrix Potter? Thanks
Lorna A
16 contributions
Agree with the above. We enjoyed Keswick Centre better for shops and eateries as its pedestrianised and a bit quieter. Not been to Beatrix Potter for many years but have many find memories of it. Definitely book every attraction online and also restaurants. Tip - before you come into Dock on the ferry use the loos as there are not many public loos available in dry land!
Hi, why weren't we given a ticket or receipt when we paid to go on the exciting land train trip? While we were sat in the car park waiting for the roundtrip to resume my children noticed that people paying there were given tickets .
Hello - there was two days last week where the Road Train ticket machine was not working properly -this meant that no tickets were printed from the train and only from Braithwaite Fold carpark, Our IT dept did try to resolve the problems as quickly as possible and we're pleased to say everything is working properly again! However you should have received a handwritten receipt- we'll check with our Road Train staff to ensure they follow correct procedure
Jodie
2 contributions
Hi can i take my dog on the cruise?
Hello - yes dogs are welcome aboard and they travel free