Ambleside boat trips and water sports

You can’t visit the Lake District without taking to the water at some point. And, one of the best ways to see the spectacular scenery that surrounds Windermere, the largest lake in England, is from a boat!

There are plenty of options to hop on board if you’re staying in Ambleside

From a cruise company offering a choice of routes and stop-offs up and down the length of the lake, to rowing boats, kayaks and self-drive motorboats you can hire if you want to explore under your own steam. Here’s how you can get yourself off dry land.

Windermere Lake Cruises

About 15 minutes’ walk from the centre of Ambleside, down by the lake shore you can find Waterhead – the pier where Windermere Lake Cruises operate from.

They offer a range of cruises (you can also set sail from Bowness and Lakeside) and if you buy a Freedom of the Lake ticket, you can get unlimited travel on their Blue, Red, Yellow and Green cruises for 24 hours. The Red and Green cruises launch from Waterhead, and well-behaved dogs are welcome on board too.

Windermere Lake Cruises

015394 43360

Ambleside Pier
Waterhead
LA22 0EY
View map

There are 5 car parks close by to Ambleside pier.

Red Cruise

Setting sail on a ‘steamer’ or a modern launch, the Red Cruise covers about half the lake between Ambleside and Bowness, and you can choose to stay on board and take the 70-minute circular route to relax and enjoy the gorgeous views or hop off at Bowness to see the sights and catch a later boat back to Ambleside.

The modern launches also stop off at Brockhole (where you can easily spend all day getting stuck into all the activities before heading back to Waterhead) and the Windermere Jetty Museum.

Green Cruise

On the Green circular cruise, which is ideal for families looking for a day of adventure, you’ll climb aboard a traditional wooden launch at Waterhead and sail around the northern end of Windermere (it takes about 50 minutes).

Or, you can get off and enjoy the quirky gothic delights of Wray Castle and go for a woodland walk (don’t forget to check out Joey’s Café while you’re there) or jump off at Brockhole to make a more energetic, activity-filled day of it before catching a boat back to the pier in Ambleside.

Ambleside boat hire

If you’d prefer to be a bit more adventurous and take to the water independently to explore the lake at your own pace, then you can hire an electric motorboat or a traditional wooden rowing boat.

You can find the hire point just down the road from the main pier at Waterhead.

Motorboats

Really easy to drive, you don’t need any previous experience to skipper your own motorboat as you’ll be told everything you need to know get boating and stay safe while you’re out on the water before you start – there will also be buoyancy aids for everyone on board, just in case.

You can hire boats for either one or two hours and up to six people (and a dog) can set sail.

Rowing Boats

If you want to take things slow and be a bit Swallows and Amazons about your day, then a traditional wooden rowing boat is the way to go.

The boats hold up to four people and you can even take your dog on board.

You’ll be told everything you need to know before you pick up your oars and there are buoyancy aids on board if you come a cropper. Don’t worry, the safety boat is never too far away if you do need to be rescued.

Low Wood Bay Water Sports Centre

Just outside Ambleside you’ll find the Low Wood Bay Watersports Centre, which offers a huge range of ways to get out on the water for seasoned sailors and nautical novices alike. And you can park for free there while you’re afloat, which is a bit of a bonus.

If you’re already an experienced sailor and hold the necessary qualifications, you can hire a sailboat or sailing dinghy from their fleet. And if you’re not a sailor but want to learn – you can do that there too if you have the time during your visit to the Lake District.

But what’s probably more likely is that you’ll want to hire a self-drive motorboat, canoe, kayak, or pedalo and just enjoy the scenery for an hour or two.

Low Wood Bay Water Sports website >

01539439441

Low Wood Bay Water Sorts Centre
LA23 1LP

View on map >

Self-Drive Motorboats

You can hire a motorboat for 2,4 or even 8 hours if you want to make a whole day of it. The boats are easy to drive, hold up to six people (and a well-behaved pooch) and you’ll get full instructions and safety info before you set off.

Canoes and Kayaks

You can hire easy-to paddle, single or double sit-on-top kayaks, or open canoes for up to 3 people – you’ll need to work together to make sure you don’t go round in circles! 2 and 4 hour hires available.

Pedalos

Let your feet do the work when you rent a pedalo – it’s a fun way to explore the lake for up to 4 people. 2 and 4 hour hires available.

Stand-Up Paddleboarding

While we can’t promise Hawaiian-style weather, you can bring a touch of Waikiki to Windermere by having a go at stand-up paddleboarding. It’s great fun, easy to learn, and a wetsuit is provided, because chances are, you will get wet if it’s your first time. 2 and 4 hour hires available.