Bowness & Windermere Boat Trips & Hire
You can’t visit Windermere without taking to the water – it’s one the best ways to see all that spectacular scenery that surrounds the lake, after all.
There are plenty of options to hop on board
From cruise companies offering a range 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 travel under your own steam.
Below is a list of the main players.
Windermere Lake Cruises
Offering cruises from 45 minutes to three hours on England’s largest lake, Windermere Lake Cruises set sail from Bowness, Ambleside or Lakeside – or 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.
From steamers (that hold over 500 passengers) to modern and traditional wooden launches, as well as self-drive motorboats for hire, their fleet has something for everyone. Dogs are welcome to exercise their sea legs on board too.
Windermere Ferry
Operated by the local council, the Windermere Ferry carries cars, bikes and foot passengers across Windermere from Ferry Nab in Bowness on the east side of the lake to Far Sawrey on the west side.
It only takes about 10 minutes to get across, but beware, the ferry doesn’t operate when the weather isn’t playing ball so always check before you set off.
Windermere boat hire
VIP Lake Tours
Want to feel like a VIP while you’re cruising on the water? Then, make VIP Lake Tours your first port of call. You can book a private skippered cruise on a luxury motorboat for up to three adults or two adults and two children and explore Windermere in style.
They run a range of cruises from one to four hours – including one that takes in some of the 18 islands that are dotted around the lake.
Brockhole Boat Hire
Whether you want to explore the beauty of the lake in a self-drive motorboat, or get energetic in a rowing boat, kayak, canoe or stand-up paddleboard, you can hire just what you need to get out on the water down at the lakeshore at Brockhole.
Lowood Bay Sports
If you’re already a seasoned sailor and hold the necessary qualifications, you can hire a sailboat or sailing dinghy from the fleet owned by the Low Wood Bay Watersports Centre.
And if you’re not a sailor but want to learn – you can do that there too. They also rent out stand-up paddleboards, canoes, kayaks, pedalos and self-drive motorboats (for up to six people).
Cottages in Windermere & Bowness
Get away from it all in one of our cosy Windermere cottages.
Experience the natural beauty of The Lake District with high-quality accommodation and unique amenities for couples, groups, and families!
Book today
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