With the warmer summer months settling in, there’s no better time to plan a trip to Lake Windermere in Cumbria. Offering sparkling lake waters, spectacular countryside, and charming lakeside villages, Windermere has so much to offer.
One of the best ways to enjoy Lake Windermere is by cruise, where you can step aboard a boat, sit back, relax and take it all in. In this blog, we delve into what to expect from a Lake Windermere cruise.
Windermere Lake Cruise operates a fleet of four traditional launches, each serving short runs. These lovely, small wooden boats can carry between 57 and 84 passengers each, making the cruise a more intimate experience. Some visitors prefer a traditional launch as they can feel a lot less commercial, but both boat types have their pros.
If you’d prefer to board a larger boat, Windermere Lake Cruises has nine modern launches, each ranging in size. With a larger capacity, carrying up to 173 passengers at a time, these boats cruise the entire lake and offer a wide range of on-board facilities.
Depending on the type of cruise you book, duration times will vary. There are many options for cruises, from short cruises spanning 40 minutes to longer, 2.5-hour cruises including a variety of sights.
We’ve listed some of the most popular cruises in Lake Windermere and how long they take:
Yellow Cruise - from Bowness to Lakeside, 90 minutes in total for a round-trip or 40 minutes one way.
Red Cruise - from Bowness to the Jetty Museum to Brockhole to Ambleside and returning to Bowness, 75 minutes in total.
Green Cruise - from Ambleside to Wray to Brockhole to Ambleside, taking 50 minutes in total.
Blue Cruise (Islands) - 45 minute circular departing from Bowness.
Evening Cruise - a sunset route that departs from Bowness, taking 75 minutes in total.
Buffer Cruise - an evening cruise with dinner, taking 2.5 hours in total.
Freedom of the Lake - unlimited travel option for 24 hours.
Lakeside to Fell Foot Ferry return - 10 minutes each way, with the option for a 30-minute mini-cruise.
Bowness to Ash Landing shuttle return - 20 minutes each way.
Walker's ticket - a boat cruise and lakeside walk totalling 4 hours.
If you’re planning on a cruise on Lake Windermere, there are a few essentials you’ll want to pack for a more enjoyable experience.
Here’s what to bring with you:
● Your travel tickets or cruise confirmation email for access to the boat.
● Money or a bank card for any on-board snacks and refreshments you wish to purchase. There are also many nearby attractions!
● A waterproof jacket, as the Lake District can be prone to showers, even in the summer months.
● A jumper or cardigan, as it can get quite chilly on cruises, especially if you’re seated on the deck outside.
● Suncream, as you will need to apply it, especially when temperatures are high. You’ll be surprised at how powerful the sun can be when travelling on water!
● A camera or phone, so that you can take photos of your cruise.
● A water bottle and snacks can be handy, especially for longer cruises.
Most of the Lake Windermere cruises are dog-friendly, so you can bring your furry companion on board to enjoy the views too. If you’re travelling with little ones, don’t forget to bring the essentials and entertainment for the trip.
A cruise is a perfect way to soak up the iconic scenery of the Lake District while enjoying a peaceful and relaxing ride. The area is rich in wildlife, with a wide variety of bird species, as well as historic landmarks and points of interest along the way. If you want to fully immerse yourself in the beauty of the landscape, we highly recommend bringing a pair of binoculars; you’ll most likely be surprised by just how much there is to see.
Some of the most beautiful sights in the Lake District include fells like Wansfell Pike, Loughrigg Fell, and the Langdale Pikes. The lake’s shoreline includes famous landmarks such as Wray Castle, which dates back to the 19th century, and, of course, the much-loved Jetty Museum.
In terms of wildlife, expect to see lots of it! Birds such as herons and geese live on the waters, and further afield in the greenery, you might even spot a red squirrel or roe deer. Some visitors to the Lake District have even been lucky enough to spot wild otters.
Now that you know what to expect from a Lake Windermere cruise, why not turn your day out into a truly unforgettable getaway? Stay at The Ro Hotel in Bowness and unwind in style with a wellness pass to our Hydro Wellness Club. Sink into the soothing jacuzzi, indulge in a calming spa treatment, and let the Lake District work its magic, on and off the water.