Let’s start on Windermere. A member of the LDHA, Windermere Lake Cruises is, understandably, the most popular tourist attraction in the Lake District. This is England’s biggest lake, after all, and this company can take passengers for cruises around the lake, across the lake, for single or return journeys, and you can even take your bike on some of the boats.
The bigger steamers have on-board catering and disabled access, and there are smaller boats you can hire for a private adventure. The cruisers can be seen from many places along the lake-shore, and there are sailings to and from Waterhead, Bowness and Lakeside at the foot of the lake. You can go from place to place, or have a round trip, with a range of tickets to suit all needs.
There’s also the smaller “green” cruise between Waterhead, Wray Castle and Brockhole. If you want to hire a small motor boat for self-drive, advance booking is essential. You can go from Bowness or Waterhead, and no boating experience is necessary as the staff provide full safety instructions, a sailing guide to the lake and buoyancy aids for everyone on board. These boats can be hired for 1 or 2 hours. There are also small electric boats and rowing boats for hire.
https://www.windermere-lakecruises.co.uk/
Another LDHA member operates boats on lovely Ullswater. The Ullswater steamers provide the best way to see the lake itself, and the best view of the surrounding hills, including our third highest moutnain, Helvellyn (3117ft/950m). They have been operating for more than 150 years with one of the largest heritage vessel fleets in the world.
The steamers operate an all year service with varying timetable connections between Glenridding, Howtown and Pooley Bridge Piers and between Glenridding and the National Trust Aira Force Pier. Cruise times vary from 20 – 120 minutes.
Onboard there are open and covered deck seating areas, licensed bars and toilets. One-hour private cruises are also available if you pre-book to guarantee your chosen date and time of travel. In fact, it’s wise to book in advance for all the cruises.
https://www.ullswater-steamers.co.uk/
On Coniston you can sail on the historic steam yacht Gondola. It’s a re-built Victorian vessel that offers an experience that takes you back to a more leisurely era, riding in style in the opulent saloons or relaxing in the sun on the open deck.
Coniston is where Donald Campbell died attempting the world water speed record. You can see his reconstructed boat, Bluebird, nearby in the Ruskin Museum.
This is also the location for the stories of Arthur Ransome in the Swallows and Amazons series which are set on the lake itself. The island which the children in the story call Wild Cat is actually Peel Island and lies at the foot of the lake. From the boat you’ll have great view of the mountains including the Old Man of Coniston.
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/steam-yacht-gondola
Derwentwater is the base for the Keswick Launch Company which offers the best way to see the fabulous hills of the northern Lake District. Derwentwater, which is three miles long, can be cruised in a 50 minute round boat trip from Keswick. But you can also use the boats as a water-bus service, disembarking at one of the eight jetties en-route and walk back via well-marked paths to famous landmarks such as Ashness Bridge, Lodore Falls, Grange in Borrowdale, Brandelhow and Lingholm, the holiday home of Beatrix Potter.
The launches have open and covered decks and operate on a regular timetable throughout the year. Rowing boats and motor cruisers are also available for hire so you can explore the lake at your own pace.
https://keswick-launch.co.uk/
For the smallest, and quirkiest of all boating experiences, make a visit to the magical Faeryland at Grasmere. It’s a tiny bay on the north shore of the lake, a five-minute walk from the village centre, which has a handful of pretty rowing boats for hire. There’s a tea garden, with a vast range of teas on offer , plus coffee, along with scones and cakes.
http://www.faeryland.co.uk/
Back on dry land, you will find the Windermere Jetty Museum of Boats, Steam and Stories. This has been described as “the most beautiful boat shed in the UK” but it’s actually a fabulous family-friendly destination.The whole place is a celebration of Windermere’s importance in the Lake District, one of the world’s most important collections of boats in one location. There’s working steamers, a conservation workshop, exhibitions, regular events and an excellent Lakeside café. See the website to plan your whole day there.
https://windermerejetty.org/
Please note that our Guest Cards give a discount at Windermere Lake Cruises, Ullswater Steamers, and the Jetty Museum. Guest Cards are available at all our member hotels. Scan the QR code on your Guest Card to reveal the offers available https://www.reallakedistrict.co.uk/lake-district-attractions.aspx