Immerse yourself in an exciting programme of art displays, family-friendly activities, creative workshops, talks and events, and venture out on the lake in one of our beautifully restored heritage boats.
Explore Windermere’s 200-year-old boating history, as we bring to life the lake’s boats, builders, sailors, skills and technology through interactive display, oral histories and a fascinating collection of boats, gadgets and curiosities.
Our spectacular museum reflects industry and engineering in one of England’s most famously beautiful locations, the Lake District National Park. A working destination, committed to conserving, saving and sharing its internationally important collection.
‘The most beautiful boat shed in Britain.’ Jonathan Morrison, The Times
What can I see at Windermere Jetty Museum?
Galleries and Boathouse
Get up close to motorboats, steam launches, sailing yachts and record-breaking speed boats in our amazing interactive galleries, built right over the water. Discover the stories behind the boats in our collection.
Temporary gallery
Our temporary gallery space is transformed throughout the year with different imaginative exhibitions and displays which bring the museum to life and encourage learning and creativity for all ages. From 10 February 2024 to 1 January 2025 STEAM-inspired Microworld will be on display at Windermere Jetty Museum
Conservation workshop
Windermere Jetty is a working conservation space. Conservation is an integral part of our work. Our dedicated workshop allows you to see our team of expert boatbuilders at work, watch live conservation through the large workshop windows, learn about the six-step process for restoration in our displays, or speak to a member of our boatbuilding team to have your questions answered.
Boat Yard and wharf
The boat yard and wharf is another place you can see live conservation. We regularly bring boats from the conservation workshop outside for restoration. Here, you’ll be able to get even closer to our collection boats, as they’re restored or put onto the water.
The Jetties
Our four jetties give visitors access to beautiful Windermere. The working jetty is used for getting boats on and off the water. The heritage boat jetty is used for daily and exclusive trips on our restored wooden boats. The visiting boat jetty is for those who want to visit via the water. The north jetty is used for both visiting boats and where Windermere Lake Cruises drops and picks up passengers.
Boating pond and Old Fire Station
Set sail to your own miniature boat on our model boating pond! Anchored in history, our pond is neighboured by the beautifully restored pavilion and the iconic 1890 Windermere Fire Station, a historic gem relocated from Brook Road. When it’s time to dock, relax and refuel either under the elegant shelter of our pavilion or in the cozy picnic area by the pond.
Lakeshore café
Our lakeshore café and outdoor terrace is the place to stop for a coffee or a bite to eat when you are in the Lake District. With extraordinary views across the water and towards the Coniston fells, our café serves delicious seasonal dishes using the best local ingredients.
Opening times
Open daily
Museum
1 November- 28 March: 10am-4pm
29 March – 31 October: 10am-5pm
Café
1 November- 28 March: 10am-4pm
29 March – 31 October: 10am-5pm
Heritage boat trips
November-March: Not available. Exclusive boat trips only.
29 March – 31 October: Daily from 10.30am
Admission
Price
Adult
£12
Student
£9
Child (15 and under)
£6
Child (4 and under)
Free
Lakeland Arts Members
Free
Family (1 adult + up to 3 children)
£20
Family (2 adult + up to 3 children)
£30
Art Fund National Art Pass
50% off
Boat trips
Daily Heritage boat trips (Apr-Oct) last 30 minutes. Exclusive (year round) trips are for up to 12 people and last 75 minutes
Price
Adults
£12
Child (15 and under)
£6
Child (4 and under)
Free
Family (2 adults + up to 3 children)
£24.50
Penelope exclusive trip
£200
Osprey exclusive trip
£250
Steaming up experience
£325
Groups
12 or more people booking together
Adult
£8
Child
£4
Windermere Jetty Museum + Blackwell
£12
Windermere Jetty Museum + Blackwell + Abbot Hall
£16
How to get here
By car
From the south
Exit the M6 at junction 36, taking the first exit on the slip road roundabout. Follow signs for the South Lakes and Windermere and continue onto the A591. When you reach a small roundabout, take the first exit onto Rayrigg Road / A592, following signs for Bowness Bay and The Lake. Continue for 1 mile and Windermere Jetty Museum will be on the right.
From the north
Exit the M6 at junction 39 for A6 / Shap / Kendal. When you reach a T-Junction, turn left onto the A6 and continue along the A6 for 12 miles. Follow signs for Windermere, Bowness and the A591. Once on the A591, take the first exit at a small roundabout onto Rayrigg Road / A592, following signs for Bowness Bay and The Lake. Continue for 1 mile and Windermere Jetty Museum will be on the right.
Sat Nav Information
Our address is Windermere Jetty Museum, Rayrigg Road, Bowness on Windermere, Cumbria, LA23 1BN
There is coach parking for visiting groups and we have two spaces for pre-booked coaches to drop-off near the museum entrance. Please contact us to book.
Parking
Parking is free for visitors to the museum, café and gift shop for up to 4 hours. You can collect a voucher code from a member of staff when you make a purchase to redeem at the car-parking machine before you leave.
Parking spaces are limited, and we would love our visitors to help us protect the environment by arriving by bike, on foot or by public transport.
Spaces for Blue Badge holders are also available.
Parking prices for non-visitors
Up to 30 minutes: Free
Up to 2 hours: £5
2 – 4 hours: £7
4+ hours: £10
Pay for your parking before you leave or pay online.
The car park closes at 5pm (April – October) and 4pm (November – March). If you do not collect your car before closing and it locked in you can…
- Collect your car from 8.30am the following morning
- Contact our security provider LRM who will be able to unlock the gates for you
The call out charge for this service is £60 payable to LRM. LRM can be contacted 24 hours on 07377874245
By train
The nearest mainline railway station is Oxenholme. A connecting train will bring you to Windermere Railway Station. From here, catch a taxi or a local bus to Bowness Pier. Windemere Jetty Museum is 2 miles from the station. Plan your journey by train.
By boat
Arriving with Windermere Lake Cruises
During summer, sail from Bowness to Windermere Jetty Museum and continue on the Red Cruise (Brockhole – Ambleside – Bowness) until 30 October, from 31 October you will need to request a stop off at our museum using the Islands (Blue) Cruise. Plan your journey with the Windermere Lake Cruises Timetable.
Please note that if you park at Windermere Jetty Museum you must collect your vehicle before the car park and museum gates close at 4pm (Nov-Mar) and 5pm (Apr-Oct). Any vehicles not collected will be locked in. There is a fee to release vehicles, operated by an external security company.
Find out more and purchase tickets
Arriving by private boat
We can accommodate a small number of private boats if you wish to visit the museum or cafe. Skippers are to dock on the north side of our café jetty between 10am–4.45pm and moorings are allocated on a first come first serve basis. No mooring fees apply if you are visiting the museum or café.
Terms and Conditions
- On arrival, owners must register their SLDC boat registration number and provide contact details
- Mooring is permitted for 3 hours maximum in one day with no return
- All boats must depart by 5pm at the latest, regardless of arrival time
- No overnight mooring
By bus
The 508 bus runs from Bowness to Penrith stopping outside Windermere Jetty Museum. There are other local bus services that run throughout the lakes to Bowness Pier. Windermere Jetty Museum is a 12-minute walk from Bowness Pier. Plan your journey by bus.
On foot
It’s a 12-minute walk from Bowness Pier. Head towards the ‘Macdonald, The Old English Hotel & Spa’ and walk up the hill through the town centre. Pass ‘The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction’ continuing out of Bowness-on-Windermere on Rayrigg Road. Windermere Jetty Museum is on your left.
By bike
Windermere Jetty Museum has dedicated bike racks for visitors arriving by bike. We ask that cyclists bring suitable footwear before entering the museum.
Taxis
Local taxis
- Ace Taxis: 015394 45445
- Bowness Taxis: 015394 46664
- Lakeside Taxis: 01539 239239
- Lakes Taxis: 015394 46777
