Windermere Jetty Museum

About

Windermere Jetty Museum is a vibrant, family-friendly visitor attraction dedicated to the boats, people and the rich history of Windermere, England’s largest natural lake.

This spectacular museum expands out onto the lake and reflects industry and engineering in one of England’s most famously beautiful locations, the Lake District National Park. It is a working destination, committed to conserving, saving, and sharing its internationally important collection and brings Windermere’s 200-year-old famous boating past to life, through fascinating displays of motorboats, steam launches, speed boats and sailing yachts.

Heritage boat trips

For a unique Lake District experience, take a cruise on a fully restored heritage boat from the museum collection. Climb onboard one of the region’s finest historic vessels, lovingly restored to its former glory by our onsite conservation team.

Escape with the gentle sounds and peaceful calm of the lake, see the rugged contours of nearby fells in new ways and embrace the spirit of adventure. Our knowledgeable Skippers will take you back in time with stories of the fascinating collection and the surrounding landscape that inspired the museum.

New for 2021

From 28 May 2021 – 20 March 2022, Windermere Jetty Museum introduces a new season of family-friendly activities, uncovering the hidden treasures and sunken secrets of Windermere’s most intriguing shipwrecks.

This world-class museum is thrilled to welcome visitors back with an adapted experience that makes the most of its outdoor spaces and introduces a new immersive, interactive experience inside.

Wrecked! reveals a fascinating insight into the perils of Windermere’s long-lost ships, prompts new thinking about the human impact on the lake and the local landscape, and embraces family’s spirit of adventure with a trail covering all corners of the museum.

With new displays and narratives across its remarkable and spacious galleries, visitors do really become part of life on the lake. The museum will delve into the story of The Mournful Marriage, a tragic ferry accident that took place on Windermere and will draw visitors into a space of chaos, calm and the deep – an immersive installation reflecting layers of icy waters of the lake. Senses will ignite through touch, colour, light, and sound to reveal intriguing stories, myths and tales of the lake.

From early accidents of the first steamboats, to the amazing rescues of boats pulled from the depths of Windermere, Wrecked! will share new stories of the region’s internationally important boat collection and will highlight the practice and evolution of boatbuilding over time. See Steam Launch Dolly, the world’s earliest mechanically powered boat which succumbed to the icy pull of Ullswater in 1895, and Motor Vessel Penelope II, one of the regions finest vessel’s which has been fully conserved for operational use.

MV Penelope II is the culmination of a three-year restoration project at the museum and gives visitors the opportunity to enjoy the lake in a fully restored vessel from the region’s distinctive heritage collection.

Lakeshore campsites

Extend your adventure by setting up camp in your very own private cove along Windermere’s shoreline. Kids can build a den, learn new skills, and toast marshmallows over a real charcoal campfire whilst the grown-ups relax by the water, underneath repurposed boat sails and on handcrafted seating. Packed lunches are available.

Lakeshore café

Windermere Jetty Museum is a real Lakes experience, whatever the weather and with a lakeshore café it’s the perfect place to enjoy Windermere. With impressive views overlooking the lake and distant fells, there’s plenty of indoor and outdoor seating so kids can explore.
Enjoy a delicious light lunch, hearty brunch or a freshly prepared cake or bake after a visit to the museum or a long day on the fells.
Parking for visitors and entry to café is free. Dogs are welcome.

Events

To keep up to date with all our events, join our e-newsletter or visit windermerejetty.org to find out what’s on.

Car parking is free for museum and café visitors

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