You are here: Home > Things to Do > Windermere Lake Cruises, Self Drive Boats
With only a basic knowledge of forwards, backwards, left and right required, there’s no better way to explore the northern half of England’s longest lake than with a Windermere Lake Cruises self-drive motor boat.
Each with a quiet, electric motor, our smaller boats are easy to drive, with no previous experience required.
Go at your own pace in your own space for either a 1 or 2 hour session with up to six people per boat.
Full safety instructions will be given, with a sailing guide to the lake and buoyancy aids provided for everyone on board. We even have a rescue team on standby if you get lost!
Available at Bowness, sit back and relax on comfy padded seating and enjoy the lake whatever the weather, thanks to each boat’s roll-back roof.
Even better, accompanied children under the age of 16 can sail in a self-drive for free!
* Daylight hours
Windermere Lake Cruises, Lakeside, Newby BridgeSteamers and launches sail daily between Ambleside, Bowness and Lakeside. Additional summer routes. Timetabled services.
Windermere Lake Cruises, Waterhead, AmblesideWindermere Lake Cruises offer more than just a ferry service. We hold private charters, lunch cruises, buffet cruises, corporate hospitality, public sailings, group travel.
Windermere Lake Cruises, Wray Castle, HawksheadWindermere Lake Cruises offer more than a ferry service. We hold private charters, lunch cruises, buffet cruises, corporate hospitality, public sailings and group travel. Steamers and launches sail daily throughout the year from Bowness.
Windermere Lake Cruises, Bowness Weddings, Bowness-on-WindermereWindermere Lake Cruises offer more than a ferry service. We hold private charters, lunch cruises, buffet cruises, corporate hospitality, public sailings and group travel. Steamers and launches sail daily throughout the year from Bowness.
To Bowness and Ambleside, follow A591.Accessible by Public Transport: Windermere station is 1 mile away.
Windermere Lake Cruises offer more than a ferry service. We hold private charters, lunch…
The Peter Rabbit Garden has proved tremendously popular with visitors who have delighted…
A magical indoor attraction that brings to life all 23 Beatrix Potter's Peter Rabbit…
Discover 200 years of Windermere’s boating history and the stories of the people involved…
Lake Windermere is the largest natural lake in England at 12 miles long and has…
There is a charge for parking but National Trust members park free.
Blackwell is one of Britain's finest and most important houses from the turn of the last…
Thuline opened a Studio-gallery in Windermere where she sells art and related gifts,…
Beatrix Potter's iconic house, full of her personal possessions, with traditional cottage…
Esthwaite Water is a natural lake extending to 280 acres. Rated as one of the finest…
The Lyth and Winster valleys form a landscape of unspoilt pastoral delights - damson…
Visitor centre with interactive exhibitions, Mawson gardens, adventure playground, shop…
Windermere Lake Cruises offer more than a ferry service. We hold private charters, lunch…
IMPORTANT: PLEASE NOTE THAT DUE TO THE CORONAVIRUS, THE MUSEUM WILL REMAIN CLOSED UNTIL…
This charming 17th century building, which served as the office of Beatrix Potter's…
A real Lakeland hidden treasure set in the beautiful village of Troutbeck, this 17thC…
Receive all the latest news, special offers and information from the Lake District, Cumbria
Cumbria Tourism, Windermere Road, Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 9PL