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A trip aboard a traditional steamboat is the quintessential Lake District experience, a genteel journey into the Victorian past – but with more comfortable seating and a well-stocked café. With nostalgia comes a thick slice of stunning scenery – the views of the surrounding mountains from the lakes is one of the main reasons anyone comes to the Lake District in the first place, not to mention it’s a handy way of getting to different points around the lakes. Steamboats ply their watery trade on four lakes, with the main passenger terminals at Bowness-on-Windermere for Windermere, Pooley Bridge or Glenridding for Ullswater Steamers, Keswick for Derwentwater and Coniston Village for Coniston – but you can board at any of the stops. Check out our list of lake cruises in the Lake District below.
All four lakes also have watersport centres where you can hire your own boat – whether a row boat, a sail boat or even an electric one.
You may leave the Lake District, but once you’ve been, it’ll never leave you.
Number of results: 10
Located at the tranquil southern end of Lake Windermere, Lakeside Pier offers a different pace of exploration in the Lake District. Board a Windermere Lake Cruise’s vessel and get treated to the finest views from the water.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
4554 reviewsConiston
Enjoy cruising aboard our launches around beautiful Coniston Water. A personal commentary by our crew complements your experience of this wonderful area.
Keswick
Keswick Launch offers 50-minute cruises around Derwentwater. Rowing boats and motor boats are also available to hire.
Bampton, Haweswater
A rugged Lake District landscape where nature restoration works alongside hill farming, to benefit wildlife, water and people.
Windermere
Nestled in the heart of the Lake District National Park, Bowness-on-Windermere is a picturesque village buzzing with tourism. The star attraction is undoubtedly Bowness Pier, the central hub for cruises on England's largest lake, Windermere.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
4554 reviewsBerrier
A spectacular gyrocopter trial flight and unique flying lesson. You have the thrill of taking control or just take in the views. Based at Berrier airstrip near Penrith/Ullswater/Keswick. Ideal gift or just to treat yourself.
Ambleside
Experience the very best of England's Lake District with a journey aboard a renowned Windermere cruise from Ambleside (Waterhead) Pier. Windermere Lake Cruises is the most popular attraction in Cumbria and constantly one of England top five ‘paid…
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
4554 reviewsConiston
Float back to Victorian times as you indulge in a luxurious cruise on captivating Coniston water in this exquisite steam-powered craft.
Ambleside
Nestled on the peaceful western shore of Lake Windermere, Wray Pier offers a tranquil entry point to this iconic National Park location. Windermere Lake Cruises provides visitors with the opportunity to arrive at this historic spot in style, on…
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
4554 reviewsGrisedale Bridge, Glenridding
With beautiful, dramatic scenery that lends itself to days spent hiking amongst the Lakeland fells, exploring the quaint villages, or simply relaxing on the water, hop aboard a Ullswater ‘Steamer’ to experience this little slice of Lake District…
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
1504 reviewsReceive all the latest news, special offers and information from the Lake District, Cumbria
Cumbria Tourism, Windermere Road, Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 9PL