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Current Service Status: amber

Buffet Cruise

A great night out every Saturday in June, July & August

Warning Image

Buffet Cruise will return in June 2025

The Buffet Cruise will return every Saturday night in June, July and August 2025. Tickets will be available to buy by the end of February. The information below is for reference only.

Enjoy a freshly prepared buffet, live music and a unique viewing point for some of the Lake District's most beautiful scenery

The Buffet Cruise takes place on historic steamer 'MV Swan' or 'MV Teal'.

Join us for an unforgettable evening with our premier cruise package:

  • 🛳️ FULL LAKE CRUISE: In 2½ hours, you'll see all of Windermere. Sit back, relax, and watch the sun setting behind the Lake District Fells.
  • 🎵 LIVE MUSIC: Each week, Fiona, our resident performer will play a selection of popular tunes. Let her serenade you from the top deck of our historic 'steamer.'
  • 🥗 BUFFET MEAL: Enjoy a quality two-course cold buffet provided by local legends, Café Ambio. Tea and coffee is provided and special dietary requirements can be catered for.
  • 🍷 BAR: A full bar is open throughout the cruise serving draught ales and lagers, wine, spirits and soft drinks. Pre-order wine from our extensive list to have it ready upon your arrival.

A couple enjoying the views across Lake Windermere and the sunset behind the Lake District Fells

🚢 The Buffet Cruise takes place on our historic 'steamer' MV Swan or MV Teal. Both have inner and outer decks plus seating outdoors that is under cover if needed.


When we sail

  • Saturdays - from Saturday 7 June to Saturday 30 August 2025, departs 7pm from Bowness Pier 1. Back into Bowness at 9:30pm.

Sample of the buffet provided by Café Ambio (subject to change at caterers discretion)

  • Cajun Spiced Chicken Fillet, Homemade Huntsman Pie (Pork, Chicken and Stuffing), Cumbrian Cheese and Onion Flan, Dressed Summer Salad, Spiced Rice, Fruit and Roast Vegetable Salad, Homemade Red Cabbage and Apple Coleslaw, Silver and Green Pesto and Cherry Tomato Pasta Salad, Indian Potato Salad, Red Onion and Garlic, Crusty Bread, Butter, Mayonnaise, Dressing and Chutney.
  • Lemon Tart, Berry Compote, Salted Caramel and Ricotta Cheesecake.
  • Tea and coffee
  • Special dietary requirements can be catered for - simply enter details in the checkout section when booking

A selection of dishes from the buffet served on board

Ticket prices

Tickets must be booked in advance and can be bought online (enter date below) or by calling 015394 43360. Please note booking closes at noon on the day of the cruise, so we can prepare the boat and catering for the night's entertainment.

All prices include the full lake cruise, live music, 2-course buffet and tea & coffee.

  • Adults £48.95
  • Child (aged 5-15) £28.95
  • Family (2 adults & up to 3 children) £139.95

Steamer MV Swan or Teal on the Summer Evening Buffet Cruise

Pricing information

Photo of Buffet Cruise passengers enjoying the view of the sun setting behind the Lake District hills

Additional Information

  • The cruise returns to Bowness Pier at 9:30pm
  • Well-behaved dogs are allowed on board but please be aware that the journey lasts 2½ hours and there are no toilet facilities for dogs
  • The bar on board accepts cash, cards and contactless payments
A night out to remember

A night out to remember

A relaxed atmosphere, great music and delicious food can be enjoyed alongside stunning views on this cruise.

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Service Status

amber

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🍃 Advance warning - Windy Weather Sunday 23 February 2025

Possible disruption to all cruises and self-drives. No booking currently available.

Today's service status

🔴 RED CRUISE

Bowness → Ambleside Waterhead → Bowness

✔️ Services OK

🟡 YELLOW CRUISE

Bowness ↔ Lakeside

✔️ Services OK

🔵 ISLANDS CRUISE

Bowness → Bowness

✔️ Services OK

🚤MOTOR BOAT HIRE

Bowness Beach ONLY

✔️ Services OK

🕑: We are now running to our off-peak season timetable (autumn/winter/spring). More routes and services available after 4 April 2025.

Special Circular Cruises - services may change if weather conditions worsen.

🕑 45 minutes in length

🔄 Non-landing circular i.e. Ambleside to Ambleside (we don't want to leave anyone stranded at another pier if the weather worsens this afternoon)

🎫 Tickets Adult £13.50 Child £6.75 (buy at the pier ticket offices)


🛳️ Ambleside Waterhead Pier (LA22 0EY) - Ambleside to Ambleside

⚠️ Currently too windy - no services today


🛳️ Bowness Pier (LA23 3HQ) - Bowness to Bowness only

10:30 | 11:15 | ♿11:45 | 12:15 | ♿12:45 | 13:15 | 13:45 | ♿14:15 | 14:45 | ♿15:15 | 15:45 | ♿16:15


🛳️ Lakeside Pier (LA12 8AS) - Lakeside to Lakeside only

11:20 | 13:05 | 14:50

Route Map

Load Map

Access & Facilities

♿ Disabled Access

The Summer Evening Buffet Cruise is hosted on board our historic 'steamers' MV Swan or MV Teal.

  • Step-free access from pier to indoor/outdoor seating.
  • Toilets down steep steps.
  • On sunny nights, the band play on the upper outer decks that can only be accessed by stairs.

Please visit our Accessibility section for more information.


☕ On-Board Facilities

  • 'Steamers' Swan/Teal/Tern -