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Cross Lakes, bus and Hill Top

A combined ticket for boat and bus travel including entry to Hill Top - Beatrix Potter's former home.

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This service is not running at the moment.

This service only operates during our peak season (April-October) and will return in April 2025.
Please see other cruises that are operating today instead.

The information below is for reference only.

A map showing Bowness to Ash landing route on Windermere

Travel direct from the heart of Bowness village to Hill Top - Beatrix Potter's former home.

This combined boat/bus/attraction ticket is the best way to travel to this fascinating National Trust property and gets you guaranteed entry into Hill Top.

Your ticket price includes:

Ash Landing

🛳️ Return boat travel between Bowness and Ash Landing.

(Operates every day)

A shuttle service from Bowness to Ash Landing offers a convenient way to access the western shore. Enjoy stunning views of woodlands, historic houses, and beautiful gardens along the way.

🕑 The journey takes about 20 minutes.

Mountain goat

🚌 Return bus travel between Ash Landing and Hill Top.

(Not on Fridays unless peak school holidays)

The Mountain Goat 525 bus conveniently picks you up from Ash Landing Car Park - only 100 metres from our pier. From there, the bus takes you up the hill to drop you off at Hill Top.

🕑 The journey takes about 15 minutes.

Hilltop

🎫 Guaranteed entry into Hill Top - Beatrix Potter's former home

(Not open Fridays unless peak school holidays)

Step into the enchanting world of Beatrix Potter by visiting National Trust property Hill Top, her cherished home and the birthplace of her beloved stories.

Brimming with her favourite things, this historic cottage is where Beatrix found inspiration for her tales and nurtured her love for the Lake District.

This ticket also includes return bus/boat travel to Bowness - valid at anytime.


How this ticket works:

An image depicting the journey to Hill Top including 1) a 20 mins boat ride 2) and 15 mins bus ride and then 3) visit to Hill Top

  • With spaces on this ticket limited, you must pre-book the day before to ensure space on the bus and at Hill Top. If space is available, you may also buy tickets on the day from Bowness Pier ticket office.
  • Select a departure time from Bowness Pier 3 - 9:20, 10:05, 10:55. 11:45, 12:35, 14:00 or 14:50. The full journey from Bowness to Hill Top takes around 40-45mins.
  • Show your booking at the pier ticket office, when boarding the awaiting bus at Ash Landing and entrance to Hill Top.
  • Please book a return boat from Ash Landing - but don't worry, your ticket is valid on any return bus and boat of the day back to Bowness.

A photo of a lady outside Hill Top Farm with a national Trust logo. Image courtesy of Punktoad on Creative Commons Flickr

  • Find out more about Hill Top on the National Trust website
  • Photo: Thanks to PunkToad on Creative Commons CC 2.0 on Flickr

Additional Information

  • Dogs are welcome on board the boats and bus. They are allowed in the garden of Hill Top only.
  • Booking on the day? Just buy from the pier ticket office.
  • Valid for any return bus and boat journey when you're finished at Hill Top.
Cross Lakes Shuttle & Hill Top - the former home of Beatrix Potter

Cross Lakes Shuttle & Hill Top - the former home of Beatrix Potter

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Service Status

green

Today's Service Status

🔴 RED CRUISE Bowness → Brockhole → Ambleside Waterhead → Bowness

✔️ All OK

🟡 YELLOW CRUISEBowness ↔ Lakeside

✔️ All OK

🔵 ISLANDS CRUISE

Bowness → W'Mere Jetty Museum → Bowness

✔️ All OK
🚤 MOTOR BOAT HIRE
Bowness Beach only

✔️ All OK

🕑: We are now running to our off-peak season timetable (autumn/winter/spring).

Route Map

Load Map

Access and Facilities

♿ Disabled Access

This service is one of the least accessible routes we offer and is operated by tradiational launches:

  • Not recommended for customers with limited mobility

Please visit our Accessibility section for more information.

Wheelchair users are strongly advised to call us to confirm which vessel is operating on which service, particularly in poor weather conditions. As on rare occasions, the vessels operating each route can change.


Upgrade This Cruise

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not combine your cruise with a local attraction, or enjoy a full day on

Windermere with the Freedom of the Lake.

Freedom Of The Lake ®

Freedom Of The Lake ®

Unlimited boat travel for 24 hours on all routes | ⚓ See the full lake on this ticket: Lakeside ↔ Bowness ↔ Ambleside in 🕘 over 3 hours

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