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Green Cruise

Enjoy a cruise on a traditional wooden launch. Hop off at any stop to visit some great family attractions.

Warning Image

This service is ending soon

Please note that this service is only part of our summer timetable and won't be available from after 3rd November 2024. It will be back running in April 2025.


Ambleside (Waterhead) → Wray Castle → Brockhole → Ambleside (Waterhead) | See route map below

  • Board one of our traditional launches from Ambleside (Waterhead) for a beautiful cruise around the northern end of Windermere (50 minutes circular cruise).
  • Alternatively, hop off at any stop and get a later boat back to enjoy a full day out with fun family activities at Brockhole (Lake District Visitors Centre) and at Wray Castle.
  • You can also start your journey at Brockhole (ticket office) or Wray (online bookings only).

Green cruise map

The Green Cruise is a perfect choice for families, with some great family attractions just minutes from our piers:

Brockhole main house and gardens as viewed from the pier

Brockhole (Lake District Visitor Centre)

Our pier is situated within the grounds of this scenic lakeside park and all our passengers get free entry. The visitor centre, indoor attractions and cafe are a few minutes walk through the grounds.

Brockhole is open all year and has great outdoor activities such as lake-shore walks, adventure playgrounds, axe throwing, mini golf and archery as well as the exciting Zip World - zip wires, nets and treks suspended high in the trees. With a huge range of special events throughout the year, it's a place to explore as part of your Green Cruise.

The drive up to Wray Castle showing a cyclist and the main entrance

Wray Castle

Situated on the quiet western shore of Windermere, this Victorian neo-gothic castle and scenic grounds are managed by The National Trust. Not your typical castle, the building has a fascinating history plus there's a plant-based cafe & coffee shop on site.

  • Castle open Saturday - Thursday, 10:00 - 16:00* Open more during school holidays.
  • Grounds, 8:00 - 20:00
  • Cafe open every day, 9:30 - 16:30

Boat visitors can explore the castle and lake-shore grounds for free, follow guided trails and discover hidden shingle beaches, lawns and some of the finest views over Windermere.

Standard Ticket Prices (valid from Saturday 23rd March 2024 until Sunday 3rd November 2024)

  • Prices below are return fares
  • Book your tickets by selecting a date in the 'Book Your Cruise' box below.
Adults Children Families
£13.50£6.75£37.00

Additional Information

Traditional wooden launch

Traditional wooden launch

Take a circular cruise on Windermere on one of our traditional wooden launches

Photo Gallery and Video

Book Your Cruise

Select a date to view prices and sailing times.

  • Child prices are valid for children aged 5-15 years. Children under 5 travel free.
  • Family tickets are valid for 2 adults and up to 3 children.

Timetable

  • This cruise starts from Ambleside Pier (Waterhead), Wray or Brockhole Pier.
  • The boat arrives at Wray 15 minutes after departing Ambleside.
  • Your ticket is valid for a full return from whichever pier you start from: Ambleside → Wray → Brockhole → Ambleside → etc.
  • Starting from Wray? We don't have a ticket office at Wray, tickets must be bought online or can be purchased when disembarking at Brockhole or Ambleside
  • Download a full timetable in PDF format

Today's sailings from Ambleside

Depart AmblesideArrive BrockholeVessel type
09:5010:20Traditional Launch
11:0011:30Traditional Launch
12:1512:45Traditional Launch
13:4514:15Traditional Launch
15:0515:35Traditional Launch
16:1016:40Traditional Launch

Today's sailings from Brockhole

Depart BrockholeArrive AmblesideVessel type
10:2010:40Traditional Launch
11:3011:50Traditional Launch
12:4513:05Traditional Launch
14:1514:35Traditional Launch
15:3515:55Traditional Launch
16:4017:00Traditional Launch

Additional Information

Service Status

green

Warning Image

♿❌ Change of timetabled vessel

Please note that MV Swan, (10:20 Lakeside to Bowness),(11:10 Bowness to Ambleside) has been replaced by a smaller boat today.
Afternoon services should hopefully be unaffected.

Today's Service Status


🔴 RED CRUISE Bowness → W'Mere Jetty Museum →Brockhole → Ambleside Waterhead → Bowness

✔️ Services OK

🟡 YELLOW CRUISEBowness ↔ Lakeside

✔️ Services OK

🔵 ISLANDS CRUISE

Bowness → Bowness

✔️ Services OK
🚤 MOTOR BOAT HIRE from Bowness
Bowness Beach (every day) / Bowness Dock (weekends only)

✔️ Services OK

🚤 MOTOR BOAT HIRE from WaterheadWaterhead (near Ambleside) ↻

✔️ Services OK

🟤 YELLOW CRUISE & STEAM TRAINHaverthwaite ↔ Lakeside ↔ Bowness

✔️ Services OK

🟢 GREEN CRUISEAmbleside → Wray Castle → Brockhole → Ambleside

✔️ Services OK

🚶 WALKERS TICKETBowness → Brockhole → Wray Castle → Walk → Ash Landing → Bowness✔️ Services OK
🚣 ROW BOAT HIRE from BownessBowness Beach / Bowness Dock ↻

✔️ Services OK

🚣 ROW BOAT HIRE from WaterheadWaterhead (near Ambleside) ↻

✔️ Services OK

CROSS LAKES SHUTTLE

Bowness ↔ Ash Landing✔️ Services OK
FELL FOOT FERRYLakeside ↔ Fell Foot

✔️ Services OK

🕑: We are now running to our peak season timetable.

Route Map

Load Map

Access & Facilities

♿ Disabled Access

This service is operated by traditional wooden launches and modern launches, both are not recommended for customers with limited mobility

Please visit our Accessibility section for more information.


🧑‍🦽 Carer goes free policy

If a disabled adult in your group needs a carer, then the carer travels free. For more information about this scheme and to see all the terms and conditions, please read our company policy for disabled passengers.


☕ On-Board Facilities

  • Launches like Miss Cumbria/Miss Lakeland - 🍾 Bottle bar with hot/cold drinks/snacks | 🚾 Single toilets | 💺 Indoor & outdoor seats
  • Traditional launches like Queen of The Lake - 💺 Indoor & outdoor seats

🎫 Conditions of Carriage

Our services are provided in accordance with our Conditions of Carriage.


🚭 No Smoking Policy

For the safety and comfort of all passengers and crew, Windermere Lake Cruises Ltd operates a no smoking policy on-board its vessels, piers and shore premises. This includes electronic cigarettes.


🐶 Dogs

All well behaved dogs are welcome on board and travel for free.


🚲 Bikes

Bikes are welcome on board our larger vessels if space is available. Each bike will cost £1 per journey pier to pier payable on the day of travel.


Upgrade This Cruise

Did you know that you can make more of your cruise by upgrading it? Why 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

Upgrade Book Now
Annual Pass

Annual Pass

Unlimited cruising for a whole year. | ⚓ Valid on any daytime cruise every day except Christmas Day 📆 364 days

Upgrade