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
| Springtime Walker's Ticket runs from 5 April to 23 May 2025 From 24 May onwards, please see our standard Walkers Ticket that doesn't use the Windermere Car Ferry as a return boat. |
🗺️: Download/view bigger route map in PDF format
Leave the car behind and enjoy a beautiful springtime walk around Windermere. The Springtime Walker's Ticket combines 2 boat cruises with a stunning 4 mile walk along the quiet western shore. To complete the circuit you'll catch the council-run Windermere Car Ferry and then follow the lake-shore trail through National Trust's Cockshott Point.
Get treated to breath-taking views of the lake and enjoy the seasonal delights of daffodils and tree blossom before returning to your starting position.
Please allow over 4 hours to enjoy this day out and bring suitable outdoor clothing and footwear.
Adult | Child (5-15) | Family (2 adults and up to 3 kids) |
£17.30 (+£1.10 on Car Ferry) | £10.00 (+£1.10 on Car Ferry) | £28.00 (+£1.10 per person on Car Ferry) |
Ambleside → Wray Castle → Walk to Ferry House (4 miles/6.4km) → Car Ferry to Ferry Nab → Walk to Bowness Pier (1 mile/1.6km) → Bowness → Ambleside
Bowness → Ambleside → Wray Castle → Walk to Ferry House (4 miles/6.4km) → Car Ferry to Ferry Nab → Walk to Bowness Pier (1 mile/1.6km)
Start at Brockhole or Windermere Jetty (Museum)
You can choose to start your circular route from Bowness, Ambleside, Brockhole or Windermere Jetty Museum (click to jump to that section).
🕑 Suggested timings are listed below:
(1) 🛳️ Leave Bowness on Red Cruise | (2) 🛳️ Leave Ambleside on Green Cruise | (3) 🚶 Start your walk from Wray to the Car Ferry at Ferry House. | (4) 🛳️ Return to Bowness on the Car Ferry then walk back to Bowness |
START AT 09:50 (arrive 10:25) | 11:00 (arrive 11:15) | 11:20 (walk takes 2hrs+) | Car Ferry every 20 minutes and 25 minute walk back to Bowness Pier. Estimated return to Bowness at 14:45. |
START AT 10:15 (arrive 10:50) | 11:00 | 11:20 (walk takes 2hrs+) | Car Ferry every 20 minutes and 25 minute walk back to Bowness Pier. Estimated return to Bowness at 14:45. |
START AT 10:40 (arrive 11:20) | 12:15 (arrive 12:30) | 12:35 (walk takes 2hrs+) | Car Ferry every 20 minutes and 25 minute walk back to Bowness Pier. Estimated return to Bowness at 16:00. |
START AT 11:10 (arrive 11:40) | 12:15 (arrive 12:30) | 12:35 (walk takes 2hrs+) | Car Ferry every 20 minutes and 25 minute walk back to Bowness Pier. Estimated return to Bowness at 16:00. |
(1) 🛳️ Leave Brockhole for Ambleside | (2) 🛳️ Leave Ambleside for Wray on Green Cruise | (3) 🚶 Start your walk from Wray to the Car Ferry at Ferry House. | (4) 🛳️ Leave the Car Ferry and walk to Bowness | (5) 🛳️ Leave Bowness on Red Cruise to Brockhole |
START AT 10:10 - Red Cruise (arrive 10:25) | 11:00 (arrive 11:15) | 11:20 (walk takes 2hrs+) | 13:30 (arrive 14:00) | 14:50 (arrive Brockhole 15:15) |
START AT 10:20 - Green Cruise (arrive 10:40) | 11:00 | 11:20 (walk takes 2hrs+) | 13:30 (arrive 14:00) | 14:50 (arrive Brockhole 15:15) |
START AT 11:05 - Red Cruise (arrive 11:20) | 12:15 (arrive 12:30) | 12:35 (walk takes 2hrs+) | 15:00 (arrive 15:30) | 16:00 (arrive Brockhole 16:15) |
START AT 11:30 - Green Cruise (arrive 11:50) | 12:15 (arrive 12:30) | 12:35 (walk takes 2hrs+) | 15:00 (arrive 15:30) | 16:00 (arrive Brockhole 16:15) |
START AT 11:55 - Red Cruise (arrive 12:10) | 12:15 (arrive 12:30) | 12:35 (walk takes 2hrs+) | 15:00 (arrive 15:30) | 16:00 (arrive Brockhole 16:15) |
(1) 🛳️ Leave Ambleside for Wray on Green Cruise | (2) 🚶 Start your walk from Wray to the Car Ferry at Ferry House | (3) 🛳️ Leave the Car Ferry and walk to Bowness | (4) 🛳️ Return to Ambleside on the Red Cruise from Bowness |
START AT 9:50 (arrive 10:05) | 10:10 (walk takes 2hrs+) | 12:40 | 13:30 (arrive 14:00) |
START AT 11:00 (arrive 11:15) | 11:20 | 14:15 (arrive 14:45) | 14:50 (arrive 15:30) |
START AT 12:15 (arrive 12:30) | 12:35 (walk takes 2hrs+) | 15:05 (arrive 15:35) | 15:35 (arrive 16:05) |
START AT 13:45 (arrive 14:00) | 14:05 (walk takes 2hrs+) | 16:40 (arrive 17:10) | 17:10 (arrive 17:45) |
(1) 🛳️ Depart Windermere Jetty for Ambleside on Red Cruise | (2) 🛳️ Depart Ambleside for Wray on Green Cruise | (3) 🚶 Start your walk from Wray to Car Ferry at Ferry House | (4) 🛳️ Leave the Car Ferry and walk to Bowness | (5) 🛳️ Depart Bowness for Windermere Jetty on Red Cruise |
START AT 10:50 (arrive 11:20) | 12:15 (arrive 12:30) | 12:35 (walk takes 2hrs+) | 15:15 (arrive 15:35) | 16:00 (arrive Windermere Jetty 16:10) |
Walking is popular way to explore the Lake District. Travel further with Windermere Lake Cruises and our Walkers Ticket.
| Thursday 27 March Due to essential maintenance on some of our boats, Islands Cruise will not be running today. We're sorry for any inconvenience caused. |
Bowness → Ambleside Waterhead → Bowness | ✔️ Services OK | |
Bowness ↔ Lakeside | ✔️ Services OK | |
Bowness → Bowness | ✔️ Services OK | |
Bowness Beach & Waterhead (near Ambleside) | ✔️ Services OK |
🕑: We are now running to our off-peak season timetable (autumn/winter/spring). More routes and services available after 4 April 2025.
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.
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.