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Springtime Walker's Ticket

A stunning circular route of Windermere by boat & lakeshore walk

Warning Image

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.

A map of the route of the springtime walkers ticket including council-run car ferry

🗺️: 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.

A family follow the lakeshore walk

Walkers ticket inline 02 optimised

So much to see on your walk along the western shore:

  • Claife Viewing Station (pictured) - National Trust - FREE
  • Wray - National Trust - FREE
  • Bark Barn Jetty - stunning lake views from our most remote pier.

Prices

AdultChild (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)
  • Sorry, this ticket cannot be bought online, just come to any ticket office on the day to purchase your tickets.

The circular route combing footpaths and Car Ferry

Your route options

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

  • Starting at Ambleside you take a traditional wooden launch to Wray Castle jetty. Before you begin your walk you could visit National Trust Wray Estate (free to visit).
  • Take the path left of the boathouse to follow the lake shore south to Ash Landing.
  • Take a slight 5 minutes detour to visit National Trust Claife Station (free to visit)
  • Catch the car ferry (every 20 minutes) to Ferry Nab
  • Follow the path to Bowness Pier to catch your final boat back to Ambleside

Bowness → Ambleside → Wray CastleWalk to Ferry House (4 miles/6.4km) → Car Ferry to Ferry Nab → Walk to Bowness Pier (1 mile/1.6km)

  • Alternatively, you can start at Bowness, sail north to Ambleside and catch the traditional wooden launch to Wray Jetty and then follow the lake shore south to Ferry House. Catch the Car ferry back to Bowness for your third boat trip of the day.

Start at Brockhole or Windermere Jetty (Museum)

  • You can also start your circuit at Windermere Jetty (Museum) or Brockhole, but please note that there is limited car parking at these venues/piers.

A family walking from the Windermere car ferry back to Bowness Pier

How it works

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:


Starting in Bowness

  • Join your 1st boat of the day, Red Cruise to Ambleside, then change at Ambleside for Green Cruise to Wray Castle:
(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
(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 10:40
(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.
  • (3) Start your gentle 4 mile walk along the scenic lake-shore forest path. 📄 Download map (PDF)

Customers alighting at Wray Castle to start their walk

Starting in Brockhole

  • Join your 1st boat of the day to Ambleside, then change at Ambleside for Green Cruise to Wray Castle, walk and then 2 boats back to Brockhole:
(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
(arrive 11:15)

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)
  • (3) Start your gentle 4.5 mile walk to the Car Ferry along the scenic lake-shore forest path 📄 Download map (PDF)

The walk from the Car Ferry back to Bowness Pier via Cockshott Point.

Starting in Ambleside (Waterhead)

  • Join your 1st boat of the day to Wray Castle, enjoy your walk to Ash Landing and then head back to Bowness for your boat back to Ambleside:
(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
(arrive 13:10)

13:30
(arrive 14:00)
START AT 11:00

(arrive 11:15)

11:20
(walk takes 2hrs+)

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)
  • (2) Start your gentle 4.5 mile walk to the Car ferry along the scenic lake-shore forest path 📄 Download map (PDF)

Walkers awaiting the Car Ferry to take them back to Ferry Nab and path to Bowness Pier

Starting at Windermere Jetty Museum

  • Join your 1st boat of the day to Ambleside, then change at Ambleside for Green Cruise to Wray Castle, walk to Ash Landing and catch the boat back to Bowness and change for boat to Windermere Jetty Museum:
(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)
  • (3) Start your gentle 4 mile walk to the Car Ferry along the scenic lake-shore forest path 📄 Download map (PDF)

Additional Information

  • Sorry, this ticket cannot be bought online, just come to any ticket office on the day to purchase your tickets.
  • Windermere Car Ferry will cost £1.10 per person - this is not included in the springtime walker's ticket. Find out more on their website.
  • The walks are all clearly signposted, but for more guidance download and print out our walk guide..
Some walkers boarding the boat at Wray Jetty

Some walkers boarding the boat at Wray Jetty

Walking is popular way to explore the Lake District. Travel further with Windermere Lake Cruises and our Walkers Ticket.

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Service Status

green

Warning Image

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.

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 & 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.

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Access and 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.


Upgrade your 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

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