Halloween ‘Ghost Ship’ with spooky storyteller

Parents can keep the kids enthralled this October half term with some spooky storytelling aboard a very special ‘Ghost Ship’ on Windermere.

One of Windermere Lake Cruises’ historic steamers will be decked out in Halloween-themed decorations, as the UK’s first official Laureate for Storytelling, Taffy Thomas MBE, entertains passengers with his unique brand of spooky tales and folklore about lakeside locations.

Setting sail on Wednesday 30 October 2013, traditional storyteller Taffy will be marking some of the ghostly goings on in and around the iconic landscape down the centuries. So whether you’re a true believer or a hardened sceptic, his storytelling cabin is sure to be centrepiece of the cruise.

There’ll also be plenty of family games and themed activities including face-painting on board. To make the budget stretch a little further, every child in fancy dress accompanied by a paying adult will be allowed on the Ghost Ship for free.

The full timetable for departures is:

• Lakeside, 1.35pm
• Bowness, 2.30pm
• Ambleside, 3.15pm
• Bowness, 4.00pm (for final sail to Lakeside, arriving at 4.40pm)

For maximum flexibility, passengers can join the spooky spectacle for all or part of the journey, using Windermere Lake Cruises’ usual scheduled tickets.

Prices start from £10.00 for adults and £6.00 for children, aged 5-15 (based on Bowness-Ambleside, return). Under 5s are free. Family tickets are also available.

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Festive family fun with ‘Santa Sailings’

Families can experience the stunning landscape of wintry Windermere and kick off their Christmas celebrations in style, with special Santa Sailings on England’s longest lake.

Windermere Lake Cruises will be running the special festive cruises from the warm and cosy surroundings of a boat beautifully decked out in traditional Christmas decorations on two weekends in December.

Father Christmas and his cheerful elves will create an enchanting experience for all ages, keeping youngsters captivated with festive games and entertainment, as well as individually wrapped gifts to take home with them. Meanwhile, mums and dads can take a well-earned break from the yuletide preparations on this leisurely journey, complete with a glass of sherry and delicious mince pies. Other winter warmers on offer include coffee, tea or even a hearty cup of hot chocolate with a hint of rum.

Setting off from Bowness on the lake’s eastern shore, the one and a half hour cruises will take in wooded shorelines and tranquil bays along the way, and who knows, perhaps even a peek at some snow-capped mountains!

Windermere Lake Cruises will be hosting eight special Santa Sailings in the run-up to Christmas 2013, with the festive fun starting twice daily (11.30am and 2.00pm) on:

• Saturday 7th December
• Sunday 8th December
• Saturday 14th December
• Sunday 15th December

Tickets are £9.95 each for adults and children aged three and over, while under threes cost £4.95. That includes festive entertainment, Christmas games, individual gifts, mince pies and a complimentary glass of sherry for grown-ups.

Tickets can be pre-booked online or by calling 015394 43360.