Windermere Lake Cruises staff member takes a photo of some visitors at Bowness-on-Windermere Pier

Recruitment Day offers jobs in one of Britain’s most beautiful locations

Published: 24th January 2023
Categories: Media Release

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Recruitment Day - Saturday 28 January, 10:00-16:00 - MV Swift at Bowness Pier LA23 3HQ, , All welcome.
👁️ Looking for work? See our vacancies here

A hundred jobs are up for grabs in one of the most beautiful locations in Britain.

The Lake District’s biggest paid-for attraction Windermere Lake Cruises is searching for people to come and work on its cruise vessels, self-drive boats, cafes, shops and ticket offices throughout this year’s peak holiday season and beyond.

Boat masters Charlotte Thornborrow, Doug Henderson and Anca Nistor - three recent recruits on board our modern launch, Miss Cumbria.

“These are jobs that are really quite special!” says Ian Wilkinson, HR manager at Windermere Lake Cruises. “You can come and work on a cruise ship, sail one of the world’s most beautiful lakes all day and still get home in time for tea!”

Windermere Lake Cruises is hosting a special Recruitment Day event onboard its newest vessel – the 300-seat MV Swift - on Saturday, January 28 from 10am to 4pm.

Boat master Rob Beale on the bridge of MV Swift - the newest vessel in the Windermere Lake Cruises fleet.

The vessel will be moored at Bowness Pier for the event which is open to anyone interested in joining one of the country’s leading tourist attractions.

“It’s a great opportunity to work in a place where we can promise some of the best views you are likely to find!” says Ian.”

Recent Visit Britain "Tourism Superstar" finalist Ahmed Abdelaziz greets customers at the self-drive boat hire pier in Ambleside.

The recruitment drive is to fill a range of vacancies both full and part time.

“The roles on offer are something rather different, explains Ian: “They have sociable hours and there are no split shifts. And there are good opportunities for career progression.

“We have people who come to work temporary summer jobs who are still with us ten to fifteen years later and working as Boat Masters or managers.

“There are not many jobs in hospitality that can compare to working on England’s longest lake,” he says: “We don’t sail after dark so there are no night shifts and during the day the most beautiful views you might imagine are drifting by your window.

“You can be out in the fresh air on one of our vessels, hire out our self-drive motor and row boats or work in our ticket offices, lakeside shops, cafés and information points.”

MV Swift on Lake Windermere where the recruitment day will be taking place

Starting rates are from £11.00 per hour and there are enhancements for overtime, bank holidays and some early evening work. Roles would suit anyone from someone looking to build a career, to retirees looking for part time work or students hoping to enhance their CVs. They will be based at either Ambleside, Bowness or Lakeside. Vessels operate seven days a week throughout the year and full training is given to all new recruits.

Current staff will be onboard MV Swift on the day along with HR specialists to talk through the vacancies available and to show people around the high-tech new vessel.

Windermere Lake Cruises is one of the Top Five most visited paid for attractions in the country according to latest figures from VisitEngland.

Its popularity means that during the summer months, staff numbers need to more than double to deal with the huge demand from passengers exploring England’s largest lake on its fleet of historic ‘steamers’, waterbuses and traditional wooden launches.


See our current job vacancies and find out how to apply on our jobs portal - windermere-lakecruises/jobs

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