Windermere’s new Cross Lake Shuttle continues due to popular demand
Published: 3rd June 2024
Categories: Media Release
A
new Windermere Lake Cruises service launched to support businesses and
communities while the Windermere car ferry was out of action – is
continuing because of popular demand.
The Cross Lake Shuttle links the busy eastern shore of Windermere at Bowness to areas including, Claife, Sawrey, Hawkshead and Coniston.
It connects with the newly re-instated Mountain Goat 525 bus service
which takes passengers onward to Beatrix Potter’s rural retreat Hill Top
and the village of Hawkshead, with onward connections to Coniston. And
for the first time ever, from today (June 3) passengers can buy one
ticket which covers the shuttle, the Mountain Goat service and entry to
the National Trust’s Hill Top.
The Cross Lake Shuttle started in
mid-April when the Windermere Ferry MV Mallard, operated by Westmorland and
Furness Council between Ferry Nab and Ferry House, was taken out of action for
several weeks for inspection and maintenance.
Jennifer Cormack, Sales and Marketing Director at Windermere Lake Cruises,
says: “This is the first time since 2019 the Cross Lake Shuttle has operated
and we are delighted it has proved so popular with passengers.
“Our aim was to support nearby communities and keep residents
and visitors moving around our iconic landscapes with minimum
disruption. But now the Windermere ferry has resumed its clear there is
still a popular demand for the Cross Lake Shuttle.
“We are
particularly happy to bring in the through ticket with Mountain Goat and
The National Trust which supports local residents and visitors who want
to travel around the area without using a car.”
Laura Ruxton, General Manager, National Trust South Lakes, says: “We’re thrilled to be working with Windermere Lake Cruises and Mountain Goat to offer this combined ticket to Hill Top, Beatrix Potter’s farmhouse retreat. Visitors can now hop on board a WLC boat at Bowness, for a stress-free and scenic journey to explore the peaceful and picturesque Westshore of Windermere. Hill Top tickets sell out fast during busy times, such as the school summer holidays. By buying a combined ticket and arriving here by boat and bus, visitors are guaranteed entry even if we are fully booked on the Hill Top website.”
Robin Tyson, Managing Director of
Mountain Goat, says: ‘We’re thrilled Mountain Goat is part of the Cross Lake
experience. It’s a great initiative to encourage people over to the western
shore of Windermere, where they have the chance to visit the likes of Hill Top
and Hawkshead and enjoy the stunning scenery that surrounds the villages
there.”
The new landing location for the Cross Lake Shuttle is Ash Landing, is about
half a mile south of the previous cross lake shuttle landing point at Ferry
House. The new service will allow easy access to viewpoints, walks and National
Trust properties along the western shore.
There will be nine return services a day with the first sailing leaving Bowness
Pier 3 at 9.20am. The last return from Ash Landing will be at 16.55pm. Due to
the nature of the jetty at Ash Landing, sailings will be subject to weather
conditions and lake height being suitable for operation, and the Cross Lake
Shuttle will only carry foot passengers and not bicycles. An adult single
ticket will cost £4.80 (or return ticket £8). Children’s tickets will cost
£2.90 (or return ticket £4.80). Discounts will be available to holders of
Windermere Lake Cruises Residents’ Discount Cards. Well behaved dogs travel
free.
Hill Top/Mountain Goat will not be open/operate on the Fridays except May 31,
July 19 and 26, August All and November 1. (No Friday service in June,
September or October)
For full details visit www.windermere-lakecruises.co.uk/cruises-fares/bowness-to-ash-landing
