boat trip in lake district

Lake Cruises and Boat Trips Lake District

Lake cruises and boat trips in the lake district.

Launches operate lake cruises and boat trips in the Lake District on Windermere , Derwentwater , Coniston Water and Ullswater . Windermere is the only lake with a car ferry.

Full details for each lake cruise and launch service can be found via the individual photo icons below. Scroll down for an overview of cruises, boat trips, launches and ferries in the Lake District and a location map

 Launches, Lake Cruises & Boat Trips, Lake District

The main boat landings and passenger terminals for boat trips are Bowness-on-Windermere for Windermere Lake Cruises, Keswick for Keswick Launch on Derwentwater, Coniston Village for the Coniston Launch and the Steam Yacht Gondola and Pooley Bridge / Glenridding for Ullswater Steamers.

All launch services operate a hop-on hop-off service with jetties around the lakes, and special cruises as well as boat trips. All lake cruises and launches in the Lake District also allow well behaved dogs on board, some restricting them to the outer decks and some applying a small charge.

There are no ferries connecting one lake to another so, contrary to the age old local “joke”, there is no ferry service between Derwentwater and Windermere – any more than there is a cable car up Skiddaw!

Go to Menu :

• Places to Visit
• History of the Lake District & Cumbria
• Landscape of the Lake District & Cumbria
• Introduction to the Lake District & Cumbria

Lake Cruises & Launches – Overview Map

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Welcome to ullswater ‘steamers’, the lake district.

Ullswater ‘Steamers’ celebrates over 160 years of operating cruises on one of England’s most beautiful lakes, Ullswater. Operating one of the largest heritage boat fleets in the world, we offer visitors an unforgettable experience 363 days a year. 

The cruises from Ullswater ‘Steamers’ connect to some of the most famous and iconic walking routes in the Lake District National Park, with views of Wordsworth's daffodils on the west shore in spring.

Pooley Bridge Pier

The pretty Lakeland village of Pooley Bridge was once an important fishing trading area with its origins dating back to the 16th century.

• Just ten minutes from the M6
• Lots of great places to eat and drink in Pooley Bridge
• Within walking distance of Dalemain Mansion and Lowther Castle
• Visit our Tourist Information Centre shop in the village to pick up some mementoes
• Car parking available in the village – just a five minute walk from Pooley Bridge pier

Book Tickets From Pooley Bridge

Howtown Pier

The start of the famous lakeshore walk to Glenridding and gateway to the Valley of Martindale, home to the only wild red deer herd in the UK.

• A quiet, relaxing area around the pier, perfect for a picnic – but please remember to take home your rubbish
• Great access to lots of lovely walking routes suitable for all levels of walker
• Home of the Howtown Hotel
• Please only access Howtown via Ullswater ‘Steamers’ boats - no car parking

Book Tickets From Howtown

Glenridding Pier

A former mining village and gateway to Helvellyn, England’s third-highest mountain.

• Car parking available at Glenridding pier house
• Visit the shops in Glenridding village and excellent cafés for refreshments
• Inn on the Lake is just 5 minutes away from the pier – perfect for an afternoon tea
• Explore the area on foot or by bicycle from Glenridding pier

Book Tickets From Glenridding

Aira Force Pier

Connecting National Trust waterfall Aira Force and the Ullswater Way paths to both Glenridding and Pooley Bridge. 

• Keep your eyes peeled for red squirrels
• See Wordsworth’s famous daffodils at Glencoyne Bay
• Grab a snack at the kiosk - they make delicious scones
• Pick from many walking routes around the Aira Force waterfall
• The waterfall is known as Aira Beck and is a 65 foot drop

Book Tickets From Aira Force

• Aira Force Waterfall

Connecting Ullswater walking routes

Ullswater 'Steamers' not only provide scenic lake cruises but also ferry visitors across the lake to connect with famous walking routes. We help people to enjoy and access some of the most popular walks in the Lake District, including the Ullswater Way. 

The Ullswater Way is a 20-mile circular route which opened in 2016 connecting all four piers by boat and boot. It can be walked and cruised in sections from any starting point and in either direction, allowing you to explore the lake's wonderful setting. 

Walkers can take advantage of our excellent facilities on board including both open and covered upper deck seating areas, downstairs saloons, licensed bars, and toilets. There are also facilities located at the pier houses, including free Wi-Fi.

Our 'Steamers'

Vessel: M.Y. Lady of the Lake

Built By: Seath & Co. of Rutherglen, Glasgow

Launched: 1877

Vessel: M.Y. Raven

Launched: 1889

Vessel: M.V. Western Belle

Built By: Millbrook Steamboat & Trading Co.Ltd

Launched: 2011

Vessel: M.V. Lady Dorothy

Launched: 2001

Vessel: M.V. Lady Wakefield

Built By: River Dart Steamboat Co. Ltd

Launched: 2007

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Enjoy extra savings online with great value hop/off all-day tickets linking some of Ullswater's most beautiful spots, including Aira Force waterfall. Experience the scenery that inspired some of Wordsworth's most famous poetry and views that continue to delight visitors daily. Tickets are also available to purchase on the day from our pier houses. 

Enjoy a car-free visit to the Ullswater Valley with the return of the 'Ullswater Bus' , connecting key hotspots in the valley. Find out more and view the timetable here .

Our Route Map

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THE 10 BEST Lake District Boat Rides & Cruises

Boat rides & cruises in lake district.

• Kayaking & Canoeing
• Stand-Up Paddleboarding
• Water Sports
• River Rafting & Tubing
• Surfing, Windsurfing & Kitesurfing
• Fishing Charters & Tours
• Speed Boats Tours
• Waterskiing & Jetskiing
• Gondola Cruises
• Parasailing & Paragliding
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Coniston Launch
• Castlerigg Stone Circle
• Sail N Dine
• Likely to Sell Out
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Lake District Adventure Sightseeing Day Trip from Liverpool

2. Private Sailing Experience on Lake Windermere

3. Beatrix Potter Afternoon Half Day - includes Hill Top and Cruise

4. Coniston Water Wild Cat Island Cruise Yellow Route

5. Coniston Water 45 minute Red Route Cruise

6. Private Sail and Dine Experience on Lake Windermere

7. Coniston Water Campbells On Coniston Cruise

8. Coniston Water Swallows and Amazons Cruise

9. Private Sailing Experience on Lake Windermere

10. Private Ullswater Sightseeing Tour (Full Day 7 Hours)

Keep the fun going with other experiences in the area.

Afternoon Tea Cruise in North Yorkshire

1-Hour Public Cruise

What travellers are saying.

• Row Boat Hire in Lake Winderemere
• Guided Canoeing Experience on Coniston Water - Half Day
• Coniston Water Campbells On Coniston Cruise
• Coniston Water Swallows and Amazons Cruise
• Coniston Water Wild Cat Island Cruise Yellow Route
• Path to Adventure
• Keswick Adventures
• Mobile Adventure - Day Adventures
• Adventure 21
• Mountain Memories
• West Lakes Adventure
• Joint Adventures
• Glenridding Sailing Centre
• Windermere Canoe Kayak
• Keswick Canoe and Bushcraft

The Ultimate Lake District Tour: the best of the lakes and landscape - Full Day All-inclusive Tour

Full Day 145.00 per person

Tour Rating:

You can join this tour:, this tour takes you to:.

• Lake Windermere views of the largest lake in the lake district, surrounded by panoramic mountain scenery.
• Kirkstone Inn the highest inhabited building in the Lake District.
• Kirkstone Pass the Lake District's highest pass that is open to motor traffic and it connects Ambleside in the Rothay Valley to Patterdale in the Ullswater Valley.
• Brothers Water in the Hartsop Valley .
• Patterdale the village where walkers begin their ascent via the Striding Edge path up to Helvellyn, the third highest peak in the Lake District.
• Glenridding close to the old Greenside Lead Mine which was established in the 1650's but now a peaceful craggy Lakeland village hugely popular with walkers.
• Ullswater with spectacular views of the second largest lake in the Lake District.
• Lake Cruise on Ullswater.
• Castlerigg stone circle perhaps the most atmospheric and dramatically sited of all British stone circles, with panoramic views and the mountains of Helvellyn and High Seat as a backdrop.
• Lakeside at Keswick on the shores of Derwentwater for a lunch stop.
• Surprise View for you to experience the beauty of Derwentwater with breathtaking views of the surrounding fells including special views of Skiddaw, England's fourth highest mountain and Catbells, a favourite inspirational place of Beatrix Potter.
• Ashness Bridge to see the most photographed packhorse bridge in the Lake District set in a beautiful location with fantastic views.
• Seatoller , next to the wettest inhabited place in England and an oasis of tranquillity.
• Honister Mine for a quick stop at England's last working slate mine.
• Honister Pass the spectacular highest and steepest pass in the area.
• Buttermere, the classic combination of lakes and mountains which made this place popular with visitors since the beginning of tourism in the Lake District.
• Moss Force Waterfall with a fall of around 100m.
• Whinlatter Viewpoint for spectacular views down Bassenthwaite Lake .
• Thirlmere the man-made vast reservoir which submerged the settlements of Armboth and Wythburn in 1889.
• Dunmail Raise the low-level mountain pass and legendary burial place of King Dunmail.
• Grasmere one of the smaller lakes of the English Lake District with a small island in the middle, one of Wordsworth's favourite places when he lived at nearby Dove Cottage.
• Rydal Water tranquil and serene with beautiful reflections of Loughrigg fell.

What is included in this tour:

• Full Day Tour
• Lake Cruise on Ullswater
• Experienced driver for your safety on the steep, narrow and twisty Lakeland roads and to provide expert commentary throughout the tour
• Small group of up to 7 people for a more flexible and personalised experience
• Use of personal radio communication technology to keep you in-touch with your guide when you are off the minibus (where applicable)

Additional Features:

• Gift Shops at Lakeside and Honister Mine
• Food, drink or comfort facilities available at Aira Force, Lakeside and Honister Mine
• Suitable for solo travellers

This full day, all-inclusive tour will take you to the north western Lake District for spectacular scenery, fascinating heritage sites, ten lakes and four mountain passes in just a single day. This is our number 1 most popular tour and gets fully booked quickly so please book your seats early as we have limited places and dates available.

Your day starts with a climb, all the way up to the Kirkstone Inn ,the highest inhabited building in the Lake District, for a stop to take in the views back down the valley right the way down to Lake Windermere and Ambleside. This once important coaching inn sits almost at the summit of the Lake District's highest pass that is open to motor traffic.

From here the road plunges down into the Kirkstone Pass properly with the valley walls rising up steeply on either side, past the church shaped rock from which the valley gets its name and on to the viewpoint for a photo stop of the ribbon of road as it descends down to Brothers Water. This lake was one of the first places in the Lakes to be acquired by the National Trust.

The thin strip of road winds past the lake, down to the Ullswater valley and on to the charming and popular village of Patterdale. This the starting point for a number of popular hill-walks, most notably the Striding Edge path up to Helvellyn, the third highest mountain in the Lakes. The only other village in this valley is Glenridding and it is here that we get our first glimpse of the National Park's second largest lake, Ullswater.

Here you join a 1 hour cruise on Ullswater to relax and see the stunning fells as the boat cruises the full length of the lake.

You now rejoin your minibus as we leave Ullswater and head north and west towards Keswick. As we pass the impressive mountains and fells, looking up at Blencathra one cannot help but be moved by its shear scale, and those slender fingers of rock running southwards from its high ridge line must either frighten, or excite. Blencathra is one of the most northerly mountains in the Lakes with six separate fell tops, the highest standing at 868-metres. One of the famous features of Blencathra is the steep ridge called Sharp Edge which you will see as we pass the foot of the mountain. This is a walker's paradise and some of the fells in this area are challenging and difficult even on a mild summer's day. Your next stop is right in among these rugged mountains at one of the most spectacularly located Neolithic stone circles anywhere, Castlerigg.

Castlerigg Stone Circle stands on a superb natural plateau commanding a superb 360 degree view over the surrounding fells. Made up of 38 free standing stones, some up to 3 metres (10 feet) high, it is one of Britain's earliest stone circles dating back to the Neolithic period 4000 to 5000 years ago. The spectacular and atmospheric location will take your breath away but we only have a short stop here before we head onwards to the shores of Derwentwater for your next destination.

Our journey now takes us a short distance to the head of Derwentwater where we stop at Lakeside near Keswick, for lunch. This is a tiny, hidden corner of the Lakes with lots going on. The theatre here, hailed by The Independant newspaper as "the most beautifully located and friendly theatre in Britain", opened in 1999. It sits only a short stroll from Derwentwater on the edge of Keswick, amid the magnificent western fells of the Lake District. The Lakeside Café Restaurant is perched between the theatre and Derwentwater. Lofty, light and airy, its large windows give spectacular views across the lake to Cat Bells and beyond, it's the perfect setting for you to enjoy lunch.

After lunch, your guide may take you for a short stroll along the shores of Derwentwater to Friars Crag. This is a promontory jutting into Derwentwater on a stretch of shore about half a mile from the boat landing stages. Ruskin described the view as one of the three most beautiful scenes in Europe. The path from the Lakeside café is easy, taking us along the shore line, with clear views over to Derwent Isle, and across the lake to Brandlehow Woods, the first property acquired by the National Trust in the Lake District.

We now travel to 'Surprise View' , one of the most stunning viewpoints in the Lake District. From here you can see Derwentwater, one of the principal bodies of water in the Lakes. Derwentwater has four permanent islands: Derwent, Lord's, Rampsholme and St. Herbert's. It also has (reputedly) one floating island which sporadically appears towards the end of summer consisting of a mass of vegetable matter that rises to the surface on a cushion of methane gas! Visitors have flocked here for generations to admire the beauty and climb the fells. Two of the favourite holiday homes of Beatrix Potter , Lingholm and Fawe Park, lie on the far shore of Derwentwater. The lake was also used as a filming location for the 2015 Star Wars blockbuster 'The Force Awakens'.

We then drop down the hill to Ashness Bridge , one of the most photographed packhorse bridges in the Lakes.

We now move on to Seatoller, a small hamlet in Borrowdale valley next to Seathwaite which is the wettest inhabited place in England. Despite its remote location, this tiny farm settlement is a magnet for walkers.

The road now rises higher and higher as we climb the fell to the Honister Slate Mine at the head of the pass. We have a brief stop here for you to capture the view down the valley on your camera. Passing the slate sculptures of the Guardians of the Pass, we now climb slowly down the steep track as it twists and turns into the Honister Pass itself. Beautiful, remote and desolate, the pass winds through the fells, the green-tinged slate shining in the sun and the curved rock faces looming above us.

The pass itself connects the Buttermere valley with the eastern end of the Borrowdale valley. Rising to 1167 feet in height at the summit, it is one of Cumbria's highest passes, with a gradient of 1 in 4. Flowing through the pass from the summit to Buttermere is Gatesgarthdale Beck and in the valley bottom we stop for another photo opportunity.

Buttermere could not be more of a contrast to the magnificent yet hard scenery of Honister. We are now entering the Vale of Lorton, one of the lushest and prettiest parts of the Northern Lakes, the valley contains the lakes Loweswater, Crummock Water and Buttermere. We see two of these, and driving down the eastern shores of the lakes with the sun glinting off the water is one of the loveliest places to be in the Lakes; it is still beautiful even in the rain.

A steep climb takes us up the Newlands Pass with stunning views over the adjoining valleys. At the top of the pass we will stop to admire Moss Force Waterfall . A gentle descent awaits us on the other side as we head north again.

We travel onwards to the Whinlatter Viewpoint where we will stop again to allow you to admire the magnificent views of Bassenthwaite .

We now head back towards Keswick and start the journey down towards Ambleside. On the way you will pass Thirlmere, and at the foot of the water, we then head back along your fourth, and last, mountain pass of Dunmail Raise.

Now the road drops steadily down from the fells and before long, we pass Grasmere village to drive along the shores of Grasmere, your ninth lake . William Wordsworth lived here at Dove Cottage and as we continue on, we pass Nab Cottage, the home of his friend and author, Thomas de Quincey. The road winds along the shore until we come to Rydal Water, your tenth and final lake. The water here is often mirror-like still with beautiful reflections of the surrounding fells. We pass Wordsworth's last and favourite home which is situated off the road at Rydal as we return to Ambleside for the first of our drop-off points.

Additional Information

• The English Lake District weather can change quickly, even in the summer months. Please bring a waterproof coat with a hood in case of rain or windy weather.
• As there is some walking involved in the tour, some uphill and on uneven or wet terrain, please wear suitable, comfortable shoes.
• No food or drink is included in the tour price.
• This tour is not suitable for children under the age of 5.

More Details about the Places on the Tour

Kirkstone pass.

Kirkstone Pass with an altitude of 1,489 feet is the Lake District's highest pass that is open to motor traffic. The Kirkstone Pass Inn stands close to the summit of the pass. Formerly an important coaching inn, it now caters primarily for tourists and is the third highest public house in England.

Near the top of the pass is Kirkstone Quarry (below), where rock extraction and architectural stone production took place over 500m above sea level. Further production facilities for bespoke items such as work surfaces, head office and trade showroom were located at Skelwith Bridge near Ambleside. The main materials mined were green and blue-black slate. The former, a unique composition of volcanic material layered down some 450 million years ago, is found only in relatively small deposits within the Lake District. Intense compression led to metamorphosis into a dense and highly durable rock with great lateral strength. The latter took on a much more common geological formation, being an accumulation of dense and deeply compressed sedimentary material formed some years after the volcanic period, deep in the rifts of the earth's surface.

This lovely lake is surrounded by stunning mountain scenery to its south, softening to the gentle hills of the north. The lake is the second largest in England at seven and a half miles long, but is less than a mile across. It is also the third deepest English lake at 250 feet deep. It has three distinct bends giving it a dog's leg appearance. Ullswater is clear but deep, and in the deepest part lives a curious fish called the skelly, a sort of freshwater herring.

There are dramatic views from both sides of the lake, by foot or by vehicle. The small village at the foot of Ullswater, Glenridding, is a popular starting point for walkers and climbers going up Helvellyn, England's third highest mountain including Striding Edge and Swirral Edge. Further along the lake is Glencoyne Park. It was here that William and Dorothy Wordsworth were walking on 15 April 1802, when the location gave him the inspiration to write his most famous poem, 'Daffodils'.

Castlerigg Stone Circle

Castlerigg is perhaps the most atmospheric and dramatically sited of all British stone circles, with panoramic views and the mountains of Helvellyn and High Seat as a backdrop. It is also among the earliest British circles, raised in about 3000 BC during the Neolithic period. The most visited stone circle in Cumbria, every year thousands of people visit it to look, photograph, draw and wonder why and when and by whom it was built. The stone circle itself is on the level top of a low hill with views across to Skiddaw, Blencathra and Lonscale Fell.

There are 38 stones in a circle approximately 30 metres in diameter. Within the ring is a rectangle of a further 10 standing stones, the tallest stone is 2.3 metres high. The site is important in terms of megalithic astronomy and geometry, as the construction contains significant astronomical alignments. Although its origins are unknown it is believed that it was used for ceremonial or religious purposes.

There is a lot going on in this small corner of the Keswick area. Not only is there a theatre and a café/restaurant, but at the boat landing stage, you can purchase duck food for 50p from either the steamer boat house, or the National Trust shop opposite. A short walk away from the lake up the road that leads past the café, theatre, and car park is the entrance to Hope Park. Here there are remote control steamer boats that can be used for £1, and a crazy golf course. There may be just time for you to have a quick look but as there is so much more still to come on the tour, we cannot linger here.

Friars Crag

Friars Crag achieved its name because it was believed to be the embarkation point for monks making a pilgrimage to St Herbert's Island, located south west of the crag. It was through the efforts of Canon Rawnsley, vicar of Crosthwaite and one of the founders of the National Trust that much of Borrowdale was preserved from development. On his death in 1920 Friars Crag, together with Lords Island and Calf Close Bay were given to the Trust as his memorial. A plaque to his memory is set into a wall beside the Friars Crag Path. Also at Friars Crag is a memorial, unveiled in 1900, to John Ruskin, who had many associations with Keswick. He once said Keswick was a place almost too beautiful to live in.

Honister Slate Mine

Located at the head of Honister Pass in the heart of the Lake District, Honister Slate Mine produces the world famous Westmorland Green Slate a beautiful, functional 450 million year old material that has been extracted here for centuries. For well over 300 years slate from the Honister quarries was carried by pack-horse across the high mountains to the Cumberland coast. This involved an extremely hazardous journey on steep terrain. The route the pack trains took can still be followed today and occasionally along the way one can see deposits of broken slates showing where a load slipped and the fragile contents were lost. The route is still known as 'Moses' Trod' after the quarryman, Moses Rigg, who, as well as being a skilled slate worker, operated a profitable sideline of carrying and distributing smuggled whisky from the coast which he stored in the workings on Honister Crag.

Honister Pass

For hundreds of years the only means of transport of goods between the Lake District valley communities was by pack ponies that used well established pack-horse routes across high mountain passes. These routes frequently ran from the heads of valleys and the valley-head farms became important staging points for the ponies. Although the high level tracks were well graded, they could become very dangerous in bad weather. It was only in the 19th C that improved roads removed the need for this type of transport but even today many valley-head farms are still very isolated with the only visitors being walkers passing through heading along the fells.

Buttermere, the lake by the dairy pastures, is 1 1/2 miles long, 3/4 of a mile wide and 75 feet deep. The classic combination of lakes and mountains has made this popular with visitors since the beginning of tourism in the Lake District. A visit to Buttermere is principally for its natural attractions as the area offers some of the best walking country in the Lake District. In the little Church of St James, is a stone tablet set into the windowsill of a south window as a memorial to Alfred Wainwright, the famous walker and author of guidebooks. The window looks out on his favourite place to walk, Haystacks, where at his wish his ashes were scattered.

Buttermere village is a small hamlet situated between the lakes Buttermere and Crummock Water, which were originally one post-glacial lake. The land was created by the debris washed down from the surrounding hills. Buttermere lake is owned by The National Trust, and is 1½ miles long, ¾ mile wide and 75 feet deep.

There is a popular local story about Mary Robinson, the stunning daughter of the Fish Hotel's landlord, became known as the "Beauty of Buttermere", and in 1802 she married Lieutenant-Colonel the Hon. Alexander Augustus Hope. Unfortunately he was an imposter and bigamist who was subsequently hanged in Carlisle, not for bigamy but forgery! Her story has been told in several novels, most recently by Melvyn Bragg in "The Maid of Buttermere".

which was originally two smaller lakes, which were purchased by Manchester City Corporation Waterworks in 1889. The area was dammed with a dam whose greatest height is 104 feet, and the area became one vast reservoir. In the process, the settlements of Armboth and Wythburn were submerged.

Dunmail Raise

This is the flattest of the mountain passes in the Lake District running down towards Grasmere. Dunmail Raise is also the name of a large cairn which stands on the top of the pass, on the central reservation between the two carriageways of the road. Legend has it that Dunmail, the last king of Cumberland, is buried beneath the cairn at Dunmail Raise after having been slain by the English in battle.

The village is on the river Rothay which flows into Grasmere (the body of water), which lies about 0.5 km to the south and is overlooked from the north-west by the rocky hill of Helm Crag, popularly known as The Lion and the Lamb or the Old Lady at the Piano. These names are derived from the shape of rock formations on its summit, depending on the side from which you view it.

The lake at Grasmere being one mile long, half a mile wide and 75 feet deep, would be an attractive and popular tourist area even without its Wordsworth connections. 'The most loveliest spot than man hath found' was Wordsworth's famous quote describing the area of Lakeland that he most loved. The small island in the middle of the lake was his favourite destination while he was staying at nearby Dove Cottage.

Rydal Water

Rydal Water is one of the smallest lakes at three quarters of a mile long, quarter of a mile wide and with a depth of 55 feet, but it is very popular partly because of its Wordsworth connections. Steps lead up from the western end of the lake to 'Wordsworth's Seat', reputedly the poet's favourite viewpoint. Overlooking the lake is Nab Cottage, once home to Thomas Quincey and Hartley Coleridge, the son of Samuel Taylor Coleridge.

Check the availability for The Ultimate Lake District Tour: the best of the lakes and landscape - Full Day All-inclusive Tour

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THE 10 BEST Lake District Boat Rides & Cruises

Boat rides & cruises in lake district.

• Kayaking & Canoeing
• Stand-Up Paddleboarding
• Water Sports
• River Rafting & Tubing
• Surfing, Windsurfing & Kitesurfing
• Fishing Charters & Tours
• Speed Boats Tours
• Waterskiing & Jetskiing
• Gondola Cruises
• Parasailing & Paragliding
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Coniston Launch
• Castlerigg Stone Circle
• Sail N Dine
• Likely to Sell Out
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Lake District Adventure Sightseeing Day Trip from Liverpool

2. Private Sailing Experience on Lake Windermere

3. Beatrix Potter Afternoon Half Day - includes Hill Top and Cruise

4. Coniston Water Wild Cat Island Cruise Yellow Route

5. Coniston Water 45 minute Red Route Cruise

6. Private Sail and Dine Experience on Lake Windermere

7. Coniston Water Campbells On Coniston Cruise

8. Coniston Water Swallows and Amazons Cruise

9. Private Sailing Experience on Lake Windermere

10. Private Ullswater Sightseeing Tour (Full Day 7 Hours)

Keep the fun going with other experiences in the area.

Afternoon Tea Cruise in North Yorkshire

1-Hour Public Cruise

What travellers are saying.

• Row Boat Hire in Lake Winderemere
• Guided Canoeing Experience on Coniston Water - Half Day
• Coniston Water Campbells On Coniston Cruise
• Coniston Water Swallows and Amazons Cruise
• Coniston Water Wild Cat Island Cruise Yellow Route
• Path to Adventure
• Keswick Adventures
• Mobile Adventure - Day Adventures
• Adventure 21
• Mountain Memories
• West Lakes Adventure
• Joint Adventures
• Glenridding Sailing Centre
• Windermere Canoe Kayak
• Keswick Canoe and Bushcraft

Yellow Cruise & Steam Train

Enjoy a half lake cruise with a nostalgic train journey., bowness pier ← ⛴ → lakeside pier/station ← 🚂 → haverthwaite station.

🕘 2 hours+ return / 70 minutes one way

• This ticket includes a scenic boat service between Bowness and Lakeside and a trip on the Lakeside & Haverthwaite heritage railway.
• Start from Lakeside Railway Station/Pier or Bowness Pier*. You can do the boat or train portion of your journey first. Your ticket allows you get off at each stop and choose to get a later departure back. See options.
• Each boat service includes a fascinating commentary on the history, attractions and points of interest surrounding Windermere.

🚢 Boat travel will be on board a historic 'steamer' such as MV Swan , MV Teal or MV Tern (see timetable below).

*You can start from Haverthwaite Station, just purchase your tickets on the day from Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway - no online joint tickets

A great day out whichever pier you start at

Start from Bowness Pier

• Travel by boat from Bowness to Lakeside (40 mins), cross the platform (2 mins walk) and take the steam train from Lakeside to Haverthwaite Station (18 mins). Return by steam train from Haverthwaite to Lakeside and catch the boat back to Bowness.

Start from Haverthwaite Station

• Please note you can't use this online ticket to start from Haverthwaite Station. To start from Haverthwaite, simply purchase your ticket from their ticket office on the day. Travel by steam train to Lakeside (18 mins) & cross the platform to catch your boat to Bowness (40 mins). Spend some time in Bowness, before re-tracing your steps via boat and then train to Haverthwaite.

Start from Lakeside Pier/Station

• Boat first - Travel by boat from Lakeside Pier to Bowness (40 mins), explore Bowness and get a boat back to Lakeside Pier. Cross the platform (2 mins) to catch the steam train to Haverthwaite Station (18 mins).
• Steam train first - Travel by steam train from Lakeside Station to Haverthwaite Station (18 mins) and then get a return steam train back to Lakeside Pier. Cross the platform at Lakeside (2 mins) to catch the boat from Lakeside to Bowness (40 mins). Explore Bowness and get a boat back to Lakeside Pier (40 mins).

Get off and explore each stop

Whatever boat/train combination you choose, simply pick a later departure on each leg when booking to spend more time at each stop.

On the boat

• Choose between indoor, covered outdoor or fully outdoor seating when you board.
• Each boat has a fully stocked bar and snack-bar serving light refreshments.

Standard Ticket Prices (valid from Saturday 23rd March 2024 until Sunday 3rd November 2024)

• Prices below are return fares
• Book your tickets by selecting a date in the 'Book Your Cruise' box below.

Additional Information

• 🚲 Bikes can go on our 'steamer' services - sorry they can't go on the steam train
• 🚫 Sorry, you can't start at Haverthwaite on this online ticket
• 🚫 This e-ticket does not guarantee a seat on the steam train
• 🐕 Well-behaved dogs travel free (please keep them close to you at all times)

A steamer and a steam train combined image colage

Enjoy a stunning journey through the heart of The Lake District on board a historic 'steamer' and heritage railway.

Book Your Cruise

Select a date to view prices and sailing times.

• Child prices are valid for children aged 5-15 years. Children under 5 travel free.
• Family tickets are valid for 2 adults and up to 3 children.

Trains wait for the boats, and boats wait for the trains at Lakeside Pier. It is only a 2 minute walk between the boat and steam train. Train Departures

• 🚂 From Haverthwaite: 09:50, 10:50, 12:00, 13:00, 14:15, 15:20.
• 🚂 From Lakeside: 11:20, 12:30, 13:35, 14:50, 15:55.

Today's sailings from Lakeside

Today's sailings from bowness, pdf timetable, peak season timetable (23 mar - 26 may 2024).

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Peak Season Timetable (27 May - 31 May 2024)

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Peak Season Timetable (1 Jun - 21 Jul 2024)

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Peak Season Timetable (22 Jul - 29 Aug 2024)

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Peak Season Timetable (30 Aug - 1 Sep 2024)

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Peak Season Timetable (2 Sep - 26 Sep 2024)

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Peak Season Timetable (27 Sep - 20 Oct 2024)

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Peak Season Timetable (21 Oct - 26 Oct 2024)

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Peak Season Timetable (27 Oct - 3 Nov 2024)

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Lake Spotter's Guide - information on the main things to look out for around the lake

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Service Status

Today's Service Status

🕑: We are now running to our peak season timetable.

Access & Facilities

♿ disabled access.

Three different types of vessels operate on this route with varying accessibility.

• ♿ MV Swift - (marked with a green wheelchair icon on our timetables): our most accessible vessel - step-free access from pier to indoor/outdoor seating & accessible toilet
• ♿ 'Steamers' MV Swan/Teal - (marked with black wheelchair icon on our timetables) - step-free access from pier to indoor/outdoor seating. Toilets down steep steps.
• ❌ 'Steamer' Tern & modern launches like Miss Cumbria/Miss Lakeland - are not recommended for customers with limited mobility

Please visit our Accessibility section for more information.

Wheelchair users are strongly advised to call us to confirm which vessel is operating on which service, particularly in poor weather conditions. As on rare occasions, the vessels operating each route can change.

🧑‍🦽 Carer goes free policy

If a disabled adult in your group needs a carer, then the carer travels free. For more information about this scheme and to see all the terms and conditions, please read our company policy for disabled passengers .

☕ On-Board Facilities

• MV Swift - ☕ 🍺 🍷🥪Full bar with hot/cold drinks, draught beer/lager & sandwiches/snacks | 🚾Toilets including accessible toilet | 💺Indoor & outdoor seats
• 'Steamers' Swan/Teal/Tern - ☕ 🍺 🍷🥪 Full bar with hot/cold drinks, draught beer/lager & sandwiches/snacks | 🚾 Multiple toilets | 💺 Indoor & outdoor seats
• Launches like Miss Cumbria/Miss Lakeland - ☕ 🍾 Bottle bar with hot/cold drinks/snacks | 🚾 Single toilets | 💺 Indoor & outdoor seats

🎫 Conditions of Carriage

Our services are provided in accordance with our Conditions of Carriage.

🚭 No Smoking Policy

For the safety and comfort of all passengers and crew, Windermere Lake Cruises Ltd operates a no smoking policy on-board its vessels, piers and shore premises. This includes electronic cigarettes.

🐶 Dogs

All well behaved dogs are welcome on board and travel for free.

🚲 Bikes

Bikes are welcome on board our larger vessels if space is available. Each bike will cost £1 per journey pier to pier payable on the day of travel.

Upgrade This 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 & Steam Train

Spend a day on our cruises & enjoy one return trip on the Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway | ⚓ Unlimited boats + 🚂 Steam Train 🕑 24 hours

Lake Cruises

The best way to explore coniston water.

Book Now 15% Off

Plan your cruise

Check times for the Coniston launch.

See prices for the Coniston launch.

Explore the jetties on Coniston Water.

Have questions? Check our FAQs.

Regular Cruises

Coniston launch service.

We run regular services covering two different circular routes on Coniston Water. Enjoy a full cruise or hop-on hop-off at any of the jetties.

Find out more

Visit Brantwood

Visit brantwood, john ruskin’s historic home.

Sail to Brantwood and visit the historic home of John Ruskin, poet, artist and social reformer. Explore the house, garden, craft gallery and café overlooking the lake. We sell discounted tickets for entry to Brantwood on board the boat.

Themed Cruises

Swallows and amazons cruise.

Step into the world of Swallows and Amazons and enjoy our 90 minute cruise as we discover the places used in the 1974 and 2016 films. Mondays and Wednesdays throughout Spring and Summer.

Campbells on Coniston Cruise

A 90 minute cruise and talk following the route of Sir Malcom and Donald Campbell’s speed record attempts on Coniston Water. Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout Spring and Summer.

Groups & Charters

Celebrate in style on coniston water.

Book a private lake cruise to create a memorable occasion for your guests. From corporate events and conferences to birthday parties and weddings.

Explore Coniston Water

A collection of activities to do around Coniston Water.

A guide to sightseeing around Coniston Water.

Explore the Islands around Coniston Water.

Food & Drink

Where to eat and drink around Coniston Water.

A selection of walking routes around Coniston Water.

Accommodation

Where to stay around Coniston Water.

Coniston Launch Brochure

Download Brochure

Privacy Overview

• Places to go
• Things to do
• Where to stay
• Plan your visit

Enjoy one of our up and coming events!

• Places to visit

Lakes Activities Guide

• Paddleboarding and kayaking
• Lake Byelaw enforcement
• Windermere boat registration
• Bassenthwaite permits

Helping our wildlife

• Historical places to visit
• Things to do for families and children
• Things to do on a rainy day
• Things to do for young people
• Dark skies and stargazing
• Locations for Painting
• Country shows and festivals
• Unsealed Roads
• Rights of Way and access
• Book your School trip to the Lake District
• Flying Drones
• Health and wellbeing
• The Countryside Code
• Car parks in the Lake District
• Plan your winter visit to the Lake District
• Getting to and around the Lake District
• Accessible for all
• Coronavirus (Covid-19) news
• Weather in the Lakes
• Webcams, videos and photos
• Frequently asked questions
• Supporting the National Park

• Visiting >
• Things to do >
• On the Water

Water and boating activities in the Lake District

The Lake District has more than 16 lakes and numerous tarns plus a stretch of coastline. Here you can discover how to access and explore our lakes and waters safely - from hiring boats, kayaks, canoes and paddleboards, renewing boat permits, lake byelaw information and fishing permit, to handy information about the ecology of the lakes. You'll also find water safety advice for swimming, boating, rowing, sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, paddleboarding and fishing.

A simple, handy guide to activities on our main lakes in the Lake District National Park. From swimming and paddleboarding to kayaking and boating and who to contact for each lake. Lakes Activities Guide

Learn about the swim safe code and some simple guidelines to help keep you and others safe. Plus, discover where you can swim and be inspired by swimming groups, sessions and events at  Swimming.

Paddleboarding

Discover how to create your own adventure and take to the water safely in a canoe, kayak or on a paddleboard. Find safety information and information on equipment hire at  Paddleboarding & kayaking.

Discover boat hire and learn about permits on Bassenthwaite and Windermere, the lake byelaws and how to report an infringement, as well as important boat safety including the Boat Safe Code. Boating

A guide to fishing in the Lake District National Park including our lakes and rivers. Read the code of conduct and find information on permits to fish at Bassenthwaite. Fishing

Invasive non-native species of wildlife can threaten wildlife in the Lake District, so here you'll find information on how to prevent spreading them when you visit rivers, tarns or lakes. Helping our wildlife

Become a Lake District expert

Are you a lover of the Lake District? Become an expert by being the first to hear about news and updates, learn about nature, wildlife and places to visit. Subscribe before 17 May 2024 for a chance to win a voucher worth up to £125 (T&Cs apply)

The Lake District National Park Authority looks after this unique corner of England, encouraging people to enjoy and understand its beauty and helping those who live and work here. Our staff include rangers and field workers, advisers at our visitor centres, planners and ecologists.

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• Volunteer login
• Weatherline

The 11 best boat trips in Lake District

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Navigate backward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates.

1 Windermere

2 Derwentwater

3 Coniston Water

4 ambleside (waterhead pier) - windermere lake cruises ltd, 5 ullswater.

Track your travel spending and split costs with friends

Plan your trip. Keep your budget organized. Split the cost between tripmates. Wanderlog does it all.

6 Derwent Water Marina

7 windermere boat hire (bowness) - windermere lake cruises, 8 lake windermere hire boats, 9 sail n dine, 10 windermere wakesurfing ltd, 11 vip lake tours, top searches in lake district, what's the weather like in lake district.

It depends on when you visit! We've compiled data from NASA on what the weather is like in Lake District for each month of the year: see the links below for more information.

• Weather in Lake District in January
• Weather in Lake District in February
• Weather in Lake District in March
• Weather in Lake District in April
• Weather in Lake District in May
• Weather in Lake District in June
• Weather in Lake District in July
• Weather in Lake District in August
• Weather in Lake District in September
• Weather in Lake District in October
• Weather in Lake District in November
• Weather in Lake District in December

Explore nearby places

• Lake District
• Great Langdale
• Little Langdale
• Glenridding
• Grange-in-Borrowdale
• Troutbeck Bridge
• Wasdale Head
• Bowness-on-Windermere
• Near Sawrey
• the Newlands Valley
• Satterthwaite
• Portinscale

All related maps of Lake District

• Map of Lake District
• Map of Great Langdale
• Map of Grasmere
• Map of Elterwater
• Map of Little Langdale
• Map of Loughrigg
• Map of Rydal
• Map of Ambleside
• Map of Rosthwaite
• Map of Seathwaite
• Map of Coniston
• Map of Hawkshead
• Map of Troutbeck
• Map of Glenridding
• Map of Patterdale
• Map of Grange-in-Borrowdale
• Map of Troutbeck Bridge
• Map of Wasdale Head
• Map of Windermere
• Map of Far Sawrey
• Map of Bowness-on-Windermere
• Map of Near Sawrey
• Map of the Newlands Valley
• Map of Grizedale
• Map of Boot
• Map of Satterthwaite
• Map of Ings
• Map of Keswick
• Map of Buttermere
• Map of Portinscale
• Map of Threlkeld

Lake District throughout the year

• Lake District in January
• Lake District in February
• Lake District in March
• Lake District in April
• Lake District in May
• Lake District in June
• Lake District in July
• Lake District in August
• Lake District in September
• Lake District in October
• Lake District in November
• Lake District in December

Best attractions in nearby cities

• Top things to do and attractions in Keswick
• Top things to do and attractions in Ambleside
• Top things to do and attractions in Windermere

Best restaurants in nearby cities

• Where to eat: the best restaurants in Keswick
• Where to eat: the best restaurants in Ambleside
• Where to eat: the best restaurants in Windermere
• Where to eat: the best restaurants in Grasmere

• Itinerary + map in one view
• Live collaboration
• Auto-import hotels and reservations
• Optimize your route
• Offline access on mobile
• See time and distance between all your places

LUXURY SKIPPERED EXCURSIONS | LAKE WINDERMERE

[email protected]

BOOKINGS: 01539 468178

The perfect way to explore Windermere

Your own private, skippered cruise aboard a luxury motor boat... a simply unmissable experience whilst you're staying in the Lake District - or to celebrate something special!

The perfect experience if you're looking for something different, exciting and affordable to complement your stay in the Lake District.

Our luxury motor boats can carry up to 3 adults plus Skipper - or 2 adults & 2 small children. You relax in the sunshine whilst you take in the views!

We offer packages  to suit all budgets and are happy to tailor our cruises should you have any special requests - just give us a call today.

THE 10 BEST Lake District Boat Rides & Cruises

Boat rides & cruises in lake district.

• Kayaking & Canoeing
• Stand-Up Paddleboarding
• Water Sports
• River Rafting & Tubing
• Surfing, Windsurfing & Kitesurfing
• Fishing Charters & Tours
• Speed Boats Tours
• Waterskiing & Jetskiing
• Gondola Cruises
• Parasailing & Paragliding
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Coniston Launch
• Castlerigg Stone Circle
• Sail N Dine
• Likely to Sell Out
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Lake District Adventure Sightseeing Day Trip from Liverpool

2. Private Sailing Experience on Lake Windermere

3. Beatrix Potter Afternoon Half Day - includes Hill Top and Cruise

4. Coniston Water Wild Cat Island Cruise Yellow Route

5. Coniston Water 45 minute Red Route Cruise

6. Private Sail and Dine Experience on Lake Windermere

7. Coniston Water Campbells On Coniston Cruise

8. Coniston Water Swallows and Amazons Cruise

9. Private Sailing Experience on Lake Windermere

10. Private Ullswater Sightseeing Tour (Full Day 7 Hours)

Keep the fun going with other experiences in the area.

Afternoon Tea Cruise in North Yorkshire

1-Hour Public Cruise

What travellers are saying.

• Row Boat Hire in Lake Winderemere
• Guided Canoeing Experience on Coniston Water - Half Day
• Coniston Water Campbells On Coniston Cruise
• Coniston Water Swallows and Amazons Cruise
• Coniston Water Wild Cat Island Cruise Yellow Route
• Path to Adventure
• Keswick Adventures
• Mobile Adventure - Day Adventures
• Adventure 21
• Mountain Memories
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• Keswick Canoe and Bushcraft

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Lake District Tours with Mountain Goat

I know what tour I want

Your Lake District tour awaits you.

Ten Lakes Spectacular

Full day from £56.00

Highlights Include Beautiful Scenery - Historic Houses - Local Food & Drink - UNESCO World Heritage - Viewpoints

Six Lakes Spectacular

Half day from £32.00

Highlights Include Beautiful Scenery - Film & TV Locations - National Park - Religious Sites - UNESCO World Heritage - Villages

The High Adventure

Highlights Include Attractions - Beautiful Scenery - Museums - Outdoor Activities - Shopping

Lake District tour from Manchester

Full day from £68.00

Highlights Include Beautiful Scenery - Historic Houses - Lake Cruise - National Park - UNESCO World Heritage - Viewpoints - Villages

Lake District tour from Liverpool

Full day from £55.00

Highlights Include Beautiful Scenery - Historic Houses - Lake Cruise - National Park - Train Ride - UNESCO World Heritage - Viewpoints - Villages

Beatrix Potter's Favourite Countryside

Half day from £56.00

Highlights Include Beatrix Potter Locations - Beautiful Scenery - Film & TV Locations - Lake Cruise - UNESCO World Heritage

Roman Britain & Hadrian's Wall

Full day from £66.00

Highlights Include Attractions - Beautiful Scenery - Museums - National Park - Romans - UNESCO World Heritage - Viewpoints

Half Day Lakes from Keswick

Highlights Include Beautiful Scenery - Lake Cruise - Literature Locations - UNESCO World Heritage - Viewpoints - Villages

Infinity Adventure

Full day from £75.00

Highlights Include Attractions - Beautiful Scenery - Film & TV Locations - Local Food & Drink - National Park - Outdoor Activities - UNESCO World Heritage - Viewpoints - Villages

Lake Windermere, England's largest lake

Scafell Pike, England's highest mountain

Explore a World Heritage Site

Choose from a number of hotel pickups in the Lake District

Once home to literary legends

The Lake District does not only host some of the UK's most breathtaking scenery.

It is also steeped in history and has some great literary associations with famous writers and poets.

Mountain Goat Tour have been touring the Lake District fells since 1972.

We have a variety of award-winning guided tours that reach every corner of the National Park. 

Our Lake District day tours depart from Ambleside, Bowness, Grasmere, Kendal, Keswick and Windermere.

We also offer a Private Hire service from any location in the UK and tours to Hadrian’s Wall and the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

An Introduction to The Lake District

Often referred to as " The Lakes" or "Lakeland" , the famous mountainous region in the Northwest of England is a popular holiday destination for people from all over the world.

Renowned for its picturesque lakes, forests, and mountains the Lake District is home to many famous historical figures, writers, and poets.

Established in 1951 the National Park covers 2,362 square kilometres.

In 2017 the park was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site reinforcing its cultural and historical importance.

Located in the heart of Cumbria, the land within the National Park is higher than 3,000 feet above sea level.

The park also contains the deepest bodies of water, Wast Water and Windermere, as well as the highest mountain in England, Scafell Pike.

Mountain Goat offer a wide range of half or full day Lake District tours, available through both the summer and winter months.

Our tours cover all areas of the Lake District ensuring you don't miss any of the breathtaking natural views.

If you need more information on our guided tours of The Lake District please feel free to contact us today.

The Best of Mountain Goat Tours

Places to see in the Lake District National Park

Ashness Bridge

It is said that Ashness Bridge is the most photographed pack horse bridge in the Lake District. This is no surprise to us here at Mountain Goat because it is positioned in a stunning location with breath-taking views looking over Derwentwater and Bassenthwaite Lake in the distance.

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Blackwell Arts and Craft House

A Grade I listed building, Blackwell, The Arts & Crafts House is a masterpiece of twentieth century design.

Perched overlooking Windermere with impressive views, it was designed by architect Mackay Hugh Baillie Scott in 1898 and completed in 1901. It was built as a holiday home and haven from bustling Manchester life, for brewer Sir Edward and Lady Holt and their five children.

Explore the house at your leisure, join a talk or meet the Holts through our digital augmented realities. See original features, furniture and objects by leading Arts and Crafts designers and studios including metalwork by WAS Benson, ceramics by William De Morgan and furniture by Stanley Webb Davies and Baillie Scott.

Soak up the atmosphere in Blackwell’s fireplace inglenooks and the inviting window seats, and enjoy stunning views of the surrounding Lake District. Blackwell retains original decorative features, including a rare hessian wall-hanging in the Dining Room, leaf-shaped door handles, curious window catches, spectacular plasterwork, stained glass and carved wooden panelling.

Blackwell also offers an inviting Tea Room with quality, locally sourced produce, and The Shop has an enviable reputation for presenting work for sale by the best contemporary craft makers in the industry.

You can learn more about the house in the permanent gallery displays which present the story of the Arts and Crafts movement, Blackwell as a school and a recreated Master Bedroom. Throughout the year there are changing temporary exhibitions, as well as seasonal activities and events. There is always something new to discover.

Blea tarn is definitely one of the Lake District’s hidden gems. You can enjoy stunning views of the tarn itself with the famous Langdale Pikes as its backdrop, it really is positioned in the heart of the wild Lake District.

Situated at the side of Coniston Water, Brantwood offers a fascinating insight into the later life of John Ruskin. The house, filled with many fine paintings and Ruskin's personal treasures, has retained the character of its famous resident.

Ruskin was famous as a writer, artist, and social reformer who has influenced many great thinkers. 

The house, gardens and estate remain a source of inspiration, reflecting the wealth of cultural associations with Ruskin’s legacy – from the Pre Raphaelites and the Arts and Crafts Movement to the founding of the National Trust and the Welfare State.

Brantwood plays host to many contemporary exhibitions, concerts, courses and also carries out education work in the wider community, continuing to promote Ruskin's idea that "there is no wealth but life".

Brook House Inn

Brook House Inn has been a regular stop on the Mountain Goat High Tour for many years. Standing proud in the valley the inn provides a welcome respite after the rigorous journey over Hardknott pass. We offer local real ales, teas and  coffees but if you need something to really warm you up we have 180 malt whiskies to try! They have a lovely menu, with daily specials, if time is short they offer a range of sandwiches on homemade bread, soups, cakes and desserts.

Brook House Inn has been owned and run by the Thornley family for the last 20 years, with 3rd generation Emma now full time in the kitchen! Brook House was originally built in the 1800’s as a family home, but soon converted to a small hotel, over the years the building has been extended and now has 8 en suite guest rooms, restaurant and bar area. 

Eskdale is a wonderland of natural beauty, surrounded by the high fells at the top near the Roman Fort, then sweeping westwards down into the Irish sea. No lake in this valley but the local fells are dotted with tarns and Devoke Water sits just above the valley on Birker Fell. The valley was once rich in minerals including iron ore, which was extensively mined in the last two centuries, this brought the need for transport into the valley and so the  Ravenglass and Eskdale railway was born. Affectionately known as the Laal Ratty, this is now a major attraction, winning awards year after year. The station at Dalegarth is a 5 minute walk from Brook House Inn, and trains run every day from mid March to the end of October. The whole trip on the train takes about 45 mins passing through lovely countryside and terminating at the village of Ravenglass on the coast.

Buttermere is at the head of the valley of the river Cocker and is fed by Gategarth Beck; walking around the 7km lake shore path is very popular with visitors, particularly in the summer months.

The Buttertubs Pass is a high road in the  Yorkshire Dales ,  England . The road winds its way north from  Simonstone  near  Hawes  towards  Thwaite  and  Muker  past 20 metre deep limestone  potholes  called the Buttertubs. It is said that the name of the potholes came from the times when farmers would rest there on their way to market. During hot weather they would lower the  butter  they had produced into the potholes to keep it cool.

Castlerigg Stone Circle

Castlerigg Stone Circle is one of around 1300 stone circles in Britain and northern France but some say it is the one in the most stunning location. It pre-dates the most famous stone circle, Stonehenge. It’s commanding position has inspired many writers over the years and its purpose is still not known and probably never will be!

Visit this charming Peak District village which is surrounded by gritstone and limestone landscapes and marvel at the views from this beautiful location.

Castleton is also home to Peveril Castle, which you will see during your stop in the village. Nestled on the top of an overlooking hill this castle is thought to be one of the earliest Norman fortressess built in England by Henry II.

Chatsworth House Open Grounds

The open grounds of Chatsworth House are the perfect location to enjoy a leisurely stroll along a lazy flowing river in the sun. Enjoy views of the majestic stately home, which is the seat of the Duke of Devonshire and has been the home of the Cavendish family since 1549.

Derwent Dam

Derwent Dam, which holds the water of Derwent Reservoir is an incredible feat of human engineering and also the practice site for Dam Buster pilots to train in low level flying during WWII.

Grasmere is one of the Lake Districts most popular village, thanks to William Wordsworth and his family who moved here in 1799. From its stunning lake to Sarah Nelsons famous Grasmere gingerbread, it’s hard not to love such a place!

Grizedale Forest

Grizedale Forest, in the heart of the Lake District, offers an unrivalled day out for everyone. Situated between the lakes of Coniston and Windermere, Grizedale is an ideal place to go walking on one of our waymarked trails, with views of the lakes and mountains whilst in the shelter of the trees enjoying the sculptures in the forest, or simply discover a quiet spot to admire the wildlife.

Grizedale is a haven for art lovers and has an amazing new exhibition space with a full program throughout the year, with talks from the artists and even a chance to become part of the exhibition.

If you are feeling adventurous there are many Mountain bike trails for all the family to enjoy either with your own bike or hired bikes, we also have Segway treks, Tree Top Junior, Ziptrekking and Tree Top Adventure.

Afterwards you can relax and enjoy some refreshment in their Café in the Forest.

Gunnerside is a typical dales village in Swaledale, settled by the Vikings, with a history of lead mining and hill farming. Now a great location for tourists to explore the northern dales.

The name Gunnerside comes from the Nordic ‘Gunnar’s Saetr’ meaning the ‘Viking King’s summer pasture’. The Vikings who settled and shaped large parts of Northern England, thus had an impact on Gunnerside and the surrounding area as well. There doesn’t, however, seem to have been an entry for Gunnerside in the Domesday Book so it would appear there was no noteworthy settlement in the area in 1086.

Hadrians Wall

Hadrian’s Wall is almost 80 miles long and was the northern boundary of the mighty Roman Empire for around three centuries. It was built by a force of 15000 men over a 7-year period and comprises of forts, Mile Castles and, every third of a mile, a Turret, stretching from the North Sea to the Irish Sea. Originally, up to 3m wide and 5-6m high but much of the ruin today is around 1-2m high. To the south of the wall is the Vallum, a ditch mound, designating the south boundary of the militarised zone. It was designated a World Heritage Site in 1987.

Hardknott Pass

Hardknott shares the title of steepest road in England with Rosedale Chimney Bank in Yorkshire, both have a maximum gradient of 1 in 3 (33%). The first road over the pass was built by the Romans to join Mediobogdum, the fort on the pass, and the area is still home to some of the most impressive Roman ruins in Britain.

Hawkshead is a charming medieval village of narrow alleys and characterful squares in the valley between Windermere and Coniston. Hawkshead is home to a Grammar School, established in 1585, where the famous Lake District poet, William Wordsworth went to school. There has been a church on the hill overlooking the village since the 14 th Century but the current church was built in the 16 th Century.

Hill Top was bought by Beatrix Potter in 1906 eventually leaving it to the National Trust on her death in 1943. It was opened to the public by the Trust in 1946 and displayed many of her original drawings but these have subsequently been moved to the old offices of William Heelis where they are currently displayed. Hill Top remains open to the public as a museum to Beatrix and still retains the character of the house as it was when she died.

Honister Pass

Honister Pass is another of the Cumbria’s highest mountain passes, rising to 1167 feet at the summit. The pass offers a beautiful scenic drive from Keswick, which includes Newlands Pass, Buttermere and Crummock Water, which are all “off the beaten track” areas and not as busy as other parts of the Lake District.

Honister Slate Mine

Located at the head of Honister Pass in the centre of the Lake District, Honister Slate Mine offers a range of indoor and outdoor adventures for a range of ages and abilities. An all weather, all ages, all adventure in one beautiful location.  Honister is also the last working slate mine in England and home to the iconic Westmoorland Green Slate.

Keswick is a traditional market town with so much to offer, from restaurants to shops and not forgetting the Pencil Museum. Keswick is positioned between the stunning 931 metre summit, Skiddaw and the gentle beauty of Derwentwater, it has become a popular destination for tourists in the North Lakes.

Kirkstone Pass

Kirkstone Pass has an altitude of 1,489 feet making it the highest tarmac road in the National Park. It connects Ambleside in the Rothay Valley to Patterdale in the Ullswater valley. Near the summit built on the site of a 15 th Century Monastery is the old coaching inn, now popular with tourists, with low beams, open fires and good beer. From the car park opposite there’s a commanding view down to Windermere and Morecambe Bay in the distance. To the north of the pass you can also enjoy views of Brotherswater and Place Fell.

Lake Windermere

Lake Windermere is the largest lake in England surrounded by spectacular mountains and small villages. It is fed by the rivers Brathay, Rothay, Cunsey and Troutbeck. The lake has 18 islands and the main fish in the lake are trout, char, perch and the top predator is the pike; growing to 1.5m in length. If you would like to enjoy a cruise on England’s largest lake, head over to the Windermere Lake Cruises website!

Lanercost Priory

The Augustinian priory of Lanercost stands nearby to Hadrian’s Wall and was much involved in the Anglo-Scottish wars. During King Edward I campaign in 1306 – 1307 he stayed at the Lanercost Priory for 6 months and it suffered terribly from Scottish raids, almost destroying the building. In 1537 it was finally dissolved by Henry VIII and almost all of the building were stripped of lead, apart from the church. Today the beautiful 13 th century church remains remarkably well-preserved.

Lowther Caslte

Nothing will prepare you for the scale and beauty of Lowther Castle, surrounded by quintessential English parkland. A remarkable Gothic castle ruin set in ancient Gardens – now an award-winning attraction. Your clients will leave feeling both enlightened and inspired not just by the setting of Lowther in this stunning and unspoilt corner of the Lake District National Park - but also by the story of both the colourful characters who have lived here and its transformation in recent times. 

The restoration of Lowther Castle & Gardens is a remarkable story. In 1999, Lowther’s gardens were overgrown and lost to a commercial chicken farm and spruce forest; the castle, deroofed in 1957, was derelict. Today, the castle ruins are planted as a garden while the remainder of the 130-acre gardens have been rescued and are now widely acclaimed in horticultural circles. The Garden continues to evolve, as the 20-year masterplan is implemented, and new developments open each year. 

Mam Tor, which means Mother Hill, is a hill near the village of Castleton in the High Peak of Derbyshire. Known as the Mother Hill due to frequent landslips which have created smaller hills around its base it is a favourite for photographers due to its views of the Peak District, on a clear day you can even see the city of Manchester. 

It is also known locally as the "Shivering Mountain", join us on tour to find out why! 

Muncaster Castle is a Grade 1 listed building and has been the home to the Pennington family since the 13 th century; it is situated towards the west end of Muncaster Fell overlooking Eskdale. The oldest parts of the Castle include the Great Hall and Peel Tower. The grounds are extensive with a rhododendron collection of many colours. If you time your visit well, you will be able to enjoy their spectacular birds of prey show.

Learn More  

Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway

The Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway is one of the oldest and longest narrow gauge railways in England, known affectionately as La’al Ratty meaning “little railway“ in olde Cumbrian dialect. It was 105 years ago in April 1913 that the original 3ft line closed and in 1915 the new 15in La’al Ratty was born. The heritage steam engines transport passengers from Ravenglass, the only coastal village in the Lake District National Park and of huge significance in Roman times, being an important last defence point of the infamous Hadrians Wall, to Dalegarth for Boot some 210ft above sea level.

The journey itself was one of Wainwright's favourites; crossing through seven miles of spectacular scenery within sight of England’s highest mountains, the Scafell Range. The journey takes 40 minutes up the line from the protected nature reserves of the Ravenglass Estuary through ancient woodlands to the fells of the Eskdale Valley. En route keep your eyes peeled for Greylag Geese, Curlew, Shelduck, Red Squirrels and Buzzards. The cosy covered and open top carriages provide the best of comfort and views as you travel up the line. On arrival at Dalegarth there is something for everyone, with our cafe serving home made treats, a gift shop with plenty of pocket money gifts as well as great trails and walks to explore in this beautiful corner of the Lake District National Park. ‘Britain’s Favourite View’, Wastwater is just around the corner.

Robert Burns Mausoleum

Visit the resting place of Robert Burns, "Scotland's poet", a pioneer of the Romantic movement, and Scotish cultural icon.

The Mausoleum is located in St Michael's Church yard in the market town and former royal burgh of Dumfries.

Roman Army Museum

Roman Army Museum lies on the site of Carvoran Roman Fort adjacent to sections of Hadrian’s Wall. The museum’s artefacts, videos and reconstructions give great insight into the life of a Roman Soldier and the building of the wall at the northerly boundary of the Roman Empire. The award winning 3D film illustrates the military and civil engineering accomplishments of the Roman’s in Britain.

If history’s your thing, relish the fact that Sedbergh is mentioned in the Doomsday book, and the name’s a derivative from the Norse ‘Set Berg’ meaning ‘flat-topped hill’. The town was granted a market charter by Henry III in 1251 and Sedbergh School started here in 1525. In 1652, in the early days of the Quaker movement, George Fox, founder of the Quakers, preached to a congregation of a thousand from a large rock on the fellside just outside Sedbergh, which became known as Fox’s Pulpit.

If you prefer the here and now, simply enjoy the 21st century pleasures of an elegant market town, with space to breathe, and potter: a friendly approach to life; quality shopping; great pubs and local food and drink; comfortable places to stay to suit all tastes and budgets. There’s lots to see and do, both indoors and out, and wonderful views all around: whether you’re an adrenaline enthusiast or prefer something more relaxing.

Shap Abbey stands in a secluded valley by the River Lowther just to the north of the village of Shap. It was founded in the late 12 th Century by the Premonstratensian order of canons and was one of their 32 religious houses in Britain. Some of the main monastic buildings were incorporated into a farm, but most were gradually dismantled, and the materials were reused to build nearby Lowther Castle. Today the remains can be explored with the help of information panels which guide you around the abbey and illustrate daily monastic life.

Surprise View

Surprise View is located just up the hill from Ashness Bridge, perched high on an oak-lined cliff edge overlooking the whole of Derwentwater, Keswick and beyond to Bassenthwaite Lake! It really is worth a visit.

Sycamore Gap

The Sycamore Gap has become an iconic image associated with Hadrian's Wall and it is one of the most photographed trees in the country. Back in 2016 it even took the crown for English Tree of the year!

The tree is also known as the 'Robin Hood' tree and it became a star back in 1991 when it appeared in Robin Hood Prince of Thieves film, starring Kevin Costner. However, what makes the Sycamore Gapt really special is that its appearance is all down to geology happening over thousands of years.

Tarn Hows is a picturesque beauty sport just to the north of Coniston, originally three smaller tarns, Low, Middle and High, but the building of a dam raised the water level to create a larger body of water. Tarn How’s is accessible to everyone, regardless of age and physical ability due to it’s manageable footpath. The footpath around the tarn is just short of two miles long and offers the most stunning views!

Learn More   View More Tours

The Lakes Distillery

The Lakes practises holistic whisky making, with the whiskymaker at the helm throughout the journey through the distillery and beyond. His single-minded focus at every stage provides continuity of character; our assurance that every flavour possibility is achieved. Experience the excitement of a working distillery - see 'behind the scenes' on a distillery tour.

The Langdale Pikes

The Langdale Pikes are iconic and the most easily recognisable peaks in the Lake District. Viewed from Langdale their flanks are craggy and appear very steep, the sort of territory that appeals to climbers rather than walkers. However this is something of an illusion, for although there are plenty of crags to keep climbers happy the fells that lay between them are not as steep as they first appear - a trick of perspective. This provides adventurous walking in a very dramatic setting.

Thirlmere, at 3.5 miles long, 1.2 mile wide and 158 feet deep, was originally two smaller lakes, which were purchased by Manchester City Corporation Waterworks in 1889. The area was dammed with a dam whose greatest height is 104 feet, and the area became one vast reservoir. 

Thirlmere has a stunning setting, with impressive views of Helvellyn and Dollywagon Pike around the reservoir.

Wordsworth’s visit to Glencoyne Park gave William Wordsworth the inspiration for his most famous poem, Daffodils. Ullswater is the second largest lake in the Lake District, being approximately 9 miles long, it has also been described as the most beautiful lake in England.

Vindolanda is an amazing working archaeological dig site to the south of Hadrian’s Wall. There were 9 forts built on the site over the 400 years of occupancy of the Roman’s. Each day during the summer, treasures are uncovered by the volunteer excavators. The on-site museum, extended for 2018, displays the best of the artefacts. You can wander through the fort or Vicus remains imagining the sights and sounds the building walls would have heard.

Wastwater is the deepest lake in England at 80m, flanked on the south by the famous Wastwater screes, the weathered crumbled rock on the slope down into the lake. It was voted by viewers of a 2007 ITV programme to be the ‘best view in England’. The lake now supplies water to the Sellafield Nuclear Reprocessing plants. The views from here are simply breath-taking

Wensleydale Creamery

The Wensleydale Creamery is situated in the market town of Hawes in Wensleydale in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. The location is simply beautiful as they are surrounded by the most stunning dales landscape.The Wensleydale Creamery is an award-winning, independent traditional cheese-maker and specialist blender of cheese with ingredients. They use traditional methods to handcraft cheese to time-honoured recipes, using milk from local farms, as well as being innovative with the development of new cheese recipes.

One of Mountain Goat's favourites is their Yorkshire Wensleydale with Cranberries - it's delicious!

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THE 5 BEST Lake District Boat Tours

Boat tours in lake district.

• Climbing Tours
• Adrenaline & Extreme Tours
• Hiking & Camping Tours
• Kayaking & Canoeing
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Coniston Launch
• Sail N Dine
• Sailing Windermere
• Stoked Watersports
• Likely to Sell Out
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

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Police use deadly force against student with weapon outside Wisconsin middle school, officials say

MADISON, Wis. ( WMTV /Gray News) - Officials in Wisconsin were tasked with reuniting children with their families Wednesday after an earlier lockdown for reports of a student with a weapon outside of an area middle school.

The Wisconsin attorney general and Mount Horeb School District superintendent confirmed Wednesday night police used deadly force against the student, who did die as a result of their injuries.

The Mount Horeb Area School District and law enforcement agencies took action Wednesday morning after the student, who was not yet identified by authorities, was spotted with a weapon outside of the middle school, officials confirmed in a Facebook post.

The school district stated that the suspect did not get into the school on the 900 block of E. Garfield Street, and police have not found any additional suspects inside of the school.

The district reported that the “threat” was “neutralized outside of the building.”

An update posted around 12:10 p.m. indicated there were no reports of anyone hurt other than the suspect.

The district asked people not to come to the school campus as officers went through the property to ensure all students were safe.

“The safety and security of our students and staff is paramount,” the district stated. “We are following our emergency protocols. We will update you when we have more information to share.”

The Mount Horeb Police Department worked to reunite students with their families after it ensured everyone in the building was safe. Students in the intermediate center were evacuated and buses were used to escort them out of the school to a reunification site.

“You would be so proud of our students and staff, and we’re so grateful for our first responders,” the district added.

Parent Melissa Alvarado described the scary moments after hearing about the “safety threat.”

“I literally have one that left the middle school five minutes before the shooting happened,” Alvarado said. “My other one was on this side of the school when the shots were fired and she said all the teachers were telling the children, they were yelling telling all the kids to run to the other side of the school and then about a half hour later she called and said they were barricading doors.”

Brittany Rodriguez, a parent of four, said her son called her telling her he heard multiple shots.

“To get a call when you’re at work from your babies crying, saying there’s a shooting going on and we’re scared, and you’re 30 minutes away from them,” Rodriguez said.

Alyssa Kopsczynski, mother to 12-year-old Macy, said she heard all the sirens going off from her home.

“I live two blocks that way and hear all of these sirens going on and it’s one of those gut-wrenching feelings you never want to experience as a parent,” Kopsczynski said.

Her daughter described what she heard from inside of the school.

“Well there’s just a bunch of police officers that kept knocking on the door, making sure it was barricaded, and our sub that we had was by the door, ready, and we’re all just sitting there, quiet and texting our parents,” the seventh grader said.

Gov. Tony Evers posted on X that he was briefed on the situation at the middle school and was monitoring it.

“I am praying for the health and safety of our kids, educators, and staff and grateful for the first responders who are working quickly to respond,” Evers said.

Copyright 2024 WMTV via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.

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From Mud Pots to Boat Rides: 11 Top Things to Do at Yellowstone Lake

Y ellowstone National Park offers unique geothermal features, free-roaming wildlife and stunning scenery. One of the most picturesque places in the park is Yellowstone Lake. In between the South and East Entrance, Yellowstone Lake is located in the southeastern corner of the park. It is the largest high-elevation lake in North America and it offers land and water activities to enjoy and a historic hotel. Here are the top things to do at Yellowstone Lake with kids.

Top 11 Things to Do at Yellowstone Lake with Kids

Stop by the fishing bridge visitor center.

• Enjoy a hike.
• Take a Guided Tour  departing from Lake Hotel.
• See the Sunset from Lake Butte
• Cruise to Stevenson Island and See a Shipwreck.
• Earn a Junior Ranger Badge or Attend a Ranger Program
• Travel to Mud Volcano
• Take a Free Historic Tour of the Lake Yellowstone Hotel.
• Sample some Huckleberry Ice Cream.
• Picnic Along the Lake.
• Camp in a Cabin.

Family Guide to Yellowstone National Park 

Yellowstone   at a glance, why visit yellowstone lake.

Since it’s at 7,733  feet, Yellowstone Lake is the largest high-elevation lake in North America. With its location close to Yellowstone’s  Eastern Entrance, it is easy to explore the Lake area.

This area offers scenic tours and the picturesque Lake Hotel, the most refined property in Yellowstone. For anglers, fishing is allowed on Yellowstone Lake. There are also several scenic trails in the area. Before departing, visitors should stop by Mud Volcano to see its sputtering mud pots.

This historic visitor center was built in 1931 and made of local stone and timbers. Visitors can see through the building to the lake beyond. It was declared a National Historic Landmark.

Inside, visitors will find exhibits on the ecology of the lake area along with information about birds. Park rangers are located in the visitor center for maps, information and a bookstore.

The Fishing Bridge Visitor Center is open from Memorial Day weekend until mid-October from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (9 a,m, to 5 p.m. in October).

Enjoy a Hike in the Yellowstone Lake Area

Hiking is one of the best ways to see Yellowstone National Park in the Yellowstone Lake area.

Pelican Creek Trail —A .8-mile (.9 km) easy loop trail.

Storm Point Loop Trail —A 2.5-mile (3.7 km) easy loop trail.

Natural Bridge Trail –A 3.1-mile (4 km) in-and-out trail.

Elephant Back Mountain Trail- -A3.6-mile loop with a 793-foot elevation gain.

Take a   Guided Tour 

Yellowstone National Park offers a variety of guided tours, including photographic tours and scenic sunset tours of Yellowstone Lake. Guided tours include transportation from the Lake Hotel.

Picture Perfect Photo Tour

Your guide will pick you up before dawn and drive you out to the best spots for early morning wildlife viewing in and around Hayden Valley and the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone.

Departs between 5:45 and 6:30 p.m. Adult rate is $122, and kids are $61. The tour is five hours long, and you must provide your own camera.

Circle of Fire Tour

This is an all-day guided adventure that circles the lower portion of the Grand Tour Road. Along the route, participants will see geysers, hot springs, mud pots and fumaroles.

It departs at 9:45 a.m. and returns at 6:30 p.m. The Adult rate is $113, and kids (3 -11) are $56.50.

Yellowstone Lake Butte Sunset Tour

This tour takes visitors on an evening tour of the Lake Area, then venturing to Lake Butte at 8,348 feet for sunset. This tour uses the historic yellow buses.

It departs between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m., depending on the month. This tour takes a little over two hours. The Adult rate is $51, and kids (3 -11) are $25.50.

Lake Yellowstone Hotel Tour

During its season (May until September 30), free tours are available of the oldest hotel in the National Park Service. A more refined option than Old Faithful Inn, tour participants learn about the architectural details and renovations over the years.

Departs at 4:45 p.m. Free

See the Sunset from Lake Butte Overlook 

You can take a guided tour for sunset to Lake Butte or you can drive there yourself. As you leave the lake, driving east to the East Entrance, there is a road on the left called Lake Butter Scenic Drive.  At the end of the road is the overlook with a vault toilet.

Top Things to Do at Yellowstone’s Mammoth Springs 

Boating on yellowstone  lake.

As the largest high-elevation lake in North America, the best way to enjoy Yellowstone Lake is on the water. You can take a scenic cruise, rent a boat by the hour or day or bring your own watercraft.

Boat Cruises

Take a one-hour guided scenic cruise on the Lake Queen that departs from the Bridge Bay Marina. The cruise glides past the Lake Area Historic District with views of the Lake Yellowstone Hotel. Passengers will also see Stevenson Island and the shipwreck SS E.C. Waters . Yellowstone Lake is a haven for birds and other wildlife as well.

Adult admission (12+) is $21, and kids (3 to 11) are $12.50. Cruises operate from early June until mid-September. From early June through mid-September, cruises depart at 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 1 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. There is a 5:30 p.m. cruise from June to Labor Day and a 7 p.m. cruise in June and July.

Rent a Boat

For those who would like to see Yellowstone Lake on their own, rental boats are available. Rent a 40-horsepower, 18-foot motorboat at the nearby Bridge Bay Marina. Boats are available from mid-June to mid-September. Boaters can rent for one to eight hours ($68/hr), and fuel is included.

Launch Your Own Boat

For boat owners, you can bring your boat to Yellowstone Lake. An invasive aquatic species inspection is necessary, along with a 7-day boat permit. These regulations also apply to paddle boards and kayaks. For more information about the process, check the Yellowstone webpage .

Note: The boating season starts Memorial Day weekend and extends to October 31 yearly. As a lake that freezes over the winter, the water in Yellowstone Lake is cold year-round and warms up to the 50s Fahrenheit during the summer. Swimming is not recommended.

Fish ing in Lake Yellowstone 

Anglers can take guided fishing charters on Yellowstone Lake to fish for native cutthroat trout and non-native lake trout. Each charter is two hours long and includes all gear. The rate is $240 per trip for up to six people. Reservations are recommended. Anglers over 16 must secure a fishing license before the charter, which is available online .

Visit Mud Volcano

Mud Volcano is home to some of the park’s most acidic geothermal features. There are actually mud pots that spew murky and stinky mud into the air, which smells of sulfuric acid. This area features a walking trail and boardwalks. Mud Volcano Trail is a .8-mile trail with a 100-foot elevation gain.

Top National Parks to see Volcanoes

Kids at yellowstone national park.

The Junior Ranger Program is the go-to program for families to learn more about a National Park Service site. It’s free and takes about two hours to complete. My kids love the badges the Park Rangers present them after completing their booklets.

Kids love Yellowstone and kids love animals. So buy a Junior Ranger booklet at the nearest bookstore. In Yellowstone, the Junior Ranger booklets are $3 but kids who complete their booklets get a patch.

Yellowstone National Park divides the Junior Ranger booklet into three age categories with age-appropriate activities. Kids 4 to 7, 8 to 12 and 13 and older (and adults) each complete as many activities as their age.

Try to turn in your Junior Ranger booklet at Yellowstone’s National Park Junior Ranger Station, located near Madison on the western side of the park.

Junior Ranger Badge Guide 

Where to eat at yellowstone  lake.

With several options, dine overlooking the lake during your stay.

Lake Hotel Dining Room

Inside the hotel, the upscale dining room features a diverse menu of locally sourced entrees. Enjoy white tablecloths and elegant white columns for a date night or family dinner. Serves breakfast and dinner with options for gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan along with a kids menu. Reservations recommended for dinner.

Lake Hotel Deli 

Located inside the hotel, find take-out sandwiches, baked goods and espresso drinks. Open for breakfast and lunch.

Yellowstone Lake General Store

The octagon-shaped building, built in 1919, is located along Lake Loop Road. It offers a traditional soda fountain counter, where we enjoyed Yellowstone’s famous huckleberry ice cream one day. My kids found little boxes of cereal, which they liked one morning, and I enjoyed a cup of coffee for breakfast.

Lake Lodge Wylie’s Canteen

Located in the Lake Lodge, find hot entrees, deli sandwiches and prime rib in a family-friendly cafeteria. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Huckleberry ice cream is available on most dessert menus and at the general stores throughout Yellowstone.

Picnic Areas Near Yellowstone Lake

You can find developed picnic areas around Yellowstone Lake.

• Hard Road to Travel Picnic Area
• Pumice Point Picnic Area
• Spruce Fir Exhibit Picnic Area
• Sand Point Picnic Area
• Gull Point Picnic Area
• LeHardys Picnic Area
• Cascade Picnic Area
• Steamboat Point Picnic Area
• Sedge Bay Picnic Area

Lodging in Yellowstone Lake Historic District

Opening in 1891 Lake Yellowstone Hotel remains the oldest hotel in the National Park Service. A departure from the rustic style of the NPS parkitecture, Lake Yellowstone Hotel wanted to attract Victorian tourists from the East Coast with a more refined hotel.

You can find lots of lodging options at Lake Yellowstone, including the most luxurious rooms in Yellowstone National Park and cabins that scream family fun. Lake Yellowstone is an ideal location for multi-generational travel.

Lake Yellowstone Hotel

The most luxurious lodging in Yellowstone National Park offers several layers of luxury, from presidential suites to standard hotel rooms. During a tour, I found marble bathrooms, in-room coffee and tea, along with plush robes. The Lake Yellowstone Hotel offers a presidential suite, suites and deluxe lakeside rooms along with nearby standard rooms and cabins.

The standard rooms are located in Sandpiper Lodge, next to the Lake Yellowstone Hotel

Open from early May until the first week of October.

Lake Yellowstone Hotel’s Cabins

Steps from the hotel lobby, the yellow-painted cabins feature all the amenities of standard rooms, including free-standing bathrooms with showers. This is an excellent option for families.

Lake Lodge Cabins

This is a rustic option at Yellowstone Lake. Its main lodge faces the lake and is lined with rocking chairs. Built in the 1920s, the Lake Lodge features a river rock fireplace and seating. It offers several types of cabins.

Western Cabins –Built in the 1960s with a mid-century look. The Western Cabins are the largest cabins at Lake Lodge and feature two queen-sized beds.

Frontier Cabins –Built in the 1920s, they offer one or two full-size beds along with a private bath (shower only). The cabins function much like a modern hotel room.

ProTip:  Yellowstone National Park lodging doesn’t offer air conditioning, TVs or radios. However, the park boasts mild summers, and the temperatures drop in the evening, so air conditioning isn’t needed. Fans are available.

Planning Guide for Old Faithful Area

History of lake yellowstone hotel.

Originally built in 1891 and older than Old Faithful Inn, the Lake Yellowstone Hotel is the Grand Old Lady of the Lake. Where Old Faithful Inn brings the forest indoors, the Lake Yellowstone Hotel offers guests a refined historic hotel, reminiscent of the elegant 19 th- century East Coast hotels.

The earliest hotel guests arrived on a steamship from across the lake or on a stagecoach, like former president Calvin Coolidge. Today, like years ago, guests walk into the expansive lobby while musicians play in the sunroom. And the lobby’s fireplace offers the perfect place to read a book in its plush upholstery.

While building the Old Faithful Inn, Robert Reamer extensively renovated and expanded the Lake Yellowstone Hotel. Since the original hotel lacked distinctiveness, Reamer added columns, a porte cochère and a lounge.

By adding refined details, Reamer elevated Lake Yellowstone Hotel’s level of luxury. Lake Yellowstone Hotel still maintains its title as the most luxurious hotel property within Yellowstone National Park.

During my stay in the Lake Yellowstone area, I took the Lake Yellowstone Hotel tour, which is a must for lovers of national park lodges and history buffs.

Old Faithful Inn Review

Camping near  lake yellowstone.

Yellowstone Lake and the Lake Village area don’t feature a campground, though you will find camping nearby.

Bridge Bay Campground 

• Seasonal campground–Open from mid-May through Labor Day.
• 431 sites without hookups
• Restrooms with flush toilets and cold running water (no showers)
• Dishwashing stations at the Restroom buildings

Fishing Bridge RV Park

• Seasonal campground for hard-sided RVs only open from early May until mid-October
• 310 sites with 30 or 50-amp service
• Dump station
• Showers and Laundry

Our Stay at Yellowstone Lake

The Lake Yellowstone Hotel caters to guests without families. The majority of the well-appointed rooms feature king-sized beds and bathrooms with oversized tubs and marble vanities.

For our stay, I reserved a Lake Yellowstone Hotel’s Cabin. A convenient option for families, the cabin felt like a free-standing hotel room.

I found a pair of double beds, a coffee maker, and a shower with a single vanity located outside the rest of the bathroom. Grouped together, the cabins opened to a grassy area so my kids 13, 11 and 8 played outside with a ball.

Families can walk to eat at the Lake Yellowstone Hotel and the Lake Yellowstone General Store. Cooking is not allowed in cabins.

Your First Visit to Yellowstone National Park

On my first visit to Yellowstone National Park, I made every newbie mistake.

• Didn’t make lodging or camping reservations in advance.
• I camped in the same campground and didn’t move around the park.
• Didn’t research activities or tours.

When the time came to plan another trip, I wanted to see more of the park. So I planned a Grand Tour as the first visitors did over 100 years ago.

First, I started in one area and explored it before relocating to another. This minimized the driving and maximized the enjoyment, and it worked out great.

Top Places to Explore in Yellowstone

• Old Faithful Inn
• Old Faithful Geyser
• Grand Canyon of Yellowstone
• Lamar or Hayden Valley
• Mammoth Hot Springs

Yellowstone National Park’s Animals

Some visitors come for the geothermal features, others want to see animals. Yellowstone National Park offers some of the best animal viewing in the U.S.

I recommend Hayden Valley or Lamar Valley , along the river. The best times to spot animals are dawn and dusk when they are most active. Check-in with the Park Rangers, who know where animals frequent, or take a guided tour.

• Grizzly Bear
• Bighorn Sheep

Bear Safety in Yellowstone

Yellowstone National Park features two types of bears: black bears and Grizzly bears. Knowing the difference is important since each species uses different behavior.

Park Rangers offer some guidelines to reduce bear encounters:

• Hike in groups of 4 or more.
• Keep campsites clean.
• Make noise while hiking by wearing bear bells and talking.
• Carry bear spray. Keep it accessible when hiking and know how to use it.

Bear spray is advised and can be rented in the park. Visit a visitor center or ranger station for more information.

To find out more information, attend a ranger programs to learn about bears in Yellowstone National Park. I did and it’s a great way to learn about bears. My boys loved the bear programs and I felt more confident afterwards.

Where’s Yellowstone National Park

The majority of the park is in the northwest corner of Wyoming. Unless you arrange a tour, you will need a car to explore.

Three airports serve Yellowstone National Park.

• Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN)—Bozeman, Montana, offers everything you need to outfit your family for a national park adventure, from food to equipment.
• Jackson Hole Airport (JAC)—The busiest airport in Wyoming is a regional airport. Jackson is a quaint town with an Old West flavor.
• Yellowstone Regional Airport (COD) in Cody, Wyoming, is a regional airport located east of Yellowstone.

Yellowstone National Park offers cafes, general stores and restaurants. Though, be prepared to picnic for lunch and grab some snacks and sandwich ingredients in Bozeman or Jackson.

Getting Around YNP

Yellowstone National Park is open 365 days a year and 24 hours a day. You can use an America the Beautiful annual pass ($80) or purchase a 7-day pass for $35 per vehicle.

Note: Yellowstone National Park doesn’t require timed day pass entrances like some other parks.

Yellowstone National Park offers five entrances.

• West Entrance —For families that are trying to add to their state count. Enter or exit through the west entrance to add Idaho.
• North Entrance —Closest entrance for Bozeman, Montana
• Northeast Entrance —Scenic highway to Billings, Montana
• East Entrance —Scenic highway to Cody, Wyoming
• South Entrance —The busiest entrance and gateway to Grand Teton National Park and Jackson, Wyoming.

Seasonal closures affect Yellowstone National Park. Only July and August are the months when all roads and facilities are open.

All About National Park Passes

Know before you go.

• Keep safe by remaining on boardwalks and following posted rules.
• Keep 25 yards between people and wild animals. And keep 100 yards between people and bears.
• Yellowstone National Park is a top national park destination. Reservations are available 13 months in advance.
• Since the most popular hotel rooms were sold out, I secured reservations by checking for daily cancellations.

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