WINDERMERE STEAMBOATS & MUSEUM

Windermere Steamboats & Museum can be found on the shore of Lake Windermere with the entrance being on Rayrigg Road Windermere. Within the museum you will find a historic collection of fine Steam and Motor Boats.

In 1975 the Windermere Nautical Trust acquired the site. Prior to this it used be for many years where the barges unloaded gravel dredged from the bed of Lake Windermere when this came to end the Museum was built in 1976-77 with the help of The Maritime Trust and the English Tourist Board.

Within the museum you will learn about the history behind the steamboats on display and also the history behind the people that used the lake from the Romans to the Industrial Revolution.

The Windermere Nautical Trust are able to display the key stages in the development of steam launches on Windermere.

On display is the oldest steam power boat S.L. Dolly showing the earliest application of steam power which was salvaged after being sixty seven [67] years on a lake bed.

T.S.S.Y. Esperance and SL Branksome symbolise the development and ultimate refinement of steamboats. The Esperance can be found in Arthur Ransome's classic children's novel 'Swallows & Amazons' as Captain Flint's houseboat with an exhibition of 'Swallows & Amazons' on display.

In the Wetdock you can view around fifteen [15] boats, with most of them being in working order. Also within the building you will find displays of Windermere speed craft and Beatrix Potter's rowing boat and close by a shop with a well stocked range of books, souvenirs and information on the displays.

If you feeling thirst and hungry there is a tea room serving hot & cold drinks with a selection of delicious savoury snacks and cakes, an outside picnic area by the lake and a model boat pond.

Why not take a ride [extra charge] on the public steamboat trips the Osprey' built in 1902 and Swallow built in 1911, with each boat taking 12 passengers that lasts around Fifty [50] minutes and onboard you served with tea, coffee and biscuits. The trips are available throughout the season, weather permitting alternatively, our classic Victorian launch "Water Viper" is used. Private charters can be arranged for special occasions with catering optional and to suit all tastes.

There is also a lecture theatre which is available for private hire for up to sixty [60] people or rent the Steamboat Flat Self Catering Accommodation for two [2] people. For more information concerning special events visit the Web site or E-mail us see below.

It is advisable to contact Steamboat Museum prior to your visit if there is something specific you wish to see or any alterations have been made to the Opening times and the attraction itself. Disclaimer

+44 [0] 15394 45565