The Windermere Ferry runs from Ferry Nab which is a short walk or shuttle bus service south of the town of Bowness on Windermere. The only ferry in the Lake District it crosses Lake Windermere at its narrowest point and provides both a scenic excursion and access to the western shores of Lake Windermere where Hill Top Farm in Near Sawrey, the home of Beatrix Potter is situated.
The Windermere Ferry. The Only Ferry in the English Lake District
There has been a ferry across Windermere, at the narrowest point of the lake, for 500 years. Originally ferries were rowed across Lake Windermere. Later steam engine driven ferries were used.
The current Windermere cable guided Ferry, the Mallard, runs all year round, weather permitting, except Christmas Day and Boxing Day. The Windermere ferry can take up to 18 cars and 100 foot passengers. The Windermere ferry will also carry cycles and horses.
The Windermere ferry spans the narrowest part of Lake Windermere, the longest lake in the English Lake District. The ferry route runs from the east shore of Lake Windermere at Ferry Nab south of Bowness on Windermere, across the narrowest park of the Lake of Windermere to the quieter west shore and Ferry House at Far Sawrey.
The ferry crossing only takes a few minutes and the ferry runs continually throughout the day shuttling back and forwards across Windermere every twenty minutes.
Across Lake Windermere to Hill Top Farm the Home of Beatrix Potter
From April to November a minibus service runs from Ferry House to Near Sawrey and Hill Top Farm which was Beatrix Potter's House and is now owned by the National Trust and open to the public during the Summer. The ferry and minibus are well worth using to reach Hill Top as parking is very limited in Far Sawrey and the area around Beatrix Potter's house becomes very congested.
The minibus service continues from Beatrix Potter's home at Hill Top to the village of Hawkshead. A charming Lakeland village amongst other attractions the village of Hawkeshead has the Beatrix Potter gallery. Owned by the National Trust here the visitor can see many of the original drawings that Beatrix Potter made of Peter Rabbit, Jemima Puddleduck and their friends.
Some minibus's also continue to Coniston the site of the John Ruskin museum, and the school of William Wordsworth.
Alternatively from Ferry House it is a very pleasant walk to proceed north along the shore of Windermere and return through the woodland of Claife Heights.
Timetables for the ferry and the minibus, and pricing information for the Windermere Ferry is available from Cumbria County Council
More about William Wordsworth in the Lake District
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