Lake District Cruises. We are currently operating lake cruises on the yellow timetable.

Our Lake District cruises are operating on the yellow timetable from 15th February 2025 for February half term until 5th of April. Enjoy a Lake District winter cruise on Ullswater and take in the beautiful mountain scenery from cosy saloons onboard our heritage boats or a brisk winters walk, cruises connect to walking routes around the Ullswater Way. 

This timetable page will help you plan your Lake District cruise onboard Ullswater 'Steamers' this Winter.  Pick your lake cruise, a sailing time, and let's explore. Every pier connects with the Ullswater Way walking routes around the lake. Take a look at our walking pages here and find your Ullswater lake cruise adventure. We look forward to welcoming you on board soon. Remember to take a look at our gift experiences and private charter options too.

Are you a regular visitor to the Ullswater Valley? Why not make use of the return of our season tickets coming soon in 2025, providing a variety of great value options to help you enjoy the 'Steamers' and the walks on a regular basis.

All cruise tickets can be purchased online or on the day at the pier houses.

Whilst visiting Ullswater ‘Steamers'

Ticket information
  • Tickets can be booked online or on the day at one of our piers. 
  • Every ticket counts and helps to look after our heritage fleet of boats and footpath repairs around the Ullswater Way.  
  • If buying full lake return tickets, please select Pooley Bridge or Glenridding (from) and to half way point where the option of a single or return ticket will be available. Tickets are open ended with no fixed return time. 
  • Our four piers link to spectacular walking routes connecting you to each destination point around the Ullswater Way.   
  • Explore the magic and mystery that surrounds the National Trust Aira Force waterfalls and red squirrel trails. 
  • Scan the QR codes around the Ullswater Way and explore the virtual art gallery here.
Facilities
  • Facilities on board Ullswater ‘Steamers’ boats include an open deck, sheltered upper deck seating areas, indoor downstairs saloons, licensed bars, and toilets. 
  • Our pier houses also have excellent facilities, including free Wi-Fi and a 11kW EV charging point at Glenridding pier. Please note facilities may vary on individual boats so please check our facilities page. 
  • If you require wheelchair access, please call us in advance of your visit. More details can be found on our accessibility page.
Optional extras
  • DOGS: £1 each.
  • PADDLEBOARD TRANSPORT: £4.00 each. Subject to capacity on board. Cannot be pre-booked. 
  • BIKE TRANSPORT: £3.00 each. Subject to capacity on board. Cannot be pre-booked. (We have limited space for bikes and paddleboards. This is allocated at the skipper's discretion due to capacity.)
  • CAR PARKING: Car parking for Glenridding pier car park is pay & display with a machine near the pier house which accepts coins and contactless cards.
  • AIRA FORCE CAR PARKING: The car park at Aira Force gets extremely busy. Please click here for more information.
Stops Map
Stops Map Direction

  • Pooley
    Bridge Pier CA10 2NN

  • Howtown Pier

  • Glenridding
    Pier CA11 0US

  • Aira Force
    Waterfall Shuttle
    (Seasonal)

    Aira Force
    Waterfall

Previous
Next

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 10 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 Veg Patch Life Store in the centre of Pooley Bridge to pick up some gifts or momentoes
  • Car parking available in the village - just a five minute walk from Pooley Bridge pier

Howtown Pier

The start of the famous lakeshore walk to Glenridding and gateway to the valley of Martindale, home to one of the oldest wild red deer herds 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 and Tearoom
  • Please only access Howtown by Ullswater 'Steamers' boats as there is no car parking

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 cafes 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
Glenridding Pier

Aira Force Waterfall

Connecting National Trust waterfall Aira Force and the Ullswater Way paths to both Glenridding and Pooley Bridge. This cruise returns on 5th April 2025. Check the timetable for the dates of operation. 

  • 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

Timetable

Download Timetable
  • Lake District Cruises Yellow Timetable
  • Lake District Cruises Lilac Timetable
  • Lake District Cruises - Red Timetable
  • Lake District Aira Force Waterfall Cruises
  • Lake District Cruises Winter Green Timetable
  • February Half Term Extra Sailings Yellow Timetable

Ullswater 'Steamers' 2025/26 fares for lake cruises between Glenridding, Howtown and Pooley Bridge piers. Lake cruises from Glenridding to Aira Force waterfalls commence 5th April.

Lake District Cruises Spring, Summer and Autumn - Fares 2025 Lake District Cruises Spring, Summer and Autumn - Fares 2025

Yellow and Lilac and Red and Aira Force Timetable Fares

The full Lake District cruise timetable from Spring to Autumn 2025. Enjoy lake cruises onboard heritage boats all year round. Lake cruise connections between Glenridding, Pooley Bridge, Howtown and Aira Force piers. 

Ticket Type Round the lake cruise from Glenridding or Pooley Bridge pier Single lake cruise from Glenridding to Pooley Bridge pier or vice versa Return lake cruise from Glenridding to Howtown or vice versa Single lake cruise from Glenridding to Howtown or vice versa Return lake cruise from Pooley Bridge to Howtown or vice versa Single lake cruise from Pooley Bridge to Howtown or vice versa Return lake cruise from Glenridding to Aira Force or vice versa Single lake cruise from Glenridding to Aira Force or vice versa
Adult £24.50 £16.00 £16.50 £11.50 £15.50 £10.50 £15.00 £10.00
Child (3-17) £15.00 £10.50 £11.00 £7.50 £10.50 £7.50 £10.00 £6.50
Child (under 3) FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE
Family 2 Adult + 2 Child £69.75 N/A £49.50 N/A £45.00 N/A £39.50 N/A
Hop on/off Lake Cruise upgrade includes Aira Force Adult £3.00 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Hop on/off Lake Cruise upgrade includes Aira Force Child (3-17) £2.00 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Ticket Type Adult Child (3-17) Child (under 3) Family 2 Adult + 2 Child Hop on/off Lake Cruise upgrade includes Aira Force Adult Hop on/off Lake Cruise upgrade includes Aira Force Child (3-17)
Round the lake cruise from Glenridding or Pooley Bridge pier £24.50 £15.00 FREE £69.75 £3.00 £2.00
Single lake cruise from Glenridding to Pooley Bridge pier or vice versa £16.00 £10.50 FREE N/A N/A N/A
Return lake cruise from Glenridding to Howtown or vice versa £16.50 £11.00 FREE £49.50 N/A N/A
Single lake cruise from Glenridding to Howtown or vice versa £11.50 £7.50 FREE N/A N/A N/A
Return lake cruise from Pooley Bridge to Howtown or vice versa £15.50 £10.50 FREE £45.00 N/A N/A
Single lake cruise from Pooley Bridge to Howtown or vice versa £10.50 £7.50 FREE N/A N/A N/A
Return lake cruise from Glenridding to Aira Force or vice versa £15.00 £10.00 FREE £39.50 N/A N/A
Single lake cruise from Glenridding to Aira Force or vice versa £10.00 £6.50 FREE N/A N/A N/A
Previous
Next
Book Tickets

Joint Ticket with the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway. Coming soon in 2025.

We're delighted to announce the return of our joint ticket with our sister attraction The Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway. Enjoy savings on days out at two of the Lake District's finest heritage attractions, with boat trips on heritage vessels and steam engines through some of England's most beautiful and dramatic countryside.


A steam train reflected on the estuary at the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway

Season Tickets. Coming soon for 2025.

Our NEW and added-value season tickets will be back for 2025 season! Enjoy sailing on England’s most beautiful lake all year round. £5 from every season ticket sale is donated to Lake District Foundation to help repair and maintain footpaths around the Ullswater Way. Details TBC. 

Take a look at our different season ticket options below.

Season Tickets

Dog Season Tickets

Enjoy a year of adventure with your furry friend with our NEW Dog Rover Season Ticket! For just £20, enjoy 12 months of pawsome adventures onboard the boats that connect famous walkies. Each lucky pup receives a dog season ticket and a stylish bandana on their first visit.  Plus, £2 from every ticket goes to support Eden Animal Rescue and Oaktree Animal Charities. Give your dog the gift of fun and help animals in need with our Dog Rover Season Ticket!

Dog Season Tickets

Private Charters

Our boats are available to hire from one hour for private charters. Ullswater 'Steamers' offer a range of private charter and cruise options for weddings, celebrations and corporate events. 

Contact our friendly team for a show round.

Find Out More

Events - Gin Cruises, Birkett Trophy Race Cruise, Fish Supper Cruises. Keep an eye out for 2025 dates.

We have a variety of special event cruises throughout the year. Visit our events page or sign up to the newsletter for dates in 2025. Coming soon. 

Visit Events Page