Windermere Jetty Museum is on the shores of Windermere and celebrates the history of boats and steam on England’s largest lake.
This beautiful building not only showcases boats that have once sailed on Windermere, but also put them back on the lake, and restores the boats that come to them. It is a working boat-building workshop as well as the museum, which has been purpose-built to showcase the incredible views of Windermere and connect the collections to the landscape.
How to get to Windermere Jetty Museum
There are many ways to get to the Windermere Jetty Museum. It is just outside of Bowness-on-Windermere, on the A591 going around the lake.
The address for the museum is; Rayrigg Road, Bowness on Windermere, Cumbria, LA23 1BN
Windermere has a train station, and the museum is about a 2-mile walk from there.
You can get to the museum by boat, on one of the Windermere Lake Cruises (the Red cruise in summer, and then the Blue cruise from October). You can get more information by clicking here.
What to expect at the Windermere Jetty Museum
Windermere Jetty Museum is a fully immersive experience, sharing 200 years worth of history.
When you enter the exhibition, you’re greeted by an incredible wall of objects relating to sailing, the most amazing roof of a boat, and a glimpse of a red sail in from the room behind.
In the centre of the main room is a boat that Prince Phillip sailed in on Windermere. You follow the room around, going through history. See Beatrix Potter’s rowing boat, and Dolly, who was built in around 1850 and probably owned by Alfred Fildes. Not only can you see these incredible boats and hydroplanes, you can also see the full history of each vessel. I couldn’t belive how much information there was!
Walk outside, and you can go to the boat-building workshop. At 11 am, you can go to the conservation talks, where you can find out more about the conservation work that the museum does and ask questions. Here you can see the ongoing projects, and outside is the oldest boat to have been on Windermere.
From there, you walk past the jetty where, from April, you can book on a cruise on Motor Vessel Penelope II or Steam Launch Osprey.
Then it’s into my favourite part of the museum, the Boathouse.
The Boathouse is stunning, and the boats sitting on the water change every so often. Here you can find The Amazon (from swallows and amazons), along with a whole host of others. It was lovely to sit on one of the benches and just watch the boats and the water.
In the gallery space, there is currently the Forty Farms exhibition by the photographer Amy Bateman. This is a stunning exhibition, showcasing 40 farms in The Lake District. It’s here until Sunday 4th June, and entry is included in your ticket.
The Facts : price, parking, facilities etc
Entry into the museum is;
- Adult – £9
- Student – £7
- Child (15 and under) – £4.50
- Family (1 adult + up to 3 children) – £15.50
- Family (2 adult + up to 3 children) – £24.50
- 4 and under – Free
There is parking on-site, but for visitors to the museum and cafe, it’s free. On arrival, you go to the parking meter and put in your number plate, and then you will be given a voucher.
As well as the museum, there is a brilliant cafe with the most amazing views of Windermere. Big square windows create picture frames for the picturesque view. On a dry day, sit outside and breathe in the fresh air and hear the water lapping on the shore.
Final thoughts
Windermere Jetty Museum is a gorgeous museum, and a must-visit on your next trip to The Lakes.
Whatever the weather, there is something to enjoy here, and something for the whole family as well.
It’s great value for money and such an interesting museum. You will have a great day out here, and get to understand the history of Windermere more as well.
If you’re planning on coming to The Lakes, and looking for a relaxing place to stay on the shores of Windermere, make sure. then click here to read our hotel review of Beech Hill Hotel and Spa. We’ve got lots of tips here on how to spend a rainy day in The Lake District, and don’t forget to check out our food guides too!
