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Discover the beauty of Lake Windermere at your own pace.

Discover the beauty of Lake Windermere at your own pace.

Self-Drive Electric Motor Boat Hire

Explore Windermere at your own pace with the hire of your own motor boat

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Winter Opening

  • Bowness Beach & Waterhead (next to Ambleside Pier)- NOW OPEN. Book now for up to 31 March 2023 (later dates added soon)
  • Bowness Dock & Row boats - opening later in spring.

Hire a boat from Bowness Beach or Waterhead (Ambleside) for 1 or 2 hour sessions

  • No boating experience is necessary as we provide full safety instructions, a sailing guide to the lake and buoyancy aids for everyone on board. If you get into trouble at any time, our safety boat will come to your rescue.
  • Our boats can be hired for 1 or 2 hours.
  • £40 deposit is taken when booking, that gets refunded when you bring the boat safely back on time* (*5-7 day bank process time)
  • Please book online - we can't take bookings over the phone.
  • Dogs are welcome on board
  • 📍Which hire point is closest to me?

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📄 Download full price list for 1-6 passengers (PDF)

⚠ Please arrive within plenty of time for your booking. Boats are non-refundable or transferable.

Electric Motor Boats

Our quiet, electric self-drive boats at Bowness Beach are an excellent way for you and your family to explore Windermere in comfort.

  • Maximum 6 people (1 person must be over 18).
  • Comfy padded seating.
  • Rollback roof for all weather.
  • Quiet electric engine and is easy to drive.
  • Accompanied children under 16 go FREE.
CostPer extra adultUnder 16s
One-hour hire (1 or 2 adults)£40£6FREE
Two-hour hire (1 or 2 adults)£70£6FREE


📄 For more hire options and prices, please see our fact sheet. | 🛒 BOOK NOW

Electric Motor Boat

Electric Motor Boat

With a quiet, electric motor these easy-to-drive boats are a great way to explore the northern half of Lake Windermere.

📷 View our gallery of self-drive boats

📷 View the interior in our 360° VR tour

Please be aware that you will need to arrive 15 minutes before your booked slot for safety training and lifejacket fitting.

A £40.00 deposit will be taken when you book. This will be returned to you if the boat is returned on time and isn't damaged.

  • Bookings are limited to a maximum group size of six, a valid ticket must be purchased for every person traveling, including children of any age.
  • Child prices are valid for children aged 15 years and under.

Book Your Boat

Select a location and a date to view prices and sailing times.

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How to find us in Bowness or Waterhead

Bowness Beach - right next to Bowness cruises pier, LA23 3HQ

Only our Bowness Beach hire point is open all year. Bowness Dock is only open during our peak summer season.

The beach hire-point is a few minutes' walking distance from the main Bowness Pier (where the main cruises go from).


Waterhead - right next to Ambleside (Waterhead) cruises pier, LA22 0EY

Our Waterhead hire point is 2 minutes' walk from Ambleside (Waterhead) Pier where the main cruises go from.

ℹ Check your e-ticket after booking for clear instructions and a small map of how to find us.

Restrictions on hire
Please note 🚫 No alcohol allowed on board 🚫 6 persons maximum (including babies) 🚫 No smoking
⚠ Please arrive within plenty of time for your booking. Boats are non-refundable or transferable.

Choose from Bowness Beach or Waterhead hire points.

Choose from Bowness Beach or Waterhead hire points.

Book Now