Just over a week ago we headed up to the Lake District to visit the Windermere Jetty steamboat museum that opened last year. Windermere Jetty is part of Lakeland Arts, so we were able to use our Friends membership to gain entry. The collection of boats is housed in a brand new purpose built modern building.
The museum has a collection of 40 vessels that tell the story of boating on Windermere from 1780 to the present day. There’s a conservation centre, where boats are repaired and renovated, a waterside cafe looking over the lake and mountains and they also run Heritage Boat Trips out on the lake on board Osprey, a restored Edwardian steam launch.
On arrival we booked our place on a boat trip (there’s an extra charge for this) and then had a look around the main exhibition spaces.
The collection includes examples of steam launches – pleasure boats owned by wealthy families – power boats used for racing and setting speed records on the lakes, and working boats
Th Steam Boat Dolly was built around 1850/60. Originally on Windermere it was transferred to Ullswater where it sank in 1895. It was salvaged in 1962 and then restored.
And here’s Beatrix Potter’s flat bottomed rowing boat!
We broke our exploration of the collection for our trip on the Osprey, which was built in 1902 in Bowness. Built as a private pleasure boat, from 1948 it was used as a passenger vessel for the Bowness Bay Boating Company.
It was a perfect morning for a boat trip. The lake was calm, the sun was shining, the air was clear so we had excellent views over the mountains of the Fairfield Horseshoe and the Far Eastern Fells, where the high peaks were capped with snow.
After a good hour on the water the Osprey returned tot he Jetty
After disembarking, we had a bite to eat in the cafe, enjoying the views through the large windows and then finished our tour of the museum. We had a look at the Conservation workshop
We had a look at the old boat that was on display outside the workshop. We couldn’t go inside but were able to look through the large windows where we could see a couple of the staff hard at work.
We then passed through the boat yard, where there were a couple of larger boats on display and then on into the boat house.
There were more boats from the collection inside the boathouse, together with other privately owned boats that were moored up.
After looking round the boat house we went back into the main gallery for a final look. We’d spent a good 3 hours in the museum and it’s somewhere we’ll certainly be going back to in the future.
Down by the Dougie 
That looks a great day out. Great photos, by the way, thanks.
Thanks. We enjoyed it. Spent about 3 hours there in total
Elegant boats and snow in the mountains. It doesn’t get any better. An inspirational post!
Thanks Hanna. It was a great day for a trip out on the lake.
Fantastic. The museum has been on my ‘list’ ever since reading about the re-opening of the Steamboat Museum. Looks wonderful. Thanks for posting.
Entry perhaps a little pricey and boat trip costs extra, but We enjoyed the visit, especially as it was a fine day with calm waters and good visibility
Doesn’t sound too bad, to me. I also have Art Pass so half price. Definitely up for the boat ride – if views like yours guaranteed 😉
Crossed fingers for the weather Barbara. 🤞
Interesting! I hadn’t heard of this place opening so I’m glad to know about it. We have a weekend booked in the Lakes soon, but whether it will happen given current circumstances, who knows?
I think if you’re in self catering and are spending time outdoors you’d be no worse than stuck indoors at home. Need something to cheer us up and take our minds off this shambles, don’t we?
We do! However it’s a hotel. Will it close? Will there be a travel ban? Will we have the Lakes to ourselves? Who knows?!
I’ve had a few emails from hotels I use or have used trying to reassure me there’s no problem staying there as they’re taking measures. Clearly lots of cancellations. You’ll probably havethe place to yourselves!
Maybe! We’ve had a couple of events we were going to cancelled, and I’ve cancelled the Mother’s Day lunch I had booked because I don’t want to take Mum into busy places (she’s 93).
I think that’s wise re. Your mum. Worrying times.
Looks lovely, can dogs go too do you know?
Checked their website. It says
Well behaved dogs on a lead are welcome inside and outside the café. Sorry, only assistance dogs are allowed inside the Museum.
Ok thank you!
We almost always have Hugo with us so might have to give it a miss for now.
You’re more than welcome Shaz. Pity about the policy but I guess they cant risk damage to exhibits
Not normally a museum person but anything like that is fascinating. Definitely worth a look next time I’m up that way and the weather rules out the higher fells (and probably a boat trip, had my fill of soakings on Lakeland boat trips!)
well this place is going on the list, now ever growing! Looks like a really fun place.
A good visit, Kathy. Boatride is fun so long as it’s not stormy!