indermere Lake Cruises is providing extra morning and evening sailings between Bowness and Windermere’s western shore, to support passengers while the council-run car ferry is out of action.

The ‘Cross Lakes Experience’ is offering a useful alternative to travel across England’s largest lake and ensure smooth travel from Bowness across to Beatrix Potter’s Hill Top, Hawkshead and beyond.

The extended timetable launched today, Friday 8 June, includes:

Bowness – Ferry House (15 minute journey):

9.00am, 10.00am, 10.40am, 11.20am, 12.00pm, 12.40pm, 2.00pm, 2.40pm, 3.20pm, 4.00pm, 4.40pm, 6.00pm.

Ferry House – Bowness (20 minutes journey):

9.20am, 10.20am, 11.00am, 11.40am, 12.20pm, 1.00pm, 2.20pm, 3.00pm, 3.40pm, 4.20pm, 5.00pm, 6.20pm.

Windermere Ferry Annual Pass holders (CSSC) can travel for free on the service. It will cost 50p for holders of a Windermere Lake Cruises Local Residents card, which can be issued free of charge to anyone who is permanently resident in the LA or CA postcode areas.

Otherwise, standard fares are: £3.10 for an adult single (£5.20 return) or £1.85 for a child single (£3.10 return).

Nigel Wilkinson, Managing Director of Windemere Lake Cruises said: “We are adding these additional services to help ease the situation and carry foot passengers while the council-run car ferry is out of operation. Our aim is to keep people moving and ensure we do our bit to guide both residents and visitors through our iconic Lakeland landscape with minimum disruption.”

Stephen Hall Cumbria County Council’s Assistant Director Highways and Transport said:  “We are very grateful to Windermere Lake Cruises for their assistance in trying to reallocate resources to enhance their existing service at this busy time of year. It is unfortunate that the Windermere Ferry is unavailable and every effort is being made to get MV Mallard back into service as quickly as possible.”

Windermere Lake Cruises will be running a bike-friendly vessel where possible. Cyclists are being asked to call the company direct on 015394 43360 and staff will advise what services are available on a daily basis.  Or they can check: www.windermere-lakecruises.co.uk/service