Lake District · dog advice

Are dogs allowed on Windermere lake cruises?

Yes — dogs are welcome on Windermere Lake Cruises, on a lead, and it's one of the loveliest and easiest things to do with a dog in the Lake District. No swimming risks, no fell slog, just an hour on the water with the fells sliding past — and most dogs take to it happily. Here's how it works, and the other boats that welcome dogs too.

Windermere Lake Cruises with a dog

Dogs travel on the scheduled cruises on a lead, and the charge for them is small — often free or a token fare (it changes, so check the current pet policy when you book or board). There's no need to reserve a spot for the dog on the regular sailings. The boats run the length of the lake between Ambleside, Bowness and Lakeside, so you can build a whole day around a one-way sail and a shore walk back.

Keep the dog on a short lead at the jetties, which get busy, and bring water for a warm day. Nervous dogs are usually calmer out on the open deck than in the enclosed saloon — and once you're moving, most settle straight away.

Ullswater Steamers and the Windermere ferry

Windermere isn't the only option. Ullswater Steamers welcome dogs too, and the classic outing there is to sail one way and walk the shore path back past Aira Force — a proper dog adventure. And the little Windermere car ferry between Bowness and the Sawrey side takes dogs with no fuss, car or foot, as a shortcut to the quieter western shore.

Boat trips are, honestly, one of the most reliably dog-friendly things in the whole national park — worth planning a day around, especially if the weather's turned and the fells are off.

Frequently asked questions

Do dogs have to pay on Windermere lake cruises?

Dogs are welcome on Windermere Lake Cruises, and any charge for them is small — often free or a token fare, though it changes, so check the current pet policy and fares when you book or board. They travel on a lead, and there's no booking quota for dogs on the scheduled boats. It's one of the easiest, best-value things you can do with a dog in the Lakes.

Can dogs go on Ullswater Steamers too?

Yes — Ullswater Steamers also welcome dogs on a lead, and the Ullswater 'Steamer and walk' (sail one way, walk the shore path back via Aira Force) is a classic dog day out. As with Windermere, check the current pet fare when you board. Between the two lakes, boat trips are one of the Lake District's most reliably dog-friendly activities.

Are dogs allowed on the Windermere car ferry?

Yes. The Windermere Ferry — the little chain ferry across the lake between Bowness and the Sawrey side — takes dogs with no fuss on the short crossing, whether you're in the car or on foot. It's a handy shortcut to the quieter western shore and the walks around Claife Heights.

What should I bring for a dog on a lake cruise?

Keep the dog on a short lead on deck, especially at the busy jetties, and bring water and a travel bowl for a warm day. A nervous or excitable dog is happiest on the open deck rather than the enclosed saloon. Otherwise, very little — the boats are used to dogs, and most dogs settle quickly once you're moving.

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About the author

Rachel Polden

Rachel writes about dog-friendly UK travel from mid-Devon, where she lives with two retired racing greyhounds, Fern and Maisie. A former commissioning editor at a travel magazine, she now spends her time pacing coast paths and pub gardens, paying close attention to the small print of who is and isn't actually welcome.