The Lake District in Cumbria, England, is renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty, and one of the best ways to experience it is by exploring the region’s stunning waterways. Whether you’re a seasoned water enthusiast or a first-time visitor, the Lake District offers a variety of boat rental options to suit your needs and preferences.
Boat Rental Options in the Lake District
Windermere
- Low Wood Watersports and Activity Centre: Offers boat hire, waterskiing, wakeboarding, sailing, kayaking, and canoeing.
- Brockhole Visitor Centre: Provides self-drive boats, rowing boats, kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards for hire.
- Bowness Bay Marina: Offers self-drive boats for hire, including standard, premium, and premium plus options with varying capacities and prices.
Ullswater
- Ullswater ‘Steamers’: Provides luxury boat charter options for private events, weddings, and corporate functions.
- St Patrick’s Boat Landing: Offers rowing boat hire for up to 5 passengers.
Coniston
- Coniston Boating Centre: Rents motor boats, rowing boats, sailing dinghies, canoes, and paddleboards.
Derwentwater
- Keswick Launch: Offers rowing and motor boat hire, as well as 50-minute cruises.
Prices and Timings
The cost of boat rentals in the Lake District varies depending on the type of boat, the rental duration, and the location. Here are some examples:
- Brockhole Visitor Centre:
- Self-drive boats: £50 for 1 hour.
- Rowing boats: £30 for 1 hour (small), £40 for 1 hour (large).
- Kayaks: £25 for up to 2 hours (single), £30 for up to 2 hours (double), £35 for up to 2 hours (triple).
- Canoes: £30 for up to 2 hours.
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Stand-up paddleboards: £25 for up to 2 hours.
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Bowness Bay Marina:
- Standard boats: £60 for 2 hours (minimum), plus £5 per hour for additional adults.
- Premium boats: £80 for 2 hours (minimum), plus £5 per hour for additional adults.
- Premium plus boats: £98 for 2 hours (minimum), plus £5 per hour for additional adults.
Additional Information
Booking and Cancellation Policies
- Advance booking is recommended to ensure availability.
- Cancellation policies vary by provider, with some offering refunds or rearrangement options if cancelled within a certain time frame.
Safety and Equipment
- All necessary safety equipment is provided by the rental centers.
- Trained experts are available to support and guide users.
Accessibility
- Some centers offer wheelchair-accessible facilities and boats.
Best Lakes for Kayaking
The Lake District is renowned for its excellent kayaking opportunities, with several lakes offering ideal conditions for this activity.
- Windermere: Offers kayaking and canoeing opportunities with various rental options.
- Ullswater: Suitable for kayaking and canoeing, with rental options available.
- Coniston: Provides kayaking and canoeing opportunities with rental options.
Group Rentals
The Lake District’s boat rental providers cater to groups, offering various options for larger parties.
- Windermere:
- Brockhole Visitor Centre: Offers kayaks and canoes suitable for groups.
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Bowness Bay Marina: Provides self-drive boats for groups of up to 8 people.
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Ullswater:
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Ullswater ‘Steamers’: Offers luxury boat charter options for groups and events.
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Coniston:
- Coniston Boating Centre: Rents motor boats, rowing boats, sailing dinghies, canoes, and paddleboards suitable for groups.
Whether you’re planning a family outing, a corporate event, or a special celebration, the Lake District’s boat rental providers can accommodate your group’s needs and help you create unforgettable memories on the water.