'Windermere - The Steamboat Museum'

Rayrigg Rd, Bowness, Windermere, LA23 1BN. Tel 015394 45565
Email: info@steamboat.co.uk

Location : Bowness-on-Windermere
Map - Ordnance Survey - SD 402978

S.L Branksome (1896)

Set in a magnificent location in the heart of Lakeland, Windermere Steamboat Museum houses a unique collection of historic steamboats and motorboats, including the SL Dolly of 1850 - the oldest mechanically powered boat in the world, with its original engine still in running order. There are 12 vintage steamboats, of which several take passengers out on lake Windermere. They only operate on fine days, and afternoon tea can be booked.

There is also the recently restored TSSY Esperance, the model for Captain Flint's houseboat in Arthur Ransome's Swallows and Amazons. It was owned by Henry Schneider, chairman of the Barrow Steelworks, who lived at what is now the Belsfield Hotel overlooking Bowness Bay. Every morning he left home, travelled on the Esperance, on which he had breakfast on his way to Lakeside. There he would travel by train in his private carriage (he owned the railway too) to his job in Barrow !

Mrs Howarth of Langdale Chase commissioned a 50 foot teak coal fired launch, 'The Lily', later renamed 'Branksome', which is now at the museum (See top picture). Branksome carried HRH Prince Philip on his tour of the lake, during his visit in 1977.

Here also is Beatrix Potter's rowing boat that she used on Moss Eccles tarn.

Special events throughout the season include the British Classic Motorboat, model boat and steamboat rallies.

There is a shop, refreshments, a lakeside picnic area and a car park.

For more information see www.steamboat.co.uk.