Coniston Launch

Wild Cat Island Cruise! See nearly all of the lake in 60 minutes. Discover 'Wild Cat Island' as seen in the 1970s film ‘Swallows and Amazons'. A Yellow Route around the lake ticket will also allow you to hop on and off the boat for the whole day, either on the the Yellow or Red Route.

The yellow route departs from Coniston Boat Landings and stops at Torver, Sunny Bank, Brantwood, and returns to Coniston.

Day Fares: A yellow route around the lake ticket will allow you to hop on and off the boat for the whole day, on either of the yellow or red routes.

There is an option to break your journey at Brantwood, the former home of John Ruskin, poet, artist and social reformer. Visit the house, garden, craft gallery and Brantwood Café, with tables overlooking the lake. Return to Coniston on a later sailing. Discounted Brantwood house tickets are available at checkout.

The Launches pick up from Brantwood roughly once per hour. Return times 11.20, 12.10, 12.20, 1.20, 1.35, 2.30, 3.00, 3.35, 4.10, 4.30 and 5.15.

Friendly dogs are welcome!

A comprehensive talk about the speed record attempts on Coniston Water from the late 1930's to the mid 1960's and also covering recent events.

Our 90 minute cruise follows the route of the heroic Campbell's concentrating on Donald's last, fatal bid to better 300mph on water.

These cruises are by way of a tribute to Sir Malcolm and Donald Campbell who did so much to promote the cause of Great Britain in the field of world speed records. We follow the history of the Campbells’ attempts on the lake and identify the important locations on Coniston Water associated with them. In particular we concentrate on the fateful attempt by Donald Campbell to better 300mph during the winter of 1966/7.

Pier Cottage was where Bluebird was kept during most of the record attempts and it was from here that Donald Campbell set out on the morning of the tragic accident.

Fun for those who are familiar with the Swallows & Amazons stories. Arthur Ransome used many places around Coniston Water to populate the imaginary lake of his books. Enjoy our 90 minute cruise as we discover these places including Wild Cat Island.

The green route departs from Coniston Boat Landings and stops at Torver, Lake Bank, Sunny Bank, Brantwood, and returns to Coniston.

During the cruise we discover the various locations that Ransome used around Coniston Water in his ever-popular Swallows & Amazons series of books.

Of course there is no lake exactly similar to the one that Ransome used for his children’s adventures, but he did use real locations for the places that he worked into his stories.

On Coniston Water we will see Beckfoot, Holly Howe, Kanchenjunga, Wild Cat Island, the Amazons’ boathouse, and a host of other spots that Ransome used to create his fascinating world.

Coniston Water was used as one of the filming locations for both the 1974 and 2016 films Swallows and Amazons.

Friendly dogs are welcome!

Experience Coniston Water and enjoy stunning views of the surrounding area. See Bluebird’s base, pass Holly Howe and find out the names of the fells.

Hop on and off the boat throughout the day at our jetties and catch a later sailing back using the same ticket.

The red route departs from Coniston Boat Landings and stops at Waterhead, Torver, Brantwood, and returns to Coniston.

Day Fares: a red route around the lake ticket will allow you to hop on and off the boat for the whole day.

There is an option to break your journey at Brantwood, the former home of John Ruskin, poet, artist and social reformer.

Visit the house, garden, craft gallery and Brantwood Café, with tables overlooking the lake. Return to Coniston on a later sailing.

Discounted Brantwood house tickets are available at checkout.

Please note that house entry is available at the following times - 10.30am, 11.30am, 12.30pm, 2pm and 3pm. Please arrive at the Brantwood booking office beforehand with your online booking.

The Launches pick up from Brantwood roughly once per hour. Return times from Brantwood 11.15, 12.15, 1.15, 2.15, 3.15.

Friendly dogs are welcome!

Enjoy the natural history and tranquil southern extremity of Coniston Water. Discover "Wild Cat Island" of Swallows & Amazons fame. Join us this Saturday for a special full lake cruise.

Departing at 4.20pm from Coniston jetty and lasting approximately 90 minutes. Take in the spectacular scenery of Coniston Water on board Campbell and experience the beauty of the southern end of Coniston Water.

Our guide will give commentary at various points along the route pointing out interesting places along the way.

The Southern Lake Explorer ticket is also an all day ticket for all 3 routes, so you can travel on the other routes during the day then go on the Explorer cruise at the end of the day, all on the same ticket.