Windermere Jetty Museum, the Lake District’s award-winning museum, dedicated to the boats, people and the rich history of Windermere was our next stop as we discovered all there was to do and see while we were on holiday in Lake Windermere, Cumbria.
Our avid blog readers would remember that we tend to make a trip to a museum whenever we go on family holidays and that is just what we did.
The Windermere Jetty Museum felt new, interactive, family-friendly and vibrant. It was great that it kept both the kids interested and excited as we participated in WRECKED! which highlights the environmental impact on the lake while we adults enjoyed reading about the shipwrecks as well as the people that once lived there and the rich history of Windermere, England’s largest natural lake.
If you are headed to Bowness-on-Windermere then keep reading to find out more about our visit and what we did there.
The working museum is committed to conserving, saving and sharing its internationally important collection of displays and galleries with visitors and we found it to be such an immersive experience as a family. Our children came out of it, not only learning about the sunken ships and the treasures which have been now resurfaced and placed in the museum but also about the hidden treasures that lie beneath the lake. They also had the opportunity to travel back in time as they dressed up in historical costumes.
I personally found the entire experience fun, immersive and exciting as we explored the inside of the museum (which is great if the weather is bad) as well as the outdoor space for clues as we tried to solve the mystery and avoid the creature.
You could easily spend a whole day at the museum especially if the weather is nice, sitting outdoors enjoying the scenery and the calm and serene lake with a hot cuppa and cake or an ice cream.
If you do have extra time, you could even enjoy a 30-minute or 75-minute intimate cruise on one of the museum’s fully restored heritage boats.
We thoroughly enjoyed our visit as we learnt about the perils of Windermere’s lost ships. Our children were excited about the lost creature and especially partaking in WRECKED! which highlights the environmental impact on the lake.
My children turned into investigators during the visit and came out understanding about the footprints they leave behind and how they can help protect the lake for future generations.
Things to Note:
- Free parking for all museum and café visitors, including Blue Badge holders. Please collect a voucher from a member of staff to redeem at the car parking machine before you leave.
- Free entry to the café and gift shop
- Disabled access toilet facilities
- Wheelchairs and light, hand-held portable stools available
- Hearing loop available at the visitor desk
- The best bike hitch racks
- Lockers
- Assistance dogs only are welcome in the museum house. Well behaved dogs on a lead are welcome in the grounds and café
- Dog station available for water
- Pushchair access throughout the museum and café
- Buggy park on the lower ground floor
- Baby changing facilities
- Mums’ are welcome to breast or bottle-feed babies in their café, where there is plenty of seating. If you would like somewhere a little more private then please ask a member of staff for some suggestions.
- Food cannot be consumed anywhere in the gallery spaces, however if you fancy a snack then you can visit their café or relax on seating available outside.
How much are the tickets?
Tickets cost £4.50 for children 5 and over (kids 4 and under, go in for free) while adults are charged £9 per entry. They also offer discounted tickets for students families. A family consisting of 2 adults and up to 3 kids pay £24.50. Do note that WRECKED! is free with admission to the Museum.
What are their Opening Hours?
They are open every day from 10am to 4pm (during winter) and 10am to 5pm (during the summer months).  Online booking is recommended for visitors who wish to visit the Museum. Visitors without an advance booking are welcome but entry is subject to availability. You can book your tickets here.
Where is Windermere Jetty Museum?
Rayrigg Rd
Bowness-on-Windermere
Windermere
LA23 1BN
015396 37940
About Windermere Jetty Museum
The museum stands on the former site of Windermere Steamboat Museum on the eastern shore of Windermere, and is supported by a collection built by George Pattinson who was a local builder and boat collector.  Lakeland Arts took ownership of the site in 2007 and after an extensive renovation project, they reopened in Spring 2019 and were officially launched by HRH The Prince of Wales. Today, the collection comprises 40 boats covering the history of sailing on Windermere from the late 18th century.
Their concept for Windermere Jetty Museum was to create a museum that, while sensitive to its magnificent location, was also bold and visionary – an outstanding visitor experience that met the complex requirements of their historic boat collection. A key element of the design of the museum was to preserve and enhance views across Windermere and to connect their collection to the lake and the landscape that surrounds the museum.
They worked with an expert team of designers, engineers and specialists to develop the museum. It became the first contemporary building on the lakeshore for over 50 years, formed of a cluster of simple forms arranged to frame and connect views to boats, to water and the UNESCO World Heritage landscape. Large, cantilevered canopies protrude from each of the buildings, providing shelter for visitors and boats alike. Copper cladding was chosen as a material that reflects the site’s former industrial use as a sand and gravel dock and grading plant, and as a material that will weather beautifully and distinctively over time. The visitor journey of the museum has been crafted by exhibition designers Real Studios which aims to accommodate for both boat enthusiasts and casual tourists alike.
You may also want to read this:
The World of Beatrix Potter in Bowness-on-Windermere
Tudor World History Museum in Stratford-Upon-Avon Review
Family Day Out Review : Madame Tussauds Blackpool
*We were gifted a family ticket in return for the feature. All opinions are our own.
16 comments
That sounds like an interesting day out. I think my son would quite enjoy that. He would love to see the boats.
I am sure he would as our kids did as well. They have both indoor and outdoor area as well
That looks like so much fun. My daughters would love to go there since they take interest in lots of things. Thanks for sharing!
You are welcome, hope you can visit it when you go to Windermere
This looks so fun and perfect for a family trip! My youngest loves boats and my oldest loves anything learning!
All of us enjoyed the visit, a wonderful day out for the whole family
What a fun museum. Looks especially fun for the kids.
Agree, lots for them to do and be involved in to keep them interested
What a neat looking museum – love the interactive bits.
Agree as sometimes heading to a museum can be boring but we had a fabulous time there
What an interesting place to visit. Sounds like they have a lot of wonderful and interesting things to see.
Yes they do indeed and great place to keep little ones entertained as well
The museum is very interesting! I love going to museums and getting to know more about the culture and history!!! Awesome place!!!
A must-see place if you are stopping by Lake Windermere
What a fun place for the whole family! And so cute they have dresses and clothes there for the kids too.
I agree, it allow kids to be adventurous and not be bored in the museum