Steam Yacht Gondola

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Goolia2772

Steam Yacht Gondola - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Steam Yacht Gondola

steam yacht gondola windermere

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holidaymanWashington

STEAM YACHT GONDOLA: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Lake District Gems

A blog exploring the Lake District's hidden gems and best-kept secrets

Enjoy a taste of Victorian splendour on Steam Yacht Gondola

The National Trust's Steam Yacht Gondola on Coniston Water

In my opinion, one of the best ways to enjoy the outstanding scenery around Coniston is from Coniston Water itself, so if you’re looking for a unique, relaxing (and dry) way to do this, a trip on board the National Trust’s Steam Yacht Gondola won’t disappoint!

It was with just seconds to spare that I made it down to the Coniston Pier jetty and onto this beautiful Victorian vessel which was waiting to set off. I don’t run with any grace, so the moral of the story is this: however long you think it will take you to get somewhere on a very hot day in the school holidays, add plenty of extra time to the extra time you’ve already allowed – otherwise you risk missing the boat! A few moments later, and we were off…

Coniston Pier with the Bluebird Café in the background

I have to admit that it’s been many years since I last visited Coniston, so for me this visit was a complete rediscovery of the area. I couldn’t have asked for a better way to do it – it was a stunning, hot August day, and those wiser than me had got there early and were already settled on Gondola’s outside seating. Having explored both the ‘sharp end’ and the ‘blunt end’ of the boat (sorry – I’ve watched the film Carry on Cruising too many times! 🙂 ) I found a perfect little standing spot to the rear of the boat which meant that I could take pictures from both sides and, as a bonus, I was in the shade!

The western shore of Coniston from the rear of the boat

A bit of history…

According to the National Trust, Gondola started out life when in 1859 she was commissioned by the Furness Railway and built in Liverpool. Between 1860 and 1914 she provided cruises for the wealthy tourists of the day, and these were linked to carriage and railway services as part of a grand Victorian tour. After a period of rest during the First World War, Gondola returned to service in 1919, but in 1936 she was sold and became a private houseboat at the southern end of the lake.

Sadly, Gondola was wrecked in a storm in the 1960s, and this left her partly submerged in the water until in the ’70s National Trust volunteers raised funds to restore her. She was rebuilt by Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering in Barrow-in-Furness, and launched once again as a pleasure cruiser in 1980. What a history!

A look round the boat

Following my slightly flustered start, I can honestly say that Gondola had the most wonderful calming effect from the minute we started our journey. I recorded a short video, below, in which you can hear the gentle chugging of the boat, which even now is running on steam power.

The view of Coniston from Gondola

When Gondola first set out in 1860 she was powered on coke from the gasworks, and these days her fuel takes the form of compressed wood and sawdust logs. For those interested in the actual running of Gondola, you can see what’s going on ‘below deck’ through an open side hatch to the rear of the vessel, and talk to the engineer.

Gondola

One of the things that strikes you as you move around Gondola is the attention to detail. The 1st class saloon was apparently modelled on Queen Victoria’s private railway carriage, and the fittings and finishings throughout (look at the intricate brass edging on the outside steps) are what make a cruise on Gondola unique.

Detail onboard the National Trust's Steam Yacht Gondola

On-board commentary

A live on-board commentary, provided by the helmsman, gives you lots of interesting snippets about the lake and the features surrounding it. It focuses in particular on two of Coniston’s claims to fame:

  • as the inspiration behind Arthur Ransome’s Swallows and Amazons series of novels, and
  • as the stretch of water on which Donald Campbell tragically died during a world water speed record attempt in Bluebird.

There are lots of other interesting facts too, particularly about the area’s industrial past. The crew have created a great balance, because the talk is informative but not overly obtrusive, so you’ve plenty of opportunities to just sit back and enjoy it all.

Swallows and Amazons

I chose to take the full lake cruise (lasting an hour and three-quarters) so that I could see and photograph the various sites that inspired Arthur Ransome, when writing his Swallows and Amazons series of novels. He confirmed that all the locations he wrote about were based on real places, but that they couldn’t all be found in the correct order on a map.

Although some features can be found on Windermere as well, it is Coniston Water in particular that Ransome used in his descriptions. Peel Island, towards the south of the lake, along with Silver Howe on Windermere, formed the basis for ‘Wild Cat Island’, the island on which the Swallows children decide to camp during their holidays. You also see the Swallows and Amazons boathouses, and on the return journey the helmsman pulls in close so that you have roughly 20 seconds to catch sight of the ‘Secret Harbour’ on Peel Island.

From taking the cruise, I now realise how vivid the sense of place is in Ransome’s first and most famous novel. (Although I have a confession to make, which is that I didn’t actually read Swallows and Amazons until very recently, as I was more of an Enid Blyton child – she did in fact write her own island adventure called The Secret Island , although I don’t know where it was based).

Peel Island, Coniston Water

If you’re a keen walker, you may like to combine the Walker’s Cruise on Gondola with a walk, catching a service again later on for your return journey – visit Gondola’s profile on the National Trust website for timetable information . There’s also a jetty stop at Brantwood , the former home of John Ruskin, and another place I’d highly recommend you visit.

The first jetty we stopped at was Lake Bank Jetty at the southern tip of the lake, where you can see the original Victorian waiting room and stretch your legs for five minutes on the jetty – don’t go far though if you’re on the full cruise, unless you really do want to walk the long distance back!

The Victorian waiting room at Lake Bank Jetty on Coniston Water, with Gondola

This is definitely the most tranquil end of the lake, with reeds and a narrowing beyond which lies Arthur Ransome’s ‘Octopus Lagoon’ where the his fictional characters, the Swallows, go on a sailing adventure to try to overthrow the pirate Amazon sisters.

The southern end of Coniston Water

It was soon time to set off again, and on our return journey north we then stopped at Parkamoor on the east side of Coniston Water, the Brantwood jetty, and again at Monk Coniston at the most northerly point.

Setting sail from Lake Bank Jetty on Coniston Water

And now for a thought to put fear into the hardiest sailor – ‘Captain Janine’!

The crew members are all very friendly and pleased to answer any questions you have. I may have asked one too many though, as at this point something most unexpected happened: I was sent up a tiny ladder to the helm, and given the chance to steer Gondola for myself – quite something considering the only boat I’ve ever sailed was under a foot long and made Blue Peter-style at a Girl Guiding camp! (I did win a gold medal though, made of foil card and Christmas ribbon…)

Back to Gondola though, and the first instruction I received from the helmsman was to turn the wheel starboard. I was grateful a couple of seconds later when he clarified that starboard is ‘to the right’. Cue brain block and a frantic mental scramble to remember which is left and which is right… it’s like driving lessons all over again!

The helm on the National Trust's Steam Yacht Gondola

In all seriousness though (and in layman’s terms, for my sake!) to feel the weight of the boat gently pulling to one side when you’ve turned the wheel is really quite satisfying. I was advised that as we were now at an ideal distance from the shoreline we would continue to follow it, and that the trick is to find a single point on the horizon and line the boat up towards it.

I even got to frighten all the other passengers to the rear of the boat by pulling the rope to operate the steam whistle, a shiny, innocent-looking fixture which is a very loud, but essential part of the Gondola experience!

Steering on board Gondola

Talking to members of the crew confirmed what you already sense as soon as you arrive on board, which is that everyone takes great pride in running and maintaining Gondola. During the winter months the crew members carry out more heavy maintenance tasks and continued restoration too. Last winter, Gondola was treated to a new wooden wheelhouse roof to replace the previous metal one, and this has been lovingly crafted so that it looks as though it could always have been.

For the rest of the journey I sat quietly and let the helmsman carry out his various tasks, from visiting the final jetties to pick up return walkers, to giving out the last parts of the passenger commentary. With the sun starting to lower, and the view becoming steadily more hazy, the experience was so restful that I could have happily sat there all evening – Gondola also does private functions, which is where she was headed immediately after our cruise finished.

Brantwood from Coniston Water

Why a lake cruise is a must on any Lake District holiday

If you’re on holiday in the Lake District, I would say that at some point during your stay a lake cruise is an absolute must. The scenery surrounding each of the Lake District’s stretches of water looks completely different from the vantage point of a boat, and there are various cruise companies operating on Windermere, Ullswater, Derwentwater and Coniston.

What makes a cruise on Coniston’s Gondola so special though has to be the boat itself, with its elegant features both inside and out, its history, and the fact it is still steam-powered (along with that authentic steamer smell – well, where I was standing anyway!). It’s also not a large boat, so people are friendly, and the whole experience has a great atmosphere. The northern half of the lake in particular was packed with people enjoying themselves on small boats of every shape, colour and description, and Gondola receives a lot of attention as she goes by – be prepared to receive lots of waves, and to return the gesture with a wave back!

The National Trust's Steam Yacht Gondola at Coniston Pier Jetty

It wasn’t until I was back on the jetty that I remembered to get a shot or two of Sidney, or ‘Sid’ as he’s affectionately known, the iconic sea serpent who sits on the front of Gondola and was replaced by a new Sidney in March this year – I can’t say I was happy with the pictures I took though. Two days later and I was back in Coniston to photograph Brantwood, so I went down to the Brantwood jetty to catch Gondola on her mid-day tour around the lake. Got you in the end, Sidney!

Gondola stopping at Brantwood

Gondola tour options

Gondola offers a number of day-time services, including Full Lake , Head of Lake and Walker’s Cruises – take a look at Gondola’s pages on the National Trust website for timetables and some useful walking suggestions.

And if you’re looking for something even more special, you could book one of Gondola’s on-board cream teas or picnics. For those who are more interested in what’s going on inside the boat than around it, there’s even an Engineer for a Day experience!

In partnership with other local organisations, the National Trust is also offering a Lake District Grand Victorian Circular Tour , a full day itinerary across the Lakes, complete with steam railway journey, which recreates a tour once provided by the Furness Railway Company.

If you’re planning to visit the Lake District this autumn, I have to say that the photographs I’ve seen taken on Coniston Water at this time of year are incredible, so even when the summer’s over, the enjoyment most certainly isn’t!

I’d like to say a big thank you to the Gondola crew for making me so welcome during my cruise experience. I should point out that although I always write with care, any errors in my ‘technical’ descriptions of Gondola will be my own and not those of the crew! Some of the Swallows and Amazons facts I researched separately. I also found Ivan Corlett’s blog about the maintenance of Gondola a helpful and entertaining read (I love the philosophical question, ‘is Gondola similar to Trigger’s broom from Only Fools and Horses?’ 5 February 2015), so do visit that too if you’re interested to see behind the scenes.

  • Shortly after visiting the Steam Yacht Gondola, I paid another visit to Coniston to see Brantwood – you can find out more in my post about Brantwood and its fabulous grounds and gardens , and see Coniston later in the season when I returned to Coniston and Gondola in the autumn .

Have you been on board Gondola or any of the other cruises available in the Lake District? If so, it would be great to hear more about your experience. Do share your recommendations with other visitors to the blog by leaving a comment below.

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Published by Janine John

Hello, I'm Janine, and I'm exploring the Lake District in search of the area's very best hidden gems! If, like me, you love the Lakes and enjoy the simple things in life (you won't find me in the mountains on this blog, but maybe in a tearoom!), join me again to read more about my latest local finds and adventures. View all posts by Janine John

3 Comments Add yours

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As we enter the last few weeks of summer, it’s great to know that there’s still plenty to look forward to – the autumn colours really are a spectacular sight in the Lakes!

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i met arthur hatton who saved the gondolo in 1770s an amazing old man i had a boat at the lake oppersite his home which btoke its moorings we managed to float it to his shore and i gave him the boat he fepaired the hole and used it with battery outboard but did not use the sail i visited for a few years when he was constucting a harbour not a marina he lived like a doormouse in that mansion we did not go for few years at which time he had died a true gentelman sorry about spelling

Hello Geoff and apologies for the delay in replying to you, but thank you for your comment.

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National Trust: Steam Yacht Gondola

steam yacht gondola windermere

Cruise around Coniston Water – one of England’s most beautiful lakes – on the Steam Yacht Gondola. Choose from three routes – the full lake cruise, the north lake cruise or the south lake cruise – and soak up the nostalgia of the bygone age of steam – an unparalleled Lake District cruising experience.

Steam Yacht Gondola, Coniston Pier, Lake Road, Coniston, Cumbria, LA21 8AN Sailing times:  nationaltrust.org.uk/place-pages/146/pages/opening-times-calendar

Dogs : Welcome on board.

Arrive in style: At Brantwood’s private pier.

What else is nearby?

Download our free guide, the herbaceous borders guide.

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Steam Yacht Gondola

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STEAM YACHT GONDOLA (Coniston) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

What a prickle…

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Visit Cumbria

cfk Steam Yacht Gondola

Steam yacht gondola for kids.

Location :  Coniston – Grid Ref : SD 308970

Coniston Pier. Tel 015394 41288 – Email :  [email protected]

steam yacht gondola windermere

Related links

  • the Gondola Website
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  • Grown Ups Steam Yacht Gondola Page

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Steam Yacht Gondola

steam yacht gondola windermere

  • See all photos

steam yacht gondola windermere

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steam yacht gondola windermere

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holidaymanWashington

Steam Yacht Gondola - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Lake District On Board -

Lake District Boats

Boat services across the lake district.

steam yacht gondola windermere

There are public boat services on four of the main Lake District lakes; Windermere, Derwent Water, Ullswater and Coniston Water. They all provide wonderful scenic boat cruises, often used for pleasure but most also connect with buses or trains allowing onward travel across the area.

steam yacht gondola windermere

There are descriptions of each lake, the various cruises on offer and where they stop along the way. The interactive maps show all boat stops on each lake. Where the stop is near a town or attraction, a link is included for further details.

Many cruises operate throughout the year with increased frequency between Easter and November. There are links to cruise operator websites for current timetables and further information.

Current timetables: Winter 2023/24 timetables. See below for further details and timetable links.

Select Lake District lake

steam yacht gondola windermere

England’s largest lake at over 10 miles long and up to a mile wide. The northern end of the lake is the most spectacular, backed by Lake District mountains, but the low hills that surround the rest of the lake are also very attractive. The central area of the lake around Bowness has several islands and is often busy with boats. The shoreline at Bowness can also get very busy, as can Ambleside at the northern end. Both towns are popular destinations for visitors with plenty of attractions. The rest of the lakeshore is relatively peaceful, particularly the western side where there is some good walking and cycling along the shore, especially between Wray Castle and Ferry House.

Windermere Lake Cruises

Windermere Lake Cruises operate a number of different cruises around Windermere lake, daily all year unless specified. No cruises 25th December. There are various ticket offers available including cruise combined with Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway, Lakeland Motor Museum or Lakes Aquarium. Windermere Cruise highlights .

steam yacht gondola windermere

Red Cruise.  Cruise around the northern half of Windermere lake calling at  Bowness on Windermere ,  Windermere Jetty Museum ,  Brockhole visitor centre and Waterhead (Ambleside).  Frequent cruises per day all year, more between Easter and November. 70 minute round trip, includes commentary. Some services travel between Bowness and Waterhead only.

Yellow Cruise.  Cruise around the southern half of Windermere lake calling at  Bowness on Windermere and Lakeside.  Several cruises per day between Easter and November, less outside that period. Does not operate during the week in January. 90 minute round trip, includes commentary.

Islands Cruise.  Cruise around the Islands of Bowness Bay from  Bowness on Windermere via Windermere Jetty Museum and back to Bowness. Cruises every 30 minutes from Easter to November. Three cruises per day outside that period. 45 minute cruise, includes commentary.

Green Cruise.  Seasonal cruise around the northern end of Windermere lake calling at  Waterhead (Ambleside), Wray Castle, Brockhole visitor centre.  Several cruises per day between Easter and November, more in school holidays. Does not operate outside that period. 50 minute round trip.

steam yacht gondola windermere

Bowness to Ferry House.  Seasonal passenger service from Bowness Bay to Ferry House, adjacent to Windermere Ferry landing. Can be used to reach attractions on the west shore of the lake, including Harrowslack, Claife and Hill Top . Frequent daily service from Easter to November.

Lakeside to Fell Foot Park.  Seasonal passenger service travelling the short distance between Lakeside and Fell Foot Park  at the southern end of Windermere lake. Frequent daily service from May to September. Two services per day are extended 30 minute cruises around the southern end of the lake.

Bike Boat.  Seasonal service between  Brockhole visitor centre  and Bark Barn which takes up to 12 bikes and links cycle paths on both sides of Windermere lake. Operates daily during May and summer school holidays, weekends inbetween. No service beyond summer holidays. Several boats per day when operating. Also connects with  599 bus service  at Brockhole which can carry 2 bikes. *Service currently suspended*

Windermere Vehicle & Passenger Ferry

Windermere Ferry

Windermere Ferry provides a vehicle and passenger ferry service across the middle part of Windermere lake, between Ferry Nab (near Bowness) and Ferry House (Sawrey). Operates roughly every 20 minutes each way from early till late, all year except 25th/26th December. In rough weather services are often suspended and technical issues can also sometimes prevent it running. To confirm if the ferry is running call 07860 813427 or check the live  webcam  at Ferry House. Operated by Cumbria County Council. Can be used to reach attractions on the west shore of the lake, including Harrowslack, Claife and Hill Top .

Derwent Water

Derwent Water, Friar's Crag

Affectionately called ‘the Queen of the Lakes’, it is certainly in an unbeatable position nestling in the jaws of Borrowdale with fabulous views in all directions. Wherever you look there are great sights, Skiddaw, Cat Bells, Borrowdale and Lodore Falls to name but a few. The main centre is Keswick which also has some wonderful lakeshore access and is the base for lake cruises. Away from Keswick much of the shoreline has public access with a popular 10 mile walk around the whole lake. The busier shore is the eastern side, mainly because the valley road runs alongside making access easy. The western shore is more peaceful but still easily accessible by boat.

Keswick Launch

steam yacht gondola windermere

The Keswick Launch cruises around Derwent Water calling at the following seven jetties; Keswick, Ashness Gate (Ashness Bridge), Lodore,  High Brandelhow, Low Brandelhow, Hawes End, Nichol End. Cruises start at Keswick and alternatively travel clockwise and anticlockwise around the lake.

The full cruise takes approx 50 minutes and you can hop on and off at any jetty. This is ideal if you want to combine a cruise with walking a section of the lakeshore footpath.

Frequent cruises per day between March and November and February school holidays. Weekend cruises at other times but can be closed during winter, check website.

steam yacht gondola windermere

A beautiful lake of many contrasts. The northern end is quite green with low hills, the southern end is very mountainous and spectacular. The western shore has a main road running alongside it, the eastern shore is less accessible and quite tranquil. There are two lakeshore villages where people tend to congregate, Pooley Bridge at the northern end of the lake and Glenridding at the southern end. Other than these, public lakeshore access areas are mostly found at various roadside locations along the western shore. The eastern shore has some fabulous footpaths but shoreline access is limited. The Ullswater Way is a relatively new 20 mile walk all around the lake. A stunning and demanding walk but you can do shorter sections of it as described in the guide .

Ullswater Steamers

steam yacht gondola windermere

You can cruise the length of Ullswater lake on Ullswater Steamers which takes an hour each way, stopping at Glenridding , Howtown and Pooley Bridge . Frequent cruises per day between Easter and November, less outside that period. Daily cruises all year except 24th/25th December. Between Easter and end of October, there is an additional Aira Force Shuttle boat between Glenridding and Aira Force waterfall . A popular day trip is to combine a boat cruise with a walk between Pooley Bridge and Howtown, Glenridding and Howtown or Glenridding and Aira Force.

Coniston Water

steam yacht gondola windermere

A popular lake for boating and scene of one of the most famous boating incidents in history – Donald Campbell’s ill fated water world speed record attempt in 1967. The surrounding scenery is breathtaking with Coniston mountain range to the north, Grizedale Forest to the east and bracken covered Common to the west. The main centre is at Coniston village, situated between the lake and Coniston Old Man mountain. Lake Road runs approx 0.5 miles from the village to Coniston jetty which is the centre for lake activities. There are many fabulous lakeshore access points around the lake, all easily accessible from the jetties where the cruises stop and from the footpaths and roads which follow the lakeshore.

Coniston Launch

steam yacht gondola windermere

Coniston Launch operate a number of different cruises around Coniston Water, starting from Coniston jetty.

Northern Cruise.  Cruise around the northern half of Coniston Water, calling at  Coniston, Coniston Inn (formerly Waterhead), Torver, Brantwood.  There are regular cruises every day between February and November, outside that period a few cruises at weekends only. 45 minute cruise.

Wild Cat Island Cruise.  Seasonal cruise around most of Coniston Water, passing Wild Cat Island from Swallows and Amazons. Calling at  Coniston,  Torver, Sunny Bank,  Brantwood.  A few cruises per day from Easter to November. 60 minute cruise.

Southern Lake Themed Cruise.  Seasonal cruise around the whole of Coniston Water, calling at  Coniston,  Torver, Lake Bank, Sunny Bank,  Brantwood.  One cruise every day from May to September, Monday to Thursday only from Easter to May and towards end of September. Alternate themed trips, Swallows and Amazons or Campbells on Coniston. 90 minute cruise.

Steam Yacht Gondola

SY Gondola & Brantwood

The famous and beautiful Steam Yacht Gondola is a rebuilt Victorian steam powered yacht, originally built in 1859 and now operated by the National Trust. There are 3 cruises on offer between Easter and end October but none outside that period. Cruises start from Coniston jetty and include commentary.

North Lake Cruise.  Seasonal cruise around the northern half of Coniston Water from  Coniston  with request stops at  Brantwood  and Monk Coniston. One cruise per day, except Fridays, between Easter and end October. 1 hour cruise.

Heart of the Lake Cruise.  Seasonal cruise around the central part of Coniston Water from  Coniston  with request stops at Parkamoor and Brantwood . One cruise per day, except Fridays, between Easter and end October. Also operates Fridays in summer school holidays. 1 hour cruise.

Full Lake Cruise.  Seasonal cruise around the whole of Coniston Water from  Coniston  with request stops at Lake Bank, Parkamoor,  Brantwood and Monk Coniston. One cruise per day, except Fridays, between Easter and end October. Also operates Fridays in summer school holidays. 1 hour 40 minutes cruise.

A paradise of art & nature

The historic home of john ruskin.

Discover the world of John Ruskin at Brantwood, a historic house and vibrant centre for the arts on the shores of Coniston Water. Explore the character of its famous resident through displays and activities in the house, gardens, and estate.

Sign up to our email updates to be the first to hear about our exhibitions and the latest news.

HOUSE • GARDENS • KITCHEN • SHOP • EVENTS

Opening times.

We are now into winter hours:

  • House & Gardens: Wed to Sun 10:30 – 4pm
  • Terrace Kitchen: Every day 10:00 – 4:30pm

Summer hours (from mid-March) every day 10:30 – 5pm

Practical Infomation

No pre-booking required

Our gardens and woodland have varying levels of gradient, appropriate footwear for a walk in the countryside is recommended.

Toilets and baby-changing facilities are available

Dogs welcome on a lead in our gardens and the Terrace Kitchen

Admission Prices

House & Gardens Ticket – Pay once visit all year for free!

Adults £15.00

Students £12.50

Chidren (16 and under) FREE

Our general admission tickets are also annual passes, which give you unlimited entry to Brantwood for a whole year! We can also treat your admission fee as a donation to our charity if you are able to Gift Aid your admission.

£1.00 discount on presentation of your Gondola or Coniston Launch ticket.

Visiting Brantwood

Immerse yourself in the world of John Ruskin, the famous writer, artist and social reformer. Discover his legacy through displays and activities in the house, gardens and estate.

Explore the stunning 250-acre estate, featuring eight unique gardens created by Ruskin, his cousin Joan Severn, and head gardener Sally Beamish. The gardens offer breathtaking views across Coniston Water to the fells and are divided into three areas – the northern and southern gardens which involve some uphill walking, and the lower gardens which are suitable for all.

Activities for all ages are available, including exploring the gardens and woodland trails, connecting with the landscape through observation and art, and learning about Ruskin’s fascinating life and legacy. Don’t forget to try out the Terrace and enjoy one of the finest café views in the Lakes.

Dogs are welcome on a lead in our gardens and the Terrace Cafe. Come and experience the beauty of Brantwood in all seasons.

Important Information

‘Brant’ is old norse for steep, and so our gardens and woodland have varying levels of gradient, appropriate footwear for a walk in the countryside is recommended.

Seasonal Opening Hours

Brantwood is open every day during summer and Wednesday to Sunday during winter, also closing on Christmas & Boxing Day.

Disabled Access, Groups & School Visits

Disabled access.

Brantwood has a number of services and facilities available for disabled visitors throughout both the house and some of the gardens.

To find out more about the about access throughout the house and gardens visit the Disabled Access page for full details.

Find out more here

Group Bookings

Group booking is available at Brantwood with a ‘meet and greet’ service on offer at arrival. Our restaurant can also reserve seating.

School visits

At Brantwood you can arrange a school group visit at just £3.00 per pupil and free for teachers and additional helpers.

Our Gardens

The gardens at brantwood.

Welcome to Brantwood’s gardens, to ensure the safety of all staff and visitors please make sure to follow all instructions and signage during your visit.

From the car park there are entrances to the upper gardens and on the other side of the road to the harbour walk . We have designed two routes into the upper gardens, on the one hand is the Ruskin route – a steeper route beginning from the zig-zaggy up the purgatorial mount, and the gentler Severn route starting from the maple walk.

Delve into some of our Garden’s below ….

steam yacht gondola windermere

The Lower Gardens

The lower garden’s perform an important task at Brantwood and always have as they connect the house to the lake. The lake was both an important utility and amenity in Ruskin’s time. It was Ruskin’s cousin Joan Severn who created the harbour walk which is a pleasant and gentle way down to the lake.

The Zig-Zaggy

The most important garden Ruskin created at Brantwood, designed as an entrance to the whole estate. It is a mythological garden based on Dante’s Divine Comedy which Ruskin admired hugely. Particularly based on the idea of the Purgatorial Mount on the passage of the soul to paradise. Paradise for Ruskin was a state where man and nature are working in harmony with one another; in order to do that you first had to get rid of your worldly sins hence each of the terraces of the Zig-Zaggy are designed to represent one of the seven deadly sins.

The High Walk

This spectacular and genteel garden was situated to provide a vista across the lake to the Old Man of Coniston, providing easy access to some of the greatest scenery of the Lake District. Having been lost for a century after the death of it’s creator Joan Severn, the rediscovery of this garden in the 1990s changed both the character and balance of the gardens at Brantwood, providing an elegant contrast to Ruskin’s more wild style of garden.

The Professors’ Garden

The Professors’ Garden was a working garden and the one most likely for Ruskin to be found in. The limited area provided a place of tranquillity and peace of which he desperately needed as well as an opportunity to experiment with the cultivation and display of wild, ornamental and edible plants. The garden was planned and managed by Ruskin and is the place where he grew flowers, fruits and herbs suitable for a local cottager’s garden – arranging them in such a way to provide examples of the cultivation of food for the soul, as well as the bodies, of the local labourers.

steam yacht gondola windermere

Food & Drink

At the terrace coffee house & restaurant you can expect friendly, attentive staff, delicious home cooked food and a view that never fails to amaze. not your usual coffee shop; you’ll always find something a bit different on the menu to tempt your palate. alongside the seasonal lunch menu (served 12 – 3pm) you’ll find scrumptious rustic desserts & beautiful cakes and treats for those who need that mid-afternoon tea break., all food is prepared on site to order every day, so why not drop by for a bite to eat or relax over a cup of excellent coffee. click here for more information., arrive in style, brantwood’s gardens stretch as far as the lake shore, to the harbour ruskin built, from which you can catch the coniston launch or steam yacht gondola. this has to be one of the best ways to arrive at brantwood., steam yacht gondola, float back in time and enjoy coniston water as the wealthy victorians once did, travelling in style in gondola’s opulent saloons or relaxing on her open air decks and taking in the spectacular scenery. what better way to get to brantwood. gondola has a luxurious ambience recreating the atmosphere of a bygone era. the interior of the boat is divided into two saloons reflecting victorian trains from the furness railway: a first class saloon with luxuriously upholstered seating and a ‘third’ class saloon with a rich mahogany ceiling and leather upholstery. see the  national trust website  for more details, coniston launch, the very best way to approach brantwood is from the lake, and the two launches provide an hourly northern cruise service from coniston and an hourly yellow route cruise service to brantwood. discounted tickets are also available from the launches for entry to the house and gardens  – bookable online from the  coniston launch website ..

Directions to Brantwood

By Car – Exit the M6 at Junction 36. Join the A590 in the direction of Kendal. Exit at the Brettargh Holt junction. At the roundabout take the 1st exit signposted for Barrow-in-Furness. Continue to follow the signs for Barrow-in-Furness. At the Meathop roundabout take the second junction exit towards Barrow-in-Furness. At the next roundabout (junction with A592) take the first exit continuing on the A590. Turn right onto the A5902 signposted for Workington, Whitehaven. Turn right onto the A5084 signposted for Coniston. Turn right onto the A593 inTorver. Follow the signs for Brantwood from the village of Coniston. FREE PARKING ON SITE.

By Bus – Take the 505 from Windermere or Ambleside to Coniston and catch either the Coniston Launch or SY Gondola to Brantwood.

By Boat – Both the Coniston Launch and SY Gondola call regularly at Brantwood’s jetty.

By Train – The nearest train stations are Windermere (trains to Oxenholme on the West Coast Main Line) and Ulverston.

By Bicycle or by Foot – Brantwood and it’s facilities make an ideal visiting point for cyclists and walkers.

Main house: 015394 41396

Terrace Kitchen: 015394 49025

General enquiries: hello@

Collections enquiries: collections@

Terrace Kitchen: theterrace@

Accomodation & groups: bookings@

The Brantwood Trust

East of Lake

Brantwood is an independent registered charity no. 504743 – The Brantwood Trust Coniston Cumbria LA21 8AD

Email: [email protected] Telephone: 015394 41396

The Terrace Kitchen

School Visits

Disabled Access

What’s On

About Brantwood

John Ruskin

The Gardens

The Treasury – The John Ruskin Mineral Collection

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Room hire & events

Function & Conference room hire

Online Shop

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IMAGES

  1. Steam Yacht Gondola steaming

    steam yacht gondola windermere

  2. Steam Yacht Gondola (Coniston)

    steam yacht gondola windermere

  3. Steam Yacht Gondola

    steam yacht gondola windermere

  4. Enjoy a taste of Victorian splendour on Steam Yacht Gondola

    steam yacht gondola windermere

  5. Steam Yacht Gondola

    steam yacht gondola windermere

  6. The National Trust's Steam Yacht Gondola is a rebuilt Victorian steam

    steam yacht gondola windermere

VIDEO

  1. Łódź parowa Windermere steam RC Jezioro Borówno Nekla

  2. Windermere Steam Boat Rally 2012

  3. SBA Windermere Rally, 2008

  4. steam boat frk Tut 2023

COMMENTS

  1. Steam Yacht Gondola

    Roll up your sleeves and join the crew for a hands-on, one-to-one full day experience on the Steam Yacht Gondola, a magnificent Victorian steamboat. To ensure you get a ticket, book on line up until 10am on the day of travel. After 10am, purchase tickets onboard by cash or card, subject to availability.

  2. SY Gondola

    The steam yacht Gondola is a rebuilt Victorian, screw-propelled, steam-powered passenger vessel on Coniston Water, England.Originally launched in 1859, she was built for the steamer service carrying passengers from the Furness Railway and from the Coniston Railway.She was in commercial service until 1936 when she was retired, being converted to a houseboat in 1946.

  3. Steam Yacht Gondola

    Leisurely boat ride on old steamer. May 2019. The Steam Yacht Gondola is run by the National trust, you can pre-book your tickets online to save time queuing up at the lake when you arrive. The boat take a round trip of the lake stopping a several jettys to let people on/off, we exited at Monk Coniston to complete the Tarn Hows walk.

  4. Steam Yacht Gondola

    The Steam Yacht Gondola is the oldest steam yacht in the North of England. She was built in 1859 by the Furness Railway Company as an attraction for the tourists they brought by train to Coniston. Now fully restored, she once again provides cruises and boat trips on beautiful Coniston Water. The SY Gondola was retired in 1936 and was used as a ...

  5. Steam Yacht Gondola

    North Lake Cruise (1 hr) Adult £17.50, Child £8.75, Family £43.75. Request stops at Brantwood for house and gardens (not National Trust) and Monk Coniston Jetty for walks to Tarn Hows (approx 3 hrs). Break your journey and re-join Gondola on a later sailing. Heart of Lake Cruise (1hr)

  6. STEAM YACHT GONDOLA (Coniston)

    The Gondola's history and the steam ship itself are fascinating. A steam train on water - the furnace and boiler, the steam from the funnel and the whistle - all there. The Captain, Paul on the day we went, let our 7 year old boy sit on the bridge, use the wheel (to fine tune course) and blow a few whistles - he loved the experience. Paul gave ...

  7. STEAM YACHT GONDOLA: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go ...

    Steam Yacht Gondola, Coniston: See 650 reviews, articles, and 492 photos of Steam Yacht Gondola, ranked No.15 on Tripadvisor among 15 attractions in Coniston.

  8. National Trust

    Experience all the elegance and style of the Victorian era in this unique steam-powered yacht..

  9. Enjoy a taste of Victorian splendour on Steam Yacht Gondola

    After a period of rest during the First World War, Gondola returned to service in 1919, but in 1936 she was sold and became a private houseboat at the southern end of the lake. Sadly, Gondola was wrecked in a storm in the 1960s, and this left her partly submerged in the water until in the '70s National Trust volunteers raised funds to restore ...

  10. National Trust: Steam Yacht Gondola

    National Trust: Steam Yacht Gondola Cruise around Coniston Water - one of England's most beautiful lakes - on the Steam Yacht Gondola. Choose from three routes - the full lake cruise, the north lake cruise or the south lake cruise - and soak up the nostalgia of the bygone age of steam - an unparalleled Lake District cruising experience.

  11. Windermere Jetty Museum of Boats, Steam and Stories

    Contact Windermere Jetty. Tel: 01539 637940. Email: [email protected]. Website: windermerejetty.org. In 2007 the Windermere Steamboat Museum was taken over by the Lakeland Arts Trust, a local charity, in order to restore the collection and redevelop the site.

  12. STEAM YACHT GONDOLA (Coniston)

    Mountain Goat Full Day Tour: Ten Lakes Tour of the Lake District. 755. Full-day Tours. from. £56.00. per adult. Brilliant White Water Rafting in the Lake District UK. 115. Swimming.

  13. Our work on Steam Yacht Gondola

    Maintaining and repairing the gondola. At the end of October, after seven months cruising up and down Coniston Water, Steam Yacht Gondola is hauled out of the water and covered up for the winter. We use this time to give the boat a little TLC. Things are taken off, moved around, polished, varnished and shined, then put back on in the same place ...

  14. cfk Steam Yacht Gondola

    Coniston Pier. Tel 015394 41288 - Email : [email protected]. The Gondola is the oldest steam yacht in the North of England. She was built in 1859 by the Furness Railway Company as an attraction for the tourists they brought by train to Coniston. She was retired in 1936, was used as a house-boat, and abandoned in the 1960's.

  15. STEAM YACHT GONDOLA

    Feb 10, 2024 - Skip to main content. Discover

  16. Lake District Boats

    Cruise around the northern half of Windermere lake calling at ... Steam Yacht Gondola SY Gondola & Brantwood. The famous and beautiful Steam Yacht Gondola is a rebuilt Victorian steam powered yacht, originally built in 1859 and now operated by the National Trust. There are 3 cruises on offer between Easter and end October but none outside that ...

  17. Visiting Brantwood

    Steam Yacht Gondola Float back in time and enjoy Coniston Water as the wealthy Victorians once did, travelling in style in Gondola's opulent saloons or relaxing on her open air decks and taking in the spectacular scenery. ... By Bus - Take the 505 from Windermere or Ambleside to Coniston and catch either the Coniston Launch or SY Gondola to ...

  18. Steam Workshop::[Metrostroi]Moscow Metro

    Created by charliefry. This skin pack for Metrostroi Subway Simulator includes the following repaints: 1. "Red Arrow". This train was launched in Moscow Metro in 2006 to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the eponymous sleeper train between Moscow and Saint Petersburg.

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    The cable cars can carry 1,600 passengers an hour. The cable car pylons rise to the height of a nine-storey building (35 metres) above the banks of the Moskva River. Each of the 33 comfortable roofed gondolas has eight seats. The gondolas are equipped with media screens, audio guides in four languages (Russian, English, Chinese and Spanish ...

  20. Steam Workshop::Moscow-City

    One Tower (Moscow, Russia) Created by arthaix. One Tower is a residential supertall skyscraper on hold along the MIBC "Moscow-City" on Presnensky District in Moscow. Its height upon completion in 2024 will be 442.8 m (1,452 ft 9 in) with 109 floors. It will be the tallest building in Moscow, and the se...

  21. Guide :: Age Of Empires IV

    More Age Of Empires IV Content. Age Of Empires IV Walkthrough 100% (HARD) A Guide for Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition. By: THE ZOD. You will find everything you need to beat every mission on HARD difficulty, earn all the GOLD medals in the art of war challenges and get all the achievements.