A TEMPORARY ferry shuttle service is being launched next week whilst mandatory water inspections and programmed maintenance is carried out to a vessel.

Windermere Lake Cruises have announced the return of their ‘Cross Lakes Experience’ from April 15 (Monday) as the MV Mallard, which operates the Windermere Ferry is taken out of service for approximately five weeks.

The temporary service will maintain the essential link between the busy eastern shore of Windermere at Bowness to areas including Claife, Sawrey, Hawkhead and Coniston.

Organisers have worked with local transport company Mountain Goat and The National Trust to implement the service which will carry passengers from Bowness Pier Three to Ash Landing on the western shore of Windermere.

From there it will connect with the newly re-instated Mountain Goat 525 bus service, which will take passengers onwards to Beatrix Potter’s former home, Hawkshead with onward connections also to Coniston.

Bosses say the new service will allow easy access to viewpoints, walks and National Trust properties along the western shore, as well as helping to maintain support for businesses and local communities.

Nigel Wilkinson, Managing Director of Windermere Lake Cruises, said: “We are delighted to be adding this new service to help ease transport issues.

“Our aim is to support nearby communities, keep people moving and ensure we do our bit to guide both residents and visitors through our iconic Lakeland landscape with minimum disruption.

“The boat service is entirely privately funded and we hope that both visitors and residents will support this initiative in sufficient volumes to make the service economically sustainable."

The ‘Cross Lakes Experience’ has not operated since before the global pandemic.

Laura Ruxton, General Manager at National Trust South Lakes, said: “What better way to visit Beatrix Potter’s Hill Top and Hawkshead than by boat and bus.

“The National Trust has confirmed that arriving at Hill Top by bus guarantees entry to the property, so no pre-booking is necessary.”

There will be ten return services every day of the week (subject to weather conditions and lake height).

The first sail leaves Bowness Pier Three at 9:55am and the last return from Ash Landing will be at 5:05 pm.

The new service will only carry foot passengers and not bicycles.

An adult single ticket costs £4.50 single or £8 return, whilst a children’s ticket costs £2.90 or £4.80 return.

Discounts will be available to holders of Windermere Lake Cruises Residents’ Discount Cards.