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Groups

Groups and parties have a variety of ways of enjoying a cruise on Coniston Water.

We offer cruises for groups and/or private charter and can arrange a trip to suit your requirements, whether a private party cruise around the lake with a picnic stop off en-route, a single one way trip, or to and from a specific boat landing.

A private cruise on Coniston Water is a special way to celebrate a wedding or birthday.

Groups and parties have a variety of ways of enjoying a cruise on Coniston Water. A wide diversity of groups have used our launches – anniversary parties, photographic clubs, wedding groups, office parties, and others. Numbers have ranged from 2 people to both our boats being full.

Group cruises

General Information

We carry most of our daytime charters from Coniston Boat Landings where there is free coach parking, a cafe, and toilet facilities.

The Coniston Inn jetty is also a popular choice which has parking for one coach, provided you are taking some refreshment at the Coniston Inn. They offer breakfast, lunches and afternoon tea.

We can however pick you up from other locations but there may be an extra charge for our running time in getting the boat to you.

The enclosed saloons on our launches hold about 35 people and have heating.

Groups should allow plenty of time to get to Coniston, especially if travelling by coach in mid-season. We advise arriving at least 15 mins before sailing time so that we can board you before we board other passengers.

Scheduled Services

During the sailing day we offer great value for pre-booked groups of up to 50 people on our scheduled sailings.

Brantwood Direct

The best and most convenient way to visit Brantwood the one-time home of John Ruskin. We can carry groups from 25 to 58 people on a short Brantwood Direct Cruise at or before 10:00.

Whilst most of our groups travel from Coniston Boat Landings, we can also collect you five minutes later than the above times from the Waterhead Hotel if you would like to have morning coffee, a buffet lunch, or afternoon tea prior to boarding.

The price for the Brantwood Direct is £7.00 per person. In addition we sell discounted group entry tickets on behalf on Brantwood (£8.35 – full price £9.50).

There is a minimum charge of 15 people, so the minimum cost in total (including house entry) would be £230.25.

Evening Cruises

We can organise evening private charters for groups. These are available from 17:30 on most days and we can run until it gets dark.

Red/Yellow Route Private Charter
(60 mins)

  • 1–12 people: £195
  • 13–20 people: £300
  • 20+ people (maximum: 58): £380
  • Extra half hour: £130 flat rate

Green Route Private Charter
(90 mins)

Wedding Cruises

Why not make your important day more special by taking a launch cruise on beautiful Coniston Water in the Lake District?

Launches are available to hire from 17:30 (or earlier in winter months) from any jetty you choose. Treat your guests, and yourselves, to a sip of champagne on board as you take in the beautiful scenery of the fells and lake.

Red/Yellow Route Private Charter
(60 mins)

  • 1–12 people: £195
  • 13–20 people: £300
  • 20+ people (maximum: 58): £380
  • Extra half hour: £130 flat rate

Green Route Private Charter
(90 mins)

School Trips

We very much prefer to carry school groups on private cruises either before 10:30 or after 16:30 (earlier on some days in the ‘shoulder’ months). We will carry small school groups during the main part of the sailing day – but we ask you to avoid mid-season or other busy times.

Many schools like to use us for a visit to Brantwood and we can offer you our Brantwood Direct service involving a 10 minute outward journey as a private charter, returning on the public service boat.

Another option is to take a one-way trip and walk back. Coniston to Torver is a popular route, but for the more adventurous Lake Bank and Sunny Bank offer great possibilities.

For school groups of under 16’s we charge per person at a discounted rate on our normal child fare. In an effort to keep costs to the minimum we charge all accompanying adults at child rates.

Private Boat

  • Brantwood Direct return – £5.00 per person
  • Coniston to Torver single (30 mins) – £5 pp (min £100)
  • One hour round trip – £6.00 pp (min £90)

Public Sailings

  • North Lake return – £6.50 pp
  • Coniston to Torver (or reverse) single – £3 pp

Need more information?

Let us know your requirements and we’ll be happy to discuss.

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  • Coniston The English Lake District World Heritage Site