Cross Lakes Experience

For Bowness, Claife, Hilltop and Hawkshead

Sadly the service has been suspended for 2022 due to Covid. However, you can catch a stagecoach 505 bus to Hawkshead and walk along the mainly off road trail to Hilltop (3km/1.9miles), or catch the Windermere Ferry from Bowness (Ferry Nab) to Ferry House and walk to Hilltop (2.5km/1.6miles). Or why not hire a bike to explore the area?


The Cross Lakes Experience lets you explore the west shore of Windermere, including Claife Viewing Station, Beatrix Potter's former home of Hilltop and the pretty village of Hawkshead. Connections from the Stagecoach service 505 allow you to reach Coniston Water and the breathtaking countryside between without the car. Try by boat, bus, bike or boot instead!

Prices and timetables

The Cross Lakes Experience runs a daily service of a boat between Bowness and Ferry House, and connecting minibus from Ferry House to Hilltop and Hawkshead.

You can download the timetable, fares and route map from Mountain Goat Cross Lakes Experience

When does it run?

Not operating in 2022, we hope it will return in 2023.

Buying tickets

Just hop on at a boat or bus stops. Tickets are available from Windermere Lake Cruises ticket office at Bowness or from the Mountain Goat bus driver.

Child fares are for 15 years and under. Children aged 4 years and under travel free.

Ideas

  • Boots: You don't have to stick to circular routes! Take the Shuttle and stroll over Claife Heights or catch the bus  from Ferry House to Hilltop then walk back down on the off road path.
  • Bikes: Bike racks on the bus between Ferry House and Hawkshead.
  • Boats: Want to relax? Take a gentle ride on one of our traditional wooden launches - the scenery is breathtaking!
  • Bus: You can start from any of the stops shown. We've highlighted some of the easier cycling and walking routes in the area on our leaflet, together with places to visit.
  • Places to visit: Include Beatrix Potter's former home at Hilltop, Claife Viewing Station and the picturesque village of Hawkshead with a range of shops and eateries and the Beatrix Potter Gallery.

More information

Call Mountain Goat on 015394 45161 or Windermere Lake Cruises on 015394 43360 (calls are charged at your operator’s local call rate).