May Half Term and opening of Boating Pond at Windermere Jetty

Gemma Gibb, Associate Editor
Windermere Jetty

May Half Term and Opening of Boating Pond at Windermere Jetty Museum of Boats, Steam and Stories, Cumbria 25 May — 8 June 2019 Entrance is free

Who doesn’t love a model boating pond? Even better, one that looks over England’s largest lake and one of the most picturesque views you can set eyes on.

Head to the South Lakes this half term, a place which inspired Arthur Ransome’s Swallows and Amazons adventures and Beatrix Potter’s love of the natural world.

Brand new museum, Windermere Jetty, Museum of Boats, Steam and Stories is the perfect place to let off steam together.

Nautical happenings galore include the chance to make your own Dreamboat using recycled materials and set them off to sail on the pond.  Gone Fishing activities give the chance to explore the variety of fish in Windemere, try your hand at fishing knots and use your imagination to create your own “fish wand”.

Look even more closely at the patterns and colours of the varieties of fish life that can be found nearby in special Foil Fish sessions. Create your own fishy to add to the display or take home.

Environmentalists of the future can join hands-on Looking after our Lake sessions to find out more about the main causes of pollution and change at Windemere including climate change and invasive species.

Leave time to explore the incredible collection of boats together, all associated with Windermere including the Trimite, a Formula 1 racing catamaran which set the world record of 144 mph in 1983; SL Dolly, one of the oldest mechanically powered boats ever built, and which sat at the bottom of Ullswater for over 60 years; and the flat-bottomed rowing boat in which Beatrix Potter passed many happy hours sketching and fishing on the tarns near her home.

Have your own Swallows and Amazons adventures by taking a trip aboard Osprey, a fully-restored Edwardian steam launch.

Half-term activities around the Boating Pond are free. Normal admission fees apply for museum entry and Heritage Boat Trips. Museum entry: (Adults £9, Children (under 16)  £7, 1 adult family ticket (1 adult and up to 3 children £18), 2 adult family ticket (2 adults and up to 3 children £27), Aged four and under free.

May Half Term and Opening of Boating Pond at Windermere Jetty Museum of Boats, Steam and Stories, Cumbria 25 May — 8 June 2019 Entrance is free

Where to go near May Half Term and opening of Boating Pond at Windermere Jetty

Cumbria
The World of Beatrix Potter

The World of Beatrix Potter™ is a vibrant family Attraction bringing to life Beatrix Potter’s enchanting stories in a magical recreation of the beautiful Lake District countryside.

Cumbria
Bar or Pub
Baha

Baha is a stylish upmarket restaurant with a Pacific Rim-inspired menu, based in Bowness-In-Windermere in the Lake District.

Windermere
Tourist Attraction
Windermere

Perhaps no water in England is more storied than Windermere, where swimmers who enjoy a challenge have naturally flocked here for centuries.

Cumbria
Restaurant
Gilpin Spice

Gilpin Spice is the two AA Rosettes Asian restaurant at the stunning Gilpin Hotel in the Lake District.

What's on: Families

Two young visitors looking up at a banner in a case, holding pencils and an activity sheet.
Until
ActivityManchester
2025 Banner Bingo at PHM

Explore the People’s History Museum with your banner bingo card in hand as you navigate their galleries through the lens of craftivism.

free entry

Culture Guides

Poet Vik Shirley
Literature Events in the North

Some of our favourite leftfield live literature regulars are back with their first events of the year – we’ve picked a weird and wonderful heap we think you’ll love.

Good Fridaze Family Social at Freight Island
Family things to do in the North

We might be past the holiday season, but Manchester and the North's arts and cultural calendar is still packed with brilliant events and activities for families

A painting of a young child being bathed in a sink of a 197s style kitchen. Around the sink are a rubber duck, a bottle of  washing up liquid, a jug, a kettle and a mug.
Exhibitions in the North

Galleries are racing to announce new exhibitions so check out our top picks, from art films and nostalgic paintings to Hockney's collages.

NEXT: A Primer on Urban Painting production still
Cinema in the North

Street art, LGBTQ+ History Month, and the first film festivals of the year are amongst our cinema highlights this month.

Theatre in Manchester and the North
Theatre in the North

Feminist farce, a magical circus show and Oldham Coliseum return with a brand-new off-site show. All in our latest theatre guide.

FKA TWIGS
Music in the North

Masters of minimalism, leftfield electronica and cutting edge pop. We bring you the lot in our latest live music round up.