Ullswater ‘Steamers’ currently has five heritage boats in regular service. Four of the vessels are listed on the National Historic Ships Register. All of our ‘Steamers’ have outside deck areas (open and sheltered), indoor saloons, toilet facilities, and fully licensed bars serving light refreshments.
Please Note: MY stands for Motor Yacht and MV stands for Motor Vessel.
To look around our boats from wherever you may be, take a look below at our 360 degree virtual tours:
M.Y. Lady of the Lake
Vessel:
M.Y. Lady of the Lake
Built By:
Seath & Co. of Rutherglen, Glasgow
Launched:
1877
Facilities:
Launched on 26th June 1877, Ullswater ‘Steamers’ Lady of the Lake is believed to be the oldest working passenger boat in the UK. Listed on National Historic Ships Register ID 375.
- 29.8 metres long
- Weighs 42.7 tonnes
- Designed by Mr Douglas Henson of Penrith
- Built at Rutherglen near Glasgow
- Delivered in three sections to Penrith by train
- Transported by horse drays to Waterside near Pooley Bridge
- Lady of the Lake was assembled on Ullswater at Pooley Bridge
Lady of the Lake is one of the original ships of Ullswater Navigation and Transit Company founded in 1859 to transport goods, mail, and passengers up and down Ullswater lake.
She originally had steam engines which were replaced by diesel Cummings Engines in the 1930s.
Take a look around M.Y. Lady of The Lake below:
M.Y. Raven
Vessel:
M.Y. Raven
Built By:
Seath & Co. of Rutherglen, Glasgow
Launched:
1889
Facilities:
Launched on the 16th July 1889, her arrival was directly inspired by the tour operator Thomas Cook who voiced his concerns to the Directors about the need for a second boat during the peak holiday season. Listed on National Historic Ships Register ID 57.
- Built on the Clyde in 1889
- Delivered in sections by train to Penrith
- Transported by horse and cart to Pooley Bridge
- Raven was assembled on Ullswater at Pooley Bridge
- She was named after Ravencragg, home of Company Director W.H Parkin
Christened by Miss Winifred Parkin, aged 6, in a customary manner – breaking a bottle of champagne against Raven’s bows as the boat glided down the stays into Ullswater. The younger the person that names a boat, the longer she will live.
Raven is one of the original ships of the Ullswater Navigation and Transit Company founded in 1859 to transport goods, mail, and passengers up and down the lake.
She originally had steam engines which were replaced by diesel Cumming Engines in the 1930s.
Take a look around M.Y. Raven below:
M.V. Western Belle
Vessel:
M.V. Western Belle
Built By:
Millbrook Steamboat & Trading Co.Ltd
Launched:
2011
Facilities:
Built to the order of the Millbrook Steamboat & Trading Co. Ltd in 1935, Western Belle immediately established herself as the company’s new flagship and was the firm favourite on Tamar and Yealm excursions for nearly 50 years. Listed on National Historic Ships Register ID 300.
- This little ship was built in Great Yarmouth in 1935
- The latest addition to Ullswater ‘Steamers’ fleet of five heritage boats
- Spent most of her working life on the Rivers Dart and Tamar, hence the name
- Purchased from Chris Cruises in 2007 where she worked on the River Thames
- Completely refurbished by Ullswater ‘Steamers’ in November 2010
- Re-launched onto her new home on Ullswater in July 2011
Western Belle is very popular amongst our regular passengers and a firm favourite for exclusive private hire on Ullswater.
M.V. Lady Dorothy
Vessel:
M.V. Lady Dorothy
Launched:
2001
Facilities:
Originally a sea-going boat from Guernsey, Lady Dorothy joined the Ullswater ‘Steamers’ fleet in 2001, which heralded the start of an extended winter timetable.
- Built in 1967
- Lady Dorothy is Ullswater ‘Steamers’ winter service boat
- Previously a passenger ferry in the Channel Islands
- Delivered from St Peter Port to Poole Harbour, Dorset and lifted from a low loader onto Ullswater in March 2001
- Lifted from a low loader onto Ullswater in March 2001
Lady Dorothy is the main boat in service between Aira Force and Glenridding. We regret that due to the nature of this boat, we cannot carry wheelchairs or bicycles on board.
She is a very seaworthy boat and capable of dealing with big waves and windy weather which frequent Ullswater, the Lake District.
M.V. Lady Wakefield
Vessel:
M.V. Lady Wakefield
Built By:
River Dart Steamboat Co. Ltd
Launched:
2007
Facilities:
Built by the River Dart Steamboat Co. Ltd, Lady Wakefield worked on the River Dart and the Plymouth Sound before her arrival at Ullswater in 2007. She was fully restored by our team and renamed by HRH Princess Alexandra. Listed on National Historic Ships Register ID 315.
- Built in Dartmouth in 1949
- She spent most of her working life on the Rivers Dart and Tamar
- Previously known as ‘Berry Castle’, ‘Golden Cormorant’ and ‘Totnes Castle’
- Her sister ship ‘Seymour Castle’ previously known as ‘Devon Belle’ went to Dunkirk but never made it to the beaches as part of the Little Ships evacuation in 1940, known in history as Operation Dynamo
- Recent addition to Ullswater ‘Steamers’ fleet of five heritage boats
- Came into service on Ullswater after a full refurbishment in summer 2007
Lady Wakefield is very popular with lots of our regular passengers because of her spacious upper saloon and evening summer cruises on Ullswater with live music and a Cumbrian fish supper.
