MV Swift - wheelchair accessible lake cruise
5
5
Date of visit: March 2026
I am a disabled person. I have experience of challenges around: accessing toilets, dexterity or coordination and moving around.
I use or have experience of: assistance dog, disabled toilet, wheelchair
Overall Rating
Excellent
We bought tickets for the red cruise, which MV Swift was running on. This went between Bowness and Ambleside. You could also get off at Brockholes but we didn't bother as most things there are closed out of season. We thoroughly enjoyed the boat trip and found the vessel easy to board and get around. In theory, you should be able to get to the outside seating area but it was quite cold so I didn't bother. We could see plenty from indoors and were happy to be on the lake.
Disabled Access In and Around
Good
The piers at Bowness and Ambleside are completely flat and level. When you board, there is a ramp, which I was able to manage by myself. The boat has 3 floors. The seating area on the bottom level is fully accessible, so we stayed there. I don't think you can get upstairs. I was able to get onto the back outdoor deck but the front area had steps. It looked like a platform lift was available to get to the front deck but I didn't bother as I was happy indoors.
Accessible facilities: Lift to some areas, Step-free entrance
Parking & Transport
Average
I travelled to this place by personal vehicle
At Bowness, we parked at the long-stay car park on Glebe Road. It wasn't cheap but blue badge holders get an additional hour on top of what you pay for. There is free blue badge parking nearer to the pier but it is limited to 3 hours, which wasn't enough for us. The car park is quite a walk from the boats but the path is good quality and it is flat all the way there.
Accessible facilities: Public or on street parking
Accessible Toilets
Good
There is an accessible toilet which I found to be clean and big enough to move around in. The door slides shut and I thought it was a bit heavy. It took me a couple of attempts to shut it.
Facilities: Accessible toilet
Staff
Excellent
All staff were lovely. They were helpful but didn't impose help without being asked. They were very friendly.
