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Reviews

• Come sail away...

  LondonTraceyjeff,

  Sep 9, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  We spent 3 wonderful hours on Windermere with John on his beautiful boat, he was both patient and encouraging as each of us took a turn at the wheel, it was exhilarating. Johns knowledge of local history and our surroundings was impressive and enhanced our experience. Before heading back we set anchor at a sheltered spot and John served up a most delicious lunch. We highly recommend and would hope to return

• Perfect sailing

  donnasW125HN,

  Sep 1, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  What a beautiful trip. We had rain & sun but as advised by John we were fully prepared with waterproofs & it didn't spoil the day. John was so friendly, happy to advise & let my husband steer. When it came to lunch, it exceeded our expectations. John shared plenty of useful information to make our week away as memorable as possible. It was so relaxed, it felt like being with a friend. Thank you so much.

• A special afternoon out on Lake Windermere

  kgn92,

  Aug 12, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  We booked the Ploughman's afternoon sailing experience to celebrate my 60th and my wife-s 65th birthdays while we were staying at the Lakeland Village just outside Newby Bridge. We received excellent instructions and John took us out on the water and announced there was better wind to the South so we would sail that way. He took time to explain about the boat and how it was sailed in a friendly and clear way and then asked if we wanted to have a go. My wife allowed me to take the helm and I had a great time under John's expert supervision and guidance, managing to get a decent speed at times with the boat leaning over properly as we glided across the water. We had the added bonus of watching fast jets make several passes down the Lake on exercises, as well as John's expert knowledge pointing out the houses of the rich and famous along the shoreline, as well as other notable features. We then anchored in the lee of an island so the boat didn't rock too much and John served us an excellent Ploughman's meal for two with some nice home-cooked touches and a lovely bottle of Malbec! The icing on the cake was that John had somehow arranged for a cloud exclusion zone around the southern half of Lake Windermere so we had a beautiful sunny afternoon even though we could see clouds and rain falling at various points in the distance!

• Amazing Experience

  P5828UFjc,

  Aug 10, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  Amazing experience with friends. John was so knowledgeable and really supportive for us to have a go! Loved it all. The food was amazing with ‘mum’s’ homemade chutney and cake and John’s pate. Really amazing experience. Thank You!

  

• Exceptional experiance.

  Mancunian680,

  Jul 28, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  We had a brilliant morning with Captain John on Windermere. It was due to be a little overcast, but the sun shone, and it was marvellous. We were able to steer the boat most of the time as we used a combination of sail power and motor power. John is very knowledgeable of Windermere much more than the normal tourist boats we have been on. The day was quite calm with little wind so would love to go back again in windy conditions to feel the power of the wind. The food was excellent and lots of it home made.

  

  

  

• Fantastic sailing experience and so much more.

  martinandjane8,

  Jul 11, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  John was an excellent host, he made us feel very welcome,relaxed and comfortable throughout our time on board. His communication from first contact, through booking and the afternoon on board was seamless. He was very knowledgeable and shared plenty of tips to help us navigate our first trip to the ‘lakes’ advising us about good places to eat and places of interest worth visiting. The food he served was excellent and much of it home made by his Mum. If you’re thinking of booking it’s a certainty that you won’t be disappointed. Thankyou for a wonderful trip John. Jane and Martin (Norfolk)

• An Unforgettable Lake Windermere Experience!

  DF0wler,

  Jul 10, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  An Unforgettable Lake Windermere Experience! We had the most wonderful time with Sail ‘n’ Dine—it was truly one of the highlights of our trip! Our skipper and host, John, was absolutely fantastic—so warm, friendly, and incredibly knowledgeable. He shared fascinating stories and facts about the lake and its surroundings, and even let us take the helm for a bit, which was such a fun and memorable touch. The ploughman’s lunch was absolutely delicious—packed with homemade treats and thoughtfully prepared. The whole experience felt personal, relaxed, and just beautifully done. We can’t recommend this experience highly enough—a must-do in the Lake District! We’ll definitely be back.

• A fabulously exhilarating sailing experience on beautiful Lake Windermere aboard the Maddie Too!

  H5765GIalanh,

  Jul 5, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  Wet weather didn't dampen our fantastic sailing experience on beautiful Lake Windermere with John aboard the 'Maddie Too'. In fact, it made more exhilarating! My wife and I had never had any 'hands on' sailing experience before, but with John expertise and guidance, we were soon feeling confident enough to each take the wheel in turn and let the wind take us around the lake! Afterwards, we sailed into a tranquil spot near Belle Isle and moored up, where John put on his apron and served up a sumptuous Ploughman's Lunch from the galley! Alongside the cheeses, pies, and smoked salmon, etc, his mum's homemade relish was particularly good, as was her delicious fruitcake, which finished off a fabulous lunch! Afterwards, we got underway and headed back to the marina where we disembarked the Maddie Too. All in all, it was a very memorable experience, which we can heartily recommend. We will definitely be booking again in the future!

  

  

  

• Sail & Dine trip

  Venture540447,

  May 19, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  I booked this trip as a surprise my husband’s birthday. After phoning the company and talking to John I booked the trip. On the day John met us as agreed. My husband sailed the boat under johns supervision. This was fantastic. While going around John was giving us information about Bowness and the local areas, which he was very knowledgeable about. We moored up for lunch which was a ploughman’s and was beautiful, we couldn’t ask for more. We substituted our fish for an alternative and again John was very accommodating. The lunch and his mams cake was fantastic. What an amazing trip. We certainly will be going again in the future. Well done. If your thinking about going you won’t be disappointed.

• Fantastic Experience - Not To Be Missed!

  U5531XNlizc,

  May 8, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  My friend and I booked this experience prior to our stay in lakeland village, Backbarrow. John checked in with us the day before to ensure us everything was going ahead as planned and added extra location details of where to meet up. John was a fantastic, sociable host from the start. The boat was immaculate. The weather was perfect. John was an excellent instructor and very knowledgeable of the lake and its surroundings, and allowed us to take the helm for most of our trip. After an exhilararting trip we moored in a quiet bay. And just when we thought the fun was over, John popped down below and got his "pinny" on, and the delicious homemade treats kept on arriving! What a wonderful and memorable experience. Would highly recommend Thank you John from Liz & Caren

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