Private Sail and Dine Experience on Lake Windermere
Overview
Available languages
3 hours
Mobile ticket
Experience the exclusivity of chartering a 10 metre Oceanis Clipper sailing yacht on England's largest natural lake, Windermere.
Get involved as much or as little as you like, or relax whilst you appreciate the yacht, amazing views and fresh Cumbrian air.
A very extensive and locally sourced ploughman's is served in the second half of the trip with lots of delicious homemade additions.
You may dine on deck if the weather permits, with views most restaurants can only dream of. We have a well stocked and reasonably priced bar on board, complimentary tea, coffee and soft drinks.
We even have a private bathroom and central heating!
Having sailed on Windermere for 20 years I have plenty of stories to tell you about the Lake and thoroughly enjoy showing you how to sail on it in my fabulous yacht.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Minimum age is 9
Make us aware of any dietary allergies
Appropriate clothing for the weather
No animals permitted on board
What To Expect
The 3 hour Ploughman's experience is a chance to get hands-on, sailing a 10 metre Beneteau Ocenis Clipper ocean going yacht. After a 90 minute sail, we find an anchorage in a secluded Windermere Bay and relax with a fabulous locally sourced and very extensive Ploughman's. You can dine on deck if the weather permits, or in the comfort of the spacious saloon. The yacht is equipped with a bathroom.
Sample Menu
main
Local pork pie, cooked meat with homemade chutney.
main
Smoked Salmon with homemade spicy avocado salsa
main
Homemade pate
main
North Country cheeses
main
New Potatoes
main
Mediterranean salad
main
Freshly baked bread
dessert
Homemade cake
Options
Private Sail and Dine Experience on Lake Windermere
4 Travellers
Additional travellers
6 Travellers
What‘s Included
Bottled water
Lunch
Coffee and/or Tea
Sailing experience
A bar service is available at very reasonable prices. You need to be at least 18.
Cancellation Policy
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
Reviews
35 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Absolutely fabulous and can’t recommend enough !
MikeM990,May 25, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I very rarely write trip advisor reviews .something has to be exceptionally bad or exceptionally good . A day with John is just outstanding !!!!! The nicest, friendliest funniest interesting person to look after you. An immaculate yacht, great relaxed tuition and lovely local food (especially his mums chutney and tea loaf) Absolutely loved it and can’t recommend it enough . We had a fantastic day !!!!!!
Great Sailing Experience, Great Food, Great Company! Recommended
Red27,May 20, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Sailed with John in mid-May and straight from the off he had us steering the boat, explaining all the adjustments needed to make to ensure getting the best wind and sail possible for the conditions - which made it even better. John takes care of everything re: tacking the sail, he trusts you to steer to the direction he clearly tells you, so you fully feel part of his "crew". When you manage to steer into a large gust of wind it's so exhilarating to feel it's power as the boat leans (perfectly safely and as expected) and glides through the lake - really made our experience. After travelling South down the Lake (into the wind), we then sailed back North (with the wind) with a new pilot (my partner) and again a new skill was taught about using the sails differently - and she absolutely loved it! We then dropped anchor in a sheltered spot and enjoyed a sumptuous ploughman's lunch John had prepared: pork pie, delicious salmon, plus a fine selection of meats and local cheeses with sour dough bread (with compliments to John's mum on the exceptional home made condiments!). We washed this down with nice bottle of Italian Red (soft drinks were complimentary, with a small additional charge for the selection of wines), and enjoyed the food and a great conversation with John. The three hours we were on board absolutely flew by, and we left the boat with the best impression of sailing, the boat & John. We recognise that this isn't an inexpensive excursion, but it really is such a great experience, and we both felt that it is worth that bit extra for such a memorable day. Final Verdict: Highly recommended for a special occasion or a more luxurious treat for couples / groups.
What an amazing experience
discodave1405,May 18, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Gift for 50th birthday. What an amazing experience. From the second that John greeted us, we knew were going to have a great day. Such a personable chap with great info, stories, and banter. Allowed us all a shot at the wheel explaining all the time what was going on and giving historical info about our surroundings. Food served was first class and homemade butter fruit loaf was out of this world. The six of us felt so privileged to have been aboard the boat for three fantastic hours and making memories to last a lifetime. Cannot praise John enough. Five stars all the way . Thank you
Had an amazing...
Martin D,May 6, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Had an amazing experience. Very peaceful with Family, food was nice . Would really recommend Thank you :)
Sail N Dine review
M9803FBlaurad,Mar 29, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00What a start to our holiday in beautiful Windermere! We had a fantastic time with John on his yacht, learning about the lake and about sailing. He was very patient with us and just such a nice guy. The lunch was delicious with lots of home made treats. We would thoroughly recommend Sail N Dine. Such a unique experience.
Come sail away...
LondonTraceyjeff,Sep 9, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We 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
5.00What 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
5.00We 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
5.00Amazing 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
5.00We 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.
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