I’ve finally crossed the threshold of Windermere Jetty Museum having been unable to accept an invitation to the official reopening five years ago, but driven past countless times since.

My last visit was 25 years ago in its previous incarnation as Windermere Steamboat Museum (a better self-explanatory title as it’s not a museum of jetties). Back then it was under private ownership before being saved from closure by the Lakeland Arts charity after the death of visionary founder George Pattinson. Without him this repository of 200 years of Lakeland marine industry and engineering would not exist.

However, I recall the museum previously being packed with boats. Although now in a much glossier building (runner up for the Sterling Prize, but externally still looking like a row of sheds) there seem to be far fewer boats.

The reason is that around 30 boats are stored in a Cumbrian warehouse elsewhere. Why there and not here? What’s needed is another shed packed with boats, like the National Railway Museum’s North Shed building which is chocker with random items.

What can’t be denied is the enthusiasm of the staff, both paid and voluntary, and their skills and enthusiasm. Conservation engineer Sid Beaumont gave an excellent lecture on restoration and how each vessel demands different treatment (right with a model of SL  Esperance and the real 1869 one behind). For example, what period of a boat’s life should restoration aim at? Will it be static, or afloat and operational (the latter meaning compromises to meet current regulations)?

Aboard the gorgeously restored 1930 motor launch Penelope II (left and top left) which runs 45-minute sailings on Lake Windermere allows visitors to actually experience what these beautiful boats were built for. Penelope II’s rich woodwork simply glows with seven coats of varnish. Commissioned by a Mr Bentley to follow sailing races, the small saloon has a built-in drinks cabinet and even a mini-Belfast sink (right)! Co-skippers Ian Shirra and John Eaton obviously love their jobs and diffuse fascinating information with ease.

The classic steam launch Osprey (Penelope II’s running mate) was berthed out of service (top photo), but during my previous visit long ago, the launch stopped mid-lake with tea served on bone china. Hot water was piped directly out of her ‘Windermere boiler’, which was a design feature of these opulent vessels.

Unbelievably (or typically) health and safety rules have banned such a civilized ceremony, although no deaths were recorded. It was all rather lovely. Couldn’t this be revived somehow with a disguised humble electric kettle?

Talking of food, the Jetty’s Lakeshore Café is excellent, serving the best Borrowdale bread cake ever, and sweet potato and coconut soup (a total non-traditional Lakeland treat). You can dine outside in stylish shell-style shelters (left).

Overall, while the museum has not fulfilled its full promise, the potential is definitely there. One must not underestimate the money needed to achieve this level of restoration, preservation and staffing, plus the loss of visitors and financial setbacks caused by covid and the cost of living crisis.

One final disappointment is the lack of a brochure – surely it’s essential to have a printed guide to what is officially an internationally recognised collection?

Opening:

Windermere Jetty Museum, Rayrigg Road, Bowness on Windermere, Cumbria, LA23 1BN.

Tel: 01539 637940; info@lakelandarts.org.uk

1 November – 28 March: 10am-4pm
29 March – 31 October: 10am-5pm (from November closes 4pm)

Entry: £6 – 12; Heritage boat trips: £6 – 12 extra.