The Steam Yacht Gondola

This is the Steam Yacht Gondola. This steam yacht cruises Coniston Water in the English Lake District.

This yacht was originally built in 1859 and restored from dereliction in 1979.

It is owned and operated by the National Trust, who say “Enjoy the charm of luxury travel once experienced by wealthy Victorians, riding in style in Gondola’s opulent saloons or relaxing on her open-air decks as she glides across Coniston Water.” I can vouch for that!

Gondola calls in at Brantwood. This house was the home of Victorian art critic, water colourist, prominent social thinker and philanthropist John Ruskin (1819 – 1900). The two taken together make a pleasant step back into gentile, middle class Victorian England.