Be a Steam Yacht Gondola engineer for a day – gift experience

Crew members in the Engine Room on Steam Yacht Gondola on Coniston Water, Lake District — Crew members inside the Gondola's Engine Room | © National Trust Images/Paul Harris

Roll up your sleeves and join the crew for a hands-on, one-to-one full day experience on the Steam Yacht Gondola. You’ll spend time up on the helm as well as in the engine room of this magnificent rebuilt Victorian boat. Whether it’s a treat for yourself or a present for someone special, ‘Engineer for the Day’ is an experience to treasure.

What’s included?

We’ll kit you out with a Steam Yacht Gondola branded set of overalls (so you don’t get those rolled-up sleeves dirty) and show you how to work old-fashioned steam technology.

From the moment you arrive until the minute you leave you can choose to be as involved with the many and varied aspects of crewing Gondola as you wish. You’ll learn all sorts of fascinating things about what it takes to run the boat from our friendly, knowledgeable crew.

Exclusively yours

This is a truly unique package which is tailor-made for one person.

We only run one engineer experience on any one day, so the focus will be entirely on you – you won't have to share with anyone else.

A lunch to keep you moving

At lunch time we'll provide you with a delicious packed lunch from the Bluebird Café and tea or coffee from the steam-powered 'Windermere Kettle'. Then you can do as the crew do – take a seat on the outer decks or in the indoor saloons and join in the boating conversation.

Your gift also includes a complimentary ticket for one person to join you on one of the scheduled cruises on the day so that your nearest and dearest can get souvenir photos that you'll treasure forever.

'I had a thoroughly enjoyable day – Julian, Paul and the rest of the crew made me feel most welcome from the moment I arrived until the end of the day with their friendly, relaxed approach. Their enthusiasm, knowledge and professionalism is a credit to the NT.'

- James

Crew of Steam Yacht Gondola attending the firebox — Attending the firebox on Steam Yacht Gondola | © Jamie Harper

Highlights of the day

During your trip you will:

Have one-to-one experiences with the crew members.
Learn to light the boiler and raise steam.
Feed the firebox with environmentally friendly fuel logs, take on water and tend the engine.
Learn how to tie up the boat at the jetty and set up the passenger gangway.
Try your hand at helming in the stunning surroundings of Coniston Water.
Discover the history of the boat and learn how she was resurrected from the depths of Coniston Water.
Invite a friend to join you on board for one of the day's sailings – a chance to get those all-important photographs of the engineer in action.

You’ll leave as an ‘honorary member’ of the crew with your Steam Yacht Gondola overalls as a memento of your fabulous day with us.