Please select your home edition
Edition
Allen Dynamic 40 Leaderboard

Swallows and Amazons celebrations - Visit the Lake District to see both dinghies from the 1974 film

by Magnus Smith 20 Jun 20:33 BST 29-30 June 2024
You can sail in the dinghy 'Amazon', as used in the 1974 film of Swallows and Amazons © Hunter's Yard / Mr Whittaker

2024 marks the 50th anniversary of the first feature length film made of the book, Swallows and Amazons by Arthur Ransome. The focus of the celebrations will be on Lake Windermere during the last weekend of June.

Both dinghies from the film, lovingly restored, will be there. You can arrange a short sail in 'Amazon', plus 'Swallow' will be on shore. Fans of the 80s TV series will be able to see 'Titmouse' too. Then there is 'Mavis', the original dinghy Ransome knew in the 1920s-30s.

There are not just film star boats present; there will be human celebrities too! John Sergeant (ex-political correspondent and big S&A fan) will introduce members of the original cast and crew from the 1974 film.

There is no need to book, except for going afloat. Events are free but there is a charge to go into the Windermere Jetty Museum, who are hosting. Full programme below...

All weekend

  • Exhibitions and static displays in the Learning Centre and foyer (Arthur Ransome, Swallows and Armenians, film artefacts and memorabilia)
  • Children's craft activities in the reception area and foyer
  • Swallows and Amazons campsite to explore
  • 'Swallow' and 'Titmouse' on the shoreline
  • Sail in 'Amazon' (weather permitting - book your time)
  • See 'Mavis' - the original Amazon from 1928

Saturday programme

  • 10:00am - Event opens
  • 10:30am - Film showing, Swallows & Amazons (90 mins)
  • 12:15pm - Talk (20 mins) by Peter Wright: How Ransome came to write Swallows and Amazons
  • 12:45pm - Film (second showing) Swallows & Amazons
  • 2:30pm - Meet the original cast and crew (introduced by John Sergeant)
  • 3:00pm - Talk by actress Sophie Neville (30 mins) memories and secrets of making the film
  • 3:45pm - Folk Concert (the music of Arthur Ransome's books)
  • 5:00pm - Film (final showing) - Swallows and Amazons
  • 6:30pm - Close

Sunday programme

  • 10:00am - Event opens
  • 10:30am - Film showing, Swallows & Amazons (90 mins)
  • 12:15pm - Meet the original cast and crew (introduced by John Sergeant)
  • 1:00pm - Talk by actress Sophie Neville: memories and secrets of making the film
  • 1:45pm - Film (second showing) Swallows & Amazons
  • 3:25pm - Talk (20 mins) by Peter Wright: How Ransome came to write Swallows and Amazons
  • 4:00pm - Folk Concert (the music of Arthur Ransome's books)
  • 5:00pm - Close

In the Museum (charges apply)

Ransome's own sailing dinghy Coch-y-Bonddhu, Ransome memorabilia, boats, displays, steam cruises on the lake, and 200 years of Lakeland history.

Timings may be subject to change

Related Articles

Film star to sail again
A second Swallows and Amazons film dinghy is made available for public sailing In 1974 the first colour movie of Swallows and Amazons came out. Now, fifty years later, you can go sailing in the 'Amazon' dinghy that was used in the film. Posted on 21 Jan
A pricey wooden dinghy still sailing today
Swallows and Amazons film prop on BBC1's Antiques Roadshow British sailors enjoying a quiet cup of tea in front of the TV on Sunday evening would have been pleasantly surprised to see their favourite sport grace Antiques Roadshow on BBC1. Posted on 22 Feb 2021
You can sail 'Swallow' in Norfolk or Suffolk
1970s film star dinghy available for all to get afloat If you would like to go sailing in the Swallows and Amazons style, no matter which of the twelve books or three films you preferred best, this year we can offer you the delights of the Norfolk Broads, the Suffolk rivers, or even a North Essex archipelago. Posted on 19 Jun 2016
Sailing 'Swallow' in Cumbria and Norfolk
Get afloat like the Swallows and Amazons in 2014 Swallow has been lying at Glenridding, Ullswater, and made a few trips out in the Spring. August has been crammed full of last-minute bookings, some of which involved a quick transfer to Coniston for the pilgrimage to Peel Island . Posted on 10 Aug 2014
Get sailing like the Swallows and Amazons
Authentic opportunities this year in the Lake District It is just over two years since a group of Arthur Ransome fans won this boat in an auction and began to renovate her. It is just over one year since she was first launched and began her nationwide tour. Posted on 22 Apr 2012
Swallow's relaunch at Coniston Water
Far more people turn up than expected A year after the auction where Swallow was delivered into the hands of the fans. We expected to see 20 people at Coniston Water... then had about 50 people tell us they were coming...and then met 90+ on the day! Posted on 8 May 2011
Film star to sail again
Swallows & Amazons dinghy relaunch Swallow will be relaunched, and sailed for the first time since the film, on 10th April at Coniston Water. You are all very welcome to sail that day, assuming the wind is kind enough! Wed love to see as many Arthur Ransome fans as possible. Posted on 18 Mar 2011
Vintage dinghy renovation
From the Swallows and Amazons film Swallow is a vintage lugsail dinghy, the star of the 1974 feature film ‘Swallows and Amazons, based on Arthur Ransomes book. She is on display at the London Boat Show and has already delighted many fans of the film and books. Posted on 12 Jan 2011