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Go on a free behind-the-scenes tour of Steam Yacht Gondola this evening

BySwallows and Amazons

As part of this weekend’s Heritage Open Days, you can go on a free behind-the-scenes tour of Steam Yacht Gondola this evening,

Gondola is considered the inspiration for Captain Flint’s Houseboat in Arthur Ransomes’ story of “Swallows & Amazons”, written and based around Coniston Water. A postcard of her, with changes made by Arthur Ransome to transform it into his vision of Captain Flint’s Houseboat, is now in the Arthur Ransome collection held at The Brotherton Library, University of Leeds.

The tour will allow visitors to view seldom seen archive material on the history of the yacht, find out about its rescue and rebuild, and chat to the engineers who maintain the boat and the helmsmen who sail her.

Located at Coniston Pier, Gondola will be open to visitors between 5 and 6.30PM this evening.