Embodied: The Making of a Windermere Skiff

Gain insight into the world of boatbuilding and explore the process of making Windermere Jetty Museum’s newest skiff, from ideation, sourcing materials, to the moment it launches on the water.  

This skiff was brought to life by emerging boatbuilder Line Packer and master artisan Senior Conservation Boatbuilder Stephen Beresford during their 7-month Homo Faber Fellowship. 

Through film, photography and samples from the making process, Embodied offers a rare glimpse into the craft, skill and regional inspiration behind the skiff. Visitors are invited to experience the atmosphere of a boatbuilder’s workshop, where timber is shaped by hand, skills are shared through conversation and practice, and every mark tells a story. 

The finished Windermere skiff will also be on display. Made using locally sourced timber from St John’s-in-the-Vale, near Keswick, the boat carries the story of a tree believed to have been more than 220 years old before being felled for safety reasons. Now, that timber has been given new life and will be preserved for generations to come. 

This exhibition celebrates craft, Windermere’s boating heritage and the region’s traditional boatbuilding culture. It also highlights how we’re helping to keep endangered traditional wooden boatbuilding skills alive for future generations. 

Embodied: The Making of a Windermere Skiff opens on Saturday 18 July 2026 and is included with museum admission.